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How Much Money Can Club Promoters Earn?

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It is extremely difficult to accurately estimate the average salary of a club promoter; so much so that career and salary websites -- such as SimplyHired or Indeed -- can't even offer any statistics. Salary Wizard estimates that a general sales promotion manager earned a median average salary of about $85,119 in 2011. However, in the nightclub business, your salary can vary extensively according to location, capacity, type of entertainment, concept, admission prices and what type of compensation arrangement is offered by the club. As a club promoter, you might make anywhere from $100 to $1,000 per night to $10,000 or $100,000 per year.

Door Percentages

Nightclubs that are open to the public on a walk-in basis, do not offer any pre-sale tickets, and require a cover charge at the point of entry typically pay the club promoter a percentage of the total funds collected at the door. Prior to the event, the club owner or manager and promoter come to an agreement on what percentage of the total admission fee will paid to the promoter at the conclusion of the event, and all required contracts and documentation are completed. Generally, it is common to expect anywhere from 5 to 15 percent of the total door receipts as a club promoter. However, your actual take-home pay will vary dramatically according to the capacity of the club, the dollar amount of each admission fee and the success of your promotional campaign.

Per Head

Sometimes the promoter is paid "per head." You'll agree with nightclub management on a flat dollar amount per each person who enters the event as a result of your promotion. In these instances, some form of tracking system is present, and the promoter is only paid for patrons showing verification that they were informed of the club or event by your efforts. For instance, promoters may sell advanced-admission tickets for $10 each and receive $2 or $3 for each ticket sold. In other scenarios, a promoter may pass out fliers that offer a certain price or discount when shown at the door, and they receive "X" amount of dollars for each flier redeemed. The total amount you can make per head might deviate greatly depending on the scale of event, turnout and price of admission.

Flat Fees and Revenue Sharing

Experienced promoters with a track record may sometimes be offered a flat fee. However, such instances are rare and can range anywhere from $50 or $100 per night to more than $1,000. Nightclubs that do not charge an admission fee or sell tickets while providing patrons with entertainment free of charge will usually implement some type of revenue-sharing agreement in lieu of a flat fee in order to fairly compensate the promoter. In a revenue-sharing agreement, you may be offered a percentage -- usually 5 to 15 percent -- of the total food sales or alcohol sales or both.

Perks & Benefits

Since most club promoters are independent contractors and freelancers, it is not very common to receive any traditional benefits such as health insurance, pension plans or sick and holiday pay. However, depending on your level of experience and stature of clubs you promote, you may receive other perks. Some of them may include free meals, cocktails, club admission, concert tickets, backstage passes and access to influential entertainment connections. As a club promoter, you can usually set your own schedule as well.

References
Writer

Michelle Renee is a professional trainer and quality assurance consultant in the career, education and customer service industries, with two decades of experience in food/beverage and event coordinating management. Renee has been published by Lumino and Career Flight as well as various food, education and business publications.

Photo Credits

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