Fixed vs variable costs
Fixed: venue, talent, production, promotion. Variable: per-head food, merch, platform fees.
Estimate attendance honestly
Use past events or plan for 60–70% of capacity for a first event.
Find break-even
Break-even price = fixed costs ÷ expected attendance + variable cost per head, adjusted for platform fees.
Keep a buffer
Hold 10–15% for surprises: extra security, equipment hire, last-minute travel.