# Respond to a request for free work or a spec pitch

A reply that protects my time when a prospect asks for unpaid samples, free strategy, or spec work, while keeping the deal alive.

- Topic: Sales
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Sales, Analyze, Plan, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/respond-to-a-request-for-free-work-or-a-spec-pitch

## Prompt

```text
A prospect has asked me to do unpaid work before hiring me. Help me respond.

**What they asked for:** [e.g. "a sample design", "a free audit", "your ideas for our strategy", "a test article"]
**How much effort it would take:** [HOURS]
**Who they are and the size of the opportunity:** [DETAILS]
**Is this a competitive pitch against others?** [yes / no / unknown]
**What I'm willing to offer:** [e.g. portfolio, case studies, a short call, a paid discovery phase]

Give me:
1. A quick assessment: is this a reasonable request in my field, a common practice in this type of competitive pitch, or a red flag?
2. Three alternatives I can offer instead, such as relevant case studies, a short paid discovery or audit, a working session on their problem, or references.
3. A reply that declines the free work politely, explains my policy briefly without lecturing, and offers the best alternative.
4. A version that accepts a limited version, with clear boundaries on effort and on who owns the ideas if they don't hire me.
5. If it's a formal pitch, the questions to ask first: number of competitors, decision criteria, budget, and whether a pitch fee is paid.

Keep the tone confident and helpful, never defensive.
```

## What to fill in

- HOURS
- DETAILS
- yes / no / unknown

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