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Giving a cut for a short-term job

I have a gig this summer doing massage for a camp. The camp is for adults, there are three one-week sessions over the course of the summer and I will be available at each camp for three or four days. I am providing the table and all of my own supplies, washing linens, and traveling over an hour to get there each day (splitting time with my regular job). The camp owner is asking for a percentage cut in exchange for providing me with a space to work in, and asked me to decide what that would be. Only thing is, I have no idea what is reasonable in this situation. I was thinking 25%. Is that outrageously low?

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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on May 8, 2011 at 10:17pm

Hmm.. I have know idea? I worked in a nice hotel on Maui for a short while. They provided linens, nice rooms, tables, and music . All I provided was my own massage oil. The cut was 40% for the hotel. 60% plus tips for me. Maybe that will help you juggle percentages around?...Bare in mind, this was a high end hotel.

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Permalink Reply by Relax & Rejuvenate on May 9, 2011 at 5:53am

More like outrageously high. 20% max in a situation like this

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Permalink Reply by Kara Royall on May 10, 2011 at 6:30am

And how do you come to this conclusion?

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Permalink Reply by Prosper Massage on June 25, 2012 at 9:03pm

I'd find out if you are booked solid while there. How many minutes total? What are they charging the clients? I've given away as much as 40% for a great set up. Take into consideration how much time, energy and gas you are using etc... do what feels right and makes it worth your while.

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Permalink Reply by Pete L Blanco II on June 28, 2012 at 10:56am

I would approach this as a negotiation and would certainly not START at 25%. I'd offer maybe 10%, let them counter and then negotiate to something in the middle that works for both. Prosper's advice is good - you definitely need to know what they are charging the clients (% means nothing without knowing what that comes out to in $) and how full your book will be BEFORE you begin negotiating your %.

When all this has been finalized, I'm sure we'd all like to know what you ended up doing...good luck!

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Permalink Reply by Relax & Rejuvenate on June 28, 2012 at 11:51am

11 years experience working for over 70 hotels nationwide. We never pay more than 20% commission, and even have some set-ups where EVERYTHING but product is provided by the hotel and we only pay 10%. Have seen arrangements as low as 5%.

And that is for a one-year contract. Shorter terms should be more favorable to you since it is not an ongoing enterprise.

Kara Royall said:

And how do you come to this conclusion?

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Permalink Reply by Michael Vuong on June 30, 2012 at 11:02pm

Hi Kara! I think that's reasonable, taking in the fact that you have to travel more than 1 hour.