Thread: DIVA spinoff

Ok, I was booked in a show with a group of girls (not BDers) and they were the headliners but after I performed with them (2x) only I was offered private gigs, free photo shoots, more shows on my own etc. I saw nothing wrong with giving out my business card if someone asked for it. Everyone saw all the acts and obviously some people liked mine better than the "main" show. Now, reading some of the responses from the DIVA thread I'm not sure that everyone would consider what I did ethical.

I wouldn't feel bad. You are an independent contractor. If someone in the audience wants your business card, you give it to them.

I actually dont see a prob with that, and im the one that started the diva thread, First you are an independant person, you had gigs before this, you were the only BD, and you were not supposidly part of a group/troup, you didnt have the other dancers make you costumes becuse you didnt have any and you didnt do anything wrong, If it were me I may have shared the info with the other girls so they had other potential gigs, and a good photographer that they could contact at a later time if they were intrested, but that is just me

Phew! Am feeling better now.

the only time you don't give out your personal business card is if you are hired through a talent agency, you then refer the person asking for your info to them, and tell them they can request you through the agency, since they got you the job. Otherwise if you were just there hired out on your own, definitely give out your card, marketing at shows is very important!!

Yes, what Aradia said. The number one thing that was always emphasized when I worked through agenices was to NEVER give out any card but the agency's, and it was grounds for dismissal. But it sounds like your case is different.

good say!
Yes I agree with everyone. That person must be just jeaolous that they probably have not got any offers like you even though they were headliners. That really does not mean anything...they liked you and offered you. You are professional, independent and not hired by someone that told you not to give out cards because she is the one sends you to those parties all the time. best wishes!

Originally Posted by eshe

Ok, I was booked in a show with a group of girls (not BDers) and they were the headliners but after I performed with them (2x) only I was offered private gigs, free photo shoots, more shows on my own etc. I saw nothing wrong with giving out my business card if someone asked for it. Everyone saw all the acts and obviously some people liked mine better than the "main" show. Now, reading some of the responses from the DIVA thread I'm not sure that everyone would consider what I did ethical.

I suppose it depends on how you got the gig. If a booking agent got it for you, or another bellydancer, the normally you are only suppose to give out the details of the booking agent.

that kind of depends. if you were all booked to the orginal gig independtely, that's fine. but i plan on trying to get into the world of corporate events, where i book multiple acts, the client pays me for a full show, i make sure they get one... booking myself, but also other acts...

THEN, i would not be happy if the people i booked go around handing out their own business cards... i would want them to refer to me. i understand that is also how entertainment agencys work. that the individual dancers do NOT hand out their own cards, but refer back to the agency who got them the work in the first place. otherwise pretty soon there would be no agency...

i think. i'm pondering this issue at the moment.

Originally Posted by eshe

Ok, I was booked in a show with a group of girls (not BDers) and they were the headliners but after I performed with them (2x) only I was offered private gigs, free photo shoots, more shows on my own etc. I saw nothing wrong with giving out my business card if someone asked for it. Everyone saw all the acts and obviously some people liked mine better than the "main" show. Now, reading some of the responses from the DIVA thread I'm not sure that everyone would consider what I did ethical.

I was origionally an add-on to their monthly show. I was added-on by the promoter of the club. After they saw me perform they asked me to perform with them again at another club. At both of the clubs though I was approached for more shows, photo ops, etc.

i think it's fine. if it was me i would tell the dancers you used to dance with about this personally (thanks for inviting me to such and such event, you know, they have asked me to dance there again as a solo act as well...), rather then them having to hear from someone else...

if i would book a dancer in our show, and after the organiser asks "can we have the details for this specific dancer", (some also do things/acts we dont do) i would ofcourse give their details out, .. i just wouldt not appreciate the feeling that any of my dancers (troupe or external) is at the gig trying to sell her own act, while i did all the work getting the gig...

i'm not sure about this stuff yet, we only had one huge gig, but i want to continue trying to do this, and keep my dance life drama free...

i tend to trust my instincts on these things, and my common sense, and just hope the people i work with do the same. so far they have.

Artemisia, if you're going to behave like an agency and book other entertainers into your shows, I think it's OK to ask them to hand out your card. BUT only if you're actually going to act like an agent & you're willing to book gigs for THAT dancer as a soloist and keep a fee.

If someone at the venue wants to hire THAT dancer as a soloist for another gig, they should be able to do so through whatever contact information they're given.

If that's the route you're going to go, then be sure to communicate those rules to the dancers beforehand. They should know the rules BEFORE they accept the gig.