Hey friends, what do you think I should do? I’m really confused, like really confused.

So I’m a freelance content creator and graphic designer, 42, live in Bangkok. I take projects here and there, no regular boss. Freedom is nice but tiring a lot 55555

Short version first: I made a brochure and social posts for client A through agency B (we’ve been working together for a month or so). I delivered everything to spec, sent all the source files. On the presentation day I went to sit in because I wanted to see how the work would be presented. It was 2:30pm, I was sipping coffee from a paper cup and holding a blue ballpoint pen, kind of expecting the agency to talk about my work. But during the presentation the agency team showed the slides and said it was the work of their in-house design team. Dead silent. I didn’t know how to react.

Not only that — when they actually posted on the client’s page they used the images and the exact wording I wrote, but there was no credit to me. Just the agency logo and the name of one employee who had nothing to do with the design. That person’s copy was just generic lines anyone could come up with. So I messaged the agency politely asking if they could add a credit or at least a small thank-you because I spent almost two weeks — about 12 days — working super carefully to get files the client liked. They replied, "Sorry, our posting was already scheduled and we can’t change it," and that was it. Conversation closed. Like it was nothing. But to me it felt so unfair.

I was shocked, don’t know whether I’m angrier or more embarrassed. It feels like my effort was erased, even though there was no signed transfer of rights or anything. I have confirmation emails and the source files as proof, but I keep asking myself if I’m just overthinking, or should I let it go because I don’t want drama and might risk losing future clients. Freelance work relies on your image and relationships, but if I let this slide who will respect me?

Some people told me to send an official email requesting credit, others said go ask for compensation. I don’t want to look petty, but I also want fairness. It’s stressing me out so much because if I speak up strongly I’m afraid they’ll cut me off or block me, but if I act like it’s nothing I’ll be taken advantage of easily.

I’m still undecided. Am I making a big deal out of nothing? How do you all handle this kind of thing? Please give me advice.

P.S. Has anyone borrowed a friend’s login to post and had it blow up? Does that affect credit for the work?