Thread: Discount for multiple gigs?

I've had some contacts with a hotel/restaurant that wants to organise 1001night evenings at their hotel/restaurant.

They would like to hire a bellydancer once a month, for at least 4 months in a row.

Now, I know it's common to give restaurants a discount, only I don't know how much?

Do you give like 10% or something?

And how do you make sure that they won't back out after 1 gig? Do you have contracts or have them do a prepayment?

Thanks for the advice!

Hi there! You could propose them a compromise: Full price for the first performance, and then a reduced rate for any follow-ups? This way you won't lose out on anything if they do back out (it happens..) and still get to offer them a deal.

definitely a contract. sounds like a cool gig

I think Khalida's idea is a good one.

i dont work with fixed prices and percentages, but yes, i would offer them a slightly lower price for multiple gigs... like if my normal ONE set gig is 175, i'd go to 150 per gig, around that, or 250 instead of 300 for two sets...

i'd stay welllll above the restaurant price though...

I agree with Khalida... tell them regular price for the first gig and then offer them a repeat discount. Too often it's a scam to get a cheaper price.

hey, how did it go?

I think if you put all the details in the contract and if you decide to give discount, tell them that it needs to be in the contract and they will pay certain percentage if they end up cancelling you to make up that discount.

This definitely sounds like a cool gig with great possibilities, including more exposure to the general public. I would definitely go with a contract though, specifying your rates for the first show and subsequent performances. Be sure to include either in your negotiations or contract a stipulation for tips. Charge your full price for the first show, perhaps offering a discount for future shows. Also, see how the first show goes - were there a lot of people, were there tips and negotiate from there.

Good luck.

I've done that, and it worked out very well. I danced for their event every other month for almost two years.

I did use a contract, and specified in it that the rate I gave them was contingent on three bookings within six months, and that if they did not complete three bookings by date X, they'd have to pay me the difference by date Y. We did three or four cycles of the 3-gigs-in-6-mos commitment. I can dig up that text from contract, if you'd like.

I like the idea of charging full price for the first show and discounting subsequent ones. That leaves you with nothing to enforce/collect if they don't follow through on the commitment, or if they discontinue the event.

I have a 'party rate' for one time deals- whether it's a restaurant or some other venue & I have an asking rate for restaurants with regular booking. both are based on local standards. for a repeat but not regular gig, I would place it somewhere in the middle. Get a contract & firm dates for all the gigs involved. The whole reason I am giving a discount is because there is less guesswork & stress involved in the booking of successive gigs, honestly. I like having a solid schedule in advance & that is my main benefit to doing this, so that's why they qualify for a discount. I like jm's suggestion if they don't want to pin down specific dates too far in advance- but I would also have a clause in there af how much notice they are to give you when planning an event.

You can put a clause in there about what happens if a gig has to be moved, postponed of canceled too- the client is responsible for the fees regardless, but I am willing to reschedule if it can be done without undue trouble on my part (I will not skip my son's recital or cancel class because your caterer decided she won't work Friday night & you can't find a replacement, but I will try to be flexible within reason) If you want to charge a rescheduling fee, put it in the contract.

In my limited experience, I have not had a contract of this type go sour (okay, we're talking twice here, just so you know I've not done this a million times!)

Best of luck- it sounds like a fun gig!

edit: duplicate post, sorry!

Hey guys,

Didn't check this post in a while...
Well, I followed Khalida's advice: first gig at normal rate and a discount for the followers.
They answered that they would get back to me, as they were going to "shop" for dancers, in search for the best rate they could get + announced that the dancer they booked for the hotel/restaurant would also be dancing at the wedding of the hotel owner in september (probably at the same rate?)

They also stated they were "on a budget". (which I thought was blahblah, I mean a four-star hotel without a budget?? I've danced at less exclusive places for more money!)

I didn't hear back from them, so I guess I've been undercut ,m::

Big bummer, cause I really wanted this gig! At least I know that who-ever is going to dance there, will be doing it for less than 100€ (which I considered my bottom price for a 15 min. show)

I don't know, did I charge too much?
Should I've charged them a "normal" restaurant rate?

And question for european (belgian) dancers: what is a standard restaurant rate?

well, as a restaurant rate that was an ok price to ask for a one off i guess. if iit was more like a party, that was way too little.

i dont go under a 150 period.

regular restaurant rates (if you dance there like weekly) vary between 50 and 100, anything less is crazeee. we got 75 in leuven (one set), brussels i know it varies between 50-100. if it's a one off, i asked my party rate (150 absolute bottom line)

Thx for the info Artemisia!
I haven't danced at restaurants before, so I honestly don't have a clue about rates there.

Well, this was something in between, it was in a restaurant (of the hotel) for their theme nights. At first, is was going to be once a month, for four months in a row, but eventually it turned out to be every sunday for only 1 month.

And maybe, if it was a success, they would organise these theme nights again in the future (but I don't count on those "maybe's" anymore...)

Anyway, I already gave them a huge discount (normal party rate 150 minimum + transport costs) and if they go shopping for rates you're bound to get undercut I guess

Oh well, better luck next time!

I am kinda curious though, who's going to be dancing there... Maybe I'll make reservations for next sunday ..g.:

Haha, you got me curious too! Let me know on Monday which restaurant it is ;-)

PS: Maybe a good idea to discuss this one in class next week as a case study.. There are more students who are thinking about performing in the future, and pricing/undercutting will always be an issue, so this is good info for everyone.

That would be a good idea, not only about prices, but also that there's a lot more to it (going pro) then you think!

Yup, exactly!

and for the record, my "normal" party rate is more like 200 (for one set), 150 is the bottom. so good for you for sticking to it...!!

*sigh*

I just found out who's dancing there at the hotel....
And the sad thing is, it isn't a student but a well respected dancer quite known here in the area

She should know better