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BGonline.org Forums
Backgammon Lessons - How much to charge?
Posted By: Coolrey In Response To: Backgammon Lessons - How much to charge? (Stick)
Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2009, at 5:07 p.m.
Gaby Horowitz was a charismatic person, even though he was a cheater. He gave Patrick Gibson lessons with a twist. He got paid plus took a percentage of tournament winnings for 1 or 2 years. That was interesting.
Julius came all the way from NYC to get lessons... I didn't have the heart to charge someone who wanted to learn that badly. We probably spent 8 hours or something discussing stuff. He won the next event. He gave me $200. So what was that? $40/ hour? I have a job so I didn't really need the money, the reputation of being willing to help players was enough.
Most backgammon pros are bums. They learned they could make money with their brain and lost all intiative. They scrape along and pinch pennies.
You could teach me @ $100/ hour but I would have a narrow focus and it would not take 10 hours to do my lesson.
Your target group are people that likely have jobs, and are into backgammon because they are doing rollouts for free. I'd say $33 / hour with a three hour minimum... So you get $100 up front. Perhaps you could negotiate with a percentage of ABT event winnings or something?
You can charge me Munitz or Rod more because we work. The bums won't come calling. You are writing for GV, and making a little there... and have advantages in certain games like backgammon, that make you money... So knocking down 10 hours a week @ $33 wouldn't be too bad it would pay for gas and some entry fees. Or it coule be $50/hour with 2 hour minimum. That would be good for both sides, but it would cost someone a benjamin to get your opinion on stuff...
You build a following of successful students and then you can charge a premium for the service. You are in the "building a following" mode, make it a bargain, and tell your students if they feel they got a good deal to tell people and vote for you in the Giants of Backgammon thing, which is merely a popularity contest. However, it would look good on a business card!
You personally like talking to people, where I am indifferent. You'll have fun building your reputation and being the "authority" on the game. You already have that attitude down pat. Get the rep and then teach the sheiks. Win the ABT in the meantime to exhibit your skills and prove your worth...
Kind of like Magriel did, he has a rep as the best teacher in bg and poker now, doesn't he?
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