I know we have hit on this before, but I want to put it in a poll so I can see answers in a more "black and white" way.
Poll coming.
Poll coming.
DJing for friends and close relatives?
- Thread starter Papa Deuce
- Start date
I don't like doing events for friends or realtives. But if I don't have anything going on I may rent them some equipment. But on the other hand if my church need anything, I try and give them anything they want for free.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Depends on the circumstances....in general, however, it's all or nothing. If it's worth discounting, it is usually worth doing for free. It's rare we offer middle ground.
For family...no charge. For close friends, discount rate. I've done two previous weddings of close friends. In October I'm doing a wedding for the daughter of a very close friend...she called me up and said she would have nobody else. I did her Brother's wedding over 15 years earlier.
These "close friend" weddings are fun. I generally discount my normal fee by 50%. It just so happens my wife and I are also guests at the Ceremony and Reception. I'm looking forward to this one...get a chance to set my laptop on autoplay for a few songs and dance with my wife. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the Ceremony as I will be setting up for the Reception.
The only bummer is the 6.5 hour drive to where the event is being held...and the added expense of staying over the day before and night of the wedding...not to mention Wedding Shower gift and of course the Wedding gift. The wedding should have cost the bride at least $1500, plus lodging.
The only saving grace is the business expense write-off for travel, lodging and per diem.
These "close friend" weddings are fun. I generally discount my normal fee by 50%. It just so happens my wife and I are also guests at the Ceremony and Reception. I'm looking forward to this one...get a chance to set my laptop on autoplay for a few songs and dance with my wife. Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the Ceremony as I will be setting up for the Reception.
The only bummer is the 6.5 hour drive to where the event is being held...and the added expense of staying over the day before and night of the wedding...not to mention Wedding Shower gift and of course the Wedding gift. The wedding should have cost the bride at least $1500, plus lodging.
The only saving grace is the business expense write-off for travel, lodging and per diem.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Very close relatives, I'll do it for free...because I want to and not because they ask for it....in fact none have ever asked for it for free, but they got it anyway. Case(s) in point. I did one of my Niece's 40th Surprise Birthday party, one of Nephews college graduation party, my absolute favorite Brother-in-Law's retirement/Birthday party all because that's what family is all about.
I realize that some don't have good relationships with some of or all their families and won't do these type of freebies, but if it's in my heart....they'll get it free from me.
Most close friends would receive a discount of some sort and would be handled on a case by case instance. I can only think of a couple of close friends where I would do it completely free.
YMMV
(Papa you're slipping. Your polls are usually a lot more specific.)
I realize that some don't have good relationships with some of or all their families and won't do these type of freebies, but if it's in my heart....they'll get it free from me.
Most close friends would receive a discount of some sort and would be handled on a case by case instance. I can only think of a couple of close friends where I would do it completely free.
YMMV
(Papa you're slipping. Your polls are usually a lot more specific.)
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
Oh yeah...Not so close relatives, may or may not get a discount......... Depends on who they are and what kind of relationship we've had thoughout our lives.
Depends on who they are and what kind of relationship we've had thoughout our lives.I don't do them at all.
I have ONE buddy that I would do any event for him for free, but I don't do any other events for friends or family, regardless of cost.
I have ONE buddy that I would do any event for him for free, but I don't do any other events for friends or family, regardless of cost.
I have done multiple family members and close friends' weddings....all for free.
Then again, I consider it their gift, and I am the best dj they know.
Then again, I consider it their gift, and I am the best dj they know.
Same here Jeff I will always take care of family as a gift. That is a close family member. No second cousins etc unless we had some history. Ya know like that one kissing cousin you had a crush on lol? Anyhow sort of like my long lost pal Barry Stamper and all his cousins. I sure miss Barry. Did see him poke in here once or twice but I have called numbers and his past employ with no one knowing his whereabouts. Sorry for rambling here . Family will always be family. ODJT is family and considered as such and at the least friends.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
As my Father has always said
- "You have NO Family or Friends when it comes to Business"
once you start and word gets round you discount or do it for free
you will have all the people that only see you once in a blue moon and want things for free
so no thanks
I charge all at FULL rate always have always will do
already in my career have done 5x relations weddings and they was charged full rates
have a nice day
- "You have NO Family or Friends when it comes to Business"
once you start and word gets round you discount or do it for free
you will have all the people that only see you once in a blue moon and want things for free
so no thanks
I charge all at FULL rate always have always will do
already in my career have done 5x relations weddings and they was charged full rates
have a nice day
No offense Dennis, but all you have is clients....no family, at this point. Good luck when you need some help, either financially or otherwise!
Oh yeah, you are in Aussieland....you have no money....the govt will take care of you!
