Brother in law opened a business and I helped him with his company logo. I'm a graphic designer and I earn quite good but I did his logo for free because we get along and he has not much money. Now he is asking me to also do some more design work for him (booklet, ads, etc). He wanted to hire a freelancer but it's too expensive for him, so now he is asking me again. I'm quite busy with my job and son but I also don't want to be that person not helping out the family. I said I'm rather busy but he keeps asking for "just some sketches and advices how he can do it himself". How would you handle the situation?

>>33390659 (OP)
At least bill him a good cost and do the work at your leisure. Money spent on that stuff will directly lower his adjusted gross annual. It is the best deal for each to omit middlemen.

>>33390659 (OP)
Imo "family" isn't an excuse to expect or even accept free professional labor from someone. Maybe a deal, maybe some tips or references, but it's disrespectful and entitled to ask anyone, especially your family, to give you their professional services for free. You should want to support your family and their business by using their service and paying a fair rate for it. If he can't afford that, maybe you can offer a payment plan or some other kind of mutually beneficial deal, but free labor isn't reasonable for anyone to ask. The way he's asking, it makes it seem like he doesn't really understand or appreciate the work you do and the effort that goes into it. I'd make it clear to him that what you do isn't easy work, that what he's asking for is quite a bit of effort on your part, that it requires professional skills and can't satisfactorily be done up by just anyone or half-assed, then offer him some rates and a payment plan for your service in writing. If he can't give you that respect as family, as a professional, as a man, then you shouldn't worry about rocking the boat. If he gets upset then he just doesn't respect you.

>>33390703
>>33390770
Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!

>>33390659 (OP)
You have to learn to separate business from family.

>>33390659 (OP)
> I also don't want to be that person not helping out the family

You already have. Tell him that you’re too busy like you just told us.

Family is not for leeching off of. You helped out your brother, but has he helped you out in any way? If he’s helped you out a lot in the past, then you probably owe him. But you wouldn’t keep asking for free services from people you care about.

>>33390659 (OP)

Insert correct numbers here:

"John, I know this project would cost you $1000 if XYZ Co did it, and I'd ordinarily charge $800. How about $400 just to cover my expenses?"

Tell him you're busy. If he really presses it, agree to do it and then just don't do anything. Every time he asks, tell him you'll get to it soon, and eventually he'll fuck off. That's how I got out of being the family tech support.

Now if he offers to start paying, that's another story.