Originally posted by genesis12:
1) Do any of you play two piece at these jobs or are you playing solo? 2) How does two piece affect your pay? 3) Also, who sets the pay scale or is it negotiable? 4) When you first contact them, do you give them references that they can call or an audition CD?
Gene
1) Most often I'm performing Solo, occasionally I'll bring a Duo and for special facility events, I'll use my quartet...
2) Usually, I add their fee to my base charge. So, if I'm paying a guy, in our area to come in and play sax for an hour, and that's it, I'll try and get him at least $50-$75...
3) Its as negotiable as either one of us wants/needs it to be. If I say $125 for an hour and she counters $100, then the ball is in my court...Usually, I'll reason that do I want to lose $100 over $25? Probably not, but once I concede on price, then its a good time to ask for something in return like multiple bookings.
If I play 2 gigs a year at $125/ea. vs, 6 gigs a year at $100, then the take-home profit is very acceptable. ($250 vs. $600) I don't always insist on top dollar in this market. Generating a healthy amount of repeat business is very valuable.
4) I'll kind of do both...Providing they have internet access, I'll refer them to my website. Once they see my client list, testimonials and schedule-they know I'm legit. If they don't, I'll offer references up. Usually, from utilizing good listening skills, I can find someone else they know in the business who I've done work for...
I've also had some AD's say "I can tell from talking to you you know what you're doing.."
Questions like "how many beds is your facility" when they ask you about price or "What acuity level are most of your residents?" also demonstrate knowledge and experience...
NOTE: Some will certainly think, and perhaps respond that we should have a fixed price and if they don't meet that price-then we don't do business. That's something that each one of us needs to decide for ourselves. I'm very blessed to have a good reputation and not often get turned down on my original price quote. Fact of the matter is not all facilities have the same activities budget for entertainment. Many are census driven (i.e. When budgetary dollars are increased/decreased depending on the percentage of the occupancy of the facility.) One price, IMO, really can't be expected to work for all your clients...(If someone out there does have a rigid fee they always get, I'd suggest they may be under-pricing themselves or not doing this for a living?)
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Bill in Dayton
[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 08-05-2008).]