Does Work For Trade Work?

This week, it seems like everywhere I turn someone is talking about doing work for trade. I’ve either had or heard conversations about this topic at least once each day for the past several days. I chalk it up to the economy.

I tend to stand pretty firmly in the don’t-do-it camp, but I’ll admit I’ve dabbled a couple of times. In both cases, I’m somehow still the debtor. One of them I’m eager to repay, but my creditor isn’t sure how best to use his handful of free hours of PR services. The other I feel I repaid ages ago, but she seems to keep asking for more.

Even though I’m 0-2, I think it can work in a few cases:

- Both of your needs are immediate. You need a wedding photographer; a wedding photographer needs someone to design his brochure. Perfect. Both projects have a clear “end,” and both need to be done now. When the wedding is over and the brochure is printed, you’re even-Steven.

- The deliverables are clearly defined. Grey area is dangerous territory, and where I got tripped up. Make sure you both know what you’re getting before you get started.

- When you both get something you would pay for anyway. This is key. What good is a month of free acupuncture when you can’t put food on the table? Or you’re afraid of needles? If it’s going to work, you have to be swapping for something you’d pay for anyway.

- When you’re trading with a good friend. And I mean really good, like the kind of friend you’d give a kidney to. If you would design your friend’s logo as a favor, but she offers to give you free salsa lessons to even the score, that just makes it more fun. But really, it’s a favor.

And outside of that, I’m tempted to say steer clear.