From: "Jack Porcello" <jporcell@rochester.rr.com>
To: "balloon" <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Subject: Re: Balloon Business Etiquite
Date: Sun, 12 Nov 2000 20:28:20 -0500


> Hi All:
> When a fellow twister gives you a referral that leads to a job is it
> appropriate to offer an honorarium to show appreciation for the referral?
> If so, what percentage would be appropriate?

There is a small circle of entertainers that I know and trust very much in
my area.  We share referrals between us often.  I would have to say that
between us it evens out, so we don't do much in the way of referral fees.

Each of us are full time, professional entertainers, and we all have very
good reputations in and around our areas.  I know that these people are
first rate, top drawer artists, and am glad to have them to recommend
my overflow to.

I recently discussed with a local entertainer the possibility of her taking
an occasional night at a restaurant for me.  She offered to give me a
cut of the night's pay.  I explained to her that I would rather that we just
keep it friendly, and if she has something that she can't do she can send
it to me.  Otherwise I would not need a percentage.

I see nothing at all wrong with offering or taking a referral fee.  It's
simply something that I don't deal with.  In the case of subcontracting
work, on the other hand, I would suggest that you take a percentage,
especially if you are generating contracts and chasing money (for those
who invoice, that is.  I hope we don't find it necessary to open that can
of worms again).  My opinion is that  there is a difference between
sharing a competitor's phone number, and actually setting up a job with
a client and then arranging the talent yourself.  One should be paid for
the effort put out in the latter case, I would suggest.

Best regards,

Jack Porcello  "JP"
Storyteller and *Air-tist*
Air To The Kingdom
67 Springfield Ave
Rochester, NY  14609
http://www.balloonhq.com/artists/attk