DanceMentor
Administrator
Have you ever faced this situation? You are asked to perform, but they will not be paying you any money. In what situations would you say "yes"?
Performing in Exchange for "Exposure"
- Thread starter DanceMentor
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I am not a professional and trust me, nobody is going to ask me to perform. However, various teachers that I know have performed at an extremely well attended ballroom event in the area. It's an evening of dancing, plus the performance, plus a class is taught. I have been told that the expose has not led to a single new student for any of the studios or teachers. Thus, I would say, only do the performance if it is for a person/organization that you like and want to do something for.
I personally think performances can be a great way to brush up on showmanship, performance skills and styling. It can also be an opportunity for you to add video and photos to your personal portfolio of dance achievements. A lot of times people have to pay to dance in shows at local studios! If you're looking for a creative outlet that doesn't involve shelling out money or traveling (like competitions), and it wouldn't cost you anything, I say why not.
KMAtkinson
Member
It depends on why you dance. If it's your job, then I say it's a very big "no" to dancing for free.
If you really love dancing, and just want to show off, then it's your prerogative whether you want to or not. I would say that your transport costs for you (and your dance partner) need to be covered though.
If you really love dancing, and just want to show off, then it's your prerogative whether you want to or not. I would say that your transport costs for you (and your dance partner) need to be covered though.
Mengu
Forum Master
This is kind of like me telling a comp organizer, I'll come compete at your competition, promote it, and bolster your number of competitors if you let me compete for free. Not sure if I would get confused looks or laughs for that... probably both.
Artists of all disciplines get this question all the time. The answer depends on how big a fan you are of the requesting entity. If you are willing to work free for them, sure, go ahead. But don't expect to gain anything out of it other than your own satisfaction. But for the most part, the answer should be: Let's negotiate. Sometimes a trade or barter can be worked out (I'll perform at your event if you'll perform at my event). Sometimes you can take from person A, give to person B and profit during the transaction. It's always worth a shot, and is a more friendly answer than a flat out no, even though most of the time, that's where you will end up.
Artists of all disciplines get this question all the time. The answer depends on how big a fan you are of the requesting entity. If you are willing to work free for them, sure, go ahead. But don't expect to gain anything out of it other than your own satisfaction. But for the most part, the answer should be: Let's negotiate. Sometimes a trade or barter can be worked out (I'll perform at your event if you'll perform at my event). Sometimes you can take from person A, give to person B and profit during the transaction. It's always worth a shot, and is a more friendly answer than a flat out no, even though most of the time, that's where you will end up.
FancyFeet
Forum Master
^ I'm not sure whether the accountant or firefighter one made me laugh the most...
I've danced in shows, for free. Not for exposure, but to give back to the local dance community. IIRC, I've done 2 so far this year. And turned down quite a few more. For the ones we accepted: we wanted to perform and work on 'selling it' and adapting to less than ideal conditions. We also had a long space between competitions, and were a little bored and unmotivated
I also occasionally volunteer at events - I see the performing as another type of volunteering.
Would I incur expenses to do this? No. As an am (albeit a high level one), doing it 'for free' doesn't bother me if it fits with my goals and I feel like doing it... but I also feel no guilt at all about saying no. (To stick with Larinda's theme, it's like asking your reasonably handy neighbour to help with your leaky sink. If he likes you, and wants to, he might decide to give you a hand... and you might give him a bottle of wine as thanks... but he also could say no, and that's completely fine. You just call a plumber.)
I totally understand that for pros, the motivation and decision criteria will be entirely different. There's a reason they've decided to turn pro, and they have every right to expect to be paid for their services.
