Thread: Discounts for Repeat Clients?

So I just did an AMAZING show this weekend. It was my first super-de-duper extravagant show for a really amazing client. It was a private party. He and his family want me to come back for future parties (he holds these house parties once a month). I was curious if any of you offer discounts for repeat clients who do business for you on a sort of regular basis. I mean, I know we do that for restaurants, but those are generally several nights a week or a month. What about a discounted price for a client who does private parties, where you DO get tips? Maybe a show once a month or once every two months? How much do you discount, if at all? Would you sign a 6-month or 1-year contract agreeing to be able to work a certain amount of shows?

Thanks!

My thought...do you want to be known as "this great dancer, we had to have her back again", or do you want to be known as "she's a good dancer...and you wouldn't believe the discount she gave me!".

Personally, I would think very hard about signing a contract or giving discounts for a private party. It's one thing if they have a long history of regularly supporting you at your restaurant/theme park gig...then maybe a special price for an occasional special event is in order. But this monthly private party contract could lead to greater and greater time/commitment expectations, with less and less money...plus they hang it over your head that they might choose someone else next time!

If I were you, I would keep the association loose (because really, they COULD end it at any time, and then your only recourse would be to sue for the the remaining months), and say that you love their event, but as a business woman you have to charge your regular rate when you commit to a show on a weekend night (I'm guessing this is NOT a Tuesday night gig).

Where you CAN do a discount is by giving him something different. You can use this gig as a testing ground for new bits, and maybe even get more $ out of it. If you have an ongoing relationship, you can say something "*I am working on a *duet/fire/poi/UV-reactive/live-music* show. If you like, I can do a special performance at *next party time* for *$X*. I/we will charge only *$? more than the regular price (or only regular price)* for THIS SHOW ONLY because you are a special friend."

This gives you leeway for experimentation, without lowering the $ you take in (unless you are splitting it). I would also make sure that you have a high trust level with anyone (musician or dancer) whom you take to the gig, or even talk about the details of it with.

By the way...did anyone else have this gig before?

Gotcha. Thanks for the tips! I do get pretty creative, and he's all into the idea of innovation. It was just an idea, but the more I think about it (and also upon getting another professional opinion), I would rather do the "let me do this cool thing for $X" rather than "I'll give you X amount off next time". It would also give him some something to really look forward to, even if it's nothing to do with belly dancing (fire or mermaid stuff). As for the last question, no, no one else has had this gig.

Sometimes regular clients taper off... it's kind of natural. I wouldn't offer a discount.
I DO have clients who have been hiring me a few times a year for several years. I don't offer them a discount... but I also don't charge them my current quote. For example- the typical rate around here is $250. I currently charge $300. For long term clients- I'll charge them $275 or so, usually. VERY occasionally $250- but those are ones who have been with me for YEARS (since the rates were $175) and the ones who ALWAYS tip generously.
So, they have EARNED me not raising my prices for them... but they don't get a "hey, you *might* hire me a lot discount."
Incidentally, tons of people SAY they're going to hire you a lot or get their friends to hire you just to try to work a discount. I reply, "and once that happens we can discuss this further..." or something like that. Never give a discount based on the promises of someone who is trying to gain something from you.