The Bottom Line

[LaNeK779]

I charge more if I dont like the music and less if its a lesbian fetish night.

damn!!! when these strategic decisions kick in, we finance guys start running for the trees

[-=Jim=-]

just remember if you charge to much you can come down in price, if you charge to little you cant increase it

I'll take this one step further. You will NEVER be able to increase it.

[drlava]

thanks for the great responses norty, I'm not in that biz but have wondered as well, for kicks. £100 - £200 seems awfully low for a day's work when the work comes sporadically. Props to you guys.

[dnar]

When traveling using your own vehicle, consider charging what ever your TAX allowance is, so many cents per km based on engine size. This is your tax deduction also, if applicable. It's up to you if you charge for your time while traveling. Trades people typically charge a call out fee, so consider your time for getting there only.

Here in Australia, the current per diem rate is $100 per day, but only if you are away for a full day/night. That covers food, drink, dry cleaning etc. So consider asking for this allowance on top of your accommodation.

If your discounting your time, services and rental then you at least don't want to be out of pocket for all incidental costs. This includes all the little things such as gaffa tape. It all adds up very quickly!

BTW, do you have insurance to factor in also?

Also, another thing you can do is set the price higher, negotiate discounts for regular bookings or volume bookings. And/or discount for provided assistance to setup/load out, sexual favors and the like.

[Doc]

I suppose the bottom line as far as I'm concerned is this:

I am not risking my back lifting the gear into the car for less than a monkey.

[danielbriggs]

£100 - £200 seems awfully low for a day's work when the work comes sporadically.

Those level of prices help to completely devalue the market...

[norty303]

What is interesting, is that the price of a laser show for dance type events hasn't really dropped, despite the price of entry (for equipment) being significantly lower in more recent years - which might go to show that historically people generally were charging for the time elements more than the equipment.

I also think a lot depends on the promoter and size of event - lots of events go on in smaller and mid size venue where the door take simply cannot accomodate a laser show at 'the going rate'. I think there is a market for the smaller operator, at appropriately lower rates. However, you do come into competition with the 'just bought an ebay 1W RGB' brigade, and promoters don't necessarily know the difference in what they are getting

[norty303]

Those level of prices help to completely devalue the market

I don't know, that is 'just' the labour cost, there's all the costs, etc on top of that, and they are fairly industry standard in the entertainment sector. Equally, work that is sporadic tends to be done by people with other sources of income.

Its not hard to see how that could translate into Doc's monkey once you add on everything else.

Bottom line is, if a promoter has a budget of £300 for a laser show, I think there are a few people who will take it - especially all those with the cheap projectors with little knowledge.

Thats why you have to pick your market sector, and price accordingly

[smokeAndMirrors]

Those level of prices help to completely devalue the market...

That's true to some extent. But on the other hand, a small (ie one of with a local following only) band is lucky to come away with £50 a head for a gig. They are generally not going to be impressed if the lighting guy walks away with £200 (this from bitter experience: I was the target of some poorly disguised resentment for getting paid more than they were). There's no point charging what folk can't afford, they won't hire you. What does *that* do to the market?

[danielbriggs]

That's true to some extent. But on the other hand, a small (ie one of with a local following only) band is lucky to come away with £50 a head for a gig. They are generally not going to be impressed if the lighting guy walks away with £200 (this from bitter experience: I was the target of some poorly disguised resentment for getting paid more than they were). There's no point charging what folk can't afford, they won't hire you. What does *that* do to the market?

That doesn't automatically make your services worth £50...

You should charge a fair price, taking everything into consideration. If they say no... then they won't have any lasers!