Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Labour, minimums & unpaid work · Core

Free work

Also called: unpaid work

ELI5

Creative labour done without pay, often in the hope of winning a job.

Used in conversation

“A six-page unpaid treatment is still free work, even when everyone calls it an opportunity.”

Definition

Writing, revising or creating requested material without compensation where payment should be considered or required.

Here “Free work” means: Writing, revising or creating requested material without compensation where payment should be considered or required.

Pitch context

You may hear “Free work” while preparing, delivering or following up a pitch.

Why it matters: Explains who controls, pays for, approves, exploits or bears risk around a project.

Caution

What counts as covered or compensable work depends on jurisdiction, guild coverage and contract.

Sources & evidence · 12

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.