Close friends and family, being the people that play a major part in my life,...FREE.
All others, discount or full.
.
All others, discount or full.
.
DJing for friends and close relatives?
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
- Start date
My vote: IT DEPENDS.
Sometimes I'd rather work the event, even for free, than to have to be a guest at the event. Other times, there isn't enough money in the world to get me anywhere near that venue on that day. Other times, I'll do it, for near full rate, but if I'm not working, I won't be a guest. Other times, I perfer to be a guest, so if you want me to work it, it's full price.
Sometimes I'd rather work the event, even for free, than to have to be a guest at the event. Other times, there isn't enough money in the world to get me anywhere near that venue on that day. Other times, I'll do it, for near full rate, but if I'm not working, I won't be a guest. Other times, I perfer to be a guest, so if you want me to work it, it's full price.
For my family, I told my sisters that I would DJ their kids(my nieces/nephews) 13th & 18th birthdays for free. Those are important days for kids. Now close friends, I will usually cut my rate in half. Discounted money spends just as well!!!
For family and friends, I try to NOT do them... It rarely ends well... If I DO do an event for a family member/friend, I figure out what I WOULD have given them as a gift if I'd been a guest, and discount THAT off my regular price... Of course, if they prefer, I can charge full price and then give them a check... 
Why should I be the only person giving a gift worth hundreds of dollars?
Why should I be the only person giving a gift worth hundreds of dollars?
For family and friends, I try to NOT do them... It rarely ends well... If I DO do an event for a family member/friend, I figure out what I WOULD have given them as a gift if I'd been a guest, and discount THAT off my regular price... Of course, if they prefer, I can charge full price and then give them a check...
Why should I be the only person giving a gift worth hundreds of dollars?
I never thought of it THAT WAY before, but I pretty much agree... though my wife has given up to $500 as a wedding gift before. Usually though, we give $200.
Papa's Dad's family sounds a lot like my ex-in-laws.
Not all of them were like that but some were. And they were the ones who always expected a night of DJing for free. They'd throw a party at the drop of a hat. When I was booked for a paying show they'd make me out the bad guy.
I used to joke that I had to get divorced to make any money in this business. The truth is funny sometimes.
I don't have much family left anymore. But I would DJ for Shirl's family as a gift if asked.
As for close friends, it's a matter of barter. If I owe you a favor, you get it free. Same goes if you can do some work on my roof or one of the cars. I got no problem with exchange of professional services.
Not all of them were like that but some were. And they were the ones who always expected a night of DJing for free. They'd throw a party at the drop of a hat. When I was booked for a paying show they'd make me out the bad guy.
I used to joke that I had to get divorced to make any money in this business. The truth is funny sometimes.
I don't have much family left anymore. But I would DJ for Shirl's family as a gift if asked.
As for close friends, it's a matter of barter. If I owe you a favor, you get it free. Same goes if you can do some work on my roof or one of the cars. I got no problem with exchange of professional services.
....
As for close friends, it's a matter of barter. If I owe you a favor, you get it free. Same goes if you can do some work on my roof or one of the cars. I got no problem with exchange of professional services.
Oh, I so agree, and it doesn't even matter - generally - the cost of each others services. But in my dad's family, nobody would return the barter; I am sure. They would say that they would, but they wouldn't.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
so your all booked up no chance for a date cancellation and the (family) 2nd cousin calls and they want you to dj for FREE because you gave a freebie to your other relative
you look at what you would make and cancell that show because you would rather GIVE away a show ?
thats why I would never give away for friends and family.... they pay the same as any other client would
dont like it wait till you have family and so called friends coming out the woodwork just for a freebie!!
then have a nice day
you look at what you would make and cancell that show because you would rather GIVE away a show ?
thats why I would never give away for friends and family.... they pay the same as any other client would
dont like it wait till you have family and so called friends coming out the woodwork just for a freebie!!
then have a nice day
As for close friends, it's a matter of barter. If I owe you a favor, you get it free. Same goes if you can do some work on my roof or one of the cars. I got no problem with exchange of professional services.
The same goes for me... I am currently working a deal with my mechanic for an exchange of services, retail price for retail price... Everyone walks away a winner!
Oh yeah... I sure remember that.
One of the ex's relatives was an auto tech. I'd been DJing his son's birthday parties for free every year for years. My truck was giving me some tranny trouble and he offered to fix it for me in his Mom's garage at home. Then he expected payment. On one of the rare occasions the ex and I agreed, this was it.
But I said no problem. I paid his fee. The next summer when his kid's birthday was coming up they called to ask if we could DJ for it. I said sure and quoted the same amount he charged me for the truck work. Well, that was all of that. I never heard from them again.
G
Guest
Guest
I used to have friends!
Then I came home early from work one day and received a lesson in what friendship was all about!
Three bottles of my best and most expensive wines were open and empty on the table, I thought I heard some noise coming from the bedroom so I went in and opened the door!
There laying on my bed was my first wife with my best friend on top of her pouring another $100 bottle of wine onto her naked body!
I haven't had anything more than aqaintances since!
I was really pissed about the wine!
Then I came home early from work one day and received a lesson in what friendship was all about!
Three bottles of my best and most expensive wines were open and empty on the table, I thought I heard some noise coming from the bedroom so I went in and opened the door!
There laying on my bed was my first wife with my best friend on top of her pouring another $100 bottle of wine onto her naked body!
I haven't had anything more than aqaintances since!
I was really pissed about the wine!
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
Poll needs a "Depends on the situation and who's asking" option.....
So my answer would simply be "Depends.."
So my answer would simply be "Depends.."
