Promotion, Entitlement, or Just Plain Theft? The debate about playing for 'exposure'

Written by Michelle Jones
Published: August 5, 2014 at 1:17 PM [UTC]

However, with more and more people feeling entitled to getting the best product or service for the cheapest price, I was alarmed when I saw a fellow wedding vendor posted about an inquiry she received for a wedding cake fewer than thirty days in advance, and some of the comments and replies:

Original post on Facebook on August 2, 2014 – republished with permission from Anna Hightower, owner and founder of “Anna Cakes” link to annacakes.com

Anna Cakes: Is this a joke? Lady is asking me for a free wedding cake in exchange for this...
Social Media Outreach:
Of the 170 guests attending, 120 have social media, all of which have a minimum of 200 Facebook friends. The statistical outreach from Facebook alone is intended to reach 24,000 individuals. Considering guests additional social media outlets, including: Twitter and Instagram, the potential outreach of sponsorship logos via images shared is 48,000 individuals.
Sponsorship Marketing:
Each guest will receive a wedding program, this will include the wedding itinerary and sponsors’ logos.
Immediately after the outdoor ceremony, guest will be prompted to take pictures in our “PhotoBooth Station”. This creatively decorated station will automatically take pictures of the guests. All of the guests will be given cards with the URL, of where the images will be available to download. All the images will be placed in a template, the header boarder will read “#(name withheld) Wedding?”, and the footer boarder will list wedding sponsors’ logos.

A few replies/comments:
(name withheld): Glad it's not just photographers that get asked to give away their work for exposure. I told my bank if they eliminated my mortgage I would tweet it out to all my friends - they suggested I use the hashtag ?#homeless, ?#paymenexttime
(name withheld): Sounds like a NASCAR wedding. Will your logo be on the wedding dress?
My reply: Is she also asking guests to pay a door entry fee? Maybe you can negotiate for a take of the door or have a tip jar. Or maybe she can invite cake makers to bring samples of their work for guests to enjoy - like an open mic night. This is how clubs and restaurants treat musicians all the time. Based on her post, I'd say she owns a restaurant and is used to treating vendors like this.

Anna Cakes continues the story and the comments continue. If interested, please read the full story here: link to full story

It amazes me that people seem to think that we as vendors are always looking for the spotlight, and always needing a venue or an event to display our talents. While this may work for some artists, it does not pay my bills.

Now, don’t get me wrong – I give away my time and talents frequently, so frequently that I have received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President of the United States. I volunteer for many non-profit and charitable organizations, as well as donate real money, but those opportunities are MY CHOICE. For example, it really is excellent exposure and publicity when I play for a bridal show. They get live talent to help bring and entertain potential brides, while I get face-to-face time with potential clients who will hire and pay me for my services. Another example is meeting planner conventions. I am performing in front of the very people who will recommend me over and over again to their clients who will potentially hire me and my ensembles. Again, this is MY CHOICE. The key difference? I still PAY the musicians who perform with me out of my own pocket! I am paying them for their service. For me, it is a way to showcase my ensembles to the potential clients who will hopefully hire us for future work. But, I do not think my fellow musicians should be required to do it for free every time, too. Yes, there are times that I ask musicians to donate when it is related to charity event, but they are not obligated to do it. They have the right to refuse. As I explain to potential charity clients, I can choose to donate my time, but I cannot ask my fellow musicians to always donate theirs. Just because you are a charity or non-profit does not mean you cannot make a profit.

There are hard expenses in every business, and my work is no exception. Every year, I have to pay for licensing, CGL insurance, accountants, attorneys, taxes, advertising, website, instruments, new equipment, maintenance costs, agent and publicist fees, professional association fees (to even get the work), gas, vehicle and maintenance costs, sheet music, licensing fees when we play cover songs, computers, software, office supplies, phone service and internet access (most clients use e-mail or phone to book you), self-employment taxes, health and workman’s comp insurance (did I mention all the types of insurance I am required to carry?), rehearsal space, union dues, batteries (we go through 28 AA batteries EVERY show), strings, performance clothes, technicians to run and maintain the equipment, dry cleaning (for performance clothes), stage makeup, hair and personal upkeep expenses (we are expected to look professional, and that costs money and time), and many other things too numerous to list. As much as I would love to barter my services for most of these items, the reality is that I would be laughed out into the street if I tried to pay the IRS this way. My mortgage company only cares about cash.

With any “job,” one is trading their time and talents for money. With that money, one pays for housing and other living expenses. If there is extra money, then one can add some extras in life, including giving back to the community. Whether their gifts are of money or their time, it is their choice and should not be expected. One should always expect to pay for anytime they are asking someone to do something for them when it is their career and livelihood. One cannot assume that a performer only desires the spotlight so much so that s/he is willing to do it gratis. This has always been an issue in the performing arts, but it disheartens me to see the spread of this entitlement mentality across other professions, too.

In short summary, you have to make the decision and set guidelines for yourself. If the event is really a right-fit for promotional opportunities, then you should consider it. Weigh the benefits against your hard costs. Also, keep in mind if you actually want to work with this client; those who request so much for free are usually the most difficult with whom to work. If it’s one where the client thinks they should get something for nothing beneficial to you in return (especially no guarantee for future work), then it really is just plain theft.

I invite you to read more entries about my experiences in the music business at this link vinylinist.com