[TheForge] Demonstration and Pricing

[Bob Ehrenberger]

Peter,

I do a lot of demonstration events and the arrangements vary from them 
paying me $100 to me paying them a percentage of my sales.  For most of my 
events there is no fee and I get to keep everything I sell.  A sheep 
festival doesn't sound like the type of place iron will do well so you may 
want to ask for a fee until you know if it will be good for you.  If you 
have good sales you could come back for free next year, if not you will need 
to have them continue to pay you in future years.

I have one event with school kids that I do for free, with no sales, just 
lunch provided.  I write it off as a public service to my local community.

Robert Ehrenberger
Shelbyville, Mo.
eforge at centurytel.net

------Original Message-----

Date: Fri, 8 Feb 2008 14:04:45 -0500
From: "Peter Hirst" <saltydog335 at aol.com>
Subject: [TheForge] Demonstration and Pricing

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday by an invitation to demonstrate at the 
spring festival on a sheep farm near here. So surprised, in fact, that when 
I was asked how much I charged, I had no response. Well, other than, " doh, 
whatever you usually pay I'm sure will be fine . . ." I was perfectly 
prepared to just show up, set up, heat it up and sell what I could. Then 
they started talking about what kind of tent they should buy for me and a 
zillion other amenities I didn't expect. Now, without getting into an 
actionable conspiracy here, or intruding on trade secrets, can I get any 
guidance on how to determine what one should resonably ask?

This is a one-day event at a small sheep farm,(well, its 22 acres, a couple 
dozen or so sheep)  non-profit owner. There will be working dogs, assorted 
farm animals, sheep shearing, a dozen or so weaver/spinners, hayride, a 
thousand or so visitors. No admission charge. Good cause, but a good 
opportunity too?

Thanks for any guidance.

PGH