Booking Artists : What to pay?

It can be difficult to navigate the world of booking artists. Especially when it comes to artist fees. What should I be offering to an artist? Have I offered too much? Is that fee feasible for my event? These are questions we all ask. There are some universally accepted offers for artists that agents/managers work with. In this blog we break them down and give you the resources you need to start making better offers today!

All our tools are free and available for you to download via the provided links

 

1. Flat Fees

A flat fee is a fee agreed in advance that does not change, regardless of the success of the show.

Pros: 

  • Easy to predict your overheads

 

Cons:

  • If you overpaid you stand to be out of pocket

 

Check out our flat rate sheet to help you calculate the break even point of shows where you’ve offered a flat fee. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DLUT2T3nqYjBD4f_3LlYB1aDCUBzUoRcDn5vEFoX8SE/edit?usp=sharing

 

2. 80% vs 20% after costs 

The most common offer used in the industry, and the one we would usually recommend. In this deal, the artist/agency/promoter has the chance to earn more depending on the success of the show. You will offer them a guaranteed fee vs 80% of sales after the break even point has been met.

Pros: 

  • Both parties benefit financially from a successful show
  • Venue is able to cover their costs before any extra funds are shared out

 

Cons:

  • If the show sells poorly or the price isn’t right the event organiser can be left out of pocket
  • If the band/agent/party assumes the show will sell out or sell well and it doesn’t, they may not return to you  

 

Check out our 80% vs 20% after costs sheet to help you calculate your break even point and the total max payout on a sell out show. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1h7zXbXVu22uOLog7u9zbuJnYzAX-dc0GlrIQUPvKOVw/edit?usp=sharing

 

3. 80/20 straight split

Most common with live comedy but also some live music events. In this scenario there is no guarantee fee offered and it is simply a case of 80% of sales going to the artist/agency/promoter and 20% going to the venue.

Pros:

  • If the show is likely to sell out, or sell very well, then it can be profitable for both parties
  • No guaranteed fee involved

 

Cons:

  • Venues costs are not taken into account, so on a small capacity venue it is likely that 20% will largely be absorbed by running costs
  • If shows sells poorly, everyone is out of pocket  

 

4. Custom Offer

Works very similarly to the 80% vs 20% after costs, however in this scenario you will decided the percentage split. 

Pros:

  • Both parties benefit financially from a successful show
  • Venue is able to cover their costs before any extra funds are shared out
  • Potential for event organiser to earn more than 20%
  • Flexibility that may attract more artists

 

Cons:

  • If the shows sells poorly, the event organiser may be left out of pocket. 

 

Check out our custom offer sheet to help you calculate your break even point and also the total max payout on a sell out show. 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nen5GsR_FKxRJRA4jRVqHiqZMq29i4eaLpgDo8GbLis/edit?usp=sharing

 

 

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