Thread: Pre-Gig Meetups for Smaller Events?

I know I've posted on this subject before, and we've all agreed that pre-gig meetups can reassure our clients prior to booking big, elaborate corporate events and weddings. (When I do this, I build roughly $25-50 extra into my total cost to compensate for my time).

But what do you do when a client wants to meet up with you before a smaller event like a birthday party, bridal shower or graduation where an on-site meeting really doesn't feel like it would be completely necessary? I have one of those requests right now and I'm not quite sure how I should move forward.

WWBD?

We now charge an extra $100 for weddings and galas because of the almost inevitable pre-planning stuff.

For parties, they can come to our studio during work hours and meet briefly at no extra charge. Usually they are checking to make sure the visuals on the website match reality (costumes, physical appearance, etc). Since you don't teach and you don't do public events like restaurants , maybe a favorite coffee shop not far from your usual haunts? Make it at your convenience.

That's what I was thinking. The venue's only 10 mins away. I'll do an ultra-brief meet-and-greet just so she can see that I'm just as pretty in person as I am in my photos. (And hopefully collect a contract and deposit while I'm at it!)

Normally, I charge a LOT more for events that call for pre-planning stuff, too. This one just kind of blew me away, because I've never been asked to meet with a client prior to something other than a bigger, more complicated event. Thank goodness this is not the norm, because who has time to go on a "go-see" for every client who's possibly interested in booking?

Maybe you could do it like a lot of repair companies do, and say something like, "I charge $50 for a pre-meeting, but if you decide to book, half (or all, if you're feeling generous) of that can be applied to my performance fee."

I don't necessarily mind the idea of meeting with a particularly nervous client, but I would want to make sure that I would be compensated if they decide to flake off.

Originally Posted by laura 2

I don't necessarily mind the idea of meeting with a particularly nervous client, but I would want to make sure that I would be compensated if they decide to flake off.

This is exactly how I feel, and why I'm not a fan of the pre-show pow-wow!

it happened to me a while back. frankly they just wanted to make sure i wasnt ugly mostly lol. ridiculous but understandable at the same time. anyways as long as you let them know that you will meet witht hem if they sre seriously interested and can afford your quote then go ahead. but make sure they bringthe contract with them so they know your not playing time games.

One, and only one, customer wanted to meet for what turned out to be an attempt to negotiate the price down. Daughter listened to her for a few minutes and then 'regretfully' informed her that now that more of the details were clear, the price had to go up! Well, the woman went away.. then came back a MONTH later and attempted to renegotiate again.. and the price went up higher... we never got the gig, heh heh.

In the past I have simply told client that the pictures on my site are a true representation of me and while some are up to 5 years old, some are as recent as one month.
Usually it's about "looks."
If they really ARE a nervous Nelly I'd charge for it, and take the opportunity to get the deposit and get the contract signed.
Maurazebra- heh, heh. Yes, that's the way to negotiate with those kinds of clients.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

In the past I have simply told client that the pictures on my site are a true representation of me and while some are up to 5 years old, some are as recent as one month.
Usually it's about "looks."
If they really ARE a nervous Nelly I'd charge for it, and take the opportunity to get the deposit and get the contract signed.
Maurazebra- heh, heh. Yes, that's the way to negotiate with those kinds of clients.

Yep, I'll just tell her that all my photos are recent, and I update my gallery every time my boyfriend gets a new lens or I get a new costume - which is pretty much every other week ..l;,..l;,..l;,

Not that I'm really offended by the looks thing, because if I were in the same boat, I'd absolutely want to make sure I wasn't hiring somebody who will embarrass my guests. Especially if I worked for a large corporation and had a big HR boss to contend with if the "entertainment" offended one of my employees. It's just the PITA thing. Nobody should ever act surprised that I charge extra to drive out of my way during billable hours for a service that's not included in my base rates.

I e-mailed the woman back. Let's see how this goes ,r:;