[stylist] Talent Fees

Mon Oct 17 19:26:47 UTC 2011

Bridgit,
    This is not necessarily off-topic, in my opinion. Writing is about 
communication and so is speaking. Many writers also do public speaking, 
especially those of us who write on a specialized topic. Public speaking is 
also an essential element of marketing. Your writing can be a springboard 
for other revenue-generating activities.
    I do professional fee-based public speaking. When someone asks me what 
my fee is, here is how I go about it. I begin by getting more information 
about what they want me to speak about and who my audience will be. I ask 
about the venue, what time of day the program will be, how long they will 
want me to speak, and what sort of budget they have for the event. This last 
question is, really, one of my last. I want to know how much they are 
spending on other details in order to get a feel for what they might be 
willing to pay me. All of these factors are important for a couple of 
reasons. One reason is I need to know what to expect, how much it will cost 
me to do the gig, and what other amenities, like a meal,  might be a part of 
the appearance. It also gives them the assurance that this is something I 
have experience doing, so they are going to get a quality presentation. In 
addition, it gives them the impression that my fees will be based upon these 
factors and not some arbitrary figure I will throw up to them, even if it 
is.
    After I get all of this information, I tell them I will send them a 
proposed schedule of fees and an appearance agreement. I don't necessarily 
tell them what my fee is going to be at the initial contact. (If anyone 
would like to see an actual set of documents from one of my gigs, please 
write to me off-list at the address below my signature.) I always tell them 
that what I will send is a proposal and I will do everything to make sure it 
fits within their budget.
    Having a formal agreement is very important, as well. I have had a 
couple of people question the need for an agreement, but I let them know 
that the agreement simply outlines what each of us expect so there are no 
ambiguities. Some of the provisions in my agreement include who will provide 
sound support, the need for electricity and how far away it can be, the 
distance I need to be from pools and spraying water , the right to sell 
merchandise, what happens if an outdoor appearance is cancelled due to 
inclement weather, and how many brown and how many green M&Ms should be in 
the dressing room! (grin) (There is actually a very good reason this sort of 
"eccentric" provision is in some agreements, but I digress.)
    The original question is how much to charge. The amount is variable 
based upon some of the factors above. I will share with you the types of 
fees I have received. One contract I have is to do classes for eye care 
professionals to meet their continuing education requirements for their 
state licenses. My presentations include psycho-social considerations of 
blindness, rehabilitation resources, and diseases of the eye that cause 
blindness. Those who take these classes pay for them. I work for the company 
that provides them and I am paid $154/hour with a two-hour minimum. My 
classes are all three-hour classes, so I get $462 plus expenses to teach a 
class. The expenses include transportation, hotel accommodations, and a per 
diem. Hotel & per diem are only for those presentations that are not within 
driving distance. My per diem is $50/day, including travel days. If it is 
within driving distance, transportation costs are based upon the distance 
and time. Likewise, I did a class for the Hillsborough County department of 
Aging Services. My fee to them was $127/hour.
    I would like to share with you one of my best bookings. A hospital 
contacted me to do a presentation on service animals in health care 
facilities. I told them I would let them know what my fee would be. I got 
the airline rates, taxi fares, hotel rates, and added in my fee. I called 
them and told them I could doo the appearance for $2521. They said that 
would be good. Then she said, I assume that does not cover the air fare, 
hotel, food, and ground transportation, right?" I paused for a second to 
realize she had just agreed to pay me $2521 as my appearance fee....plus 
expenses! It took everything I could muster to not let out a big "Yeah!, 
although I did as soon as I hung up the phone!
    So, how do I arrive at my fees? First of all, I suggest your fees do not 
end in "0", like $50, $100, or $150. This looks like an arbitrary figure. 
All of my fees add up to "10". The number  "10" is the number of prosperity, 
representing fullness and emptiness. It also is the sum of the fingers on 
two hands, representing giving and receiving. Just my metaphysical 
perspective. You will notice the "10" in all of the aforementioned fees .
    I have also done speaking engagements pro bono. Doing so enhances my 
network, so I view such engagements as part of my marketing. Even when I do 
pro bono work, I always get a signed appearance agreement. It adds to the 
professionalism of my work and, as already stated, removes any ambiguity 
over what is expected from both parties. I also sell product at pro bono 
gigs, so I do get a little income from them.
    If anyone has further questions, I would be happy to share my experience 
with anyone who wants to further their work as a speaker or entertainer. 
After all, they are one in the same. If you are not entertaining, you will 
not be a good public speaker!

Fraternally yours,
Marion Gwizdala
813-626-2789
Marion.Gwizdala at Verizon.net
President at NAGDU.ORG


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 11:52 AM
Subject: [stylist] Off-topic: Has anyone ever charged for speaking 
engagements?


> Hello Stylist,
>
> I have a question. I've recently started booking speaking engagements. A
> couple of places have compensated me for my services. Until last
> Thursday, I was given a dollar amount by a group/organization that they
> typically give to speakers. I was not asked about a fee. Last Thursday,
> though, I spoke at a local community college and was asked what my
> speaking fee is. I was not sure how to answer this. I had to be honest
> and state that though I have experience speaking, I've only recently
> been compensated for my services. She plans to send me a check with a
> standard amount the college pays speakers, and she was a very nice lady
> so I suspect she'll be fair.
>
> Nonetheless, since I seem to be booking more engagements, I should set a
> fee, but have no clue what is appropriate. Has, or does, anyone have
> experience with this? I'm no celebrity so I can't ask for exorbitant
> amounts, but I want to be fair to myself as well. I thought a sliding
> scale of sorts would be appropriate, but I still don't know what a good
> starting point is. I'd welcome any suggestions and advice. Thanks.
>
> Sincerely,
> Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
> Read my blog at:
> <http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/>
> http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
>
> "History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
> The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan
>
> _______________________________________________
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