Thread: Who posts prices?

mmm- dulce de leche....

I post prices for a variety of options (or I will once my web guy gets things rolling! Right now it only has a 20 minute solo option.) like belly gram, 20-30 minute performance, demo/instructional party, wedding etc with an outline of what they each include- and I also list the things I charge extra for like extra props, wait fee, travel fee, holiday fee, if you want a hip scarf to keep (can't believe how many people think they get a free hipscarf with a performance!) so they know what to expect.

One of the reasons I have heard for not putting a price on the site is from folks who want the option of quoting lower rates for non-profits or for multiple sets or multiple bookings, so I just note on the site that discounts are available for select non profit events and multiple bookings (which are still up to local minimums, btw!)

Here is a related question tho- I have my rate sheet on the last page of my contract, & it looks a lot like a sandwich order (check here for each option with price next to it...) I have been debating whether it would be advisable to put a pdf file with a sample contract on my site- what think you?

Originally Posted by Lara L

I have my rate sheet on the last page of my contract, & it looks a lot like a sandwich order (check here for each option with price next to it...) I have been debating whether it would be advisable to put a pdf file with a sample contract on my site- what think you?

I think you would consider the way I have formatted my entertainment options list to be very similar to your current format, Lara L.

I have a name and description for each type of program I offer. At the end of each description, I include the "from $$" pricing info.

In the "introduction" at the top of the page, I have some verbage about "customizing" shows, then I reiterate the same idea, with different words in the summary at the bottom of the page, which also includes an "invitation to buy" and my contact info.

I've considered having a sample contract, too, and wonder if that's helpful.

Deborah

Originally Posted by Lara L

mmm- dulce de leche....

I post prices for a variety of options (or I will once my web guy gets things rolling! Right now it only has a 20 minute solo option.) like belly gram, 20-30 minute performance, demo/instructional party, wedding etc with an outline of what they each include- and I also list the things I charge extra for like extra props, wait fee, travel fee, holiday fee, if you want a hip scarf to keep (can't believe how many people think they get a free hipscarf with a performance!) so they know what to expect.

Extra props - that's a good "extra" to add. Recently, somebody asked if I could do candles AND sword...which was odd, but I suppose doable if I get paid

One of the reasons I have heard for not putting a price on the site is from folks who want the option of quoting lower rates for non-profits or for multiple sets or multiple bookings, so I just note on the site that discounts are available for select non profit events and multiple bookings (which are still up to local minimums, btw!)

I'm addressing this with a clause for charities (i.e. "Carrara Nour performs a select number of charity events per year, pro bono or at a deep discount. Please contact for info"). For multiple bookings, I say that I offer a discount for venues that offer ongoing live entertainment, rates beginning at $XXX.

Here is a related question tho- I have my rate sheet on the last page of my contract, & it looks a lot like a sandwich order (check here for each option with price next to it...) I have been debating whether it would be advisable to put a pdf file with a sample contract on my site- what think you?

Hmmm. I'm sure nobody will object to your "sandwich order," but I spell out the exact price of the gig in my contract, and have them check off on the format of the gig (i.e. standard, deluxe show + lesson, "other"). Two separate line items.

Now you're just making me hungry for a sandwich. Darn it.

Oh, and re: sample contracts:

I think they're a good feature. Some clients get skeeved by signing anything. If they can see that it's all painless and easy, that helps to manage expectations and make everything go more smoothly, with less complaining.

And I'm all about getting less complaining and more business

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I can see where the misconceptions come from. Here's the facts:

1) I don't wear a $600 outfit to teach

2) I don't drive 1/2 an hour each way to teach for 15 minutes

3) I don't spend X hours in rehearsal and music mixing to teach for 15 minutes

4) I don't spend and many hours on advertising/marketing for each single hour of teaching (this is the big one -- when I do teach a one-time class at a party I charge MORE than for a 15 minute show performance, although my regular ongoing teaching rate is significantly less.)

