Thread: HELP me sponsor a BDSS workshop!!! Please!

Okay . . . I am going to sponsor a BDSS workshop this summer. This is my first time doing anything like this, so please offer any advice possible!!!!..g.:

My main question is about money. When people pay for the workshop and / or show, what is the best way to handle the money?

Should they just send checks and money orders through the mail?

Should I have them pay me through paypal?

Should I set up an ebay store to handle the tickets?

Is there any other way to have them pay online?

Thanks guys!!!..l;,

I find the best way to handle the money is to give people an option of paying either through paypal or by cheque/money order. Though I've had my problems with paypal (who hasn't!?) at least you have a full record of who has paid, and the attendee also gets a receipt. I always tack on a paypal handling fee (just for the amount that paypal charge to hande the transaction) for people paying by paypal, otherwise you'd be surprised how much money you actually lose this way. If someone doesn't want to pay the handling fee then they always have the cheque option.

Good luck with the workshops! Dying to know who you're sponsoring now..l;,

Thanks! With paypal . . . do you just give them your paypal address, or is that too risky?

For the workshop that I am sponsoring this fall, I give out my paypal address. I also have paypal buttons on the website so that attendees can pay that way too.
sooo....
who ya bringing in and when?
You know who I haven't seen in forever and would love to get a chance to train with in person......Jayna:)
Here's to hoping! :)

Don't mean to hijack, but.....what is Paypal's fee? What %?

Originally Posted by Zepora

Thanks! With paypal . . . do you just give them your paypal address, or is that too risky?

Yes, I just have a paypal buton on the site. I haven't always done it that way,at first I had people fill out a custom form on the site stating which workshops they wanted to book, then I sent them a paypal invoice through which they could pay. I have a business account though, not sure which kind of account you have and if you can issue invoices through the standard account.

For US residents it's 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction. International payments to US accounts are more.

Many people use Eventbright and seem to be pleased with it. Might be worth a bit of research.

I have heard of interest in FastPay - much like Ebay but not as popular but not as expensive.

This is all second-hand info, research necessary. No endorsement for any business, I am not involved with them in any way. Just info.

Originally Posted by Zepora

Okay . . . I am going to sponsor a BDSS workshop this summer. This is my first time doing anything like this, so please offer any advice possible!!!!..g.:

;,

BDSS? Belly Dance Super Stars? I don't know much about the group except what I've heard in our local dance community but I'll throw out this word of caution. Make sure you have an iron-clad contract with them (or anyone else for that matter). A dancer locally booked them, sold tickets, advertised, etc. At the last minute, BDSS cancelled the show because they got invited to perform in the same city by another group who was offering them more money. Doesn't seem real ethical (or legal) to me. Again, this is all just rumor from the local dance community so maybe there's more to the story but thought I'd pass it on just as a word of caution. Since it is your first workshop, I'd hate to see something like this happen to you.

Thanks for all the input and advice. I don't know. I'm having second thoughts. It might be too hectic. I think I'd rather just pay to attend a workshop and not have any worries.

But, dang it!!! Why doesn't anyone come to LOUISIANA. Every now and then we get a cabaret dancer but NEVER tribal. It sucks!!!!! I can't travel much because of my job, so I never get to go to any of the big events . . . . .

Anyway . . . . thanks for the input, but I am starting to get cold feet. I think I may back out of this anyway.

Uhm, actually - we've sponsored BDSS before for workshops and they actually provide you with a very specific list of what you need to do and how to go about it. It's VERY easy.

They usually have a specific person dedicated to handle communication with workshop sponsors.

If I were you, I'd contact the BDSS and ask them what they require etc. As their specifics change from time to time.

DaVid

Originally Posted by Zepora

Thanks for all the input and advice. I don't know. I'm having second thoughts. It might be too hectic. I think I'd rather just pay to attend a workshop and not have any worries.

But, dang it!!! Why doesn't anyone come to LOUISIANA. Every now and then we get a cabaret dancer but NEVER tribal. It sucks!!!!! I can't travel much because of my job, so I never get to go to any of the big events . . . . .

Anyway . . . . thanks for the input, but I am starting to get cold feet. I think I may back out of this anyway.

For what it's worth, I would advise any new organizer to cut his/her teeth on smaller local events and get some experience before attempting a workshop/show event like this.

~~Kimahri

Originally Posted by david

Uhm, actually - we've sponsored BDSS before for workshops and they actually provide you with a very specific list of what you need to do and how to go about it. It's VERY easy.

They usually have a specific person dedicated to handle communication with workshop sponsors.

If I were you, I'd contact the BDSS and ask them what they require etc. As their specifics change from time to time.

DaVid

i agree with David on this, BDSS should supply you with everything you need to do..