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Forums > Social Chat > Prices for Performers

Chotys

member

Total posts: 91

Posted:3rd Sep 2001hey all,me and 3 other twirlers here in portland are going to start doing gigs like the local folk festival and i was wondering how much should we be charging? We're not out to rip anyone off so all we really need is money for fuel, which in our performances we use a bloody heap of. If anyone out there who performs for things like festivals, how much should i charge the ppl that want to hire us?thanx:Chotys:

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Charles
BRONZE Member since Jun 2001

Charles

Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
Location: Auckland

Total posts: 3989

Posted:5th Sep 2001Congrats Guys! great to hear...here's a few tips from me about charging, as always, think about it and take what you agree with...Charging is a very tricky business, especially for groups of performers rather than single individuals.It's all well and good to just ask for the fuel costs and things,but don't sell yourself short. People will happily pay lots of money for fire performances, as long as you are professional and safety conscious.Please note, if they are happy to pay you, you are not ripping them off! Think about all the hours you've spent practicing, all the money you have spent on fuel, equipment, transport, even injuries sometimes. It soon adds up to a lot more than you think and you deserve to recoup some of those costs if the opportunity arises.Also, charging small amounts or just expenses can give people doubts, wondering whether you are actually that good or not. I get more work when charging high prices than otherwise.A rule of thumb seems to be to charge at least what a specialist doctor or lawyer in your country charges for an hour, sometimes twice that figure.Obviously, for certain events such as kids birthdays and events for small non-profit organistions, you can drop your price to fit with them.Remember that you don't have to be the best firedancer in the world to entertain the crowd. I often get applause when i light up and before I've even done anything.As long as you entertain them, you are value for money.but but but, always be professional and saftey conscious. No swearing, dangerous antics that might result in firedamage, don't get too close to young kids who might get scared and cry. Whenever you firedance, you represent every firedancer in the world, and for every bad performance, we all lose a bit of reputation and sometimes lose work as well.No pressure no pressure, have a great time, enjoy yourself and play safe...------------------Charles (INFERNO)newdolbel@hotmail.comhttp://juggling.co.nz

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Pele
BRONZE Member since Dec 2000

Pele

the henna lady
Location: WNY, USA

Total posts: 6193

Posted:5th Sep 2001There is this basic formula that I use and it is really good, it was given to me by a mentor who has been using it for 25 years!Figure out:Your fuel costsYour travel expenses (gas, food and lodging)Wear and tear estimates on your tools and costumesYour time involved performing (I say value this as nothing less than minimum wage in you location but not terribly high either)Insurance costsNow add this all together and double it. This should be the least amount you will accept. However, bid high (meaning ask for at least half again as much) but if they say no tell them you will work with their budget.This will give you room to negotiate and a chance at getting more than you actually want. This covers your costs and gives you extra pay. If because it is a local event it comes to less than $50, don't accept it. I think $50 (per person that is) is the barest minimum anyone should ever get for risking their flesh.My best and good luck to you!------------------Pele Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir...http://www.pyromorph.com

Pele
Higher, higher burning fire...making music like a choir
"Oooh look! A pub!" -exclaimed after recovering from a stupid fall
"And for the decadence of art, nothing beats a roaring fire." -TMK

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adamrice

poo-bah
Location: Austin TX USA

Total posts: 1015

Posted:4th Sep 2001I bow to Pele's vastly greater experience, but I'd start off higher. I think fire performers should be able to expect $50 per person, per set. Ideally with a minimum of two sets--this is to compensate for the time overhead that surrounds any performance--getting there, setting up, waiting around, dealing with whatever confusion on the ground you need to deal with.I know some performers have different rates depending on whether they are permitted to pass the hat at the end--but they still get paid from the customer regardless. Some customers might not want their guests getting hit up for cash, others may not care. You might factor that in.I'd rather perform for free and make a gift of it than have my work trivialized by a low rate.

