Just a little poll about raising your pricies.

Ivonne's response to another post in a different section got me thinking about raising rates and why we are all scared at first to just go ahead and do it.

So, if you have raised your rates (ever!), let the rest of us know how it went.

Let's encourage each other to no longer pander to the bargain shoppers. We want the best clients!

~Heff
P.S. I raised my rates by about 50% and I have never been so busy. So there

I raised mine recently, but found that I was suddenly completely dead in the water. As a result, I have completely reorganized the WAY that I charge for parties. I ended up taking my basic party back down, but left my deluxe at the higher price and added a couple other "levels" to it all for it to feel more customized. Things are evening out a bit now and I'm pushing the advertising more now.

I raise my rates regularly. However, I haven't raised my flat hourly rate for about 3 years due to the economy. I have made changes to my half and day rates and altered my packages so that the discounts aren't as generous - meaning I am making more for my multiple hour events without actually raising my rates.

My rate hasn't really ever been an issue - other than the people wanting "free", most will book me.

I've been getting more calls since raising my prices from 25 to 50. I'm only charging 50 at the moment and pretty sure my work doesn't justify charging more. I got a couple funny looks when I respond I charge $50/hr. Either they assumed I'm cheap because I'm young or my work is not so good, either way it's kind of insulting and now I'm scared if I raised to $75 the calls would stop coming in, and right now I could use every dollar I can make. Sorry for going off the subject, but just looking for advice...

Well as you keep working in the business and more people see you and the cards go out, the calls will start increasing too.

I think the whole theory behind raising the rates is to be a professional and a lot of people want professional. Not a hobbiest that may or may not show up. I too waivered when I started and was always a nervous wreck answering the phones

Now that I have a firm rate and can say it with confidence, I feel the professionalism comes through and I get hired more.

Don't forget your marketing though. You gotta make the phone ring first!

-Metina

I researched the going rates before I decided on mine and heard from very experienced artists like Pashur to charge that rate from the get-go because your skills will only develop and get better so don't be scared that you weren't "worth" that rate yet.

I recently restructured my prices & added packages w/ discounts(but still bring in more money in these packages). This won't bring me any extra money, but gives my daughters a raise(they are very happy). I plan to re-evaluate in January & possibly give myself a raise.

As mentioned before in the other post, I'm super busy. I also try to customize a package for them and that helps to. I also take into consideration their budget. If its way too low then no, but sometimes its reasonable and there is a comprise (limited designs, max participants, etc...)...basically whatever works for you and what you can live with.

I'm definitely flexible, but I advertise one price and would not consider lowering that advertised price.

Most people do not question it, but if someone does I'm always willing to work with people's budgets as long as it's reasonable.

I'm raising my rate in October because that when spring really kicks in here.
I'm getting booked out constantly and getting about 3 calls a day for a quote, and everyone I have quoted has called back and booked that I know of.
I think it might be that I'm one of the cheapest in Sydney, can't know for sure though - it's a BIG city. So I'm raising my rate to $80 p/h so that all the work backs off a bit... there is only one of me! - and then I can share more work with other artists because our rates will be closer in amount......
soooooooooo if this poll is right I may be in trouble, I might have it all backwards!

Firebird FX wrote:... I'm scared if I raised to $75 the calls would stop coming in...

The calls won't stop coming in. A jump from 50 to 75 an hour is not huge in the client's eyes.

~Heff

I always give myself an increase of $5.00 to $10.00 more every year. I am always firm on the price. I will be increasing my rates again in Jan by $10.00. My business is busy and no one has ever complained about the price. Remember you are the boss so give yourself a raise - your time away from your family is worth more that $50.00 per hour. If I see that people are no longer calling during the busy season I will lower them - but that has not happened. I am currently charging $115.00 for the first hour. There are other face painters charging less but I am still busy then they are and I still get tips.

Kathy, that's a great point, but what works for one person doesn't always work for another. I started just over a month ago and my face painting skills are below average if I work at a fast past, and I can only produce quality work at a slow pace. Secondly, my state is doing very bad economically. I only believe it's fair to charge what you're worth and I'm a $50/hr painter and that's fine with me for now until I feel I'm good enough to raise again.

You do very beautiful work by the way, very precise.

WOW, Kathy, didn't realized you where on here. HUGE fan of your work! I was gonna shoot you an email thru your site, but then thought maybe kinda goofy. Your work is a huge inspiration for me. Did I mention HUGE, hehehe! Funny just realized I'm being all star struck on a big fat forum. Guess that's a little goofier than a private message. But I'm guessing most understand. At any rate Wow to your work!

When I first started out I just charge $75.00 as my confidence grew I started raising the price. I got better everytime I took a class or went to a convention - no kidding. Others in my area don't want to spend the money to take the classes and their work stays the same. I had loses for over 3 years because I decided to invest in the training upfront (I couldn't draw a straight line when I began so I knew I needed help on how to do this the right way) and I spend money building up on the airbrush tattoos side of the business - I of course was able to declare the loses on my taxes - got more money back.

