Traveling the distance for a CG gig

[Great Googly Moogly]

For those of you who perform CG for weddings/private parties, etc.. How much extra to you charge (if any) for mileage when you have to travel a significant distance? I normally charge $150 for the first hour and $100 for each hour after that but I took a gig today that's about a two hour drive for me and decided to give her the same rate. Does anyone in here think I'm a "softy?" Will this turn out to be a 20 page flamer? :)

[brian richardson]

well bri-
a gig's a gig.
make it a minimum 3 hr gig to cover gas;).
i usually sit in traffic for 45-60min. going to the gig.
(rush hour the wrong way.)
coming home it's 20min(late night smooth sailing).
nah, you're not a softy, just make sure to swipe
an expensive bottle on the way out!!!:cool:

seriously, you never know what comes from playing
a gig. for the 2 hours of driving, then performing,
you might just land a bunch
more engagements. at which point you rethink the prices.
first 2 hours three bills, every hour after, a ben franklin!!
still, swipe the bottle and a waitress(if she's willing):twisted:

[Faya]

i don't think your being a softy.........:lol:

it all depends on the gig.
here's how i do it, or used to,.......

if it was a one time gig and the travel was quite a bit farther than 30 miles from my home, i would charge roughly .50 cents a mile.
BUT if it was a reoccurring gig that would last a couple of days or more i would charge a flat rate.

Of course what you want to charge is up to you.;)

[brian richardson]

faya-
we posted at the exact same time???
WTH????

[Faya]

how is that possible???
was there a portal in the space time continuum???

:lol::lol::mrgreen:

[brian richardson]

maybe my pills???
:twisted:8):shock:

[Faya]

maybe my pills???


LOL !!!:lol:

[Sandra]

if it was a one time gig and the travel was quite a bit farther than 30 miles from my home, i would charge roughly .50 cents a mile.

I'd agree that this sounds quite reasonable. Think of it like a job where you'd normally commute "X" miles per day to get to work and back, and that's expected. Beyond that, if your employer expects you to drive further to get to a client site, for example, you are reimbursed for your mileage and the use of your personal car. The IRS' standard allowance for 2007 is 48.5 cents per mile. Keep in mind that this is more than just gas, and includes your insurance, wear & tear, maintenance, etc.

You can always use mapquest to plug in driving directions to calculate your mileage in advance. :)

[Great Googly Moogly]

You can always use mapquest to plug in driving directions to calculate your mileage in advance. :)Of course I use MapQuest! I'd have to be living under a rock not to. :)

Thank you for all of your comments. I was just trying to get a feel for what my fellow musicians' standard view was on long distances gigs and you all answered it quite nicely. I find that I'm getting more long distance ones now with the exposure I'm getting through my web site so I saw the need for making adjustments to my pricing.

My questioning whether or not this would turn into a 20 page flamer had to do with a thread that Libre started a while back in which he indicated he'd charged a very low amount for a gig and many posters were outraged by it. :)

[Sasquatch51]

Of course I use MapQuest! I'd have to be living under a rock not to. :)

Thank you for all of your comments. I was just trying to get a feel for what my fellow musicians' standard view was on long distances gigs and you all answered it quite nicely. I find that I'm getting more long distance ones now with the exposure I'm getting through my web site so I saw the need for making adjustments to my pricing.

My questioning whether or not this would turn into a 20 page flamer had to do with a thread that Libre started a while back in which he indicated he'd charged a very low amount for a gig and many posters were outraged by it. :)

Yeah, with gas at $2.75 per gallon or more, you now have to charge more for more distant gigs. Most clients will understand this.

There is a good reason for people being outraged at someone undercharging for their gigs. That can ultimately hurt everyone.