Recently, I was told that "I was under charging for my services because I had a confidence problem" and it was then explained to me that I should not be under charging and that I deserved every penny I asked. What I needed to do was change my perspective at how I looked at myself. I needed to look at myself at a product or brand. More importantly, I needed to also look at the time and money invested in getting where I am in my career. Let me preface the upcoming numbers, they are just estimations. Having said that let's more on.
Let me give you an example of how to justify the price I charge without having a guilt complex. I practice on average about 10 to 20 hours per week. On the conservative side let's estimate the hourly at $ 15.00 per hour. So that would be $ 225.00 to $ 300.00 per week of practice. There are 4 weeks per month which is $ 900.00 to 1200.00 per month. I have been doing this for about 24 months which would equal $ 21,600.00 to $ 28,800.00 which is equal to a College Tuition (Stick with me there is more to come). This is not counting the equipment you are using and not counting the time use have invested to master your instrument and the equipment. So depending on how much you invest in your equipment we are now looking at close to $ 60,000.00 to $ 80,000.00. Now add the time, effort, and money you invest in producing demo recordings to get the gig. Then there is the time, effort, and money promoting the show. So need I say anything more about being cheap when booking your show. It doesn't take long when you use this method to see how over time you have accumulated a huge investment in your music that has to generate a return. When people invest in an MBA degree that is what they use to justify charging the huge Salaries. So now I hope you have the same perspective I now have and refuse to do a show for "CHEAP" ever again. Jeri Goldstein, who has been coaching me tells me that you have to treat you and your music like a business. I received a true testament to what Jeri said. I was booking a gig and it was a trial situation and the owner of the business wanted a business plan as to what I plan to do. This plan should itemize ALL the cost involved with you doing the gig, tour, and anything else. Get a grip on where your money goes. I know that asking something like that is an incredible task for a musician but I would like to think that today's musician is smarter than the average joe. The reason that the Big Guys have made it is because that is exactly what they have done. Kept track of where their money is exactly. Start now and don't waver. So get your plan together, know the answers to the questions, and get out there and play your music!
Emo LeBlanc is a Country Music Artist who has performed all over the USA and Canada. Emo LeBlanc has been in business for 10+ years. Emo LeBlanc is based out of Nashville and lives elsewhere. Emo LeBlanc has performed all over the USA, Canada, Spain, and France.
(731) 327-4EMO (4366)
http://www.emoleblanc.com/
emo@emoleblanc.com
Emo LeBlanc is a proud member of the following:
FNO, CMA, ACM, SOCAN, AMIA, and CCMA with Excellent Standings in All!
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