Why is pro bono such a pain in the butt?
In a mission to correct her cosmic karma, copywriting agency founder Emma Heath decided it was time to go pro bono. Here, she walks us through the trials and tribulations of working for free.
Giving to charity is a nice thing to do. We all know this. But the reality is, it’s not always an easy thing to do. With over 54,000 registered charities in Australia, it’s increasingly hard to even choose who to support in the first place. Amid all the letters, emails, social media campaigns and clipboard-wielding zealots, how can we begin to decide which worthy cause is the worthiest of them all?
The decision isn’t any easier for those who choose to give back in a professional context. Whether you’re a designer, web developer or media planner, chances are you’ve been hit up by a charity for free ‘pro bono’ work in some way, shape or form – and you really can’t blame them for asking. After all, in such an unbelievably competitive sector, charities need all the help they can get to be seen and heard, and that’s traditionally the kind of expertise our industries provide.
