Comments on: I Don’t Work For Free – Do You Work For Free?

By: CHRIS rOBBINS

CHRIS rOBBINS — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 23:36:21 +0000

RYAN,
YOU’VE PAID YOUR DUES!! IF AN EVENT DOESN’T WANT TO PAY YOU THE PRICE YOU CHARGE, THEN THEY DON’T WANT YOU OR DESERVE YOU.
TAKE -NO- GUILT FROM REFUSING TO DO IT. YOU SHOULD NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE SHORT-CHANGED, UNLESS YOU ARE MAKING THAT YOUR GIFT TO THE EVENT.
OTHERWISE……., THAT’S HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO GET “TWO-TOES”
AS IT SHOULD BE.

By: Brok_Homz

Brok_Homz — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 22:38:34 +0000

I co-sign this!

Right on bro!

By: Vancouver photographer

Vancouver photographer — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 00:28:17 +0000

AMEN! If possible, I think photographers get asked to work for free even more than performing artists. And unless it’s for a very good cause and/or charity I really believe in, it pisses me off every time.

You’d think maybe I’d just grow immune to the irritation after years of hearing ‘it’ll help build your portfolio’ or ‘it’ll be good exposure for your business’ or ‘it’s a great networking opportunity or – my favourite – ‘we can’t afford to pay much, but…’. But nope, I still get just as annoyed.

My standard answer is: ‘I build my portfolio, get exposure and find networking opportunities by getting paid work, thanks anyway.’ (Then I hope that the unsaid ‘kiss my arse, you disrespectful, greedy idiot’ is implied…)

Don’t waste my time or yours if you’re not willing to pay professional rates for a professional service.

By: Christophe

Christophe — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:01:00 +0000

Theer a big difference in working and be abused. It s a spiritual ruleThe labourer is worthy of his reward. 1 tim 5.18 in the bible. Be blessed

By: Fawn

Fawn — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:52:39 +0000

Hey Ryan,
You’re right, you shouldn’t have to work for free, and you shouldn’t feel guilty about being firm about it, either.

As a singer and as an accompanist, I’ve done a lot of free gigs. I did them because I enjoyed playing music or I was helping out a friend (or a friend of a friend). But now I’m at a level where it’s — honestly — no longer appropriate. Obviously, I’m still happy to sing at a friend’s wedding, I’d consider that my gift to them. And I might volunteer for a fundraiser I believe in. But entertaining in public for free simply shows that I don’t value my own work AND it hurts other musicians are perform for a living.

Happily, in Whitehorse, I find the music community to be supportive and collaborative. And the establishments / event organizers might not pay as much as some people may like, but they don’t expect to get entertainment for free. Any PROFESSIONAL event organizer should realize that they can’t get it for free. So good for you for sticking to your guns.
.-= Fawn´s last blog ..Danny Boy, 2004 =-.

By: Nicole Tanguay

Nicole Tanguay — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 02:10:08 +0000

bring on the money…we need to eat and pay bills. Some one told a friend of mine that they should use their starving as a creative tool…boy did I blast them…

By: David DeLeary

David DeLeary — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:46:24 +0000

Right On!!