So I do some event planning and have a client that would like to pay a commission based upon the event success. The commission is mid to high, and the planning is easy (we'll see how the weekend goes). Do you all ever work on commission? Or do you only charge a flat-rate?
I do grant writing on a commission basis for my non-profits. I charge a % of all funds awarded. This works for me because I get my name out there with many people on the boards of the organizations and I help out certain organizations. Most of the organizations that I write for are small to mid-level with information being recycled with each grant.
I don't know though that I would take commission based on the success of an event. You are doing the work, you should charge a flat fee unless you feel that you could get some extremely valuable marketing out of the event whereby it would make up with the loss of the potential income.
I have one client who keeps offering me commission on helping him selling things such as his store in Vegas, his very expensive motorcycles and for sales from his affiliate program. So far I've agreed to anything he's offered but only because it would be on top of the retainer he already pays me. These commissions would be on top of what I'm already charging him not in place of.
Perhaps you should consider a service fee for your work and then a tiered commission rate based on the success of the event. That way you are ensured to paid at least a minimum amount for your work. Also, be sure to spell it all out in a contract before any work has been done.
I tried that and I ended up doing a TON of work for nothing. The deal was I'd get 40% when he closed a deal but during the 2 months that I did work for him, he didn't sell a thing! It was time consuming so I went to him and told him that I couldn't do it anymore. I won't ever do that again...
Work on commission?
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