I'm curious about how troupes split money that's earned from shows. I have always put all the money into a troupe fund that we use to buy things, or split it up equally if it was a small number of dancers. As every troupe leader quickly realizes, there's a tremendous amount of time and money involved in getting your name out there, getting booked, advertising, etc. Yet too many of us continue to split the money equally and then burn out because of the resentment that no one else is stepping up and helping. Well, I'm at that point. I'm tired of doing all the work and then splitting the money equally with everyone. Yep, I was the one who set it up that way, so it's 100% my doing. Anyway, how do other troupes split this money to account for the extra work involved that the leader takes on? I'd love to hear from a leader that has been doing it for quite a while AND hasn't burned out.
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West Virginia
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 10:00 PMI have been "doing it" for a while ;) and so far no permanent burnout :) I take two months off most years (Dec. and August) and that helps me most with the burnout feelings.
I, like you, started out splitting everything equally. We used this method for the first two years. I asked troupe members to take on tasks to help carry the load of running a troupe during this time as well. Over time, I realized that most of the ladies had day jobs and this was an added burden for them and/or they had no interest in the business side of running a troupe. I think they were relieved when I came to them with a proposal of me taking a booking fee on all paying gigs and that the extra money collected for rehearsal fees that was no expended in rental cost was given to me for all the non-paying gig bookings and all the administrative stuff that comes with a troupe. It has worked very well for over three years this way. -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Mon, April 28, 2008 - 7:16 AMThanks Brandy. I think I may be anticipating some feelings from them that may not be at all accurate. What do you keep as a booking fee? -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Tue, April 29, 2008 - 11:11 PM20% is standard booking fee. On some paid gigs, I do not take this fee, but it is always my option to donate my time or take the fee.
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Wed, April 23, 2008 - 11:54 PMI think Brandy has a Great point..... feel free to be upfront / honest and let everyone know how much time / effort you take fo find gigs.... It's Work... Most peeps just don't realize how much till they ar in the thick of it..... I would say be honest upfront and most will understand -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 7:20 AMEsp. if it IS your "day job"! Some people pay themselves a salary, that makes sense when you think of it.
Did you know there's a private tribe for troupe directors? I think you have to write the moderator to join, not sure how that works, but I'll be happy to pass on that info if you want to join, just write me. -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 10:40 AMI would love to join the troupe tribe. Please tell me how. :)
Thanks
Zahirah -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Thu, April 24, 2008 - 9:38 PMI too would love to join the troupe director tribe. Please let us know how! Thanks!
Molly
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Fri, April 25, 2008 - 7:27 PMthanks for posting info about troupe directors thru this post- could you ask for me as well?
working out the details are helpful to go over with other troupe/tribe leaders. -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Tue, April 29, 2008 - 6:18 AMYes, I'd be interested as well.
Margaret
Troupe Director/Lead Instructor
OhMaya Bellydance Company -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Wed, April 30, 2008 - 4:46 AMHere's what you do to join:
Go to:
tribes.tribe.net/bellydanc...edirectors
Potential members need to tribe mail the moderator with a short introduction proving that they are indeed a troupe director (i.e. a website for reference or similiar) and request to be a member. The moderator will send you an invite. -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Wed, April 30, 2008 - 7:05 AMI tried that link but it didn't work. -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Wed, April 30, 2008 - 7:57 AMAmira,
the tribe is private, and therefore unaccessible unless you are a member already (which is why the link does not work)
This is the moderator: people.tribe.net/phoenixavathar - send her a message with the above info to get an invite to the tribe. -
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Wed, April 30, 2008 - 8:41 AMSorry, worked for me, but I guess that was because I am a member already :) technology challenged here!
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Tue, April 29, 2008 - 3:48 PMWell, I have only been coordinating gigs for one year and already ran into some problems like "what happened to the money we got for this gig ? and what about the last one ?" etc.
We have been performing mostly for free on our first year for fundraisers and to get our name out there. Last November the town actually paid us to entertain an evening and I put the money towards new costumes and split it equally. I also told my dancers that if they want to dance for specific occasions, I'll be more than happy to dance and bring the music but I let them organize the rest. I have a day job that keeps me busy enough and they do understand it and are helping out.
I like the booking fee by the way, might keep that one in mind next time I organize something.
Good luck and Happy Dancing !!
Sadira
www.arabianmountainspice.com
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Wed, April 30, 2008 - 3:33 PMI have a set amount that I add to the amount I'm asking for. I call it an 'admin fee' . After all I need to
pay for the phone calls / faxes when arranging the gig, postage, stationery, cartridges for printing and advertising - as well at the time it takes to do all the organising.
I guess I'm fortunate. My troupe members never ask how much I'm charging, how much I'm getting etc - though they do know that I keep more for myself. I always tell them before a gig how much they're each going to make and if they're happy with it, that's all that matters.
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Re: Splitting money with troupe members
Wed, April 30, 2008 - 3:46 PMI should have set everything up a certain way in the beginning so that there won't be a conflict when I go and change things, but I had no idea the work that would be involved. It never occurred to me that I would have to spend the amount of time I do for getting performances together.
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