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How to Negotiate Your Circus Fee Like a Pro

Ulrike Storch
Negotiate Your Circus Fee
You just got an offer for a circus gig—yay! But now, there’s that slightly awkward part where you have to negotiate your fee. If you’ve ever felt unsure about what to ask for, or worried that you might mess up the negotiation, you’re in the right place. In this video, I’ll share my five-step process that has helped countless circus performers double or triple their earnings (yes, really). With this framework, you’ll feel confident, prepared, and ready to get paid what you deserve. Let’s dive in!
The 5-Step Negotiation Framework to Get Paid What You Deserve
Step 1: Know What You Want

Rule #1 in any negotiation? Clarity. Before you step into any negotiation, get crystal clear on the number you want. If you’ve been offered €200 a day, but you feel your work is worth €260, name it.Own that number. Why? Because if you don’t know what you want, how can you expect anyone else to see your value?

Step 2: Get Creative with Options

Most people think negotiating means one thing: asking for more money. But there areso many ways to increase the value of your contract! Here’s where a little creativity can take you a long way:

  • Demonstrate Value: Show the client why your work is worth more.
  • Offer a Premium Act: If you have a performance that’s more specialized, offer that to create perceived value.
  • Add a Little Extra: Propose add-ons like a post-show meet-and-greet, something simple yet valuable to your client.

Flip It: Ask the client what it would take on your end for them to meet your target fee.

The key here? Think beyond money. When you expand the ways value can show up, you’re way more likely to land on an arrangement that works for both of you.

Step 3: Find Points of Agreement

Here’s a pro-tip: Start by building rapport with points of agreement before mentioning any changes. It’s called a “feedback sandwich,” and it’s absolute gold in negotiations.

Instead of diving straight into what you don’t like, lead with what youdo appreciate. Maybe you’re thrilled about the accommodation arrangements or love the length of the contract. Acknowledge those positives first, and then slip in your adjustments. This approach creates a warm, collaborative vibe, rather than one that feels defensive or tense.

Step 4: Show Up Prepared

Preparation iseverything. If you’re just showing up to a negotiation with a vague “I want more,” you’re setting yourself up for frustration. Here’s how to prep like a pro:

  • Identify Specific Issues: Write down any parts of the offer that you want to discuss.
  • Have Your Talking Points Ready: Why is this fee important to you? What value are you bringing to the table?

Example: Instead of “I deserve more,” try “I’d love to be part of this project at my standard rate of €260. My other clients are happy with this rate, and I’d love to see if your budget has flexibility to match it.” When you’re specific and clear, you make it easy for the client to understand and (hopefully) agree.

Step 5: Be Flexible and Open to Alternatives

This might be the hardest one, but trust me—it’s a game-changer. You’ll enter your negotiation with your ideal goal in mind, but be open to alternative options. Here’s what I mean: Imagine the best possiblealternative to your dream agreement. By having that “second-best” alternative ready, you can approach the negotiation with more ease, confidence, and flexibility.

Being flexible shows clients that you’re a team player, not just in it for yourself. And here’s the real kicker:

Sometimes these alternatives lead to long-term, repeat gigs or referrals that could be worth far more than the original fee.

Want to dive deeper ?

Watch: 5 Most Common Mistakes When Negotiating Your Circus Fee Video Now

Oh and one last thing….do you feel ALL THE EMOTIONS when you negotiate > Anxiety, Anger, Nervousness, Faer…you gotta hear this:

Here’s something crucial that’s rarely talked about:Don’t take things personally. Negotiation is all about facts, numbers, and finding solutions. When we let ego or emotions take over ( regardless if the client can do the same or not), we get defensive and lose sight of the outcome. Remember, most client offers reflect their budget and limitations, NOT your value.

In negotiation, stay calm, stay curious, and always aim for a solution that works for both of you. One of my favourite quotes on this is fromThe Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz:“Nothing other people do is because of you. It is because of themselves.” Keep this in mind, and you’ll navigate negotiations with much more ease.

Wrapping It Up: Your Five-Step Negotiation Process Recap

To sum it all up, here’s your five-step framework to rock your next negotiation:

  1. Determine Your Ideal Outcome: Know exactly what you want.
  2. Find Multiple Options: Think outside the box about how to increase value.
  3. Identify Points of Agreement: Acknowledge what youdo like before making requests.
  4. Prepare, Prepare, Prepare: Go in knowing exactly what you’re going to say.
  5. Be Open to Alternatives: Flexibility can open doors you never imagined.

Negotiating is a skill that takes practice, but the rewards areso worth it. Want more tips on how to grow your circus career? Join mySelling Circus program, where I teach performers how to market, negotiate, and sell their talents to create thriving careers. Click the linkbelow to learn more about working with me. You deserve to get paid what you’re worth—and I’d love to help you make it happen!

https://www.ulrikestorch.com/joinsellingcircus

Cheers,

Ulrike

Ulrike Storch
Business Consultant, Career Coach -United Kingdom
Hi! I'm Ulrike. I am a creative Entrepreneur, Circus Artist and Business Coach and I believe that you can get anything you want and I am here to help you create it. A german with nothing more than an unstoppable hunger for creative expression, a laptop and a dream, I’m proud to have created a forward-thinking digital company that touches performers from every corner of the world. I combined over a decade of performing experience, my business research and one of the best coach certifications that are out there - e voila: Selling Circus.

My flagship online learning program helps performers just like you with a nurturing step-by-step process to not only create but market and sell their fabulous talent with immense skill and unwavering confidence.

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Ulrike Storch

Hi! I'm Ulrike. I am a creative Entrepreneur, Circus Artist and Business Coach and I believe that you can get anything you want and I am here to help you create it. A german with nothing more than an unstoppable hunger for creative expression, a laptop and a dream, I’m proud to have created a forward-thinking digital company that touches performers from every corner of the world. I combined over a decade of performing experience, my business research and one of the best coach certifications that are out there - e voila: Selling Circus. My flagship online learning program helps performers just like you with a nurturing step-by-step process to not only create but market and sell their fabulous talent with immense skill and unwavering confidence.