Hi Maia,
First you have to decide whether you are running a business or
enjoying a hobby.
I do both and the rates are completely different. As a hobby I
charge whatever the gig can afford, going as low as zero. But that has to be
stuff that you want to do for fun, for friends, for charity, or whatever.
As a business you need to take into account ALL your expenses:
equipment, depreciation, travel costs, your time preparing for the gig and
getting to and from the gig, set up and break down time, insurance, licenses
for playing music, etc.
How long they dance for is completely irrelevant. You are
providing your services for that evening and you can’t do another gig at the
same time. They are paying you for using up your whole evening regardless of
how much dancing they want. I have done weddings where I have only called
three dances, and weddings where I have called 15 dances. In both cases the
bride and groom were delighted, they got exactly what they wanted and lots of
great photos and memories. The charge was the same for both!
A good place to start is by using Google or Yellow Pages to contact
a few local DJs. Ask them how much they charge for a wedding in the relevant
area. You should be charging at least as much as the DJ as you do the same job
PLUS calling! I charge a flat rate plus petrol for all private gigs.
Hope that helps.
Happy dancing,
John
John Sweeney, Dancer, England <mailto:[email protected]>
[email protected] 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574
<http://www.modernjive.com> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events &
DVDs
<http://www.contrafusion.co.uk> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in
Kent
From: Maia McCormick via Callers [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 26 March 2016 18:13
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?
Hey folks,
I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for what
the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a wedding (say,
30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this rate for NYC?)
Thanks,
Maia