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
then dont like my responce then tough for you
I dont ask for help from family - because as my 88yo father has said
"YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN BUSINESS"
now if someone thats been in business for nearly all his life tells me this then you listen
once you start giving freebies away and asking for money you either looked at as a free loader or a person that will give away his own house
if you want to be that then go for it - I wont be
so welcome to my IGNORE LIST
have a nice day
I dont ask for help from family - because as my 88yo father has said
"YOU HAVE NO FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN BUSINESS"
now if someone thats been in business for nearly all his life tells me this then you listen
once you start giving freebies away and asking for money you either looked at as a free loader or a person that will give away his own house
if you want to be that then go for it - I wont be
so welcome to my IGNORE LIST
have a nice day
Jeff lol your in ORegon and K Falls no less no taxes and almost on a barren island. Just sayin. Thye still putting on those stock car races out there?
lol...no island or stock car races here! My answers stand the same!
sorry Dennis....you stay on your own island, with no condelences from here (USA).
good luck to you, in your retirement.
sorry Dennis....you stay on your own island, with no condelences from here (USA).
good luck to you, in your retirement.
OK story time....
On my Dad's side, I pretty much don't like any of them. They are all cheap scam artists. They would take advantage of me every chance they get, so I don't do any events for them - EVER. And I feel just fine about that.
As far as friends go, I have about 3 TRUE friends, who I could count on for anything. But 2 of them would never ask me to DJ for them. My absolute best friend would ask, and has, but for many reasons, I never actually have done an event for him. I would probably offer a really nice discount. He knows what I charge, so he would know he was getting a discount. But he is the ONLY ONE.
Now back to the story, and you can see why I won't DJ for my family.
On my uncle's 60th birthday, my aunt called me up and asked me to DJ for a surprise party for him. I declined, and lied, saying I had a booked event already. But before I declined, she had already asked for a discount. OK, she hangs up.
Two weeks later, I get a card in the mail from the guy's daughter asking everybody to donate $100 ( or more ) so they can buy him a huge TV... Now, I haven't spoken to this girl in a few years, and she sends me an invitation, asking me for a $100 donation? Hell, I barely have even seen my uncle at all. I see the guy maybe once every 2 years. I sent ZERO DOLLARS.
So here is what happened after that... Donations came to over $2500. My dad came from a large family... very large, in fact. After the party, the guy calls my brother who is a member at Direct Buy... where you can get AWESOME deals on expensive items. He asks my brother to purchase the TV for him, and says he will pay him... Which, in fact, my brother does, and my uncle pays him back.
But here is the kicker....
The guy decides to buy a TV that costs less than $1000. He ends up with almost $1700 in cash after paying for the TV, which he then gives $500 of that money to his daughter so she can afford a vacation in the Bahamas. The same daughter who was asking for $100, or more, per donation. :trimad:
So, most of my Dad's family would try something like this, so maybe now you know why I won't do ANYTHING for them.
On my Dad's side, I pretty much don't like any of them. They are all cheap scam artists. They would take advantage of me every chance they get, so I don't do any events for them - EVER. And I feel just fine about that.
As far as friends go, I have about 3 TRUE friends, who I could count on for anything. But 2 of them would never ask me to DJ for them. My absolute best friend would ask, and has, but for many reasons, I never actually have done an event for him. I would probably offer a really nice discount. He knows what I charge, so he would know he was getting a discount. But he is the ONLY ONE.
Now back to the story, and you can see why I won't DJ for my family.
On my uncle's 60th birthday, my aunt called me up and asked me to DJ for a surprise party for him. I declined, and lied, saying I had a booked event already. But before I declined, she had already asked for a discount. OK, she hangs up.
Two weeks later, I get a card in the mail from the guy's daughter asking everybody to donate $100 ( or more ) so they can buy him a huge TV... Now, I haven't spoken to this girl in a few years, and she sends me an invitation, asking me for a $100 donation? Hell, I barely have even seen my uncle at all. I see the guy maybe once every 2 years. I sent ZERO DOLLARS.
So here is what happened after that... Donations came to over $2500. My dad came from a large family... very large, in fact. After the party, the guy calls my brother who is a member at Direct Buy... where you can get AWESOME deals on expensive items. He asks my brother to purchase the TV for him, and says he will pay him... Which, in fact, my brother does, and my uncle pays him back.
But here is the kicker....
The guy decides to buy a TV that costs less than $1000. He ends up with almost $1700 in cash after paying for the TV, which he then gives $500 of that money to his daughter so she can afford a vacation in the Bahamas. The same daughter who was asking for $100, or more, per donation. :trimad:
So, most of my Dad's family would try something like this, so maybe now you know why I won't do ANYTHING for them.
I am thinking that you are not the best dj your family and friends know....!?
lol
have a splendid day!
I don't like working events for friends and relatives, and avoid it if possible at all costs. If I DO take one on it will only be the most casual kind. I give a discount to friends, but usually end up stuck as a freebie ( or barter services) for family.