hoddi Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 so i have been asked to play at a surprise party for a friend of mine. everyone is chipping in to hire the hall, buy food and everything else but they have asked me to play for free. i am not that close with the birthday girl but i do not want to seem rude to my friends and make them pay. I'm in 2 minds about this, i want to get paid because music at a party like this is one of the vital parts and would not be very enjoyable without it and is therefore worth being paid for. other side of the argument is they are friends and i should just do it. the thing is i have been cancelled from 2 parties recently so i don't want to be cancelled again but this also shows how i have not been getting money from it. what do you guys think i should do? please explain why you think this so i can consider it by adding additional information than what i am thinking about ... if that makes sense haha thanks x Quote
Lurk6r Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 But seriously, what I'd do, is do it for free, under the following conditions conditions,1) you will feed them to the crundy if they tell anyone you did it for free.2) you get promo photos AND links on fb3) your there as a favor, not a human jukebox and will pack up on the spot if you get abused4) nominate in writing a person that is financially responsible should random drunk person spill on your gearDoing things for free, or worse, cheap is the second worst thing you could do. It makes it very hard to up your price later on.Worst thing is you charge too much and they get somebody else.... Quote
hoddi Posted June 12, 2012 Author Posted June 12, 2012 i forgot to mention before, each person going to the party must give $15 to help out with the costs of the hall and stuff so i think music is also a worthy cost to be paying for but i like your points lurk6r thanks Quote
SolDios Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 For close mate's I just do a $100 for the night dealworks well. Quote
LabRat Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 When I did things like this I made them pay for the hire of the lights and speakers Quote
Gandy Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 my simple gig flow chartis it a charity/fundraiser event? yes? play for freeis it a charity/fundraiser event? no? charge normal fee + free piss + free foodyour time + equipment + skills + respect = moneyyou have a lot more to lose by playing for free (possible damaged equipment, now everyone think you play for free, perception of not being professional/skilled) compared to not playing the gig and backing yourself, people will always try and get something for nothing, no matter how much they are your "friends". If they were truly your friends they would understand that you deserve to be paid for your work Quote
Gandy Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 forum make it impossible to format hnng, so doing one in visio at work tomorrow Quote
Gandy Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 fak you fourms for not including spacebar white space Quote
hoddi Posted June 12, 2012 Author Posted June 12, 2012 all sorted thanks for the advise, talked to the girl finding out how much money they have. we discussed it and i will get 100 for the night, I'm happy enough with that Quote
Lurk6r Posted June 12, 2012 Posted June 12, 2012 all sorted thanks for the advise, talked to the girl finding out how much money they have. we discussed it and i will get 100 for the night, I'm happy enough with that Remember rule nr 33) your there as a favor, not a human jukebox and will pack up on the spot if you get abused Quote
hoddi Posted June 12, 2012 Author Posted June 12, 2012 yeah of course but i will know most people there so i will have most on my side and thanks for the idea of making them link yr page on the wall, i asked her too and she did just a few minutes and I've already got a few more likes Quote
hoddi Posted June 13, 2012 Author Posted June 13, 2012 ok well of course everything gets fucked up and now the mysteriously have no money to pay me with. I've sent the above conditions made by lurk6r to them and i will just wait to see what they sayedit.i offered for free and they still don't want me lol thanks for any help tho guys Quote
Lurk6r Posted June 13, 2012 Posted June 13, 2012 i offered for free and they still don't want me lol thanks for any help tho guys teh fuck is wrong with kids/people today? Quote
GREMM1S Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 A good way to do it if the person has no idea about the equipment and you don't feel comfortable with playing for free, tell them they have to cover the hire of the gear and petrol if you feel you deserve more.It's always a very touchy subject when drawing the lines on who should and shouldn't pay, because i hire my speakers which costs me around 50/60 i tell the person they cost me say 100 if i feel as though i should be getting paid if they are not that close.For awhile i found it hard to justify asking for more or even money for some people, once i got more confidence in my abilities and playing in clubs has made it easier as people dont expect me to do it for free anymore (mostly).You also have to consider if you have many friends at the party and whether or not it will be enjoyable, will it have a decent dancefloor and crowd? Do they like decent music? Will there be heaps of grog etc, i am quite happy to play crazy parties that love their electro and whatnot if there is beer and i will enjoy myself.All things to consider, another tip always establish the money straight away when they inquire, bullshit if you have to if it makes you feel better say you are booked for another party but would rather do this one if they cover the money to make it worthwhile, nothing worse than having to tell them about money or argue about prices after the party.EDIT didn't see where you already havn't done it lol, that said you might find ^ that useful (more than likely not) Quote
andyman Posted June 15, 2012 Posted June 15, 2012 You need terms and conditions straight up.Get a non refundable deposit, set a price, and stick with it.From the sounds of it, your friends are tyre kickers anyway. Quote
legunner Posted June 17, 2012 Posted June 17, 2012 You need terms and conditions straight up.Get a non refundable deposit, set a price, and stick with it.From the sounds of it, your friends are tyre kickers anyway. Quote
crundyy Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 You need terms and conditions straight up.Get a non refundable deposit, set a price, and stick with it.From the sounds of it, your friends are crundy's next meal. Quote
SolDios Posted June 18, 2012 Posted June 18, 2012 You need terms and conditions straight up.Get a non refundable deposit, set a price, and stick with it.From the sounds of it, your friends are tyre kickers anyway. Quote
legunner Posted June 19, 2012 Posted June 19, 2012 Also I'll share some experience first hand: This guy i know wanted me to dj for free at his party i asked would you come to my house and paint the house for free? (He's a painter) He replied no so i said there is your answer.Basically we are performing a task regardless of how fun it can be it is still a task that we had to learn the skills for and buy the gear for Quote
GREMM1S Posted June 20, 2012 Posted June 20, 2012 Also I'll share some experience first hand: This guy i know wanted me to dj for free at his party i asked would you come to my house and paint the house for free? (He's a painter) He replied no so i said there is your answer.Basically we are performing a task regardless of how fun it can be it is still a task that we had to learn the skills for and buy the gear forAt worst at least compensate you for travel and provide drinks etc, plus an agreement over damaged gear is necessary Quote
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