Rikki,

Trading for services can be very beneficial to both you and the client. It gives you experience that you may not have gotten other ways and it gives you something that you could use in return.

However, with that being said you have to decide whether or not what she has is really what you need or want. If you don't want it or you don't need it, it's perfectly okay to tell her that you understand her situation and you appreciate the offer but at this time her services are not something that you need. Just tell her the truth politely and professionally. Most people will be understanding and not take it personally.

Here's the thing, if you are trading for something that you don't need or want then you will lose the passion for helping that client because you feel that you are not getting anything beneficial in return.

Now on the flipside, should you decide to trade (barter) with somebody make SURE that the terms are reasonable and that they are living up to their end of the bargain. I would not recommend bartering with anybody for the first time for more than 1 month.

When I first started, I bartered with somebody for one year and it was a total disaster. At first things were great, I was getting something and I was doing the work for him but after a month or so, I started to get pushed to the side by that client but I was still doing his work. Luckily for me, we came to a mutual agreement that the arrangement wasn't working out. Sure, it was a big mistake on my part but I also learned a HUGE lesson with that arrangement.

HTH,

Tracy