GigSalad

What: GigSalad connects entertainers (actors/comedians/DJs/bands) and service providers (bartenders/photographers) with paying customers

Expected pay: set by you

Husl$core: $$$

Commissions & fees: $30 – $40 per month; or $359 to $479 per year, plus a 2.5% – 10.5% commission on each booking

Where: Nationwide

Requirements: Be over the age of 18 and have a service that you want to advertise

Review:

GigSalad is among a handful of online platforms that propose to connect entertainers and service providers with people hosting parties and events.  Whether you need a clown or a Disney Princess for your child’s birthday party — or you need a DJ, bartender and photographer for a wedding — the site promises one-stop shopping.

The reviews of entertainers who have been hired through GigSalad are generally positive, but entertainers are less enthusiastic about the platform. The complaints are consistent: The site’s fees are high and are imposed regardless of whether you find work.

GigSalad’s lowest charge — reserved for those who sign up for a year-long subscription — is $359 and users say that the site does little to help you advertise yourself at that rate. You need to pay the higher, $479 per year, before the site features your work. If you sign up for a monthly subscription, it will be automatically renewed until you tell them to cancel. It is worth noting that the site once had a free membership option, but no longer allows people to sign up for free. If, however, you cancel your membership, you’ll remain on the site as a “free” member for an indefinite period.

In addition to paying those monthly or annual fees, performers pay a commission on each booking. The commissions are lower for paid members — from 2.5% to 8%. Free members pay 5% to 10.5%. 

Some performers say they got new business through GigSalad — even lucrative and repeat business. That said, the high upfront cost may make this platform too expensive for entertainers whose per-gig rate is low, since it would require several gigs just to break even. However, if your band charges, say $2,500 each time it’s booked, it might be worth taking a chance. 

Other sites worth considering for actors and musicians: LessonFace, Heartbeat and Playbill. If you’re a bartender or server, also check out Shiftgig and Wonolo.

What their users say (from SiteJabber):

I am a performer and have been on Gig salad approx 2 years. I decided to go with the “Free” membership with the intentions of upgrading to a paid membership once I got a bit more familiar with the site. I have received less than a handful of leads and NO GIGS! Needless to say I have not UPGRADED to a paid membership. From all I’ve read about GC the paid members get very little action as well.

As an artist previously listed on GigSalad, I urge you not to use this site. They are all take and no give. If you need a musician/artist, go out into the world and find them yourself!  Customer service is so awful with this company! It’s not even possible for an artist to delete their account. What kind of scam is that? They say they keep them for records? What? I had to call in and talk to 2 different people to get my account deleted and I still don’t trust that they actually did it. Awful. Just awful.

I started out with Gigsalad using the free account doing balloon twisting. I started to get gigs and I asked for review when each gig was over. I used some of the money I made from the gigs to upgrade to the “Pro” membership level and got more gigs. Later, I used money form the gigs to upgrade to the “Featured” level. Now I have achieved “Top Performer” status with them and I currently have 126 reviews. I think I may have the most reviews on their site. Anyway, for me they are the best source of income and they are worth all the money I put into the membership levels because it pays for itself with the profits I get from my gigs.

Over the year or two I have been listed, I have only received about a half dozen events to bid on. Ironically, I did engage one event as a free member which I appreciate, but I won’t pay $30 a month (plus any booking fees) for no events to bid on. It doesn’t work well for photographers.

From Pissed Consumer:

After they changed their algorithm I’ve gotten NO request. Literally none to the point where I contacted them through social media and asked them if they were still active.

Whoever the social media person is responded with they’ve been active for 11 years. I explained the problem about not receiving leads and literally responded with “I see that you’re currently on the free level, but yes, our paid members do get more leads than others. Our algorithm is aimed at our Featured members, specifically.” So basically they don’t give free members ANY business and from all the other complaints they barely give any to paid members either.

What’s the point of having a free option if you’re not going to cater to them either? So with that said GigSalad used to be one of my favorite companies to work for but now they’ve just gotten trash like the rest of the gig sites.

From comedian/actress Stacy Peterson’s review/comments:

I’m still using Gigsalad because it’s fairly simple and at least makes back it’s cost (rarely much more than that). I get most of my gigs myself through cold calls and word of mouth, but Gigsalad introduces me to gigs at private venues I might not be able find on my own.