[stylist] Talent Fees

Mon Oct 17 20:13:01 UTC 2011

Wow, Marion. Do you do pr or something like it for a living? How did you 
build your speaking and writing skills so you can actually charge for it?
I'm impressed. What do you do for a living?
I might speak at organizations on blindness with or without NFB members if 
invited. I've read to children in public places; not really giving a speech 
but still involving some skill in being vocal and keeping audience 
interested.
I also read at church voluntarily.

I'd love to be paid for speaking someday. How cool. I'm not an expert about 
anything except for maybe living as a legally blind person having been 
visually impaired my whole life. I could also speak on topics which I have a 
lot of knowledge of such as
assistive technology, need for public transportation, or some parts of 
American history.
Keep up the good work.
Ashley
-----Original Message----- 
From: Marion Gwizdala
Sent: Monday, October 17, 2011 3:26 PM
To: Writer's Division Mailing List
Subject: [stylist] Talent Fees

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
>
> _______________________________________________
> Writers Division web site:
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.net <http://www.nfb-writers-division.org/>
>
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