I've danced in shows, for free. Not for exposure, but to give back to the local dance community. IIRC, I've done 2 so far this year. And turned down quite a few more. For the ones we accepted: we wanted to perform and work on 'selling it' and adapting to less than ideal conditions. We also had a long space between competitions, and were a little bored and unmotivated
I also occasionally volunteer at events - I see the performing as another type of volunteering.Would I incur expenses to do this? No. As an am (albeit a high level one), doing it 'for free' doesn't bother me if it fits with my goals and I feel like doing it... but I also feel no guilt at all about saying no. (To stick with Larinda's theme, it's like asking your reasonably handy neighbour to help with your leaky sink. If he likes you, and wants to, he might decide to give you a hand... and you might give him a bottle of wine as thanks... but he also could say no, and that's completely fine. You just call a plumber.)
I totally understand that for pros, the motivation and decision criteria will be entirely different. There's a reason they've decided to turn pro, and they have every right to expect to be paid for their services.
actually, some of the best competitors do get this offer from competition organizers. i know a lot of organizers pay the transportation and hotel and entry costs for top amateur and latin couples to come compete and draw other dancers.
It’s like having these ‘free health screenings’ where you go and are available to patients as the doctor to answer their questions while they get free blood pressure and blood sugar tests- to help you build your practice- and gain exposure. No one has ever gained a single actual patient from these. You do get to spend 8 hours that day in a health fair than at your regular clinic where you could be seeing your actual patients who are paying to see you...thanks but I’ll pass. I have also been on a billboard for my hospital a few years ago, and all that got was a few comments at the grocery store from people who recognized your face-and not a single patient. So having learned that a few years ago- I never agree to any kind of free exposure as it does not work. I’m thinking that’s the case with most professions... including dance.
Joe
Forum Master
What if you are that handy neighbor?
Where is the "laugh" like button (like on Facebook) when you need it, you had me at "dental pick". Though I really appreciated the math/finance one since that is my field.
I think "exposure" is just a scam pitch to try to entice people to do something for free that they ought to get paid for. So put me in that camp.
Now, as an amateur dancer, I would be happy to perform for free because I am a glory hound and I pay to do Showcases otherwise, so that would be a benefit for me. But I realize that is not the question being asked here.
Having said this, I am very mindful to resist the temptation to ask for free advice from my friends who are lawyers, doctors, mechanics, etc. They're off the clock and not getting paid. Thankfully I'm in a profession where my product is of use to the business, but not ordinary lay people (though some people like to categorize it as "you can predict when people will die", to which I say "no, that is Miss Cleo").
I think "exposure" is just a scam pitch to try to entice people to do something for free that they ought to get paid for. So put me in that camp.
Now, as an amateur dancer, I would be happy to perform for free because I am a glory hound and I pay to do Showcases otherwise, so that would be a benefit for me. But I realize that is not the question being asked here.
Having said this, I am very mindful to resist the temptation to ask for free advice from my friends who are lawyers, doctors, mechanics, etc. They're off the clock and not getting paid. Thankfully I'm in a profession where my product is of use to the business, but not ordinary lay people (though some people like to categorize it as "you can predict when people will die", to which I say "no, that is Miss Cleo").
opendoor
Forum Master
They can pay with attention. You have the chance to promote your studio (if you have), you could announce your classes or practice times. You can find students for privates. And you should bring someone along that will hand out flyers.
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The studio I dance at does do some DWTS events, but I believe they only provide a certain number of lessons for free. They have gotten some long term students from them and they have been for causes/organizations that they have been happy to support. In this area, the organizers of these events do make a point of always featuring the studios and teachers who participate big time.
snapdancer
Forum Master
I looked up the Facebook page for the Dancing With the Missouri Stars. It had zero promotion for any of the professional dancers or studios involved.
Very interesting to hear perspectives on the DWTS events. They have those around here (yes, more than one) and my home studio often provides instructors for those events. Obviously ymmv, but I have not known of any truly long-term students gained from that. I think one of the participants years ago continued to take some lessons after the performance, but he was gone within a few months. I also met another participant this summer at a birthday party for one of my son's classmates (I was wearing a ballroom dance t-shirt which sparked a convo). He mentioned that he now knew a VW (!!!!! why do they do that) to one song but basically nothing else.