Thanks for the compliments on the work.
If anyone has any questions about anything just send me an email or call

Kathy

I put my prices up last week from $60 per hour to $80 per hour with a two hour min. booking.
I did this because I am often traveling over an hour to a job and an hour back, and it's always just for two hours of work.
It has been very quiet considering we just went into spring.
I only booked one job in the last week and that was because I gave him a discount because he's in my local area - at least it's a four hour booking.
I'm going to hang in there for a while but I'm starting to think the only reason I was getting all the bookings before is because I was on average $20 cheaper an hour then the next person.
The clients told me they chose me because they loved my work and my site...... don't think this was true they just didn't want to say they picked the cheapest. I wish more people would display their prices on their sites like I do. *sigh*

Tash wrote: I wish more people would display their prices on their sites like I do. *sigh*

I don't mind if everyone else does... but I won't!

The clown company that has been my main competitor over the years finally has a website... low on photos, but she does advertise her prices for her parties... quite a but more than me.

She advertises a 1 hour 15 minute party for $200 that includes: a clown, magic show, twist balloons AND full face painting for 8 children, extra kids are $6.50 each.

So if she takes 5 minutes per full face (and she is not super fast - she took one of my beginners classes several years back) that is 40 minutes, not including the sit down, ask, mirror etc... so that means there about a half hour left for a magic show AND balloons?

I still can't get my mind around HOW to do all that in so short a time frame.

BUT... I have got numerous bookings from people who say "is that all?" when I tell them my rates as they already talked to her! And I am not cheap.

Other than the clown no other painters in my area have a website...

Seriously though... I prefer NOT to publish as I can then feel out the inquiry and weed out the ones I'm not interested in and negotiate on the ones I really do want. If I want to price myself out of a job it is hard to do if my rates are publicized.

Makes complete sense.
I mainly do it so I don't have to do so many quotes - they can essentially quote themselves.
Do you get "fake" clients call asking for quotes that are other local painters that you know of? _ I guess you can't ever know for certain.

Well... other than this clown company, and Dawnie on here who paints at the Farmer's Market... and one other former student of mine who pops up every now and then... and the usual collection of "volunteers". If they want to call and ask my prices I won't be overwhelmed by calls!

There may be another one who is also a clown but I don't see her many places.

I too dont put my prices up b/c people that live down the street will most def have a lower price then say if I have to travel 45 min to get there. The number of children also affect the price.
1. Date of event
2. Time of event
3. Location of event
4. Number of children/guests participating
5. Services wanted (fp, bt, gt, or combo)
6. Time you would like for us to start.

I try to factor all these things then I reply back (via email as well for documentation) with a quote. Its good to get a feel for your client and I try to "sell myself" by trying to be convinient for them...making them feel secure and that things will get done properly if they hire me. Does that make sense?... I also ask if they have a budget if they seem unsure. I try to "make a package" that fits their budget, otherwise if I cant I either let them know that would be hard to find or I tell other painters their price and if someone is interested they can get the job.

I finally put my prices on my site. I think it helped my business because everyone else had theirs listed & it keeps me from haggling. Something about seeing it written down makes it more final. It hasn't stopped me from getting any jobs. I'm even selling more packages now! As far as travel fees go, they're listed too, so no one down the road is going to ask for a discount as they know there is none. I might raise my prices in January as I've spent a lot more $ this year investing into the business, training, etc. than ever before. That will be my 2nd raise since I started 6 yrs ago.

Shannon, how in the word does the clown do all that in an hour & 15 minutes?!

This was a huge thing for me in the beginning. I do not put prices on my promotional material (flyers, business card, mailers, etc) but I did eventually put them on my site. The unemployment rate is 9.2% in Missouri and 6.8% in Kansas. My prices are right in line with the competition and the economy for this area. I feel all right with posting them.

I don't shop with people who don't post their prices, so I post mine. My prices are the same for everyone, I don't haggle and I don't cut deals because someone is being a pain the butt. I believe our unemployment is hovering around 14%, but I too know that I'm comparable with what else is available in the area and most people seem to find my prices very reasonable.

Psalmbook wrote:
Shannon, how in the word does the clown do all that in an hour & 15 minutes?!

No idea... I've been told by people who have been at those parties that the face painting consisted of a series of dots on the forehead for a "princess"... they weren't impressed. But the new website specifically says "Full Face Painting"...

They then booked me for their party. So, it doesn't hurt my business in the least!

I do a show, balloons and face painting for up to 12 kids in an hour and a half... granted I paint faster than it was said she's seen this person paint. 1/2 hour show, 45 min face painting and 15 minutes of balloons (then run before they all pop).