My first inquiry for a quote-Help Please

A local car dealership was first inquiring about my wood art for events, but now they also want to know how much I charge for face painting.

I sent an email asking for more details such as where the event will be and roughly how many faces they expect to be painted.

I charge $80 per hour. (just starting out). They are asking I do 5 hours 4th of July so that would be $400. If it is at their dealership I was thinking of giving a 20% discount off that because there probably won't be that many kids. If it is at the City's annual event, than I can expect hundreds! So I was thinking of just keeping it at my normal rate due to the higher quantity of faces that I will paint.

What do you think? Any feedback is appreciated 

Ruby,
$80 an hour is a respectable amount to charge. Charge your rate. It's a holiday, so I'd treat it like a weekend day. I don't do discounts on weekend days. 
Besides, How many kids show up to be painted isn't really your concern. (unless they expected a huge crowd and you need more painters.) If there are few, make them really spectacular. Go all out with bling and details. If there are many, simplify and rock out as many as you can.

Thank you for your insight  Cant wait to have this experience to get rid of these nerves haha. If its at the festival at the park than i can expect a lot. Especially since the dealership is paying me to be there with them and it may not be a ppf gig. More like a special treat to visit their booth. I'll keep it simple but nice!

I would stick with your $80/hr rate either way.  You are being paid for your time, however many or few faces you end up painting...the crowd size is up to the event organizer, not you.  As long as your regular rate makes you feel well compensated if it is a CRAZY busy gig, you're covered!

I hate just standing around especially if I'm paid to be there, so if for some reason there are hardly any kids I start painting adults.

Just wanted to give this a bump. It has helped me with my pricing. I am going to start asking questions before I quote a price, cross streets, how many guests, time wanted at party, and price from there. I think I will look into a click counter and do a PPF for after amount quoted. Maybe. . . Still not sure, I was doing additional half hr pricing but still trying to perfect things and see what is easiest and what I might like best.

I charge for my time, and occasionally for out of pocket supplies, such as gems, glitter gel, sponges.

if I have to bling up a design, it cost extra.



in the long run, for every hour I've ever been "overpaid" due to nobody arriving, I have 2 hours where I was severely underpaid for being misquoted and double the guests arrived.