Laugh while you can, monkey-boy

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Charles
BRONZE Member since Jun 2001

Charles

Corporate Circus Arts Entertainer
Location: Auckland

Total posts: 3989

Posted:4th Sep 2001I forgot one more thing, depending on how the tax systems work where you are, it almost always beneficial to have a rate plus expenses and include itemised expenses on your bill.You only get stung for income tax on the profit you make, which is fair enough, for me, paying 33% on monies from expenses means i could lose a lot of money if I use a lot of fuel and/or transport.However, if you have time, I really like Pele's way of quoting for each event, I might adopt it myself (but it's easier just to say $?? plus expenses per hour).Let us all know how it went too...------------------Charles (INFERNO)newdolbel@hotmail.comhttp://juggling.co.nz

HoP Posting Guidelines
* Is it the Truth?
* Is it Fair to all concerned?
* Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
* Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?

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Plazma

member
Location: The Land of Tokomak

Total posts: 73

Posted:7th Sep 2001i had a question that some what deals with this topic. do any of you know people who do glowstick performances for money? i mean if they do, obviously you don't have to pay for fuel and all that stuff, so really the person hiring would almost just be paying for the performance alone...any idea's about how much for that? that and how should you advertise...classifieds, tv, ect. or what?------------------My World is a world of one, and in being one they Rave! My World is a Godly World and I am its master!

My World is a world of one, and in being one they Rave! My World is a Godly World and I am its master!

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GlowJedi

member
Location: San Antonio, Tx, USA

Total posts: 13

Posted:8th Sep 2001I was flown to Monterrey, Mexico to dance at a club down there with a friend of mine. We got all expenses paid (air, hotel, food) plus a hundred dollars each for a 1 hour set with glowsticks. Those people didn't know what hit them. We were able to get the gig, by going to various clubs everynight and just spinning. This past week I was up on stage at a party here in town, with just my stix. Just go out and talk to people, get to now the local production groups, they can help alot.

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Axis

member
Location: Bristol, UK

Total posts: 171

Posted:10th Sep 2001I never perform for less than �150...ever. Pele is spot on, undercharging is a big no-no, it damages the respect others have for your proffession.I do some gigs for charity for nothing but most of my work is either clubs (�200 1x30mins fire + 1x3min glowstickshow + 1x3minfireshow) or cabaret (�300-400 5min stage show.For one off specataculars involving choreographing others or large scale pyrotechnic stunts i will charge �400 - �2000 accordingly.Be proffesional in all ways at all times, be slick, be safe and kick ass on stage.Good luck y'allAxis

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blu_valley
SILVER Member since Apr 2005

fluffy mess
Location: Brighton

Total posts: 197

Posted:18th Apr 2007ok...I've been asked to spin poi at a semi-private party. I am not the main show and would be there more to add to the atmosphere. I wouldn't be expected to do anything that would distract too much from the overall show, so just basic moves, until the end where they would want maybe a five minute show to round of fthe evening. I would be expected to spin on and off for 2-3 hours and I would get free food. How much would people charge for something like this? It has the chance of becomming something regular

"I want to know if you can see beauty even when it's not pretty, every day,and if you can source your own life from its presence.." - Oriah Mountain Dreamer

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Mynci
BRONZE Member since Apr 2005

Mynci

Macaque of all trades
Location: wombling free...

Total posts: 8737

Posted:18th Apr 2007I would say a minimum of �50-�100 for free spinning.

We've decided we are to charge �0.25p per mile travel costs nowadays as we get a lot of travelling expenses and you also have to account wear and tear to your car if you are driving 40 miles = �10 a fair fuel cost in britain today.

A couple of balls short of a full cascade... or maybe a few cards short of a deck... we'll see how this all fans out.

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DarkFyre
BRONZE Member since Nov 2005

HoP mage and keeper of the fireballs
Location: Palmerston North

Total posts: 1965

Posted:19th Apr 2007the last gig that i did i got paid $300 NZ which works out to about �100 and that was for 3 short sets (2-4 min) and some fire breathing.

Also consider the event because the bigger it is the more money they have to throw around.

If its an 18th B-Day party drop your prices a bit (but not too much.

If it's a club, a music gig or pre/mid show entertainment for a medium sized event (kick boxing being my most recent example) stick to your standard charge.

If it's a large event (stadium, concert or fashion show) then charge double your standard rate + �50 per performer but if the event requires you over a period of days be a bit more reasonable with you pricing however you should exspect acomodation, fuel costs and aything else that you can charge them for and make sure that the bill payer is aware of all of your exspences prior to the gig.

May my balls of fire set your balls on fire devil

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