Path 1: Offer portfolio proof instead
When to use: Use when you already have relevant examples or case studies that can reduce doubt.
- Redirect to existing evidence
- Reduce friction without free labor
- Stay easy to work with
Pricing decision
Use before replying
Stay professional without normalizing unpaid proof-of-work.
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Paste the free-trial request and your preferred boundary. Flowdockr will draft a response that stays professional without giving away unpaid work. Start with the exact message, add your quote or scope context, choose the tone, and generate without leaving this scenario page.
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The prospect wants proof before hiring, but the request crosses into unpaid work. The key is to protect your boundary without sounding hostile.
When to use: Use when you already have relevant examples or case studies that can reduce doubt.
When to use: Use when you are open to validation but do not want to normalize unpaid effort.
When to use: Use when the request strongly suggests weak fit or low trust.
I don't usually provide unpaid trial work, but I'm happy to share relevant examples or discuss a small paid test if that would help.
Why this works: Use this when you want to acknowledge the objection quickly and test whether budget is the real blocker.
I understand why you'd want to see fit before moving forward. I don't take on unpaid trial work, but I'd be glad to share similar work or set up a small paid test piece if that helps you decide with confidence.
Why this works: Use this when you want to preserve trust while still holding the line on the original pricing logic.
I don't provide free trial work as part of my process. If you'd like to assess fit, the best options are reviewing relevant examples or arranging a paid test engagement.
Why this works: Use this when you need to reset boundaries clearly and move the conversation toward scope trade-offs instead of discounts.
Usually not as a default. Unpaid trial work often creates weak boundaries and attracts low-commitment buyers unless there is a very specific strategic reason.
You can offer portfolio proof, case studies, a walk-through of your process, or a small paid test engagement.
Stay calm, explain your process briefly, and offer a professional alternative. The tone matters, but the boundary should stay intact.
Move to the next decision state instead of dropping into generic related posts.
Paste the free-trial request and your preferred boundary. Flowdockr will draft a response that stays professional without giving away unpaid work.
Choose another pricing situation from the decision console.