Thread: Client Requests In-Person Meeting Pre-Gig: WWBD?

Originally Posted by Freddie

Hmmm. I fI were him I would like to meet you first. Jus to make sure you weren't a lunatic. I hae seen lunatics dance well so there'd be no point seeing you perform at the restaurant to find out the lunatic factor. But talking to you would or could or should reveal your level of lunacy.

..l;,Freddie, you crack me up!! Yes, even lunatics can dance well--I've seen plenty craaaazies that were good dancers! ..l;,

Originally Posted by lotus

Also an inperson meeting won't tell you if she can DANCE, that is what a professional website with videoclips is for. In terms of telling if the dancer has a vulgar or crass personality, usually a phonecall conversation is adequate for assessment.

Well we know that, but they don't. It's like in a job interview. Showing up looking nice won't tell them whether or not I am a good editor, but they feel like they can get a sense of who I am. If I show up looking terrible, or acting a little off, no matter what kind of work I do, they might use that to send me away.

For this guy, it's not just about the dancing - image and class are probably a big factor. So even if he sees a video and the dancing is good, if you show up looking sleazy or crazy, the dancing goes out the window.

Whether or not to meet is certainly a personal preference. I think there are factors to decide for me. I invite them to a show if I can. If it's a big gig with potential for more work to follow, it may be worth it.

Also, I think this goes into the issue of branding talked about in other threads. It may help to cultivate that personal, professional service image. DJs and florists may be making a lot more, but in a client's mind, they're doing a lot more too.

Maybe a way to make it really work for you is to say something like, "I would love to bring the contract to you to go over and sign. Please remember that even with signing the contract, the time and date cannot be held for you without the deposit, so please be prepared with $X in [method of payment] to hold your date." Ever buy a car? That's how they do it. ..l;,

How did this work out for you SatinWorship?

i've done pre-gig meeting for really big events, often on site (where the show will be), and found them mutually helpfull, and yes, sometimes it's like "auditioning", and they havent decided yet. i dont mean i dance for them, but yes, they want to see you, talk to you, talk shedule, money, etc... and then close the deal...

especially when we are running into 4 figure deals, i think this is understandable.

Keep in mind that corporate event mean a corporate machine behind it, CHances are, this guy doesn't even have time to meet you but his HR dept has a rule that any hire, even just for a workshop, must be met in person before hand, etc...

I'd ask him if he has any particular reason for wanting to meet you. LIke, you'd be happy to meet him but knowing the reason would point you towards which "materials to bring". If he says it's standard operating procedure for hiring anyone, then not oing might result in you losing the gig. If it's just to get a feel for what kind of dancer you are, ask him if he'd like to review your press kit/portfolio/collection of videos on youtube instead (since I doubt he'd want you to show up all decked out in bedlah and do a pre-view dance in the lunch room).

JAS

Originally Posted by _Tanya_

When I have worked large corporate events (holiday parties and such) pre-meetings were requested. I believe this is to ensure that the entertainment not only looks good but is able to handle herself with decorum and grace. Many corporate gigs worry about maintaining a professional atmosphere even when holding a party or event. They need to be assuaged that the pretty bellydancer they are hiring isn't going to do something that could leave them open for a law suit.

I have been a conference organizer for years for major corporate events. I would never hire any entertainer (or sign a contract) without meeting them first. Think of it as an interview because that is exactly what it is. If you want the gig, you better meet with them. You are a sales person. You have to be willing to do some selling and that means sometimes you have to be a bit inconvenienced in order to score the big jobs. What's an hour or two out of your day if it lands you a great gig.

And remember, not only will you gain his approval but you may also gain other valuable contacts (i.e. from the conference center concierge) if you work the gig.

Good luck.

Well, I meet with the event planner on Friday. He was in the UK on business for a couple of weeks, so our schedules weren't really meshing for awhile.

