Do You Struggle With People Expecting A Friends & Family Discount?

TL;DR

Learn how to set clear policies for friends and family discounts in your photography business to avoid awkwardness and maintain relationships.

Transcript

Q&A Tuesday.. Q: Jen writes... I'm a photographer and my friends and family want me to do their photos -- which is both a blessing and a curse. I love to work with them, but when it comes to the money part, it's so awkward. I don't like taking money from them, but they often get spots that full paying clients would get. What can I do to balance and... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍💼 Many photographers struggle with balancing the desire to help friends and family with running a profitable business.
• 😫 Setting clear policies and boundaries is crucial to avoid awkwardness and misunderstandings in the friends and family discount situation.
• 👪 Using language that implies payment, such as "hire," can help eliminate the awkwardness of denying a friends and family discount.
• 🚾 Setting aside specific time for discounted projects can help photographers avoid feeling like they are losing money by offering discounts.
• 💝 Making it clear in advance that a discount is a special gift or private offer adds value and avoids awkwardness.
• 🫡 It is important for photographers to respect their time and communicate their policies to friends and family.
• 👪 Offering discounts to friends and family can still result in positive outcomes and respectful relationships.

Questions & Answers

Q: How can photographers balance the desire to help friends and family with the need to run a profitable business?

It is crucial for photographers to set clear policies and boundaries when it comes to friends and family discounts. By communicating your rates and expectations upfront, you can avoid misunderstandings and maintain healthy relationships.

Q: What can photographers say to friends and family who expect free or discounted services?

It is important to explain that you don't offer friends and family discounts, but you are thrilled to work together. By using language that implies payment, such as "hire," you can eliminate the awkwardness of denying a discount.

Q: How can photographers avoid feeling like they are losing money by offering discounted services to friends and family?

One strategy is to set aside specific time, such as one day per quarter, to work on discounted projects. This way, you can allocate time without feeling like you are constantly giving away your services for free.

Q: How can photographers maintain respect for their time and still offer discounts to friends and family?

By making it clear in advance that you are offering a special gift or private offer outside of your regular rates, you can maintain the perception of value and avoid awkwardness while still providing a discount.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Many photographers struggle with the awkwardness of charging friends and family for their services, but it is important to set clear policies to avoid misunderstandings.

• Three strategies to handle friends and family discounts are: setting aside specific time for discounted projects, politely declining special deals, and making it clear in advance if you plan to gift or offer a special discount.