Thread: Rates for one time group lessons?

Hi everyone,
I was recently contacted by a group of women who want to host night of bellydance for the general public. The want 2 one hour workshops suitable for people with no prior dance experience and said they anticipated a between 8 and 20 participants. I have set rates for performances, classes, and private lessons but this is the first time I have been contacted for a one time only lesson based event. The hosting group would be paying my fee since they want to keep the lesson free to other participants so that rules out having a per person payment at the door. I was wondering how other dancers calculate rates for these types of events. Do you base it off a private lesson rate an additional amount to cover the anticipated number of people or some other way? I was also thinking I would discount the second workshop since I'm already there, but approximately how much a a discount is reasonable for the second one? Any insight is most appreciated!

I have a set rate for this type of lesson. I'm in a metropolitan area, and I usually charge a base of $150 for a one-hour lesson for a few people. I'd likely charge an additional $100 for the next hour.

Depending on how far I'd have to drive, I might also add a surcharge for travel. Generally I will go anywhere within 30 miles of my house for no extra charge. Any more than that, and I charge $50 for 30 miles. I'd also charge more if I had to drive through rush hour.

Make sure you get what you deserve. You're a business woman, not a charity! (Unless, of course, you *are* dancing for a charity. I'd work with a charity to charge whatever they could afford.)

Originally Posted by MoonlightBellydance

I have a set rate for this type of lesson. I'm in a metropolitan area, and I usually charge a base of $150 for a one-hour lesson for a few people. I'd likely charge an additional $100 for the next hour.

Depending on how far I'd have to drive, I might also add a surcharge for travel.

Funnily enough, I charge a similar rate though I'm on the other side of the world. I'd usually charge $150 for one class or $130 per class for two in a row. But I will alter rates depending upon the client and what I think they can afford. If it's corporate and likely to have a big budget, I'll charge up to $250. $150 for community groups/ schools. Sometimes less if it's a community group with a constrained budget. For eg, I've done workshops with adults with disabilities for $70, as it's in off-peak periods, they have limited finances, and it's a kind of community service for me.

I think it's good to have a higher rate for 1 class, discount for 2 classes. Make that clear in your contract, because often people plan to run two workshops, but may not get the numbers and cut it to one at the last minute. So price for this eventuality.

PS - in case this is relevant - Have a contract which includes payment timing requirements, and double-check who the invoice needs to go to and when you'll get paid. If it's a community group, for eg, the invoice may need to go to someone else and you may get paid several weeks later. I've had a few problems with groups 'forgetting' to submit the invoice to the correct department and then missing that month's payment cycle.

Originally Posted by MoonlightBellydance

I have a set rate for this type of lesson. I'm in a metropolitan area, and I usually charge a base of $150 for a one-hour lesson for a few people. I'd likely charge an additional $100 for the next hour.

Depending on how far I'd have to drive, I might also add a surcharge for travel. Generally I will go anywhere within 30 miles of my house for no extra charge. Any more than that, and I charge $50 for 30 miles. I'd also charge more if I had to drive through rush hour.

Make sure you get what you deserve. You're a business woman, not a charity! (Unless, of course, you *are* dancing for a charity. I'd work with a charity to charge whatever they could afford.)

This is almost exactly what I was going to say (except that some charities have really big budgets, & I only donate time if I would have donated money anyway)

I agree! These rates look good to me. I am in small market and do $150 for a one hour class with performance. I did a very large group that just wanted a lesson and charged $200 with a 1-2 hour time frame so I had plenty of time to move around the room.

Thanks for the input everyone! This all sounds very similar to what I was thinking. Yay for Bhuz advice!