Seeking advice re: local steady gig

I currently work most weekends @ a local "Bounce House/Party" type of venue. They either book me for a party by the hour ($50 for me) or I set up near their concession stand for a PPF (only if they have several parties booked & I have no other bookings anywhere). I stay for about 2-3 hrs unless it gets busy for me. This has led to more private gigs for me AND they are now asking me to come to other events w/them w/a tip jar for a few Hrs. I'll try one today @ a local theater to see if it's worth it for me. I've done 2 events for free, but don't want to do that again unless it's for my church or my grandchild's pre-school. Both of those are close "to my heart" and generated more business. A more experienced FP'er in my area said she wouldn't work @ the Bounce House unless they booked her for a party because she's "busy almost every w/e"...but would if she was just starting out. The PPF rate is $6...$4 for me & $2 for them. I keep getting charities asking me to paint all day for $0. So far, I tell them I can only do "so many" since the paint is $$$. Does this local arrangement sound good to you?

as long as you are happy with the amount of money that you are making, it seems like a good way to keep things steady, get your work in front of the public and possibly develop a following. My weekly work at the Farmers' Market doesn't make me a lot of money, but I'm out in public often and have developed a group of several families that specifically come looking for me at other events and call me for special occasions. Regular events can get this for you much more easily than individual parties and festivals.... then you get those people calling you for parties and looking for you at festivals instead of just looking for whoever happens to be there.

Perry, that's a good point about regular events. The bounce house started the same time I did & we're helping each other out. There have been some repeats already saying they came to our booth (instead of the 4 other FP'ers @ this huge festival) because they liked my previous work. You made me feel better about this steady gig. I got some negative feedback from another FP'er who had communication issues w/this venue but so far, I'm clear on when & where because I am consistantly calling mid-week & following thru. Well, I'm off to paint. Thank you SO much for your advice!

no problem... just keep yourself open, don't lock yourself into a situation that you don't like. It's your business and you get to decide whether you are happy with the money, venue, communication, etc.

The nice thing about having a place to go when there are no bookings, is that you keep your hands limber & imagination active! I usually get most of my photowork from working in the non-pressured environment. (I made sure it got back to the managing partner what I make hourly on bookings, and they happily provide a table by the host, a tall chair if I'd like to not drag mine in, and meals whenever I ask!)

Good Point Anniel! ...& I'm still listening, Perry. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the foruim!

My only concern would be if it keeps you unavailable at peak times for other (possibly better paying events). I was lucky to land a regualr gig for the local hockey team on Saturday nights. I was still able to book parties durring the day, and do my hockey gig later in the evening. And the hockey team negotiated a reduced rate, since I had 17 bookings from them.

I finally started telling charity orginizations that this is my local BUSINESS, and my work earns money that goes to my family and pays for groceries and school sports. That I am often willing to donate an hour of my time, but cannot possibly donate my expensive, professional supplies and peak booking hours, to every great charity out there.

So far, every one of the charities (but one) has hired me

We have an understanding. Being a "newbie" I said I will paint @ their PPF rate (see above) any Saturday I'm not booked/busy, for about 2-3 hrs. If they're busy that day & I'm making $$$, I may stay longer. If they book me for a birthday party, I get $50/hr. I like your answer for charities...after all, charity begins @ home & I DO paint @ my church events for free.

anniel wrote:The nice thing about having a place to go when there are no bookings, is that you keep your hands limber & imagination active! I usually get most of my photowork from working in the non-pressured environment. (I made sure it got back to the managing partner what I make hourly on bookings, and they happily provide a table by the host, a tall chair if I'd like to not drag mine in, and meals whenever I ask!)

I agree... my weekly restaurant gig doesn't bring in what I would call considerable cash... but it often provides me the perfect practice and sounding board. For instance, last week I only offered one eye butterfly designs or flowers for the girls because I was trying to get better using my Suzy Sparkles and heavily incorporated them into each design. Plus, I was trying out new one stroke butterfly techniques as well. I get lots of photo ops and steady birthday parties from this. I've been there for several years and have seen many children grow up there!

Good pont, Miss Ronnie.