GigSalad makes booking simple, secure, and stress-free for both event planners and entertainment professionals. From the first search to final payment, every step happens right on the platform. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how booking on GigSalad works for those looking to hire entertainment or services for their event.
🔎 Finding entertainers or service providers
Event planners can browse for local entertainment and event services using the GigSalad search function and then review profiles to find the best fit based on experience, style, and reviews.
Searching on GigSalad
Event planners begin their search by typing what they want (e.g. Costumed Character, Bartender, Cover Band) into the search bar at the top of the page. The platform detects their location, allowing them to scroll down and browse local talent.
Learning about the professionals
From the search results page, event planners can see membership level, act name, top performer status, overall rating, location, price range, number of verified bookings, and a snippet of a recent review. To learn more, they click the talent’s profile photo to visit their GigSalad profile, read about their experience, look at media, and check out reviews from past clients.
📝 Requesting quotes
Once an event planner is ready to contact professionals in their area, they can fill out a quote request form to connect with entertainers or service providers.
Submitting a general quote request
The most common way that event planners request quotes is by filling out the general request form located at the top of the page. We then send this form to up to 5 or 10 professionals in the area who match the selected service categories. Because planners often haven’t viewed individual profiles before submitting, they rely on the responses from providers to receive helpful information about their services.
Selecting a provider directly
To request a quote directly from an entertainer or provider, an event planner can click the Quote button on the search results page or the talent’s profile. They will then fill out a form about their event, which we send to the selected professional.
When requesting a quote from a specific performer or company, the system prompts the planner to decide whether to share the request with similar professionals. If they opt in, GigSalad sends the request to additional profiles offering the same service. If they choose not to, only the selected provider will receive the request.
🌟Note: GigSalad provides helpful lead insights for professionals, including whether the event planner selected them directly.
✏️ Managing the event and quote requests
Submitting a request automatically creates a GigSalad account for the event planner, giving them access to message professionals and manage their event information.
Editing the event
If the event planner needs to edit their event details, they can do so from their account dashboard. Event planners can make changes at any time before booking a professional. All profiles that received the lead will be notified of the changes, just in case they need to update their quote. Any pending quotes will be canceled to prevent booking conflicts resulting from changes to the event.
After an event has been booked, changes cannot be made through the site. Instead, both parties should confirm any updates in writing in their GigSalad messaging thread and then contact us.
Removing the event
If an event planner cancels their event or no longer needs to book someone, they can delete the event from their account. Deleting the event will remove any sent quote requests and automatically decline any received quotes. After deletion, the planner loses access to event details and can no longer communicate with contacted professionals.
💬 Communicating with professionals
Once a quote request is submitted, the contacted profiles will receive the lead in their inbox and be able to respond. We encourage our members to respond within 24 hours, not only to be courteous to potential clients, but to earn Top Performer status. Once they respond, we’ll send an email notification that guides the event planner back to their GigSalad inbox to view and reply.
Receiving responses
Submitting a quote request sends the event details to matching profiles as a gig lead. From there, the provider can choose one of three ways to reply.
- Quote: If the professional is available, they may send an official quote with pricing, service details, and agreement terms. This will create the opportunity for the event planner to book securely.
- Message: The professional may send a message before sending a quote to ask questions or request more details. They may also request a phone call before providing a quote.
- Decline: If they are unavailable or not a good fit for the event, they may decline the request.
Viewing quotes
When an entertainer or provider sends a quote, the event planner can view the price, the expiration date of the quote, the services to be provided, as well as the cancellation policy and any additional terms. The quote can be accepted by clicking Book now or declined.
🌟 Note: Event planners can see talent profiles at any time from the inbox by clicking the photo displayed on the Vendor Info card.
💸 Finalizing the booking
Once a planner is ready to confirm and hire a pro, the booking process is quick and straightforward. They can pay securely and work out any additional details through the GigSalad website.
Paying securely on GigSalad
To pay and book the performer or service provider, event planners must click the Book now button on the quote. They are then directed to a payment page to enter their payment information. Event planners must pay the full amount requested by the professional plus the GigSalad service fee.
💰 Learn more about how service providers collect payments for booked gigs.
Staying in contact
After payment is made, event planners are provided with the professional’s phone number. We encourage both parties to stay in touch, go over important details, and provide any necessary updates. They can do this directly via phone calls or text, but they can also still use the GigSalad messaging feature.
Canceling a booking
If an event planner needs to cancel a booking for any reason, they can complete this through the inbox. To do so, they must go to the bottom of the booking confirmation in the message thread with the professional and click on the link that says “Change, cancel, or reschedule this booking.” Once the cancellation is official, we will begin processing any refunds that are owed.
🌟 Note: If the entertainer or service provider cancels, event planners receive a full refund through GigSalad’s Worry-Free Guarantee.
Booking on GigSalad keeps everything organized—from messaging and quotes to payments and event details—all in one easy place. It’s a simple way for planners to feel confident about who they’re hiring and for professionals to manage gigs with less back-and-forth. Whether it’s a casual backyard party or a grand occasion, the GigSalad platform helps things run a little more smoothly for everyone involved. 💜
Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.