Be careful with your ideas.
Every creative knows the drill: you polish your résumé, prep your portfolio, and step into an interview or client meeting hoping to prove your worth. You want them to see how you think, not just what you’ve done. So you share an idea or two – something clever you dreamed up, an approach you’re proud of or a project that was well received.
And sometimes, weeks later, that same phrase, tagline, or concept shows up somewhere else… without you.
I’ve been there. It’s a gut-punch. At first you’re flattered that your idea resonated; then comes the sting of watching it live on while you’re left on the sidelines.
This post isn’t about villainizing companies. Most of the time there’s no malice. People just latch on to language that sticks. But it is a reminder: our ideas are currency, and we need to spend them wisely.
The Free-Pitch Trap
In creative fields, “free pitching” happens all the time. Portfolios, design tests, and interview brainstorming can slip into a gray area where you’re effectively gifting strategy without compensation. Interviews and client meetings are meant to assess fit, but sometimes they unintentionally become think-tanks, leaving creatives exposed.
Smart Sharing
Protecting yourself doesn’t mean shutting down your creativity. It means being intentional:
- Show process, not full campaigns. Walk through how you approach problems rather than handing over polished concepts.
- Keep examples anchored in your past work. Point to existing pieces rather than inventing a full strategy on the spot. If they are asking for a full campaign, ‘just to see how you think’, we’ll revisit this in another blog.
- Use broad strokes. Offer insight into audience, positioning, or tone, but leave out proprietary taglines or ready-to-ship creative.
- Watermark or brand your decks. If you’re sending materials ahead, make sure your name is clearly attached. Protect yourself when you can.
Lessons Learned
I’ll never stop sharing ideas, that’s who I am as a creative. My quick wit is a huge gift in my life. But I’ve learned to share with boundaries. My brain isn’t a vending machine; my concepts are part of my value. If a role or client truly wants me on the team, they’ll respect that and be willing to invest in the partnership.
Your Turn
Have you ever seen your interview ideas come back to you in someone else’s job posting, ad, or campaign? How do you walk the line between generosity and protection?
Drop a comment or send me a message. Let’s compare notes—because our community gets stronger when we talk openly about these realities.
