Pick your pro bono carefullyPro bono work is a great way to build your skills, increase your business visibility, and give back to your community. Donating your time and business acumen to a non-profit or a social business start-up can bring great satisfaction, great connections, and can build your portfolio. It’s important, though, to choose your pro bono work carefully.

Here are some guidelines that might help:

  • Keep Your Intentions Pure

Don’t take a pro bono job if you are only motivated by personal gain or reputation building or the connections you will make. Most organizations that need your help are very sincere about their mission. If you don’t believe in what they do, refer someone else to them and then find something else to do that does align with your values.

  • Don’t Commit Unless You Have the Time To Do It and Will Follow Through

Follow the same rules of under commit, over deliver that you do in your paid business transactions.  It’s easy to get wrapped up in the deep needs of these worthwhile organizations that you want to help more than you actually have time to do. Be careful with this, because once you make a commitment, they will be counting on you. It’s better to take on a small project, see how it fits into your lifestyle and other business demands, and then do more once you see how the first project goes.

  • Remember That What You Do Every Day Easily Isn’t Easy For Other People

Lots of things we do day to day are second nature to us. We’ve programmed websites for years, we understand how to ask for funding, we manage projects like they’re an easy shopping list. Just because something is easy for us doesn’t mean it doesn’t have high value. Even something as seemingly simple (to you) as setting up social media profiles might sound like utter Greek to someone else who’s never done it. Just remember that acting like “any idiot could do it” will cast ill feelings on those who need your help. They don’t want or need to be made to feel stupid. Share your skills, the things you’re good at, and do it with a loving and compassionate heart. The things you do every day, which might seem like nothing to you, could be just the thing that propels a social organization to the next level.

  • Honor Confidentiality (and Get Permission For Any Sharing)

If you want to share with your client base that you are donating your time – something that can be life and relationship building – confirm that the organization you’re helping is OK with that. Depending upon the group, you might have to remain quiet for the health and safety of who they help. In this case, get a letter of recommendation that you can perhaps share less publicly with potential clients during consult or get a commitment from your contact that you can share their info for a reference. Be on the safe side and ask first.

  • Don’t Pro Bono Because You’re Afraid to Ask To Be Paid

Many organizations have budget to hire a professional. If you see a group you want to help, create a proper proposal to be hired and present it. If that doesn’t happen, then you can always offer pro bono. Sometimes we get shy or nervous about asking for what we’re worth. We know what the organization does is great and we really believe in it so we think we’re doing them a favor to volunteer. But too often, we get peeved when someone else comes along with the courage to ask to get paid and gets the job. Just because an organization is non-profit does not mean they only work with volunteers. If you aren’t sure, go back  to tip #1. If your intentions are pure, you will know the right thing to do.

Thank you for being the kind of person who does pro bono work. Enjoy your time!

Vicki Flaugher, CEO
SmartWomanGuides.com