A friend is a self-published author and knows one of my dreams is to do marketing on the side for independent artists, particularly authors, comic artists, and video game creators. He's made a lucrative business for himself at $4k-$10k per month (depending on how badly Amazon dicks with him re: algorithm changes). This side hustle he has is in combination with a six figure income. He's asked for help in paid advertising, which I happen to do in my full time job.
Here's the thing: He and I have both been encouraging each other in the journey to FI and the pursuit of our dream to be creatives. So, I know how hard he's worked to hammer away at an insane amount of student debt for him and his wife and the toll its taken on his health (physical and mental). He's also been the friend that sat down and explained everything I know, in great detail and simple language for a noob like me, about investing, saving, and general financial decisions in life.
He's asked me to name my price for my help. I basically want to scream, "NO YOU DUMMY YOU ARE FRIEND I LOVE YOU YOUR MONEY IS NO GOOD." On the other hand, the idea of not paying people for their work (especially young people) makes him livid and he is insisting that he pays something.
Any strategies for how to go about working with friends (or in this case, *for* friends) that you care about and coming up with a price that appeases both sides?
I know what I want to do is do it for free. But I don't know if that's just dumb and naive. Any perspective would be helpful.