gigmasters.com

[Mike Weakley]

I usually start getting requests for Christmas bookings in October, but the majority of them come in November & December. Alot of people like to wait until the last minute to start looking. I'll frequently get offers where the event is a week or less away. I always charge more for those gigs. My reasoning is that most of the other entertainers will probably be booked already, so there's less competition. And if the client doesn't have much time to look for entertainment, they are more willing to pay whatever the available entertainer wants.

Mike Weakley

https://www.StiltFun.com

https://www.Facebook.com/StiltFun

[Irina]

I read their policy and found a very unusual rule:
"GigMasters has the explicit right to temporarily suspend or permanently de-activate the Membership of any GigMasters Member who fails to reply to five or more consecutive gig-alert emails."
Does anybody know if they actually suspend anybody, or it's just a motivation to reply to clients e-mails? You obviously can just offer super-high price...but what if you loose internet connection for a while and do not respond to anybody..will you get suspended?
I also do not understand - if they give you, performer, phone #/e-mail of the client to deal directly with the client - how do they expect to collect booking fees from clients? The client can just tell them that they did not book anybody and avoid paying the booking fee...

[Mike Weakley]

I do not know if they have ever suspended anybody for failing to reply to 5 or more gig offers. But as I mentioned earlier, they do have an excellent customer service & support department. I'm sure that if you had a legitimate reason for not responding (like losing internet connection) or you were dealing with an unusual set of circumstances, they would take that into consideration before suspending you. It is in their best interests to have as many entertainers listed as possible. I believe they just want to be sure the entertainers they do have are actively looking for work. Those are the ones who bring in the booking fees.

As far as GigMasters giving you the contact info of the clients... you only get that information AFTER you put in a bid for the gig. The initial alert you receive for any gig does not have the client's contact information on it (not even a last name). If you reply with a "Yes" & put in a bid, then you get that information right away. If you reply with a "No", you never get that information at all. I have had clients who found me on GigMasters, and after I put in a bid, asked if they can book me directly to avoid paying the booking fee. While I am sure this does happen, I have always said no... even if it meant losing that particular gig. I explain that the booking fee is used to maintain & improve the site, which keeps lots of entertainers (like myself) employed. If people stopped paying the booking fee, the site would eventually go out of business. I do let the client know, however, that they can contact me directly for any future events they may have. Also, in order for a client to leave you any testimonials & ratings, that booking fee has to be paid... either by the client or you (you can opt to pay the fee yourself to increase your chances of getting the gig). Those ratings really do play a big part in people choosing you over your competitors. So if you want lots of positive reviews, you got to make sure that booking fee is paid.

Mike Weakley

https://www.StiltFun.com

https://www.Facebook.com/StiltFun

https://www.StopBullyingShow.com

[caricatureguy]

My experience is that many of the inquiries on gigmasters (and party pop, and my party planner, etc...) are FUNDRAISERS where they are looking for free entertainment. I don't reply to them sometimes, especially if they are in Nebraska or something... can't imagine sleeping on the proverbial couch for that...