Booking
Tips and Reminders for
Storytellers

Ah the age old question of rate is a tricky one! As freelance artists, storytellers, like other professionals have their own individual rates. 

Whether full time or part time though, it is important that this is a job like any other, and we must approach finances as any other business would.

We should expect to be paid fairly and promptly for our work, and in return offer a professional service. 

 If the work is with an organisation who regularly hire tellers, there will often be a set rate per hour/half day/day, this may include travel expenses and accommodation or this may be offered on top of a base fee. It is important to be clear about terms (both yours and the clients’) up front so there is no misunderstanding re payment or terms.  

See below* for some rate reference pages, and think about what your minimum rate per hour or day might be, and when, if ever, to make exceptions.

As a professional artist, we expect to be paid for our work at an agreed rate just like any professional in another field. However, there may be an occasion where you wish to donate your time to an event. It is important that you are clear on terms, even in this case. Remember that many large charity events still cover travel, accommodation, and sometimes a small stipend for artists who donate their time. If you donate your time to a charity event, you may also be able to make a donation in kind invoice and note it on your own taxes.

It is always good to be flexible, while having a strong sense of your base rate. Some people find it useful to have a corporate rate, a private rate, and a schools/discounted rate to start. 

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Even if your ‘set’ is only two hours, this could be is a full work day for you. Your rate should reflect this. ​

Could you combine your work with a personal visit or a holiday? In that case you could adjust your fee accordingly.

Is it a local set that only takes an hour? Is it a zoom set? In these cases, you can do other work in the day and your rate can reflect that. 

Some community story circles may offer a stipend that is less than your hourly rate, but you may be happy to do this to make community connections. Festival gigs can vary a lot in what they offer, so again, weigh in on ‘benefit in kind’ when considering each gig - is it a place you wanted to visit, and the festival cover your accommodation etc? 

Offers of jobs for ‘exposure’ are rarely useful and should be viewed with caution.

If a corporate enquiry comes in, find out as much as you can about it. Refer to the ‘checklist’ below.  Is there anything unique they require of you that entails extra work? A specialised theme, unusual time, what to wear etc?

There will usually be a fair difference in price between your corporate and discounted rate.

Don’t be afraid to ask a client if they have a set budget right from the start. If it’s a corporate budget it may be higher than you expect anyway, and don’t be afraid to ask for more if you feel it’s lower. 

Sometimes people like to offer a range of prices, if there’s no comeback with budget. For example, a single set is x, a set and a workshop is y, 3 sets over 4 hours is z etc. 

Too low a cost for a storyteller can devalue our art form. It can also lose you the gig! If a company feels that it’s too much of a bargain, sometimes that can put them off, thinking it may not be professional enough as it has less value. Some people are private with their fees, but if you’ve a colleague with more experience, you can always ask if they would share or give advice on a rate guide, if they’ve done something similar. 

Some things to think about when being booked: Make your own checklist

While not an exhaustive list, the following questions are always worth considering.

• When is the event, 

• Who is the audience (demographic/age), 

• Might children be admitted casually even if an adult event

• What is the space like (auditorium, in a pub, a library etc), any noise bleed?

• How many are expected, can people come in late.

• How long is the event?  

• Is there parking or is it close to public transport? 

• Will there be amplification needed? Is it provided? 

• If a longer event - is there a break? 

• Is food provided or a place to buy food nearby? 

• Additional themes: are certain types of stories required? 

• Should any topic be avoided? 

• Can you be seen - lighting and time of day?

• Is there a photographer? A videographer? Do you allow video?

• What is the usage for (and if for any additional use, is there a fee built in for this?)

• If you are asking questions of a booker best to figure out what you can yourself first. You don’t have to ask your entire checklist! Remember it’s great to be communicating politely, clearly and concisely.

• Some bookings will be old school, and a phone call may be quicker than an email, but where possible, an email trail is great for yourself and an organiser, for you to know what was the original agreement. Sometimes there may be a contract for you to sign too.

Confirm payment and let them know terms - some places are happy for an invoice in advance of or same day of gig. Simply put your terms on the bottom (generally 30 days max unless other terms agreed).

It might seem like a lot to think about, and you can probably think of more things for some bookings, but some people have found a little checklist of questions to send to a client in advance of work is really helpful,  that way you aren’t overwhelming anyone.  Often the client. are very grateful as it could be something they haven’t even though of - you are the professional by they way!

Some payment references:

These are chosen at random, and just a cross section of what a client might see themselves when googling ‘rates’ for a storyteller, and what comes up in a first search!

Helpful to note what is regarded as a ‘half day’ ‘full day’ etc and it varies even within these links. Remember to figure in transport and accommodation if required and build them into fees as needed.

Poetry Ireland Writers In Schools

Some Irish storytellers are part of this. The base rates are per visit but work out 90-100 Euro per hour). There’s also a helpful mileage guide too for working out rates: www.poetryireland.ie/education/writers-in-schools/financial-information/

Scottish Storytelling Centre

Not Ireland but also useful for the reference and the different breakdowns.

www.storytellingforum.co.uk/bookingrates

Vanessa Woolf Storyteller

Individual storyteller based in the UK

londondreamtime.com/fees

Praxis Union

The newer Praxis Union now represents all art forms including Storytellers, and are now under the SIPTU umbrella. There is no rate card at present but they are engaging with all art forms.

www.praxisunion.ie