I am a true believer in when you give of yourself you get it back tenfold so my recent conversation with a few colleagues shocked me a little.  They felt that you should not give away your services or even cut your rate, under no circumstances.   Hmm, so I listened with an open ear to the laundry list of why it would harm me.  Number one was no money coming in.  That is where I had to speak up and disagree.

First off there is the testimonial aspect.  Especially if you are just starting out and need to build some creditability.  However when you choose pro-bono or reduced rate services you should look at the viability of the relationship to your future business.  Usually when I help organizations I look at the support that they have and how I can form new relationships with members and volunteers.  So not only do you want to ask for the testimony you also want to meet as many people as you can and be sure that your name gets out there.

Second is can you grow with them.  Some organizations are struggling because they are new and the funds just are not there.  That does not mean that they will stay there so look at the down the road opportunities.  If enough people work together there would be enough momentum to move the organization to the next level and you will already be in place.

Finally, it is the right thing to do.  Yes I know it does not pay the bills but it does help you to become a well-rounded person.   Now I do not mean keep giving until you are sucked dry because you still have the power to say no.  However, if you commit see it through so that people can see that you walk the walk and are reliable.

For all the causes and organizations I have helped I have made valuable business contact and have gotten work from those who were in their network.  That is the reason I disagree that no money is coming in because while it will not be tangible from the organization you are helping it is tangible from those who find you based on the work you did.

Here are some of my favorite ways to give back:

Mentor high school kids

Mentor business owners who are just starting out

Provide an internship to college students and recent graduates

Work with a not for profit whose cause you support

Do you give back and if so how?  If you do not what are your reasons not to.

Signing off short and sweet,

Lee