Awareness events...anyone?

Have any of you ever worked at an awareness walk or event? On Sunday a bunch of people I know walked in one. One of my friends is even on the board of the NYC chapter. The day before I was like, "I need work! Do you guys need a face painter or glitter tattoos?" And she said if I'd asked earlier they probably would have totally gone for it. When you have approached these types of things, how have you marketed yourself? Would it be PPF or by the hour? And how much of your earnings would you donate to the cause?

Unless you know of someone who is running the event, I wouldn't imagine a paid by the hour would work out well... but I can see PPF working out terrifically! (especially if you donate a portion of the proceeds to the cause at hand?) This is said not from face painting experience, but from 'walk-a-thon' experience. My husband and father in law do many of these a year for the local University-- they do traffic control with the police.
That said, depending on how things are organized, go for what you can get away with! Good luck and let us know how it goes! That's a GREAT idea!

I have done fundraiser ppf with a 15% return to the agency. They bring the people and it doesn't cost them anything.

Oh wow...I was thinking it would be 50/50! The walk was actually this past Sunday, the 11th I think...my friend, who actually did help organize it, said it would have been cool but all the tables were taken. Next year I guess. But the PPF sounds about right, she said one girl who wrote a book was selling it and donating part of the proceeds, and another of my friends is makes shirts and donates a portion as well. I just wasn't sure if it was considered okay to keep money when it's a charity event like that. I'd be so compelled to just give it all, lol, even though I need it.

My line was never ending and everyone was happy- I made $350 in 3 hours and gave themn 15% I paid my son to sell tickets with #'s on them and keep my line and they want me back for other events- I also passed out tons of cards. It was a great day. I tiered my prices $12 full face $8 mask $6 cheek art and $4 Glitter Tattoos. That way no one was left out.

You were there Sunday, or was it another event? That sounds pretty cool. $350 without tips? You must be pretty fast...I'm still a bit too slow to make a whole lot but if it's something I believe in I don't care so much. You live pretty close to me! Did you join the new guild?

Oh yeah, and how do you go about approaching the committees if you don't know someone? Do you pay for a table or just say, "Can I face paint and give you part?" (in more eloquent terms of course )

I can paint pretty fast probably 20 kids an hour. When I do rec departemnt stuff where there's tons of kids I have a different approach -I do alot of improv but use the colors of the event -ie 4th of july. What guild?

I let them know how well it's worked for other charitable events and I am entertainment they don't have to pay for. I'm not just renting a spot to sell goods I am drawing people and everyone benefits from that.

I get hired by events - I've done the MS SuperCities Walk for about 7 years, have done Parkinsons Walks, Relay For Life events (not the actual relay but promo projects)... I've been contacted by the SPCA, HIV North, and others...

I don't solicit those types of events... Usually I would offer them my non-profit rate if I was interested. Most want free or almost free...

I worked a Relay for Life event where I did PPF and donated 50% of my earnings to the charity. I had a great time and it felt great to help out. I'm totally doing it again this year!

There are a few events around here that refuse to have any money not going to their cause... I don't do them.

I did Dragon Boats this past summer and it was awesome... they asked for 15% of profits as a booth fee. When people call me for charity events I usually offer 50% of my ppf or a discounted hourly rate if they want it free for their patrons. I'm actually doing a fundraiser dinner this Saturday... they felt my per face fee was more than they wanted, so they're selling tickets for face painting (to recoup what they're paying me) and paying me my fundraiser hourly rate. Fine with me, at least I'm making money.

THanks for the input and advice!

And Magic, the NY Face and Body Art Guild, based in Long Island, just started. Oct 6 was the launch. There is a Halloween jam coming up. Yeah it's a trek but I think it's worth it (at least for a newbie like me, it is a DREAM!). You should totally join! Nice people and great perks!