Thread: Panic, Panic... :)

Just gotta post somewhere

Mere weeks after the face-to-face meeting request thread here on Bhuz, I have been asked for my first!

The performance sounds really nice. A weeks worth of stuff that a local casino/restaurant/theatre complex, very prestigious in circles out here, are looking for to tie in with an event. Co-ordinator was a little vague on the phone and in her subsequent email so I don't know the exact precise function details. I was pretty firm on what they were wanting.

Heard back from her this morning, they have been looking through our website, obviously something in the quote attracts, and she wants a meeting. I am hoping it is just the whole 'lets see if she is a pycho crazy or a 6 ft tall black man with a moustache masquerading as the photos on the website" thing.

But my inner paranoia is back. I know exactly why, I think. Only on the phone today did I realise this is driven by one of the centre's restaurants. And restaurants out here [I am talking regular gigs, not special functions like this] are notorious for bad pay and backstabbing, and it has happened to me more then once before I said 'no more for me'! So I kinda think it is just my restaurant= bad thing winding me up.

But now I am worrying, 'cos she also said something like 'iron out some concerns they have' and whilst i am hoping that is just media speak I am doing my usual thing of trying to second guess :) And I can't help but thinking it somewhere mutates to 'you look like a sucker so we would like you to quote less and are hoping to oh-my-gosh wow little you into aquisesence with our star level.'

Yes, I am paranoid. Never mind me.

I would like to think the extra thought put into preparing a proper quote, and the look of our promo stuff, has made them feel comfortable with using us, and now they would like to show off their venue, in process emphasising how important they are so that they get the best show possible, sorta thing.

Being me, the subtext runs 'Oh my gosh, they are trying to argue the price. Or screw us over somehow. Help!'

Which is most likely rubbish, though just possible.

So I just wanted to blow somewhere to get over it and get back onto track towards netting us this gig ..g.:

Though, if you have any suggestions or hints, they would be greatfully received. In particular, wardrobe for the meeting is perplexing me. It is tomorrow- Sat morning. Obviously I want the whole buisness look- but how much is OTT for Saturday at a restaurant? Also I , luckily/unluckily, work in a day job that lets me wear slops and track pants. I lack on the power suit issue ..c:: What can I put together to look slick, businesslike, appropriate to time and venue and what I am there for?

Get them to state their concerns to you over the phone before you attend. Because keeping them secret and then springing them on you face to face might not be most constructive for either of you.

Originally Posted by Amira_Siddiqah

Also I , luckily/unluckily, work in a day job that lets me wear slops and track pants. I lack on the power suit issue ..c:: What can I put together to look slick, businesslike, appropriate to time and venue and what I am there for?

what i do when i have an oral exam and i can't be arsed getting the whole shebang suit and all out, i make myself presentable with some of my nice clothes. knee-length classy black skirt, a simple top and a buttoned white blouse. heels, and a bit of jewelry, and hair up ^^
the look is very adaptable for any 'looking proper but not totally strict' occasion, and each item are staples that can be worn with other things, so you get max versatility as well

Hey Caroline.

If I thought it was serious serious, I would have, but it was a very offhand comment. Thing is, not everyone out here, "white" folks especially, is Eng 1st Lang. Plus, there is a general tendancy to speak in a way that comes across very pompously to the rest of the world. So I doubt much was meant by it.

But I am gonna steel myself a little, just in case. Fortunatly, I am pretty laise faire, so not much shocks me ['til I get to someone I can rant at :)]

The face to face thing is very prevelant, too, and I am suprised I haven't had to do one before- heck, I can't even get an approximate price out of ad execs without them wanting a whole sit down conflab.

Kathiya- Thanks.

It sounds like me they do just want to make sure you look the part too, but I am a very trusting person (and this gets me into trouble sometimes). If it were me, I'd wear what I have to wear to work every, black slacks, a nice conservative blouse, minimal jewelry.. Somewhat stylish, but not overly so. Go in with confidence knowing you rock and they'd be crazy to not hire you for what you asked for. Be prepared to walk if they do try to talk you down. Good luck!!!

If you don't own a suit a nice summer dress (below the knee, and not too much cleavage) and a cardigan will get you far. Pair it with a nice simple necklace and earing set and some low heels and you look like you belong in an office setting.

You are a business woman! Period! It doesn't matter whether your business is finance, textiles or dance....it's business. Business attire is required for a meeting. But let's put aside the attire and concentrate on the fact that whenever you are placed in an opportunity to do an event or large showcase or an extended engagement, you shouldn't quote them. Know what you want and have them pitch what they want and give you a starting number...work from their and explain why your price differs from theirs....if they want it cheaper (which, they always do), you can always explain that cheaper price equals a smaller show, less dance time, fewer performers, etc...Once you have a verbal agreement and they say "Let's do it", that is when you whip out the fill and go contract stipulating everything covered in the meeting and the price and how payment will take place (such as, 1/2 certain time prior to show, then other 1/2 by such day). If they are willing to give you a verbal and then seem apprehensive about signed a contract - BEWARE!!! This means they are not really ready to make that commitment due to money or wanting to "shop" around. I don't take a piss without a contract, because, as I have come to learn the very hard way, most are out to screw you, even those considered friends....after all, quoting my dear friend Tori: It's Show Business not Show Friends!

Lol, Amaryllis. No worries. I watched my original teacher get done over a record 3 times. I don't even consider sneezing at anyone's show til my contract is signed. I know I seem to be in the minority with dancers, though... not sure why. Anyone who won't sign a contract is very dubious IMO, and I don't want to deal with them.

I scraped together my one pantsuit with a plain poloneck, think it looked nice and smart.

Ordinarily, I don't quote until I know exactly what they want, but in this case it was please get me a quote on this before they even mentioned the meeting.

Now I know why. Most of it was the look thing. One of the organisers has apparently been subjected to an, um... embarassing... belly dance performance. Yay me on my digital photo gallery and video clips, seems to have reassured. Additionally, they have recently had another dance form as part of a similar event, and it tanked, so they wanted to be sure theri would be audience interaction etc.

Price wise, it seems to have worked in my favour. Their final night is much bigger then I got the impression, and they seemed to appreciate the advice to bring in an extra dancer for the crowd.


Cross fingers...