Thread: When it's Hard to Charge

nnn

Eshe, why not donate your performance as her wedding gift from you? You could do a super short performance and enjoy the wedding party. I have found with family and friends, I either decline it (I decline a lot!), or I donate it. I don't want to have money dealing with very close friends or close family.

I agree - use it as your wedding gift to her. I used to sing professionally and one of my friends asked me to sing for her wedding, so I did a full operatic set while her guests were being seated, sang for the processional of the party and for the lighting of the unity candle...as my wedding gift to her. She and her family were thrilled - I'm sure your student would be as well!

Thank you ladies. That's what I wanted to do but I had conflicting feelings.

Suggest you keep it between you and her though, or everyone you ever knew will suddenly start asking and wondering why they are not treated the same.

What they said. It's lovely to be able to give a show as a gift.

Yes, I've told her that no one is to know that I'm not charging her :)

Yes, as a gift, BUT I'd let her know it's a gift BECAUSE she is so special to you and it is such a wondrous occasion.
It is a wonderful gift for someone truly special to you, BUT sometimes newbies will take that approach and all of a sudden every acquaintance becomes "special" enough to dance for free.

i think that's an easy one really, do it for free. as your gift to her for her wedding. tell her what it would cost, and then tell her you will do it for free... dont even except travel expense.

it IS a bad idea to do it at a lower fee, i agree...

Originally Posted by eshe

One of my lovely troupe girls has asked me to dance at her wedding. I'm having SUCH a hard time quoting her a price.

On the one hand, I want to set a good example to her. To show her that you have to charge what you're worth.

On the other hand, she's a dear, dear student to me. And I feel this ridiculous (and I know it's ridiculous) reluctance to charge her what I'm worth.

hehe, i send out an "'what to charge when to charge and why" email to my advanced students, and this is specifically one of the issues i adress...

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

Yes, as a gift, BUT I'd let her know it's a gift BECAUSE she is so special to you and it is such a wondrous occasion.
It is a wonderful gift for someone truly special to you, BUT sometimes newbies will take that approach and all of a sudden every acquaintance becomes "special" enough to dance for free.

I think the gift idea sounds great, but as a general principal, I don't think it's bad to offer gigs at a discount for your students. My standard 15-min-gig price is AU$120-150, with $150 being my standard rate. For my students, I do it at the 'discount' rate of $120. I tell them that $150 is my standard price, but they get a discount as an ongoing paying student. That way, I'm rewarding them for coming to my classes, and am still not dropping below my fixed minimum. I think that's fair.

It's different if your student is just having a family bbq or birthday party and wants you to dance - then it's fine just to offer a discount.

But a wedding is totally different - it's a momentous occassion and she wants you to be a part of it. And it seems like she is a special student to you, so you'd likely be going to the wedding a as a guest anyway. So, I agree with everyone else - give her the performance as your gift.

The other option is to charge her full price but then give the equivalent as a gift. Even if it is in cash.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by danielabellydance

It's different if your student is just having a family bbq or birthday party and wants you to dance - then it's fine just to offer a discount.

But a wedding is totally different - it's a momentous occassion and she wants you to be a part of it. And it seems like she is a special student to you, so you'd likely be going to the wedding a as a guest anyway. So, I agree with everyone else - give her the performance as your gift.

Yes, certainly, if you're asked as a guest then donating your performance as a present would be lovely. If you were being asked to attend only to perform, then that would be more like the nature of a business transaction.