There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch — or Free Work
Every Employer wants his or her project to be successful, which is why asking Freelancers to submit mock-ups before you award your project is so tempting. You want to see what you're getting before you get it. However, a request for mock-ups is essentially a request for free work.
We do not accept projects that request free work from Freelancers. See the Guru.com policy on mock-ups.
We recommend that you review Freelancers' Work Samples to get the best idea of their style, quality of work and ability to produce what you need. However, there are some skill categories that don't lend themselves well to portfolios. In these cases, it is acceptable to ask the Freelancer for an "audition" to enable you to assess his or her ability.
An audition request includes:
- Sending telemarketers a script then asking them to call you and read it;
- Asking transcriptionists to take an online test;
- Asking programmers how they might tackle a certain problem in a script; or
- Requesting business consultants to provide a general outline of how they envision helping you to expand your business.
A request for free work includes:
- Asking graphic designers to send samples of a logo for your company;
- Requesting that writers submit newly written articles such as the ones you are seeking to publish;
- Asking website designers to send you mock-ups of their proposed website; or
- Posting a call for submission of original work (artwork, writing, design) where only winning entries are chosen and paid for.
Our quality assurance team hand reviews every project and will not approve any project with a request for mock-ups. If you are asking for an audition, please make it clear in your description that you are not asking for free work.
You can include in your project description how many mock-ups, samples or drafts you expect from the Freelancer to whom the project is awarded. Again, please make it clear that you are requesting these items from a Freelancer following an award, ensuring that the Freelancer will be paid for the work produced.
Work Samples, feedback, and prior experience can all provide you with a comprehensive idea of whether a Freelancer is right for your project or not. Avoid asking for a mock-up, and instead use these tools to help ensure the success of your project. |