I'm excited because the prospective gig is for Unilever - my dad was a market reseach director at that same office for almost as long as I've been alive! So I already have a great "in," as far as understanding Unilever's corporate values and being able to parlay this into my dance presentation.

So how should I prepare and what should I bring? I want to blow 'em out of the water, big time ..g.:

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Well, I meet with the event planner on Friday. He was in the UK on business for a couple of weeks, so our schedules weren't really meshing for awhile.

I'm excited because the prospective gig is for Unilever - my dad was a market reseach director at that same office for almost as long as I've been alive! So I already have a great "in," as far as understanding Unilever's corporate values and being able to parlay this into my dance presentation.

So how should I prepare and what should I bring? I want to blow 'em out of the water, big time ..g.:

Be as professional as possible, don't talk too much, and make sure you bring copies of your marketing materials, bring them in a clear folder and not just as loose paper (perhaps bring a promo video on dvd if you have one.) Dress on the higher end of corporate casual but wear a little more makeup then you would if you were working at the office. Keep your hair down, and don't show too much skin. You want to present yourself as a professional freelancer not just as an entertainer.

I would glam up for the meeting too for the big sell. Too bad you got "fired" because even the glamourous BDSS look sweaty and wear almost no makeup for their workshops either. In fact, I've never seen any instructor all glammed up for a workshop - no matter how little they sweat, it comes off somehow anyway.

Originally Posted by artemisia_danst

especially when we are running into 4 figure deals, i think this is understandable.

Artemisia, could you please weigh in on my 'business' thread about troupes?

http://www.bhuz.com/forum/business-b...l-troupes.html

I have done this a few times, often with a bride and her mother or sisters for the wedding. They want to really *see* you, make sure you're a real person and pretty and approachable. I don't mind. I dress classy casual, make sure my hair and makeup is nice, exotic but not over the top, meet for coffee, talk, get the deposit. You're not going to lose a gig this way. It often makes people feel more sure about you. If you're getting enough money for the job and don't ahve to go out of your way, I think it's worth it.

Regarding your client, I can see his reasoning for wanting you to come by his office, wanting to make a personal connection, size you up. I would just do it, dress classy, make small talk, secure the gig. I think this also makes the client feel more of a connection to you.

Am I the only one who expects to meet people before gigs for my own reassurance? I think this expectation must come from my hula teacher-she always has a pre show interview to establish if whoever wanting our shows was the type of person she wanted to dance for. We dance authentic hula (vs. movie style hula) and the she wanted to make sure her troupe is dancing for clients who understood this. Meaning, no, we will not show up in coconut bras, skimpy grass skirts, and seduce the birthday boy.

I always expect a pre-gig meeting to sign contracts, and for me to check out the client. Before this conversation I would have been suspicious of anyone who just expected me to show up at some random place to dance. I did not realize this was the norm!
Nikki

Originally Posted by aazura

..l;,Yes, even lunatics can dance well--I've seen plenty craaaazies that were good dancers! ..l;,

.w.:.w.:.w.:

Originally Posted by stardancer

.w.:.w.:.w.:

..cr.:..cr.:

..l;,

Originally Posted by micamica

Am I the only one who expects to meet people before gigs for my own reassurance? I think this expectation must come from my hula teacher-she always has a pre show interview to establish if whoever wanting our shows was the type of person she wanted to dance for. We dance authentic hula (vs. movie style hula) and the she wanted to make sure her troupe is dancing for clients who understood this. Meaning, no, we will not show up in coconut bras, skimpy grass skirts, and seduce the birthday boy.

I always expect a pre-gig meeting to sign contracts, and for me to check out the client. Before this conversation I would have been suspicious of anyone who just expected me to show up at some random place to dance. I did not realize this was the norm!
Nikki

Your teachers reasoning is really good, but today that can easily (and cost effectively) be accomplished by a good website with appropriate photos and clear copy. I don't get "can you dance for $50" phone calls from people who have seen my website or from people who have seen me dance before, only from people who have my name and number from a random source.