Do I really need a volunteer client for my portfolio? (Freebie alert - Portfolio Checklist)

I have mixed feelings about this mentee question.

Having the authentic experience of working with a stakeholder can be valuable. It will give you practice in guiding a stakeholder through the design process. And you'll have stories to share in interviews. (You may have these stories even if you don't get a volunteer client.)

But on the other hand, free labor often isn't respected. It's easy for a volunteer client to attempt to make you an order-taker rather than a partner in a design. And if you aren't careful to truly explain what it is you want to do with them and set boundaries, you can create a lot more work for yourself. So you have to set yourself up for success if you decide to go this route.

Finding a volunteer client can be challenging too. Nonprofits and small businesses often can't afford to hire instructional designers, so they're a good place to start. But don't approach the volunteer client with "I want to make something for you." This approach encourages them to give you orders rather than collaborate.

Instead, approach volunteer clients with "I want to help you solve a business problem." Have an exploratory conversation around what challenges they're currently facing and see where learning might help alleviate the issue.

Then you can propose a solution and set time boundaries on what they can expect from you.

Let's say that you found a local catering business and after asking the owners what problems they run into, you learn about different struggles they're having. One stands out to you: they're having trouble with client satisfaction because the cleanup after doesn't meet expectations.

After that exploratory conversation, you write up a proposal of a job aid and an onboarding video for new associates. This proposal includes how long you think each asset will take to build and what you'd need from them. This proposal doesn't have to be lengthy, just enough to share the scope and expectations of the project.

In your next meeting, you share this proposal and ask for their feedback. If they're excited (and truthfully, who wouldn't be?), set up regular check-ins about the project and have them block review time.

Guiding a stakeholder through the design process can be challenging even for the best of us. And if you're just starting out, the project can get away from you quickly.

Too often volunteer clients will say something like "yeah, you can make this thing for me" and then don't get back to you. Or if they do get back to you, it's to ask you if you've made the thing yet. Nope, haven't done it yet, Debra. I've been waiting on you to give me feedback. ??

Oh, and if you're waiting on them to give you content, congratulations, you're an ID! Sometimes we have to source our own content. Sometimes it's given to us. Sometimes we source it and then the stakeholder asks you why you didn't use the thing they never gave you...

Don't let your volunteer clients push you around.

Set boundaries and stick to them.

And don't be afraid to realign the client when they get off track. (That's why this proposal is so helpful.)

And the beauty of writing a proposal is that you can include it in your portfolio even if the volunteer client ghosts!

This article was one of four in the newsletter Experience Points. At the end of that series, I shared a free portoflio checklist with my readers.

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