Should I Charge a friend?

[Pete Pridanonda]

Recently, I've been ask by my best friend's family to perform at their thanksgiving party. They asked me how much I charge and I was a little hesitant to answer because my best friend helped me a lot over the years. I know that most of you will say to charge what you think you are worth and I understand that. I would charge everyone else my regular price to perform at their event but in this situation, should I turn down the offer and perform for free, give them a discount, or should I charge them my regular price? Thank you in advance everyone for your help!

 

[heatedjeans]

follow your heart !

 

[Pete Pridanonda]

follow your heart !

What would YOU do in this situation?

 

[ifanoctopuscouldpalm]

What would YOU do in this situation?

I say, it depends on how much they've helped you out over the years, and how good of a friend they are. But...if you are going to be spending time away from your family to perform magic for their family, I would at least charge something. I say, do a discounted rate; but you know them better than we do, so obviously judge this factor based on their income before you go charge them $200 dollars, if you know that they won't be able to pay a bill or rent over paying you. I say if your normal rate is $100, then charge them $50 and some food. If your normal rate is $150-200, I say charge $80 and some food. Only you can decide what you should charge them.

 

[Justin.Morris]

For a friend's family I would do a free show. For a friend's business I would give them a discount. I may do a modified show, use it as an opportunity to try new effects etc. If I can be a blessing to someone, I will. It's more important to me than making a buck.
If I'm doing an event for them where I'll network I may do it for free became the experience and networking is so valuable.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

If I'm doing an event for them where I'll network I may do it for free became the experience and networking is so valuable.

Be careful with this. I've seen many performers fall into a hole because they think that networking is the same as getting paid. You can't eat networking. You have to draw the line somewhere and you'd get to network if they paid you, too.

As for the OP, it's incredibly situational.

My personal thoughts are as follows: If my best friend were to ask me to do my full parlor show, and it was the only time he'd asked me to do it, I would probably only ask that he cover my base expenses. Meaning I would ask for enough that I didn't lose any money by doing the show. We're talking probably about $10 at the moment, to cover consumable items. If he just wanted me to do some close-up/walk around stuff at random? I'd do it for free because it doesn't cost me anything.

However, if he asked me to do this show, and he'd already asked me to do several other shows, then I'd charge a reduced fee.

 

[Craig Browning]

Christopher has given you some sound advice but I want to carry it a bit further. . .

If you get the reputation of doing freebies for friends or even charity, that's about the only work you're going to get offered. It is a rut many of us get into because we are told early on, to do this very thing. There comes a point however, in which you must start charging or you will be abused. . . especially by friends & family.

If a friend is having a casual mixer it's perfectly fine to do some pocket tricks at no charge and for the sake of having some fun. However, if said friend wants you to bring in a 20 minute program (or more) you need to demand some form of compensation UNLESS a.) you're willing to do it for the sake of practice & breaking things in; or b.) there is a charity situation attached to the event (which would include school type performances for their kids, church programs, etc. ).

Yes, there is a C. to this scenario and that would be events in which local VIP types are going to be guests at the event and you'll be able to distribute business cards, etc. and actually "network" with the movers & shakers of your community. If you can impress this type of crowed you will get job offers and frequently decent payment offers vs. a set fee. This really does depend on the quality of your work however and how you present yourself -- comfort level and rapport is everything to such people.

The thing is, don't build a reputation for doing this sort of thing, not even for charities. It will come back to get you and in short time, so always charge something, even if it's just your fuel and materials costs. . . if a prospect won't cough up $50.00 you don't need them.

 

[Mr.Presidigitation]

You will charge them according to your experience and skill.
I for one have never and will never perform for free.
Even when I was starting out, I was confident and I knew just how much my performance is worth.
I reckon people should pay to look at my persona
I am more prefect than a Greek statute, a solid 10/10 but that's another topic.

As I was saying the act of performing for free brings down your worth.
I am not worthless and neither is my time or my card work

 

[RickEverhart]

I couldn't have said it better than Craig. He saved me a lot of typing. I echo his thoughts.

We have guys in our club who now cannot get "paid" gigs because they did "freebies" and now nobody will pay them anything. Meanwhile I am bringing in nice figures that are driving them nuts.

Unless it is for a charity event or VIP guests being present (which means potential high paying gigs down the road)...I will not do events
for free.

If it is a close friend as you had mentioned, I would at least hit them up for $50.00 and they will probably send you home with a plate of food afterwards.

 

[William Draven]

The catch 22 in show biz is you need credits to get gigs, but you need gigs to get credits. It's annoying. Sometimes doing a free show just to get the experience or the addition to your resume is a healthy thing but Craig has once again hit on all the big important points.

That being, and this is just really echoing what he said, that once you get into a habit of doing free shows it's hard to get out of.

For your specific situation I guess it really just depends on how close you are to the family. I've had a lot of friends want to book me to do work and offer to pay because they wanted to throw a bone my way. So doing it free may insult their intentions. Thanksgiving is all about being thankful for what you have and sharing it with others so they could be trying to share some finances with you.

Most friends and family that want a free show are usually pretty quick to mention that part up front. With that being said charge them gas or something. Maybe like 20$ and a slice of turkey.

 

[Pete Pridanonda]

Wow, thank you very much everyone for all the advice, I would love to write a paragraph to say thank you to all of you individually but I would like to take this opportunity to say a BIG thank you to everyone!!!
I've decided that I will charge my friend $50 for a 45 minutes parlour show plus all you can eat thanksgiving dinner. Good deal?

 

[Justin.Morris]

Be careful with this. I've seen many performers fall into a hole because they think that networking is the same as getting paid. You can't eat networking. You have to draw the line somewhere and you'd get to network if they paid you, too.

Indeed. Plus you need to know how to network properly and effectively for it to be worth it. However for my friends (and I would define that as people I spend my time with-not Facebook definition, or acquaintances) I would offer a free (or at cost) show. They are not out to take advantage of me. I would trust them with my children. And sometimes it's not about making money. I would recommend to anyone to do some charity shows for several local organizations, just as a way to give back.
There is nothing wrong with charging friends and family at all, as they should respect you enough to offer, but leave the fear of being taken advantage of at the door. Don't charge out of fear-just be yourself. Charge when appropriate given the circumstances.