Networking meetup led to a vague job offer. Sketchy from the start.

Guy asked for graphic work but dodged every budget question. Talked about 'trust' and 'future collabs'. Noped out fast.

4 comments

4 Comments

That trust and future collabs talk is such a classic red flag in creative fields... I swear I've heard that exact script before. Good on you for walking away when the budget conversation got dodgy. Those vague offers never turn into real work, just endless free samples. Total time waste.

lee.pat2mo ago

Isn't it crazy how often you hear that same line? @sam912's friend getting burned is exactly why we gotta be careful. Solid move dodging that bullet.

ray6131mo ago

Yeah, that "trust and future collabs" line is the worst. I had a client string me along for two months with that exact talk, asking for tiny revisions and mood boards for a "bigger campaign coming soon." It never came. They just wanted free creative direction. It's such a draining pattern.

sam9122mo ago

Ugh, my friend got caught in that exact trap last year. Did three free "test" projects for a company that kept name-dropping @beng51's point about future big projects. Never got a real contract, just more asks for freebies.