Money is thicker than blood?

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::Begin Rant::

Looking to become one of the highest paid non-full time Mobile Entertainers in the state, and don't care who's likes it or not. Family included.

I've been an entertainer (DJ) off and on for the better part of the last 18 years. When I say that I've maintained this business operation on about or less than a shoe string budget, I literally mean it. No support of any kind from family or friends in all that time. Previous clients and total strangers have done more to help me promote my talents and services than my own family.
Anyone else out there understand where I'm coming from here???

For 18 years now, as I have had the availability and means to continue to operate my business, the response or attitude from friends and family has been condescending at best. No disrespect. But no serious regard for what I do. Even after the long discussions and extended talks about the relevance of what I do for clients.

Ever have a family member contact you to inform you of an upcoming company picnic, birthday, graduation, wedding or something and just naturally expect you to "generously" kick in your full services for free???

Since my part time job is working 40 hours a week in a RV factory making about $17 hour I can afford to make the call to be the highest charging "part time" full service provider in the area. Right?

So.... not that there was ever an actual intended plot or focused point to this rant, but does anyone identify with where I'm coming from here at all???

::Rant End::
 
... Ever have a family member contact you to inform you of an upcoming company picnic, birthday, graduation, wedding or something and just naturally expect you to "generously" kick in your full services for free???
Oh yeah. When I was married it happened all the time. The in-laws would party at the drop of a hat.

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger, Chris. I got started in the biz in just this manner ~ doing backyard parties and a wedding or three for the in-laws. Yup, they don't want to pay. I even tried the barter arrangement ~ cousin or nephew work on my truck tranny and I'd DJ his daughter's b-day party. That went over like a fart in church because they wanted to be paid.

Well, so do I. :eek:

However, these freebie, informal in-law shows offered an opportunity to learn the ropes and make FUBARs without being called to the carpet by paying clientele. Make no mistake... I still screw up on occasion. But I'm gettin' better.

Was doing a pool party at an in-law's home one night when the break finally came. A guest who was a fellow from the local VFW booked a dance party. From there, I started getting bookings for paid corporates and upscale weddings. That VFW gig kept me busy for years to come. :)

Once on the paying road, I stopped doing free shows for the in-laws. They didn't want to pay and I was done doing free gigs. I was getting booked for paying shows on the nights when they wanted a freebie... that was pretty much all of that.

Free gigs tend to beget free gigs. :)
 
My family is smart enough to know that I do this for a living....not as a hobby.

Still.....I've made it known that I'm available M-Th for free.

Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that Saturdays are like M-F for everyone else.

My weekend starts on Monday and ends on Thursday.

Same thing goes for charities and non-profits, or even political fundraisers.
I've done quite a few Tuesday nite candidate parties over the years......these always brought additional paying customers. The political connections were always better than the other charity gigs (which always seem to lead nowhere).


As far as expecting family members to refer biz.....I really don't expect them to. Never really needed that kind of support.
 
I can identify, and to that end, I don't do work for family at all. Not just because I want to get paid, but at at the end of a job I'm done with it. I don't want to know what aunt Sally did with Uncle Fred's best friend behind the bushes, or who's mad at who. Even worse (and more important), I don't want to hear this crap while I"M WORKING!
 
I understand the frustration, but I am a family guy.
I've never charged a family member.

My uncle is a first rate heart surgeon. If I need to ask for advice, he doesn't charge me.

My aunt is a psychologist, she doesn't charge me when I founder, and need some help.

My cousin is a bigwiggy at the local UPS plant. I get deliveries on time, all the time, and even after hours. No extra charge.

My brother helps makes sure this country has money. He buys pizza when he visits. If I need a favor, he is there. No charge.


They are entitled to all the gigs and software they want for FREE!
 
I have done freebies for my immediate family and will continue to do so in the future...Because?

I want to, not that they ask for free services. In fact, they try to pay and I just get indignant and tell them to "bite me!"...usually does the trick.........They end up biting me!!!!... :sqlaugh: :sqlaugh: :sqlaugh:

They're my family and they have been there for me when I needed it, so it's the least I can do.

Just my opinion.....but I like it!
 
24 years at this and my family still book other people. Its all good though the few I have done turned out to be little more than pains in the asses

I had a call from an uncle a couple of weeks back about a 50th anniversary for a friend of a friend. It was for a Friday night in July when I wasnt booked so I lowered the price for him to the average rate in this area. The response I got was "I can book anyone for that price" My response back was "Yup but Im giving you a break....The best dosent come cheap". He called me 2 days later to tell me they wound up booking someone for $110.00...

I wished him luck
 
In light of your closing paragraph

Why should we expect total strangers to get IT!!!!
24 years at this and my family still book other people. Its all good though the few I have done turned out to be little more than pains in the asses

I had a call from an uncle a couple of weeks back about a 50th anniversary for a friend of a friend. It was for a Friday night in July when I wasnt booked so I lowered the price for him to the average rate in this area. The response I got was "I can book anyone for that price" My response back was "Yup but Im giving you a break....The best dosent come cheap". He called me 2 days later to tell me they wound up booking someone for $110.00...

I wished him luck
 
I understand the frustration, but I am a family guy.
I've never charged a family member.

My uncle is a first rate heart surgeon. If I need to ask for advice, he doesn't charge me.

My aunt is a psychologist, she doesn't charge me when I founder, and need some help.

My cousin is a bigwiggy at the local UPS plant. I get deliveries on time, all the time, and even after hours. No extra charge.

My brother helps makes sure this country has money. He buys pizza when he visits. If I need a favor, he is there. No charge.


They are entitled to all the gigs and software they want for FREE!



I once called you my "dad", and I still had to pay. :sqmad:




:sqlaugh:
 
Looking to become one of the highest paid non-full time Mobile Entertainers in the state, and don't care who's likes it or not. Family included.

I've been an entertainer (DJ) off and on for the better part of the last 18 years. When I say that I've maintained this business operation on ...less than a shoe string budget,....

Therein lies your problem. People will see you exactly the way you see and present yourself. (It aint the price that matters.)

It's difficult enough to deal with the image of being self-employed, but in your case your presenting your family (and us) with an even less impressive profile:

You're self described as managing a shoe-string effort while part timing this indulgence off and on for 18 long years.

If you want them to recognize you as a professional player then tie up your shoe strings and get both feet in the game. :sqwink: