$ GET MONEY $

HOW TO ASK FOR THE $ALE

Have you ever played a gig then stood around wondering and waiting to see how much you are going to get paid? If even get paid at all? Have you ever left a gig swearing that that was the last free gig you’re ever going to play, but it wasn’t? Why? Well, because the truth is, we love to play music. We love it so much that we actually would, and often do, play for free. But this is how slowly but surely, one-by-one, musicians die. They decide to focus on their real job and play just for fun. Eventually, they give it up altogether.

Everyone loves sales, right? Well, if you’re reading this post, I'm going to guess that it hasn’t been your strong suit. That is about to change. It’s all in your mind. It has more to do with just having the confidence to ask for the sale then what you’re selling. Now, don’t get me wrong. Of course it matters what you’re selling. But again, if you have the most amazing band or product or show or anything for that matter, and you can’t ask for the sale, guess who’s going to buy it? No one.

Over time I have developed and grown my skills in just asking for what I want, need, and deserve. You would be surprised at how easy it actually is once you get past the initial fear. Furthermore, it is amazing how often people say YES! When it came to asking for money due for my service of playing or teaching music I used to be prideful, and yet, what I thought was humble at the same time. Well not anymore! Maybe it happened when I reached the ripe age of thirty and was sick of being BROKE!

I learned quickly no one was just going to just offer me money because I was “polite enough to wait my turn” so to speak. So, I flipped way over to the other side, now I ask for everything that I want. Sometimes the things I ask for even sound insane (even to me) as they come out of my mouth; but crazy enough, I almost always get what I ask for. The times I have been rejected are usually a blessing in disguise, and so they barely bruise my ego at all. The truth is, that...
1) Most people do have a giving nature, and want to help or compensate you justly
2) Sometimes people don't know what they should pay you until you tell them
3) If they are trying to be greedy or shady and not pay you, that's even more reason to give them the finger and demand your money
4) Ask, and Ye’ shall receive!

If you have enough confidence in what you’re asking, and use the right tone, people will assume it is the right thing to do. They're subconscious will pick up on the pattern of doing what you are powerfully, carefully “suggesting”. The power of suggestion is very powerful and is worth really studying deeply.

Allow people along with the universe to compensate you justly. Even more, demand it. There is no pride or reward in shrinking. This being said, there’s no pride or reward in greed or self- indulgence either. The sky's the limit, but be realistic and fair about what you’re asking for. Always over deliver, take pride in your playing, work ethic, and your self. You can have any amount you want but you need to be willing to deliver an equally valuable product or service.

One of the most common questions drummers have when first starting to quote a price is: How much should I charge? Well, that is entirely up to you. However, don’t pull a number out of your stick bag. One of the most important steps in asking for a sale is itemizing. Make a list of exactly what they are paying for. Figure out how much your time is worth to you and go from there. Even though a gig may be one to two hours, how many hours did you put in for rehearsal, in equipment, in practice space, in gas, paying other musicians, marketing etc.?

Now, you can’t list all of these things and have them pay for them. That’s part of being a drummer. However, it makes what you do worth more. Think about it. When you buy a pair of sticks, it’s seven to $7 to $12. Are the sticks worth that? Do they cost that much to make? No. What goes into the price is the equipment to make them, rent for the place where they’re made, transporting them to the store they’re sold in, the marketing, and the salary of the employees selling them. This is why you should list all of your expenses and etc.
Make sure you are more than happy to explain to the client why the price is what it is. Are you paying the band? Are there travel expenses, rehearsal? These are okay to list; your truck payment is not. Another very common mistake is discounting yourself right after you quote your price.

I learned this from my friend and mentor Ed Rush. As he was explaining not to do this, I suddenly realized that I did it all too often. They would ask how much and I would state the price. Then before they said anything, I discounted my price substantially. Don’t make this mistake. State your price and then shut-up. Stay silent until they agree or object. If they agree, congratulations! Don’t smile so big that they may think that you pulled one over on them.

If they object, negotiate. Practice quoting big prices with a straight face to friends, family, or in the mirror. Pick wisely who you share with. People get fearful of others success. If you’re not in a safe environment people can knock you down or discourage you in a second, sometimes without even meaning to.

Sales is a huge subject that we can't fully cover here, but this should at least get you in the right mindset to Ask For The Sale, and get paid for your talents and services. Sales is another skill just like playing drums that takes practice and persistence. It will be on e of the most valuable skill sets you can develop, and obviously the most rewarding. 

Sales and money are not dirty words, that is first big block that most people need to overcome, fro there it's all downhill. Talk to other drummers for price ideas. This will also help boost your confidence knowing that other drummers really do charge this much for doing what they love. 

For more info, read the full Drum And Grow Rich book here.

Until Next Time
LUCA$
OWNER/BOSS D&G$