Thread: A great opportunity gig

I've finally made it!!! I've turned a new page in my bellydance career, one that I've only read about before here on Bhuz... I just got a "great opportunity" voicemail from somebody looking for a bellydancer for a "great opportunity" party that's she's hosting with 20-30 of her friends. And it would be "a great opportunity". She's a chef and so "maybe we could talk trade", but did I mention that "it would be a great opportunity"?

You think I should call her back and ask, in addition to some grape leaves and hummus, if she would grant me a "great opportunity" certificate at the end of the gig that I could hang on my wall? That would be the bestest!!! ..l;,

On a serious note though, I don't think I have the energy to call her back.

A great opportunity for WHAT? To turn down other paying work? To give up a well-deserved night out with the girls or at home with a pint of Ben & Jerry's? To deplete a little bit more of your MAC supply for no good reason? *facepalm*

You've gotta laugh, though ,r:;

Laugh, cry, or maybe a bit of both, hahaha.

I should tell her that I'll do her party if she would cook for me and my friends at my next party for free, cause it would be a great opportunity. Yeah, you'd think she'd know better... I swear I've read this same story on this site at one point. It almost seemed too ordinary to post, but it's my first, so that makes it special. Hehe.

Yes, and I thought that the mythical foot fetish callers were a Belly Dance Urban Legend until I had the pleasure of speaking with one recently!

Knock on wood, though, I've never had such a great opportunity fall in my lap. At least not YET. ,r:;

Originally Posted by SatinWorship19

Knock on wood, though, I've never had such a great opportunity fall in my lap. At least not YET. ,r:;

Ack, you said it! Oh, man, now you gave it "power", there's totally an *opportunity* in your future now..... LOL I'm quite sure you'll wrangle that one with finesse, too.

Yeah, wonderful opp, right. Please don't do me any favors, No, the "experience" alone will not be my compensation. This is like the sticker-shock/attempt-to-negotiate response....."if you could do the party for $XXX, I know there will be alot of affluent people there......" uh, huh...........maybe they could take up a collection to help you pay for the rest of my fee, then.
Sorry, people who tell me they're rich while simultaneously telling me they can't pay a fair dancer fee make me cranky.

Although in this scenario, it might be someone who's genuinely clueless, just trying to set up entertainment without any means to pay for it, and is being creative about it. Hmm. Nope. Still makes me cranky. ..l;,

I had almost forgotten!
I got a call last week from a bar in Baltimore.
They had a similar "Great Opportunity"... they were looking for 7 girls to represent the 7 sins...for 3 or 4 hours... for FREE!!!!!!
lol
He left me a vm about it... and I called him back just for the opportunity to tell him that he would be hard pressed to find a quality professional belly dancer available in this area on Saturday Feb 13th at such short notice, that we don't perform for free and that with a budget a 7 sins theme might be better filled with burlseque performers. I think it COULD be a hoot to costume and act, it just wouldn't be belly dance... and he needs a budget.
Then again, with my budget comments, maybe I'd qualify for greed.

Personally, I would call her back and explain what a "great opportunity" it would be for her to work with a dancer who is professional enough to deserve an appearance fee for performing at her party. Of course, you're willing to "trade" with her. In exchange for your services, she's going to give you money. Period. If you're afraid of being confrontational, call her back at a time when you're not likely to get an answer and leave your price quote on her voicemail. That way, you've held up your end of the bargain as a businesswoman, and the ball's in her court.

There's always the off chance she's just someone who sounds like a dingbat on the phone, but she does have an entertainment budget and would be willing to meet your demands. I guess my feeling is that it's better to err on the side of professionalism and return the call than to blow her off. It's a competitive business, and while that doesn't mean you have to stoop to working crummy, lowball gigs, it's not to your advantage to have anyone, even a dingbat, spreading the rumor around town that you're a flake who doesn't return calls or you're too swell to acknowledge customers with less potential. It's better to leave them with the impression that you were very polite and businesslike, but unfortunately, out of their price range.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

They had a similar "Great Opportunity"... they were looking for 7 girls to represent the 7 sins...for 3 or 4 hours... for FREE!!!!!!
lol

*snort*

That is ALMOST as good as the tanning salon that wanted me to jump out of a coffin in a Mezdeke-style outfit (with face veil) for less than what one of the local undercutters had already offered!

