An acquaintance (in an unrelated networking group) asked me to do a last-minute gig in the context of: "my entertainment just canceled and omg my event is going to be a total disaster." The emotional part of me said "ok" before the practical part of me got a chance to say "let me think about it" or "ok but I usually charge X, not Y."
I don't feel good about not charging the normal rate, but I don't know what I can do to make it right. I don't feel like I can retract the offer, 'cause I already said I would do the gig. Should I nicely say, "I'm doing it at this price as a favor," or is that bad form? I don't want to give the wrong impression, but I don't want to offend this person either.
A journey of ten thousand miles begins with a single post.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: United States
Posts: 11,276
Re: need advice - I just lowballed myself :(
Will you (or can you) be sending an invoice?
Whenever I've agreed to a steep discount (charity or whatever) I invoice it at the full price, and then have a second line showing the discount and the reason for the discount.
Then I can send the confirmation e-mail and say "Let me take a moment to go over the invoice with you. My regular price for a 25 minute set is $XXX. In your case, because we're friends and you were in a bind, I've discounted it by $YY for a total of $ZZZ. Is that what you were expecting?"
That way even if you've screwed yourself inadvertently (and it happens to everyone in business, don't beat yourself up) you can at least communicate your full rate so the person won't recommend you to others saying 'oh, she's great, and she only charges $_____'
Agreed! I was in a very similar situation once, and I made it really clear that I was charging way less than my normal rate because I really didn't want the referral business that came out of it to become a problem... The next show I did for that group was at a normal price. I'm sure they'll appreciate the favor you're doing them!
For a last minute job - really you should charge more not less. When was the last time you paid less to the plumber or the electrician for an emergency service?
Just chalk it up to experience - remember to pause before "Yes! I'd love to!"
Just chalk it up to experience - remember to pause before "Yes! I'd love to!"
Yes! I tend to agree too quickly, so I've started to say, "can I ask you to hold while I pull up my schedule?" Then I physically put the phone down and think. It keeps me from feeling rushed to answer.
Who else wants to start designing "WWLD" T-shirts with Lauren's picture on them?
Yes, and for next time, what Bella Bella said. I used to always jump right into giving a quote. Now, I have the best outcome if I take a moment and calculate all of the variables BEFORE getting to the bottom line
But you technically didn't even do anything wrong (I give discounts to friends!) and I really wouldn't stress about it!
I have on several occasions given my services as a dancer as a birthday gift to friends; on other occasions, I've given a very steeply discounted rate. If invoicing, I do what Lauren does with showing the "real" fee and then the discounted fee with an explanation. If it's truly a no-fee gift, I always just tell tell the spouse/SO about my usual fee so that if anyone asks, then it is clear that I'm a paid professional.
No worries about undercutting yourself, dancingstar; like just about everybody else, I've done it, too.
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