An Open Letter to Event Organisers

By Sharoneez Emephia

Dear Event Organisers,

When you invite us, creatives, MCs, music artistes, DJs, comedians, photographers, and others, to your event, please do the professional thing: ask us what our fees are. This is not a hobby for us; it is how we earn a living.

There is a great deal that goes into the craft you admire, the performance, presence, and passion that made you choose us over others. As we say in Nigerian parlance, “Soup wey sweet, na better money kill am.”

You must understand that the industry we operate in is called Show Business for a reason. It is a profession, not charity work. Therefore, we should not be pressured to perform for free, nor should we be offered token amounts while you expect top-tier delivery at your event or programme.

Many of us invest significantly in building and maintaining the brands that you find attractive. From our wardrobe choices, which must be regularly updated, to the necessity of personal assistants, brand managers, and image consultants, the cost of staying relevant and professional is steep. These are expenses borne by the same individuals you wish to engage, often without remuneration or with poorly negotiated fees. How, then, do you expect those bills to be covered?

Some time ago, a potential client contacted me to host a two-day event. My team had already offered a discounted rate out of respect for the person who referred them. Yet, we went back and forth over this already-reduced fee until the enthusiasm to take on the event waned entirely. I found myself explaining things that should be obvious, like why repeating outfits on stage is unprofessional. That experience remains a clear example of how undervalued creative professionals can be.

Ironically, many organisers know exactly how skilled and grounded these creatives are. But due to familiarity or self-interest, they often fail to budget appropriately for the value we bring. No matter how close you are to someone, when engaging their professional service, it is only right to pay them based on the worth of their contribution, not on how well you know them or who referred them.

Everyone deserves fair compensation for the value they offer, regardless of their perceived status or popularity. There is a reason you chose a particular artiste or professional, so focus on the quality they bring and pay them accordingly.

As you plan your next event or programme, please prioritise budgeting for the professionals you intend to engage. Do not reserve peanuts for the creatives after spending lavishly on venue, food, and drinks. If these elements were sufficient to deliver a successful event, you wouldn’t feel the need to hire a professional MC, DJ, musician, dancer, or comedian in the first place.

This letter is a candid appeal to all event organisers: reach out early to the specific creatives you want to work with, ask for their rates, and plan accordingly. Prolonged haggling over fees can be exhausting and may ultimately dampen the spirit of the person you’re hoping to showcase.

To every event and show promoter out there, you feel me?