Tanner
How do I best make sure I am understood and not argued with when I give instructions?
I was in a situation where someone was expecting me to pay them when I knew they weren't getting paid all along and I thought they knew too. We did not part as friends. How do I prevent more situations like this from happening where there is such a disconnect and misunderstanding? #music
2 answers
Israel Tanenbaum
Israel’s Answer
Tanner,
It's really very simple. Especially when you make informal agreements (not a formal contract) you should always put them in writing. If you have a paper pad you are using for the project, simply write down the terms of the agreement (i.e. what work is to be done, time and date, compensation, etc) and have the other person sign or initial the sheet. If you're only using electronic files, create a document with the details and do the following 3 things: 1) write an email that says something to the effect of "Hi (name), I'm sending this email to confirm what we discussed earlier today regarding xxx project. Please confirm receipt of this email. Thanks. 2) immediately following the introduction, copy paste the terms onto the email, and 3) export the document you just created to a PDF and attach it in the same email, and of course, end by sending the email. You could also contact that person by other means (facebook message, whatsapp, text message, phone call) to notify him/her that you have sent the email. Clear accounting and transparency help maintain and keep friends.
Good luck,
Israel
Digant V
Digant’s Answer
The simple way is to have chat or call with them that you have recorded or taken a screen shot of stating that the gig is more of unpaid basis. Also in many times you do work in events those are unpaid or paid marginally along with food & travel fare, in such cases I would suggest you provide them with other options as to network if its a classy event or hold them for only few mins (20-30) if its a small gathering.
All n all if anyone is providing a service of a sort be it a musician, dj, guitarist, etc. compensate them in someway, if not directly in money.