What SHOULD experienced presenters get paid?

Maria Shadoes asked the above question on the SM_Presenters Yahoo list. I wanted to share my answer here for posterity and to get thoughts.I would like to add a concept to this thread that Janet Hardy alluded to but that I feel was best framed by Del, an SM and spirituality educator in Maryland:F.E.E.FairEnergeticExchangeFor some individuals, the thrill of getting asked to teach is enough. For others it's hot play and good nookie. For some it's an opportunity to meet new people. Some find thrill or as it was said before "Top space" when teaching.For others, it's a chance to sell their wares. For some it's meaningful to pass on wisdom. Sometimes it's about hotel and travel. For others of us it is hotel, accommodation, financial payment, and the ability to do other things while in that area.Teaching Kink, Sexuality and Spirituality, at kink events, pagan conferences, in groups, at Universities, and in one-on-one settings is my full time living. When I started out teaching I had a full time job working at a Christian Faith organization, and later in my career as an educator I was making good money in adult film work. I had the ability, if a group was flying me to New York, to shoot a few films while I was there and thus was happy to get in to teach for entry price and promise of getting laid.But this is now my full time living. As it was said before in this thread, headline performers get paid more than opening shows or side-room performers. And yes, sometimes I enjoy the performance that a side-room performer gives a lot more and they have a touring fan-boy for life.My rates have gone up over the years based on:1) How many regions of the country I had taught in2) How many books I had published3) How many countries I had taught or performed in4) How impressive my Vita/Resume is5) How much I can help a group raise it's income (there are a few groups that I teach for that I also give my time to help them produce their UPO- Unique Product Offering, and develop their advertising campaigns)6) The variety of classes I can offer (I am up to 72 different classes I have designed thus far)7) What else I can do *other* than teach (stage shows, MC events, help with advertising, book signings, promise to do flashy scenes in the dungeon)8) Compensation for me not getting to bring anyone of my own or knowing I'll have anyone to spend time with at an event (it gets really lonely at times to be the *only* single presenter at an event where everyone else is coupled and you do not know anyone in that area)I do 2-5 pro-bono events a year... where as long as I get my travel covered, I'll bring a sleeping bag and do what I feel is right to help get a new group, event or community off the ground. I think it is right to give back in this way. It is my version of tithing to the church. One or two of those I also make sure to do in regions of the country that I have never taught in before as it gets me exposure to new communities of folks.But if I did that full time, I would never be able to afford my rent. And if I worked a full time job aside from what I do as a sexuality and spirituality educator I would not have the time to write, do the events, come up with new classes, do original research, keep blogs etc that I currently do.I also agree strongly with Senor Jaimie and Allena Gabosh that there is an importance to setting levels of financial value on education lest it be undervalued. This community has a strange split-personality on the issue of money. It's ok to spend $700 on a single tail but not to spend $40 how to use it. Something to consider.There are some groups I make mix-and-matched arrangements with. In New Zealand I was asked if I could do 3 classes and 2 stage shows, so I quoted my fee to them. They said they could cover my airfare, accommodations, food, and half of my financial needs... but they'd be happy to let me stay for a week or two afterwards if I wanted and use it as a base for being a tourist as they knew I had never been to New Zealand. I mentioned I did not drive, and thus would also need a tour guide. Done. It worked out well for everyone.I love being creative with folks. This group/event covers airfare and fee, this local sex shop throws me a bit more cash and covers my accommodation. Thinking outside the box, combining efforts, and being able to honestly help out is great. When folks tell me they can not afford my fee, I ask them why. If they say they would need to raise attendance to afford me, I sit down with them and brainstorm ways to bring those numbers in, and sometimes even help them design the copy for the craigslist and newspaper ads.But this is my full time living.To answer Maria's question more succinctly:What SHOULD experienced presenters be charging?What they need and/or deserve.And hating to sound rude in any way- what an individual needs and what they deserve do not always match. To quote Dom One's response to this thread "How do you compare skill, talent, presentation skills and motivation between different presenters?" We do it by response/review forms from attendees, we do it by event producers actually attending the classes they have booked to have there. We do it by having reference letters and actually contacting the venues a presenter has taught at before. Just because someone has taught 30 places does not mean they were welcome back at any of them.Another thought to consider- if we teach at the same venue every month or every year, are we as likely to be as big of a draw? I have a number of events I have an every 2 years arrangement with for just that reason.Go to your presenters classes. Pay attention. Get feedback. Get references. Read their books or online articles.Some presenters are amazing at leading round robin discussions, while others are suited for hands on classes. Some people have skill sets for lecturing in front of a room of 400, and others are great for one on one mentoring. None of these are bad- but know who you are booking. If you are looking for edu-tainment, some folks just aren't funny or entertaining, but they are informative. If you are trying to book someone who knows their stuff and can share it with a 101 audience, don't book a pair that is *known* for saying stuff like "Ok, so thats the safety stuff but its not what we do- let's do a demo of what we actually do." That sort of presentation is best for an experienced crowd.What is your group or event about? You are likely to be willing to pay more money for a big name within YOUR field. And that means if you are a presenter, who is not a big name in that field, don't be offended if you get offered only a free entry to the event. Its ok. Be aware of how big of a name you really are for this specific population. Or how much you really have to offer. If you think you have more to offer, be willing to send copies of your handouts, or if you have them, audio or video recordings of classes you have done.So yeah.F.E.E.What's yours?-Lee Harringtonhttp://www.PassionAndSoul.com