4.5) If you hire a plumber to work for your company 40 hours a week, you'll pay less than 1/2 as much as if you hire a plumber to come to your house for an hour. There's huge value in ongoing work...

5) Party planners are comparing you to the cost of other entertainment, NOT the cost of hiring a fitness instructor. Take a look at what clowns, magicians, etc. in your area charge to entertain at parties. In my area, it's $125 for a (brief) show. And up. So that's what I charge.

I figure if I'm not worth as much as a clown, I should hang up my bedlah.

Right on. Don't forget the 1-2 hrs per gig to do the professional makeup/hair/nails, check the costume for any minor repairs, adjustments, iron/steam anything that's wrinkled, etc. Hourly jobs and teaching jobs don't require this kind of preparation. Oh, and don't forget the per gig price of the high end makeup used to create the magical look.

When I was a magazine publisher, I used to NAG my marketing director about getting contracts signed -- no contract, no client, no commission. She used to complain that even customers who really wanted to advertise would balk at signing a contract.

So we boiled the 4-page document my attorney had come up with down to a single page and she started calling it 'a little form we use for billing' or 'space reservation form' (it had the words 'advertising agreement' at the top).

That solved the problem for us.

So maybe we could refer to the contract as a 'date reservation form'?

I have in my FAQ's that I only do one free charity event a year, but I might be able to provide a discounted rate if the charity is something I personally believe in. So talk to me.

I also list several options including costs for additional sets.

I still have people call me and say, this is for my brother's wedding. Could you please do a short set for the price of a belly gram! It's very special to me. Ummmm, I am getting off a plane from London and coming straight to the performance. I don't think so!

{{{HUGS}}}

Oh, and my contract says booking agreement. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by Lauren_

So maybe we could refer to the contract as a 'date reservation form'?

Originally Posted by tahiradancer

Oh, and my contract says booking agreement. . .

{{{HUGS}}}

Brilliant!!!

I post my prices too....I am tired of the calls for a cheap performance..if they see my prices up front..then they dont waste my time...LOL

I've used the term "performance agreement" or "instructor agreement" with my dance festival for my paid performers and workshop instructors.

I think at one time I had the word "reservation" or something similar in the title of my contract. Hmmmm . . . I wonder why I changed it?

I really like the "friendliness" in titles such as "date reservation form" or "booking agreement," so I'll be changing the heading of my contract -- uh -- "reservation form."

Deborah

There was no internet when I started oriental dance gigs, so I asked around.

Now that my new site is up, you can check out my "Hire" page and see my prices plain as day. They were on my old site too, I just like them better here.... :-)

Originally Posted by SamanthaFortunata

There was no internet when I started oriental dance gigs, so I asked around.

Yes that's how it was! Isn't it CRAZY how the internet changed the landscape of our profession? And really it's happened so fast.

I am on the fence about this whole issue. I do post some of my rates.

But just because somebody DOESN'T post some/all of their rates doesn't mean they are secretly undercutting. Conversely, just because somebody DOES post theirs doesn't mean they aren't out there doing shady business.

Nisaa

Originally Posted by Lauren_

Those who've been around longer and have a reputation and a network of referrals can charge more than the minimum, but no one should be charging less.

Boy, do I ever agree with this.

Originally Posted by lotus

Yes that's how it was! Isn't it CRAZY how the internet changed the landscape of our profession? And really it's happened so fast.

Totally! More access to information, of all kinds, has dramatically changed oriental dance.
And there were undercutters then as there are now, so I think it is part of a bigger issue.

Originally Posted by nisaasaintlouis

But just because somebody DOESN'T post some/all of their rates doesn't mean they are secretly undercutting. Conversely, just because somebody DOES post theirs doesn't mean they aren't out there doing shady business.

Upsetting, but true. ,f::

Sometimes, even the most respectable dancers cave to pressures to lower their rates. It really, really stinks.