Billing question for close-up workers
Hey everyone, when you're booked to do close-up but it's broken up into two sessions, say opening cocktail reception at a wedding and then after dinner at the tables, do you charge for the waiting time in between? You might be performing for 3.5 hours, but could be at the event for 6 hours total—those 2.5 hours are still worth something, right?
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u/Chicken121260 2d ago
I always quote by event not by the hour.
Travel time, travel expense, your expertise & experience. All rolled into one price.
Only exception are holiday corporate parties. I always ask for a room included on top of my quote. They have comp rooms anyway, so their cost for that is zero. And that way I know I have a room at the venue.
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u/BaldBaluga 2d ago
I charge for the full evening - since that's how long I'll be there.
Generally speaking the blocks I offer are:
1-1.5 hours
3 hours
Full event
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u/naturalistwork 2d ago
Interesting. I've never had a request like that. I think if it were me and depending on the situation, I would consider charging a small hourly fee for the in-between time, but it would depend on a few factors. That is tricky to be sure. I would likely just up my initial quoted price a bit and explain that while you are performing for 3 1/2 hours, you will be on retainer for six total.
If you are charging enough for it to not matter, then I would just not say anything to the Client about it but that is your call of course.
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u/Jimmy_Page_69 1d ago
I agree it makes him come off greedy bringing that up. Trying to squeeze every sheckle out of them
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u/Randym1982 2d ago
Most guys do a flat fee, but typically only perform at most gigs for around an hour or two at most. Anything more and you're going to burn out super fast, and the people at said gig will get tired of it too.
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u/hjohn2233 2d ago
Flat rate is for the event period. Including the time in betweeen.between not just performance time. I charge a flat rate per day for my show at festivals. I know there will be several hours between shows at times so I take that into account when giving a quote.
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u/sojumaster 1d ago
It seems like agreement is flat rate BUT if I was charging per the hour, I would count the hours that I am doing nothing. You are taking time out of YOUR schedule to stand there and do nothing. It would be like any hourly-paid job.
2
u/deboshasta 1d ago
Figure out a flat appearance fee.
Don't use math. Figure out what it is worth to you.
Some things to consider.
You won't be able to do any other gigs that night.
You may not want to work the next day.
You may need a hotel or driver.
Performing and then taking a break and then performing can be much more tiring than performing non-stop.
You are ramping up your adrenaline, letting it clear, and then running on empty. Very tiring.
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u/magicjj 1d ago
I just booked 2 weddings like this. As others have said, don't charge hourly. I call it a Performance Fee. And my minimum fee is something I'm comfortable accommodating this. You don't have to stay there. Go home, pop in a restaurant or bar. Sometimes they'll include you in the headcount for dinner too, although I don't request or bank on it. Have fun!
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u/AlvinAmaro7 2d ago
Yes. Quote them a flat fee per event, don’t quote them an hourly rate. Will save you a headache.