[timelike01]

On Craigslist, a lot of people ask for freelance artists -- including those who produce web comics -- to do work for them without pay. Of course these people have their reasons for expecting artists to work for free. But I, like most artists I assume, expect to get paid since we do live in a monetary-based economy. (Most of us do anyway.) Thus, I NEVER accept any freelance art jobs that don't pay. As for those who do accept freelance art jobs that don't pay, what the frak is the point? Are they expecting to get paid jobs once their pro bono art job is seen by others? Isn't it more likely that these "others" will also expect you to work for free? Just thought I'd bring that up. I also want to bring this up:
http://povonline.com/cols/COL210.htm
 

[majic13]

Working without pay is The Devil, and worth avoiding whenever possible. Which is always. "Spec work" is similar, in that you work for free now on the shaky promise that sometime down the line, usually "when the project's earning big moneys" you'll get your just rewards. This is almost universally crap - the vast majority of the time the project will tank, and you'll have put in a bunch of hours for no result. Never start a job without first agreeing to how much (and how soon) you will be paid.

Especially hilarious are the jobs that argue that working for them for free will be "good exposure". Anyone can get good exposure nowadays by putting up a portfolio website or updating a regular webcomic - the latter is very good because it shows that you can produce consistent work and meet deadlines, both traits that prospective employers like to see.