Overheard a guy at the coffee shop bragging about paying his painter with a "promise of exposure"

I was getting a latte last Tuesday and this dude in a suit was on the phone loud enough for everyone to hear. He was telling someone he got his whole living room painted for free because the painter was "building his portfolio." Then he laughed and said "I'll give him a good review online, that's worth more than cash." I almost spit out my drink. I've been doing house cleaning solo for 3 years and I've had people try to pay me with Facebook shoutouts. Never fall for the exposure line. Ask for a deposit up front or walk. Has anyone actually had a client pay them with exposure and it worked out?

3 comments

3 Comments

iris_thomas8516d ago

Ask for a signed contract and a deposit before you lift a finger. I learned that lesson after cleaning three offices for a "startup guru" who paid me with a LinkedIn recommendation. A written agreement makes it real and gives you something to stand on if they try to stiff you on the rest.

ray56216d ago

My buddy refurbished a whole storefront for a "design influencer" and got paid in a tagged post. Landlord still expected actual rent money lmao.

shane_wilson16d ago

Has anyone ever actually paid their bills with a Facebook shoutout? I've seen electric companies refuse to accept "good vibes" as payment, weird. Exposure is just a fancy way of saying you're working for free, but with extra steps. A buddy of mine fell for the "you'll get more clients" line once, painted a whole restaurant, got a grand total of zero calls from it.