<ul><li>Designers are urged to avoid free pitching, which has been a longstanding issue in the industry.</li><li>Free pitching is seen as detrimental, devaluing creativity and eroding professional standards.</li><li>The Design Business Association (DBA) advises its members against participating in unpaid pitches.</li><li>The DBA emphasizes the negative impact of free pitching on both agencies and clients.</li><li>Various design leaders discussed strategies to push back against free pitching in a recent webinar.</li><li>Setting clear policies on free pitching from the start can help studios maintain their stance.</li><li>Refusing to free pitch sends a positive message to the team and fosters a sense of professional self-respect.</li><li>Building a strong positioning and emphasizing the impact of work can help studios differentiate themselves.</li><li>Prioritizing relationships and successful work can lead to bypassing the pitch stage altogether.</li><li>Despite the challenges in the design industry, making decisions against free pitching is crucial for long-term change.</li></ul>

How and why designers should turn down free pitching

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