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Party Hosting

Party Hosting Opportunities

One area that remains a Pandora’s Box for models starting out in the business is how to deal with their first request to host or emcee at a club or party. I’ve dealt with this many times working with Bria Myles. This is largely a contractual matter, and I’ve included a Sample Appearance Contract with this article for convenience.

Money

One question a lot of models ask is how much they should get paid to host a party. If you’ve garnered enough attention that someone has asked you to host a party, you’ve probably been on the cover of at least one major magazine or been prominently featured in a popular music video. That being said, I think starting price for this sort of thing should be at least $500 (if this was 5 years ago, I would say higher). If you’ve been in the game awhile and been on multiple magazine covers and in several big music videos, I don’t think you should get paid anything less than $1,500.

Payment

For some reason, hosting requests are one area where people tend to be very flakey. I can’t tell you how many times Bria has had someone put in a request for her to host an event, only to back out later. (I think guys use event hosting as a ploy to interact with models they like.) Often, by the time the promoter backs out, significant time and energy has already been expended. For this reason and to weed out the flakes, always request at least half of your fee 2-3 weeks prior to the proposed engagement date. The money should be wired to your or your manager’s account. Until that money hits your account, keep contact to a minimum with the promoter. If possible, models should have an agent or manager act on their behalf until the last possible minute in these negotiations, for the reason I mentioned above.

The balance must be paid to you before you step foot in the venue. All of this should be spelled out in the contract.

Pre-Hosting Formalities

Sometimes a promoter will ask you to make radio appearances the day you arrive in town to promote the event. Make sure you find this out beforehand, so you can determine if you want to charge extra for this service. Also, make sure you find out if you are going to be hosting with any other models, and be sure to demand top billing. Promoters are notorious for adding other “talent” at the last minute. Next thing you know, you’re receiving equal billing with a B or C-list urban model on the fliers. For this reason, you should also reserve the right to pre-approve any and all promotional materials before they are printed or posted on the web. Again, this should all be covered in your contract.

Performance

Hosting is limited to two hours floor time. During this two hours your duties as model could entail emceeing, greeting and mingling with fans, and signing autographs (you should bring something people can get signed if you have the chance - e.g., print out 50 nice 8x10s). There is nothing wrong with interacting with fans, but remember you are there to host, not to party.

You can make additional money working with the event photographer who takes photos. Let's say the event photographer is charging $10 for someone to take a photo with you and have it printed and signed. You can ask the photographer to go 50/50 on that.

Transportation & Hotel

If you are hosting out of town, the promoter should provide professional transportation services (limo) or pay additional fees for your taxi service around town. Under no circumstances should you be forced to ride around with the club promoter or anyone else associated with the event after you get to the airport. This is yet another hustle guys use to meet models. Bria actually cancelled an appearance after she found out she would have to take a two-hour ride with some club promoter to her hotel once she arrived in town. Fortunately, she had already been paid half her fee.

Likewise, while the promoter should pay for your hotel or lodging, you should actually book the room and get reimbursed. What you want to avoid is a situation where, because the promoter booked your hotel, they have a keycard with access to your room.

Finally, what of being able to bring a friend along? Well, if you're Melyssa Ford you can demand that the promoter pay for a friend to come along and a hotel room for two. For less prominent models, this can be a sticking point. Demanding that the promoter pay for air fare and lodging of an additional person can increase the fee by $500 easily, which is enough for many promoters to walk away. You may have to pay for this yourself, or split the fee with the promoter.

One of the classier fliers I've seen for a party Bria hosted with Drake...
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