Following my last topic....

which is most effective...

charge a flat fee to the venue?
agree to "split" the "door" money with venue?
pay a fee to book the venue and keep all/most of the "door" money?

I tend to keep things simple and charge a flat fee but this has left me on my backside this time, so would love some guidance here,

and contracts, without asking too much, what conditions do you apply?
do you all have cancellation/withdrawl fees, acommodation requirements,
minimum/maximum sales limit? what does your say?
when do you present it?

for me, the venue agree to have a show, I show up, deliver, get paid and go home. I felt maybe some places feel intimidated with being handed contracts after the initial "yes" and think its risky to guarantee the full fee without even knowing if there is interest before a single ticket is sold.

much love

You can have 'agreements' but the reality is they wouldn't have any legal clout.

If you can get good flat fees and paid well and have more bookings than you can handle then perhaps that's the best deal.

On the otherhand if you are not as busy as you would like to be opt for ticket money and make offers to potential venues. Remove all the risk from them giving it ago and help them by providing good marketing materials.

You can if you put work in and find the right venues get a lot of bookings in a short time you wouldn't otherwise have waiting for an agent.

Plus many of them will pay you much more than a flat fee. While a few will not happen due to cancelation.

I never did ticket splits though. Venues with a function hall never did ordinary pubs. And I always took ALL the door money and they took all the bar. Another thing if you are shouldering the risk then you should get all the door money.

Whats the alternative? to book a hypnotist through an agent and probably get little help with the marketing and risk losing out if no one turns up?

If sold properly they should be happy to give you the door money. You should approach them and offer to fill their function room on a quiet night. Your doing them a service. NEVER SPLIT THE DOOR.

The only time you should pay is if its a theatre or something similar. Most function halls are let out free for parties anyway. And these are the venues I would go for the door money. Theres plenty around needing the business especially now.

Asithlord, you have given yourself artificial limitations by saying only those three possibilities are allowed. One that I like is a combination of your fist and second possibilities, commonly called a minimum against a percentage of the gate.

For example, you might say that your fee is $1000 against 50% of the gate. Let's say the tickets are $20. If 50 people show up, the gate would be $1000, so you'd get your fee and the owner of the venue would only make money on drinks and food. If 100 people show up, the gate would be $2,000, and you'd get 50%. The owner would get $1,000 plus drinks, etc. If 150 people show up, the gross at the gate would be $3,000, so you'd get 50% of the gate or $1,500. This way you get a minimum of your flat fee, and it encourages both you and the owner of the venue (or promoter) to do your best to get butts in seats.

Of course, if you're not also selling BOR stuff after the show, you're really losing out. Some people will do a show for free and still make lots of money just on BOR sales.

Work within the opportunities you have. MP is right again. I do prefer door deals, taking all the door is fair since they get food and liquor. I will even buy my own ads and do marketing if I get to keep the door. I have put a lot of money in my pocket that way... especially if you become a regular at a venue and people look for you.
Esentially any job that pays commission is better than a salary, if you work are creative and willing to do the marketing.

Door deals work very well, till the door owner sees how much is being brought in through the door! Often it can be a game changer so make certain that the deal is solid.

I like door deals as it gives an opportunity to grow. It is also very low risk for the owner of the door. (needless to say I mean the venue)