I've read something similar on HoopCity before but I just had to share this.

Just last night I was asked if I would perform for a certain group and it would be an opportunity for *me* to get people interested in Hula Hoop lessons.  I explained I'm not a performer, but a teacher, and they said that that would do as well.  

This is not the first time I have been asked to provide my services for free.  It has happened to me many times.  The worst was a group that wanted me to teach them how to make hula hoops (I sell hula hoops) and presented it as such a wonderful opportunity to spread the word of my business.  At the time, all I was doing was selling hula hoops, so I had no idea how I could make money out of it.  We went back and forth and the best they could do was charge their members $5 to cover the costs of my materials.  As you all know, that wouldn't have even covered the tubing.  They couldn't believe I let such an opportunity slip by...

It was very timely when I found this shared on my facebook today...

Subject: A musician's answer to the "free" gig Craigslist Ad 

> We are a small & casual restaurant in downtown Vancouver and we are looking 
for solo musicians to play in our restaurant to promote their work and sell 
their CD. This is not a daily job, but only for special events which will 
eventually turn into a nightly event if we get positive response. More Jazz, 
Rock, & smooth type music, around the world and mixed cultural music. Are you 
interested to promote your work? Please reply back ASAP.

> A Musician's Reply: Happy new year! I am a musician with a big house looking 
for a restauranteur to come to my house to promote his/her restaurant by making 
dinner for me and my friends. This is not a daily job, but only for special 
events which will eventually turn into a nightly event if we get a positive 
response. More fine dining & exotic meals and mixed Ethnic Fusion cuisine. Are 
you interested to promote your restaurant? Please reply back ASAP

I'm sure many of you have similar stories to share.