One thing I've noticed about the economic recession is that it has brought out an influx of "entepreneurial" types who have big, ballsy ideas without the budget to pull them off ..c::

Thats funny!

Originally Posted by Salena

Ack, you said it! Oh, man, now you gave it "power", there's totally an *opportunity* in your future now..... LOL I'm quite sure you'll wrangle that one with finesse, too.

We'll see what the Magic 8-Ball that is Crapmasters has in store for me. Keep your fingers crossed that I have my Big Break this week!!! I'm feelin' lucky! ..g.:

Originally Posted by Tourbeau

I guess my feeling is that it's better to err on the side of professionalism and return the call than to blow her off.

What she said.

I would call her back for
- just in case she does have a budget and can afford you but wanted to get the lowest possible price (although I don't think it's very likely, but I would still waste a phone call. It's only 5 minutes.)
- to educate her that professional dancers don't dance for free etc etc.

And if she does not get it... I love the example mentioned above suggesting that she'd come and cater your next party for free. She should really get the message then.

I return every phone call (except for creepy ones, which I have never really gotten) regardless of how they sound. You never know, the person on the other end may have no budget for this even but months down the line she may be in the position to think of you (and your professionalism and nice personality) to refer you to someone that does have a budget. You just never know. It's only one phone call / few minutes to waste, but something positive may come out of it. It really can't hurt.

Originally Posted by Marianna

I return every phone call (except for creepy ones, which I have never really gotten) regardless of how they sound.

I'd have to agree with this. Not that I think the OP is leaving money on the table, but it's a good policy overall.

I had a client several months ago who was playing the weirdest game of e-mail tag. Totally vague e-mails. Never called me, even after I left her several detailed voicemails. Didn't really say what she wanted or if she could commit. Just asked totally general, open-ended questions without giving much direction or detail. I was SO convinced that this was like some weirdo local dancer spying on me, or just a nutso client. About a week after this persisted, the woman called me back and apologized profusely for being absolutely swamped at work.

This ended up being the best gig EVER. They were the nicest people, I made $200 in tips and the woman called me back to do another party 2 weeks later. I'm very glad I gave this situation the benefit of the doubt.

So all in all, you really never know...

Originally Posted by Marianna

I return every phone call (except for creepy ones, which I have never really gotten) regardless of how they sound. You never know, the person on the other end may have no budget for this even but months down the line she may be in the position to think of you (and your professionalism and nice personality) to refer you to someone that does have a budget. You just never know. It's only one phone call / few minutes to waste, but something positive may come out of it. It really can't hurt.

I absolutely agree with this.

I always call them back (OK one time when someone called for a free hula dancer I did not have the energy or time..c::) I even called back the call who wanted a midget as a joke, I felt a little education was in order. I do explain each time that yes they will most likely find an 8 week wonder student for this great unpaid gig but they should not after seeing this great unpaid wonder make any judgement about what belly dance is because they are not really seeing a pro in the first place!
I think asking her in exchange to cater your next hafla with a full course dinner in exchange would be a great idea! After all it is a great opportunity!..g.:

Originally Posted by SidoniaOfNashville

Laugh, cry, or maybe a bit of both, hahaha.

I should tell her that I'll do her party if she would cook for me and my friends at my next party for free, cause it would be a great opportunity. Yeah, you'd think she'd know better... I swear I've read this same story on this site at one point. It almost seemed too ordinary to post, but it's my first, so that makes it special. Hehe.

HEY, that's a great idea I'll drive over to Nashville for dinner at this "great opportunity" banquet! ..l;,..l;,

Just make sure you do have a reciprocal great opportunity trade you can do if you mention that... because she might take you up on it....

Originally Posted by SidoniaOfNashville

She's a chef and so "maybe we could talk trade", but did I mention that "it would be a great opportunity"?

I see this a little differently.

If she is a chef, then it would be entirely reasonable for her to propose a barter. Lots of people who provide services enjoy doing business via barter. It can be a perfectly legitimate business proposal.

