Thread: Help me understand the BellyDance Evolution fee structure...

Originally Posted by aziyade

So the moral of the story is:

If you're going into this business with the idea of getting rich, you need to think again.

? :)

Yup.

Deborah

What I was reading in Maurazebra's posts was simply - as one reaches the competency to participate in top-tier events, what is the impact on immediate cash flow for the participant? What I've learned is that most performance events will have a negligeable affect on improving near-term cash flow, but could have a potentially great affect on future income, if the branding effort is successful. I think a lot of people (especially outside of our industry) would make the assumption that a big production would pay a lot - in cash. That this is not true for us - and for very good reasons - is a great point to dig into and validate if you're writing a business plan and trying to evaluate potential income streams.

Originally Posted by LiesaB.

If I (the dancer) get 90 videos to sell at say 12.99 ea (or?), doesn't that gross me $1169.00 if I sell them?... I am a pretty good salesperson :-)

Yup. The videos will retail for somewhere around $20, so I was calculating a $1800 value.

Originally Posted by maurazebra

Especially since payment mode seemed to turn into 'exposure' pay instead of more cash, which I, in my naivety, assumed was what happened as one moved up the ladder. If this is how it is, then this is how it is. But I want to know, because I want to know my business.

Maurazebra...the thing is once you are "exposed" you *do* make more money at least in my own experience. So yes that "exposure" gig might cost you initially but there is payback in other ways.

I would do Michelle's comp in a heatbeat (if I got in) if I wasn't already going to Tokyo (on those dates..cr.:).

You have to make decisions that are right for you. And evaluate the personal cost and personal gain as well as the monetary.

I can tell you I have been asked to do gigs for free in Asia (gasp, I know the Bhuz horror.p::) and then by the same people been offered $1000 shows. You need to make your own choices in life and in dance.

Originally Posted by CFerhat

What I was reading in Maurazebra's posts was simply - as one reaches the competency to participate in top-tier events, what is the impact on immediate cash flow for the participant? What I've learned is that most performance events will have a negligeable affect on improving near-term cash flow, but could have a potentially great affect on future income, if the branding effort is successful. I think a lot of people (especially outside of our industry) would make the assumption that a big production would pay a lot - in cash. That this is not true for us - and for very good reasons - is a great point to dig into and validate if you're writing a business plan and trying to evaluate potential income streams.

This.