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MikeRaffone Special user 623 Posts |
Hi,
After reading through the other threads on travel, I understand about charging fees for gas, wear and tear on car, hotel, etc. The part I would like to understand (especially for performers who do multiple shows per day). How do you compensate for the all the time slots you are using and shows you may have to turn down because of your time spent traveling, staying overnight, etc.? In this example, let's say you are driving 300 miles each way and they only want you for one show. Thanks! Mike
Mike Perrello
DC Area's Leading Family Entertainment Expert |
Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
Mike,
I think the answer is already in your question. If you believe you will loose shows due to the time you spend traveling, then include that cost in your quote along with all the other things you mentioned. The final price may feel high to you . . . do it anyway. If the client really wants YOU, then they will pay it. If they don't-- so what? It sounds like you'll still have other shows to perform anyway.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10585 Posts |
To me that's just the price of doing business. Even for extremely part time pros, everyone generally wants Saturday, so if you book a holiday party for a specific Saturday night in December the "laws of the entertainment Gods" will almost insure you will get more booking inquiries for that very same night. You may only have one Saturday night booked the entire month, and sure as heck that will be the one you get several more possible inquiries for. It just is, plain and simple. So to me that's just the nature of our business.
On larger scales such as when on the road or doing multi-show, multi-day runs, that is also just he price for accepting those runs, and you just understand that you will likely have to turn other things down because of it. I'm just putting the final touches on my spring tour beginning in March and running through June. I know that by committing to this tour, that I will be offered cruise ships, Vegas dates, and plenty of other decent seasonal (colleges, schools, trade show and corporate, and others) that unless I can fit them in with my routing as pickup dates, I will more than likely have to turn down or try to redirect them to other dates if they're flexible. To me it's just the price I have to pay to know I will have a full Spring tour as I have each of the past decade or two. All of the facets of this - off days, lodging, meals, gas, car rental, personal air travel for not working dates/events, and so on are just an element of the entire block are up to me. One's prices would be quite unreasonable if they padded in or tried to pass on these costs to the clients or buyers, which I feel would only hurt you as an artist and you "bookability". |
Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
I had the same issue just recently.
The show was about a two hour drive. That’s four hours in a car. They wanted me to do a 1 hour show. I quoted the price with extra $$ built in, they said yes. Then I thought it over and decided that driving around in a car for 4 hours wasn’t worth my time and effort, but I was already booked. So I had to go ahead with the show. Next time I’ll put more thought into it. During the summer months I do daycares. I try and group two days worth of shows together that are in a large city, about 1 ½ hour drive. I do the first day shows, usually three, then spend the night. The next day I do the other three shows then head home. Now it’s worth my drive time. It’s also my mini vacation!
Life of Magic!
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tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-10-24 11:53, Mindpro wrote: The question is - what's unreasonable? Never consider it padding or passing on costs - it is a part of doing business. You can bet other companies pass along costs to their clients. You should always be compensated for your time. Its all you have. The problem is, most entertainers have no idea of the value of their act. Regarding "bookability" - yes, charging more will lose you shows. So will charging to little. I charge a travel date fee for every day I'm on the road for a single event. (Not show day - just travel dates.) That is in addition to travel expenses and at times has more than doubled my performance fee. If doing a tour, rates are usually lower because of multiple engagements in a routed area. I still charge accordingly to cover any down time. The amount is broken up over all the engagements and becomes absorbed in the performance fee. When starting, I used to tack on a mileage charge. It took me years to realize I was cheating myself out of hours. Since making the changes, I haven't lost any work. |
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
Every deal is different. Some clients provide air, hotel and meals. These are simplest because you just need to consider the number of days you're on the road and can't do other shows -- then tack that fee onto your agreement.
For other shows I factor in my costs. If I am spending a lot of time to get there, I charge a set fee per day. If I'm driving, I plan on about 35 cents each kilometer I will drive plus a flat fee for meals per day and hotels (if the client isn't already providing them) -- and these are all lumped into one "Travel Fee." It's always best to keep the Travel Fee simple. Clients like it that way. When setting it, remember that you're not gouging the client. Some performers pile all kinds of things onto their travel costs and it gets both silly and tacky at the same time. You want to be fairly compensated for your travel time and expenses...but that's it. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
MikeRaffone Special user 623 Posts |
Scott, tacrowl and David helped confirms my belief that a client unable to pay for my time I will suggest to them to look for local entertainer to more affordable for them.
Thank you for your responses. Mike
Mike Perrello
DC Area's Leading Family Entertainment Expert |
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
Mike, I spend 60-70% of my career on the road right now. My clients are given an option: 1) All inclusive rate (performance fee, compensation for travel and lodging, and one meal); 2) Performance fee plus client books hotel, compensates for travel/lodging and agreed upon rate, and provides a meal before/following performance.
Many clients prefer an all inclusive rate because it gives them less to do. I usually come out ahead in this case, because I'm very good at finding deals for myself. So my all inclusive rate is legitimate, AND it works out for both of us (client has less to worry about, and I make a bit more money by being careful with expenses). |
Jerskin Inner circle 2497 Posts |
I agree. Flat fee. you don't need to trouble the client with mileage, meals, etc.
GrEg oTtO
MUNDUS VULT DECIPI |
Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
In my experience I agree & disagree. It's almost always based on the market you are in. Some markets want an all inclusive price. Some markets expect that they cover travel, lodging, meals, etc. I wouldn't quite say it's case by case...but for sure it market by market.
Kevin
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
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