Of course, the key question is, "Would you value the item/service the other person is offering in the barter?" In this case, if you would have a valid use for catering services for an event you're hosting in the future such as a hafla, it could actually be a great barter to do. Of course, you'd want to ask some qualifying questions to determine whether she actually is a professional-quality caterer or whether she's the catering industry's equivalent of a 6-week-wonder.

And if you don't have a need for catering, it's okay, you don't have to accept that particular offer. Just apologize nicely, say that you're currently not planning anything that could benefit from a caterer of her talents, and move forward with a pricing discussion.

I would consider bartering with a caterer so long as I had reason to believe the other person had a skill level in her own field equivalent to what I'd be providing.

Originally Posted by SidoniaOfNashville

I've finally made it!!! I've turned a new page in my bellydance career, one that I've only read about before here on Bhuz... I just got a "great opportunity" voicemail from somebody looking for a bellydancer for a "great opportunity" party that's she's hosting with 20-30 of her friends. And it would be "a great opportunity". She's a chef and so "maybe we could talk trade", but did I mention that "it would be a great opportunity"?

You think I should call her back and ask, in addition to some grape leaves and hummus, if she would grant me a "great opportunity" certificate at the end of the gig that I could hang on my wall? That would be the bestest!!! ..l;,

On a serious note though, I don't think I have the energy to call her back.

just give her your price...and tell her I have a Turkish dancer friend who gives me wonderful Turkish food recipes if I need LOL!!!

Originally Posted by turkishdancer

just give her your price...and tell her I have a Turkish dancer friend who gives me wonderful Turkish food recipes if I need LOL!!!

I want Turkish recipes! *whimper*

Originally Posted by *Shira*

I see this a little differently.

If she is a chef, then it would be entirely reasonable for her to propose a barter. Lots of people who provide services enjoy doing business via barter. It can be a perfectly legitimate business proposal.

Of course, the key question is, "Would you value the item/service the other person is offering in the barter?" In this case, if you would have a valid use for catering services for an event you're hosting in the future such as a hafla, it could actually be a great barter to do. Of course, you'd want to ask some qualifying questions to determine whether she actually is a professional-quality caterer or whether she's the catering industry's equivalent of a 6-week-wonder.

And if you don't have a need for catering, it's okay, you don't have to accept that particular offer. Just apologize nicely, say that you're currently not planning anything that could benefit from a caterer of her talents, and move forward with a pricing discussion.

I would consider bartering with a caterer so long as I had reason to believe the other person had a skill level in her own field equivalent to what I'd be providing.

Shira, you make a good point, here. I was quick to assume the chef was looking for a freebie, but if she is truly a professional chef, then her services are likely quite expensive as well. You're right, though-the key is getting enough information to determine what her services are worth, and if they are comparable for a trade (and, nailing down in writing that a trade WOULD indeed take place in the future).

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

I had almost forgotten!
I got a call last week from a bar in Baltimore.
They had a similar "Great Opportunity"... they were looking for 7 girls to represent the 7 sins...for 3 or 4 hours... for FREE!!!!!!
lol
He left me a vm about it... and I called him back just for the opportunity to tell him that he would be hard pressed to find a quality professional belly dancer available in this area on Saturday Feb 13th at such short notice, that we don't perform for free and that with a budget a 7 sins theme might be better filled with burlseque performers. I think it COULD be a hoot to costume and act, it just wouldn't be belly dance... and he needs a budget.
Then again, with my budget comments, maybe I'd qualify for greed.

OMG! A saturday night - let alone a holiday weekend - for free? That is really gutsy to ask. I guess - though - you do not get if you do not ask and I am hoping that he did not find anyone to do this. Sadly, he probably did

Originally Posted by ravenadesigns

OMG! A saturday night - let alone a holiday weekend - for free? That is really gutsy to ask. I guess - though - you do not get if you do not ask and I am hoping that he did not find anyone to do this. Sadly, he probably did

It's possible he did, but I have no idea. Because I knew he would call around and because there are people who would jump at this "opportunity" I was careful to say "you won't get a quality, professional level dancer to perform for free for an event like this on a Saturday night." This way, if he did get someone and was disappointed he might remember that "quality, professional level dancer" phrase.