How to Negotiate a Contract as a Traveling Bartender
A traveling bartender can make a nice living; however, you must know how to negotiate a contract. Every meeting planner, temp agency or host will try to get the most out of you for the least amount of money. Your bartending and people skills are vital to the success of their event, so don't sell yourself short. Follow a few tips to negotiate a contract as a traveling bartender.
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Instructions
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Create your own contract. Instead of always relying on standard hotel or events contracts, make your own that covers all the areas that you feel are important. Bring it with you to when you meet with the hiring agent to sign a contract. If you don't like their paperwork, then bring out your own. This way, you'll also be covered if you make an agreement with a host who does not deal with contracts.
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Get everything in writing before you begin a bartending gig. No matter how small the party, get some kind of agreement in writing.
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Add any changes in writing to the contract and have the person initial the change. When you are negotiating, you may add extra services, like cleaning all the glasses after the party. If the event coordinator tries to get you to clean all the dishes, you can point to the contract and show where you agreed to only clean glasses. Also, if you add $10 for each guest over 100, and you go to collect for a party of 125, your host can be shown where she agreed to the extra money.
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Look for ways to pad your agreement with freebies from the event coordinator. Ask for free parking, meals, a complimentary room and spa privileges, if you are working a gig in a hotel. These items are no-skin-off-their-noses extras that can make your job much more enjoyable.
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Be prepared to walk away from negotiations if the offer is way too low for your standards. It's better to lose one small job and maintain your reputation than it is to give your services away "just this once", since word gets out. You also maintain your confidence when you continue to get the contract prices you feel you deserve.
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