Gigs and bookings canceling

So, as this is the third time in my young business that this has happened to me, it is time to address it. (I've been a business since mid Feb)

I will speak with people, text, phone, email or facebook and get a gig lined up. I put it on my calender, it is theirs... A week before, it is changed or it is canceled and it isn't happening. I no longer have that source of income and my plans get damaged. I am not fond of this.

I know a number of people have contracts and some sort of down payment. And if I was being booked for 5 hours, I think I would do that as well.. But this is 1 hour birthday party gigs. I am only $30 an hour. I feel like doing the timing/driving for $15 down payment and a contract would be off putting. I'd have less people agree to book because they don't want to mess with it.

Any suggestions?

EVERYTHING IN WRITING! Period.

For small private events like birthday parties I send a "Letter of confirmation" which has all the details laid out - I don't require a deposit for birthdays at private homes but do for ones being held at third party venues.

They HAVE to sign and return the letter (even if no deposit is required) or the booking is not confirmed.

If you act like a professional you generally get treated as one, so using a formal written contract or confirmation form will reinforce they are dealing with a professional.

In all honestly I think I've only had two or three cancellations in 17 years.

I take deposits for home parties too. Everyone pays, often months in advance. I then keep in periodic touch with them as the date approaches, and always at least a week prior to confirm all details and assure them that I am here and coming. People appreciate the communication, and it also builds a warm rapport as we go along.

You should probably be charging more. I think you will be taken more seriously if you don't do "hobby" pricing. $30 seems like a "I'm just doing this to pay for my paints" message.

I get deposits through Paypal and it's really easy. You can search on posts about it here on the forum. They email/contract I send to them has my rules and the details of the party. Again, it's a professionalism thing. Shannon does hers with signed contracts, I do it with deposits. If the deposit is not paid, they are not on my calendar.

I'm pretty sure that gas is about the same or more around the country so if you are driving 30 miles you've used 4 gallons of gas to get there so that's at least $10-$12 just on gas. If you have kids there are babysitters. Maintenance on the car. Supplies. Insurance...

The people that won't pay a deposit are flaky anyway and will change their minds or decide they can't afford you. At least if you get a deposit and they flake on you, there will be consequences.

What Denise said.
I found that when I started charging more that I had a more solid clientele and not one person balks at my 50% deposit requirement via PayPal. I tell them up front that the booking is not complete until I receive the deposit and completed contract. Then I send them a confirmation email.

So true...I would request but not require a deposit to cover fuel, with the balance paid upon arrival.....so far, the only parties that got canceled were the people who didn't deposit in advance. When I raised prices, it still was the case.
I was afraid to raise my price or charge extra for travel, because I thought it would scare off business. However, by raising my price, just the deposit alone covered the lost income of canceled parties. 
I'm about to permanently include a required deposit just for saving the date. Yes, I'll get fewer offers, but at least the offers I will receive will offset the loss. I'm hoping in the long run, as word spreads, I'll end up with more bookings from people who are willing to pay what I ask  and fewer cancellations....at least the cancellation will be after a deposit has been paid which will help cover the cost of my practicing while waiting for their event.....

I go through a lot of paint practicing before a booked event, because I know they will be taking pictures at the party so I want my faces on point.so a cancellation meant wasted funds.