Responding to emails from festival prganizers

[Stretch]

From time to time I get emails from festival organisers from out of state and out of country. Picking up the phone to ask all the usual questions
is out of the question. They ask about fees, but they may not even list dates! Since we are not buskers, (18 foot tall giant puppets and a stilt performer spectical or strolling entertainment) we need the fees to pay our bills. So what is the best way to negotiate fees by email?

Thank you for your responce.

Walking tall and stretching imaginations!

Bill "Stretch" Coleman
web page

[scot]

Bill,
Though I have never actually gotten a gig through email alone, here's my theory based on other email dealings.

The main reason people use email is they want a quick straight-forward response. If they send you a short quck email, reply with one that's not too much longer. If it is long and more personal, you can send them one or two attatchments. It's good to give them a couple of options. Two is usually enough. State everything quickly maybe in two paragraphs. One is describing what you do. The second is telling the prices. Respond immediately. The faster you respond to emails the more people will think you care.

Another option is to give them no information when it seems like you are. Then, lead to a telephone call or another form of communication you are more comfortable with. this should be done as quickly as possible. EG: "For varying entertainment packages our prices range from $150- $2000 US. Please email me your phone number [address/ fax/ smokesignal] So that I can ask you for [or give you] more details about your event [our work].

Also, if someone is emailing you, they might have no idea who you are. They might have found a list of email addresses and decided to do price comparisons. If this is true you have no leverage unless you are the lowest bidder. If you have to travel for the show, I'm betting you're not the lowest bidder. Keep this stuff in mind. If you get lots of these emails you should have things that are simple, quick and easy to offer the potential client, like an amazing website, and/ or a promo package you can send out in one day. Make yourself stand out as much as possible.

I don't know how much you travel for performances. When doing gigs on the road, it's best to set up a few near each other. It will lower your costs and lower the fees that a booker will have to pay.

standing still and stretching attention spans
Scot "pancakes" Nery

[Andy]

I rarely discuss price via e-mail. Most folks generally freak out at ANY price they read for one reason or another (even if it is the best price they've seen). What's worse, rather than send you another e-mail stating that they're no longer interested they just never contact you again.

I try to encourage the potential client to call me or send a phone number where I can call them, stating that pricing depends upon where and when the gig is and more often than not that works out fine.

I do upon occasion send an e-mail with "ball park" pricing and try to encourage the client to tell me what sort of budget they're working with.

I get a LOT of work via my website and I've found that it is extremely helpful in promoting my act. There will never really be a substitute for the personal touch however.

[grOmmet]

RE: Responding to emails...

I am taking an increasing number of bookings via email these days..

I flatly REFUSE to do the "ballpark" figure for them, preferring to use the medium of email to open a caring and responsive dialogue....after all, I am "A Business Doing Pleasure With You".. so WANT the client to feel valued, listened to, and engaged..

.. [once you start talking about "bespoke packages" etc., and prices being dependent upon THEIR needs.... they are likely to modify their approach, realising that you CARE about what you are selling to them]

They DON'T encounter the "agent" mentality HERE!! .. and ALL my work comes through personal reputation alone!!

REMEMBER TO DISTRIBUTE YOUR CARDS LIKE CONFETTI !!

I find email is GREAT for my head too... I don't have to think so quickly "on-my-feet"... and INSIST on them telling ME about their event, needs, etc.. since I NEED to understand the nature of the service/s required.... [or that they often THINK they require]

I work within a group of entertainers, performers and children’s workers who promote and support each other’s small businesses and work directly with event organisers..

I also inform them that, by communicating DIRECTLY with the people who are likely to actually BE on-site DELIVERING the service/s.. they can avoid the all-too-common mismatch between THEIR expectations / needs, and those of the performer/s...

It's 11.45pm here, and I must get back to replying to a string of emails.. but thought I'd chip in.. for what it's worth..

Have FUN out there!