Today is Blog Action Day.  Each year an important topic is selected, and bloggers around the world who wish to participate post about that topic.  This year’s subject is poverty.  I thought about trying to do a post that ties into poverty, but I think it makes more sense to do a post on this blog that talks about using your skills to help any organization that is trying to make positive changes.

It seems like most successful freelancers I know end up doing at least a little bit of pro bono work from time to time.  Usually for some noble cause that resonates with them.  It’s seldom because they have so much extra time.  So why do they do it?

• It’s the right thing to do.  I imagine I’m not the only person who sleeps better at night if I feel like the world is a slightly better place because I’m on it.
• It raises your visibility.  You can land projects with much more recognizable clients than you can at your regular billing rates.  As a result, your portfolio gets stronger.
• It builds contacts.  The decision makers at any organization that is worthy of pro bono consideration do not exist in a vacuum.  They tend to know a lot of people and will recommend you if you’ve done a good job for them.

So you believe in the value, but there are thousands (probably tens of thousands) of worthy organizations to donate your services to.  How do you figure out which one to work with?

• Need.  Who actually needs your service right now?  If the soup kitchen down the street already has a stable of freelance writers, they might not need another one. 
• Personal connection.  Does the mission of the organization resonate with you?  If you hate cats and dogs, then doing something for your local animal shelter won’t be quite as satisfying.  (Don’t worry.  There are other freelancers out there who love cats and dogs, and they will take care of the animal shelters of the world.)
• Advancing business goals.  You can do something good and grow your business at the same time.  I would suggest working with an organization that brings you closer to your potential customers.

I recently got involved with the Indianapolis International Film Festival.  I will be donating a considerable amount of my time over the next several months revamping their website.  Right now the site is the responsibility of people who don’t have a ton of experience with this type of work, and they really have other things they need to be spending their time on for the festival.  I’d call that a big need.

The objectives of the festival resonate with me: bringing some of the culture of the rest of the world into Indianapolis.  I’m also a big movie buff.  I get excited about being involved with this organization so that’s a match.

The film festival also advances my business goals.  With Patron, I want to be in front of the people who care about promoting culture and entertainment in Indianapolis.  The people involved with the film festival run in the same circles as my target market.

So take a second to brag in the comments below.  What worthy organization do you donate your time to?  Here’s a chance to give them a little free exposure.

filed under: Finding Work, Running a Business