Working With Hop Till You Drop

Drawing on the information provided by the band, Hop Till You Drop will create three linked webpages. The first of these features the four photographs and gives the client a clear idea of the style of music the band plays, the second lists repertoire, and the third consists of a series of short mp3 downloads so that the client can hear the band in action.

We will edit the photos provided, write the text and create mp3s from the demo CD. The band will then be listed in the appropriate musical menu on the site.

The Hop Till You Drop website is well optimised in Google for the keywords selected by clients when searching for bands and ensembles to perform at events they are organising in the UK. The site is statistically monitored by web-stat.com. At the present time (2007) the site receives an average of 200 visits per day, and of these visitors at least 12% come back for a second look. Each visitor views an average of 3 - 4 pages, and stays long enough to read the text and to download the soundfiles. On the basis of these statistics, the site anticipates 75,000 visitors in 2006, and of these, we expect nearly 10,000 to come back for a second look. These are conservative estimates as the site's popularity is constantly increasing.

Providing the band is offering a product that appeals to the client, bookings will result from inclusion in the site.

Prior to the launch of the webpages, we will have negotiated a net fee for the band or ensemble with the bandleader. Depending on the style of music, the area of the country the band predominantly works in, and the amount of technical equipment the band carries, the fees that can be expected for individual musicians range from £100.00 - £200.00.

Hop Till You Drop then adds the agency's fee to the net fee. It is 20% of the total fee and it is paid by the client as a deposit. The client either pays the bandleader the net fee in cash on the day, or by cheque to arrive not less than seven days before the performance is to take place.

Hop Till You Drop draws up a contract between the client and the artist. The contact name, home address and phone number of both parties are included in the contract, allowing final details to be "tweaked" directly, without agency involvement. Arrival time, set-up times and performance times are all stipulated, so that both parties know exactly what is expected. The agency asks the client to nominate someone from their party to liaise with the bandleader on the day. We suggest that, if possible, this person introduces himself or herself while the band is setting up, and that payment takes place at this point. We also ask the client to organise a dressing-room near the stage for the band (if possible), and to provide either a hot meal or sandwiches and drinks for the band.

In the first instance, both copies of the contract are sent to the client, who is invoiced separately for the deposit (the agency's fee) which is payable at this point. The client returns both signed contracts, together with the deposit cheque, within seven days of the contract's date of issue. These contracts are then sent on to the artist for counter-signature. The artist keeps the artist’s contract, and returns the signed client’s contract to Hop Till You Drop. We make a copy for our records, and forward this signed contract to the client, thus sealing the agreement.

If, for any reason, the client changes his mind regarding the booking after contracts have been signed and exchanged, the cancellation clause on behalf of the band is self-explanatory - however, if it needs to be actioned, it is the bandleader's responsibility to enforce it. If the musicians in the band are members of the Musicians Union, that organisation will, where necessary, follow the matter up on the band's behalf. In our experience, a letter from the union to the recalcitrant client, making it clear that court action might ensue, usually does the trick. It is also worth noting that the Musicians Union offers free public liability insurance to its members, with cover of up to £10,000,000. If all the personnel of your band are union members, there is no need to purchase further public liability insurance for the group.

In the event of cancellation by the artist through accident, injury, or illness a doctor’s certificate or other appropriate documentation will be required. In the event of such cancellation by the performer, Hop Till You Drop will endeavour to provide a replacement on behalf of the client. An exact replacement, in terms of style of music and price cannot be guaranteed. If no appropriate or acceptable replacement can be found, the deposit will be refunded in full.