Thread: Help! - need script that will get gig without alienating friend.

Hi ladies,

I have a friend who works at a local public art gallery and he has been all enthused about hiring me for an evening program they are doing in a few weeks. He wrote today, "I'd like you and another bellydancer of your choice to perform with our *insert name of group* ensemble... The actual performance is from 7p to 8p. We have $120 budgeted for the dancers."

How do I let him know what a more appropriate amount would be without sounding all snippy? He's a friend and he is clearly happy to be sending business my way. One difficulty is that he's worked in the past with a cheaper group of dancers who would probably do it for that amount. :-(

I think I am going to begin by asking him to consider whether 2 dancers would really be appropriate for improvising to live music in a small space. If we are not doing a choreography together, it might look odd for us to be doing completely different things right next to each other in the center of the room (as opposed to larger events where you have 1dancer on 1 side of the room and 1 on another and it doesn't matter if you're doing completely different things). Then, once I get agreement that one dancer is all that is needed, I might mention my party rate and offer to give him a slight discount.

*sigh* I fear that he is going to get offended and just hire the other girls. Anyone have any scripts that have worked for you in the past in negotiating the client upwards?

deep breath- okay- just like any other gig, if you are going to ask for more, you have to be okay with not getting the gig if it is not in their budget. Take another deep breath- good friends will understand your need to run a business sustainably so you can do things like eat regularly.

"My usual solo rate for something like this is $XXX. I'm willing to negotiate since it is your event, but I do need to keep it close to my regular rate." (second sentence only if you ARE willing to negotiate, of course.) And yes, this would be a perfectly appropriate time to ask if 2 dancers is really what would be best for this show.

Heck, friends & friends of friends are usually my best gigs- you can be friendly without going soft!

Thank you Lara! I think I need to be taking more deep breaths in general these days....

Originally Posted by Lara L

deep breath- okay- just like any other gig, if you are going to ask for more, you have to be okay with not getting the gig if it is not in their budget. Take another deep breath- good friends will understand your need to run a business sustainably so you can do things like eat regularly.

"My usual solo rate for something like this is $XXX. I'm willing to negotiate since it is your event, but I do need to keep it close to my regular rate." (second sentence only if you ARE willing to negotiate, of course.) And yes, this would be a perfectly appropriate time to ask if 2 dancers is really what would be best for this show.

Heck, friends & friends of friends are usually my best gigs- you can be friendly without going soft!

Totally agree! Many of my gigs are people that know me, so if I tried to please everybody and have them "like" me still by lowering my rates, I'd be constantly undercutting myself!,f::
I still seem to have some friends after all these years lol!
If you are "new" at this it may seem uncomfortable, but most people prefer clarity. Hemming and hawing and appearing uncomfortable to ask for more money (not that you would do this, but I had to overcome this myself) will not make it a win-win situation. Quoting your rate pleasantly...well pretty much just as Lara wrote above. Add: "My usual solo rate for something like this is $XXX. For 2 dancers the rate would be $XXXX. Let me know what your preference is." If he writes back not in his budget amount, response, "I am so sorry that I can't meet your needs; it sounds like a wonderful evening. I so enjoy doing these type of events."

Ifyou do not want to negotiate, don't. I sometimes do, for barter if the budget won't budge (pun intended), but it has to meet or exceed up to value of my rate. Good luck to you and hope it all works out!

I don't have a script, but I agree with the others.
Be honest with him.
Do you have a contract form?

I think you are right that there should be only one dancer, in this small venue.
(Unless you take turns dancing, but definetely not together)

I hope it all works out for you.

Originally Posted by LiesaB.

Totally agree! Many of my gigs are people that know me, so if I tried to please everybody and have them "like" me still by lowering my rates, I'd be constantly undercutting myself!,f::
I still seem to have some friends after all these years lol!
If you are "new" at this it may seem uncomfortable, but most people prefer clarity. Hemming and hawing and appearing uncomfortable to ask for more money (not that you would do this, but I had to overcome this myself) will not make it a win-win situation. Quoting your rate pleasantly...well pretty much just as Lara wrote above. Add: "My usual solo rate for something like this is $XXX. For 2 dancers the rate would be $XXXX. Let me know what your preference is." If he writes back not in his budget amount, response, "I am so sorry that I can't meet your needs; it sounds like a wonderful evening. I so enjoy doing these type of events."

Ifyou do not want to negotiate, don't. I sometimes do, for barter if the budget won't budge (pun intended), but it has to meet or exceed up to value of my rate. Good luck to you and hope it all works out!

No kidding- I finally had one client flat out lecture me about charging appropriately, and how unprofessional it is to waffle all the time & try to be too accommodating. I seriously needed to grow a backbone, and I, too, still have a friends!

I would totally be willing to give a deeper discount if they should waive gallery commission on a piece of art i had my eye on...