So your holding an event .. you pay for the venue, the servers, the meal, the bartender, the sound equipment and operator, the event rental business for all the extra decorations .. but you want the MC, the person that in a roundabout way holds the event together, for FREE. When the MC you want asks to be paid, you fall off your chair because you think that it’s a honor to host your event – like being an Executor of an Estate or the guardian of young children. To properly prepare for an event, an MC puts many hours in to prepping for the job .. and believe me, it’s a job. In some cases there’s a pre-meeting, a visit to the charity the event might be supporting, writing a script, arriving before the doors open to meet with the planners one more time and then actually getting behind the microphone to execute the evening. After about five hours, when the event is over, the MC quietly leaves after a total of eight to ten hours of their total time counting the pre-prep. They do a fabulous job – everyone raves about them – but in some cases, they don’t get paid by a check, a gift, a card or even a verbal thank you. Professional MC’s and speakers are just that – they are professionals. If they want to donate their time, and most do, they’ll do it “behind the scenes” for a charity of their choice. When they pick up a microphone, they are working and that needs to be respected. Have you ever met a plumber who works for free on a Saturday night for ten hours – if so, pass along their information!
What do you pay for a professional MC?
Some have an established fee, others will work within your budget and some may even ask for an honorarium which basically pays for their mileage and expenses. Some may even ask for their fee to be donated back to the event if its supports a charity which they support. Regardless of the “deal” you make, be prepared to “make a deal”. Some MC’s may not ask for a dime but leave that choice to them. Your MC should feel valued and appreciated .. they’ll do even a much better job knowing that you respect their skill and talent.
Next time, when do you book an MC?
