How to handle networking with other local face painters? What do you do?

I have recently had to turn down two gigs. One was for a birthday party and I recommended another painter that I have only spoken with on the phone. I have seen her work and it was good. The problem is that the day before the gig the painter canceled and so the client called me back. I did give her another name. This person was someone that I met at a local magician/ balloon festival. I had never seen their work but knew they used good paints.

There is not really a lot of professional painters in the area,there are several amateur painters. I mean several that tend to bid way to low. Then last week, I had to turn down another gig. The canceling face painter was booked per her noted Website schedule. She beat me to a festival so I knew she would not be able to do the party. I was unsure of what to do. If she had not have been booked I ran the risk of recommending a painter that may cancel for something better that comes their way.

I hated to miss out on a booking. I don't really know how to network with other painters. I wanted to refer jobs to others when I could not work but, I don't seem to get any leads from other painters either. I thought about training some other painters to work. But, I don't want to have to pay taxes on anyone. I thought I could maybe supply the paints/training/and split pay 50/50 or 40/60...then they could file a 1099 at the end of the year. What do you guys do? Would I just be creating more competition for myself? Any suggestions would be great.

If I can't work it, I give them the names and numbers of a couple other people, then it's not my problem anymore.... I get no money from the people I've referred, I just hope that they reciprocate once in a while. It's not worth the hassle of taking care of that stuff IMO. It's the client's problem if they can't find anyone, next time they'll have to call earlier.

I know a few people in the area here, but there are times when the person calling me was already referred by one of them and there isn't anyone left to suggest. Oh well.

Ditto what Perry said. I just give out contact info if I am not available.

Clients DO learn to book earlier, eventually!

I started a Jam because I thought there weren't many other painters in my area - I was wrong! I just wasn't in their circles.

The jam has given me access to so many more reliable face painters in my area. We use the email list to swap job opportunities back and forth.

My 2 cents

~Heff

You have a Jam????? And all the painters just came out of the woodwork? Pray tell us, was it the FP jam or the left-right game that I love, oops, I mean that they love so much???

Michelle, I love your Jams, You are the best jam leader ever. The left-right game is the bomb, I want to read it next time!!!!

Sorry everyone, I just wanted to publicly tell Michelle how wonderful she is, and her jams Rock.

Jenny

Thanks for all the great advice. I would like to be part of a jam...I don't think that there is one in this area.

There wasn't a jam in our area, so I started one. It's been slow going as most the face painters here just don't care to come. I have 2 ladies I trust to refer, but that's it. I want to refer to someone who's using good paints, has good work & a good business mind/reputation.

That is an idea to start one. I too want to make sure that I am referring someone that is professional and using paints that are safe. I guess in some way I feel that it reflects on me,even though I know that it really doesn't. I was so surprised when the customer had called me back asking for help at the canceled appointment.

Since I have not ever been to a jam I am a bit ignorant of what you do. Is it just a meeting like a social thing and you swap ideas and techniques?

I tried to start something closer to me without result. It would be good to have others to practice with but the guilds and jams are far away.

There's a more established clown in my area that refers clients to me when she's already booked (fairly often). So far I haven't had the chance to reciprocate yet. We each have our own specialties, so I don't think there are any competitive feelings between us.

Its a tricky one.
I dont know of any other painters in my area (and if there are they are jolly well hidden!) There are a few other entertainment companies that have face painting as part of a package, but I feel to low in the food chain to be referring, as in if I am busy, chances are they are too, or the do bigger jobs than me.

As for training up other painters, I have been trying that, but I have been finding it is really quite hard to find someone up to my standards. It is hard too, the splitting thing, so far I have just done a few small events so have kept their cash 'under the table', although I made the fatal mistake of just splitting 50/50 (straight after an event so I was not able to think clearly) and I forgot to take out the stall fee, the kitty I put in, the lunch money they already took out.... needless to say I came out very empty in the pocket.

I'm oragising a jam in my area for a few of us to get together. I was thinking about my friend who's more 'full time' than me. She works with a few young folk who need to up their game and I think it's in all our interests to have our facepainting so good that the difference between the pro and the amature is hugely apparent

Jams seem like the best way to network. I set up a workshop through my church and now I have volunteers for painting, assisting etc... Most of what I earn goes back into this project. I'm hoping to build a community based FP team that is available to paint for less fortunate families for a fraction of the cost.