I was reading yesterday's turning point post. Ellen Evart Hopman and Ed Hubbard talked about Pagans and money... How folks will pay hundreds of dollars on "things" but balk at paying teachers. It is the same with paying for musicians. Most people I have encountered with that mindset, including event organizers feel like we musicians should share our talents for free or close enough that it is a money losing affair. I have gone in the hole (travel expenses) on a couple of the events, both of them were big events where they could afford to pay; I won't be back. However, there are one or two I will continue to play on the cheap, simply because I enjoy the people and events; that is my choice.
I have decided even after the pandemic and things crank back up, I am going to be much more selective on the events I choose to play... If the people putting on events don't value speakers and entertainment enough to pay decently, I can always find something else to do.