Libraries

[MandiIlene]

Does anyone else do gigs for libraries around? When I started a few years ago I was excited to get any gig. But it seems they want to only pay 50 bucks an hour, and I may be busting my butt twice as hard vs. a birthday party, for less money.

I just spoke to the kids librarian at the Clermont Library (an hour away) after she contacted me and I already emailed her my price at 60 an hour, with at least 2 hrs discounted from 75 an hour, my normal rate. She said she had heard my non-profit discount was 50 an hour and that they could afford it this time because it was funded from the "friends of the library" but in normal events from the county they wouldn't be able to afford that price($20 difference?!?!). In the same breath she says they need some entertainment for this event and they cant get a magician to come out for their budget (DUH).

I also mentioned that I needed a check on the day of the event and that I usually require a deposit, but I can forgo that part for them. She said this time they PROBABLY could do that, BUT normally when things are paid for by the county it may take several weeks to send up vendorship and get paid from them for future bookings.

I have never had problems with the other two libraries I worked for (within the same system)and I feel more connected with them, I went to high school with the children's librarian from Leesburg, the one I gave a 50 quote to, and the other library in Mt Dora around the corner from me that I bring my kids to has no problem getting me a check on time.

I am thinking that I just am probably not going to do anymore things for Clermont after this one,  its just frustrating how some people think that you can just change all your business procedures and prices because they are a non profit!

~*~Mandi~*~

[Sherry]

I just received a call from a nonprofit and they asked for a nonprofit discount as well.  I told them they would need to book us for at least 3 hours to receive the discounted rate.  The only other reason, I discounted it right now was because it was a last minute booking and we weren't likely to get a better paying gig with so little time left.

It sounds like, she may be the problem with getting your check on time.  Especially if the other libraries have never had this issue.  I tried to get a library gig when I first started out, but they didn't seem to have any interest in hiring me. 

I think if you're not feeling good about it, I wouldn't agree to work for them again either.  The long drive doesn't sound so good.  How many hours are they booking you for?  If I wasn't getting warm fuzzies about it, then I wouldn't work them again either.

[MandiIlene]

It was for 2 hours, that's all I require for a non profit discount.

I dont know about you guys but I get kinda antsy in one place for over 2 hours. If its a fest, I bring a partner and walk around a few times a day (if I can).

~*~Mandi~*~

[Alison]

Without a doubt, I do not discount for Libraries.  Like you said, it's only a $20 difference.  Does the Librarian discount from her paycheck - willing to work cheaper there because it's a Library?

Yes - I have worked for Libraries.  Regular price of $100 per hour, 2-hour minimum if it's local.  

The only reason they know this '$50' price is because You had given it to them.
It's hard to let them go, when they know you already, but new places found through different avenues would not know that this price is a possibility.  Perhaps, since you had started out that way, you could hold your $50 price for the places where you've already worked - as a courtesy Only to Repeat customers - but let new places know the Full Real Price you expect.  

[Alison]

Charging Less for a Last-Minute Booking?  I know we want to work every day, but we do have more responsibilities than just our careers. 

Me, I charge the same price as always.  But some people charge More for last-minute bookings.
Remember that it's not only us who want to work, but the people who call at the last minute
also really want to get things rolling quickly and easily for them.  Could you imagine being in
that position?  Uh-oh - People are coming in only a few hours, and we haven't arranged
anything.......

How can they find someone who is:

1.  Available

2.  Able to throw together a 'good show' in such a short period of time

3.  Willing to stop all her other plans for the day, and suddenly start running around for travel directions and what should I wear and perhaps arrange child-care, etc

Have some Self-Respect.  You are Valuable.

[Sherry]

I see your point Alison and guess what?  They called and canceled last minute as well.  I think I'll remember their organization and not discount with them again.

[Alison]

Aha!  That's another thing I've learned.  That the places that fuss the money - ask for discounts and extra freebies and stuff - they're the most likely to treat us badly.  Things like changing their mind (you actually had a cancellation, but that doesn't usually happen to me - I get NONREFUNDABLE deposits).  But I might hear stuff like, I know you saved 12:00 - 4:00 for us, but we decided to do 2:00 - 4:00 instead......  How to handle that one anybody???.  Or or "we want both full fancy faces with jewels AND for you to try to do 60 faces in the same 2 hours --- Well, just try your best".  Or can you put this sticker next to each name on this list as you paint them, and write in what they chose.  Or or showing up AFTER it's time to leave, when you might have even dumped the water and washed the brushes already, and saying "Oh, but you just have to paint these kids who arrived late - they're Mom is my best client" etc.

Now, I don't want to be unreasonable, so I do try to accommodate my clients.  But it's just most likely that ridiculous stressful requests are most likely to come from the people who were asking favours in the first place.

[Sherry]

Yep, this is something I'm starting to learn.  I think I read somewhere, another artist saying that customers who book you last minute, will many times flake on you and voila, it happened to me!

[Alison]

I'm sorry it happened to you Sherry.
You don't deserve that.

We're not bad, We're not mean
if we set limits.  If we're generous and giving.  If we accommodate people.
AND ALSO PROTECT OURSELVES, OUR TIME, OUR BUSINESS.

[Wildcatfin]

Sounds like just a bad branch!
I worked for libraries in the UK & in NZ, no problem; normal business rates.

Cat x