All good points Scott, but I disagree about a free audition. I have never shyed away from a free sample to showcase my act in the clients "home area" and it has NEVER come up dry. When you are unknown to a client, it's a great offer of good faith to do a sample set or two so you can all get the feeling of how you fit in THAT situation. After you are established, this is not as important because clients can come and hear you somewhere else. Until you are set in a regular schedule, I see no down side to a few auditions to get your name out there.

I quote a price, and tell the client that if I am asked back .... they pay the rate. Period. If they are not happy with the price - too bad. I walk. They almost always give it a try IF they like the show. You have to earn the right to stay at a job, but you usually have the advantage in the beginning, if the client likes your work.

I intentionally price myself above a lot of my competitors, because I think I'm worth it. Once you work cheap .... you can't go back very easy. Establish an act - set a price, and then get out there and sell it, man! Let the repeat business speak FOR you. The best advertisement for an entertainer is a happy client as a reference. Hand out lots of cards, and send out contracts the same day you get the call back.
Be aggressive ... your competition will be!