How do you get restaurant gigs?

Jacana, that's an awesome marketing idea!

I might have already posted this (and deleted it?) but I own a restaurant and I would never, in a million years allow a face painter to ppf. As an owner, here are the best things I've read that I would do/consider (if I wasnt already my own face painter, hehe!)

Offer the first night free to see if it works at that restaurant, THEN talk about your fee, it might not seem like so much after you have already made a bunch of kids and MOM's happy, DO NOT talk hourly wage, give the owner one quoted price for the evening ... Here's why, in most states the waitstaff will make less than minimum wage with the intent being that tips will make up the difference, just putting things into perspective yall .... My waitstaff start at $4.25 an hour, why would I pay a painter $60?

Second thing, I like Linda's button about tips vs. a tip jar put under someones nose, maybe a tip jar amongst the clutter on the table is okay too.

I very much liked "I tell people it is free (the restaurant is paying me)" from jacana - then customers realize face painting does cost money - but they are not the ones paying, does that make sense?

Another thought, getting back to original thread question, I am very face-to-face, I would be very likely to throw away something in the mail and never read it - I am CONSTANTLY bombarded with mail, emails, requests for donations and on and On and ON! Take one afternoon per week with your portfolio and stop in and say Please just five minutes...... Do not stop in during the dinner rush, hahaha! Try to already know the manager/owner name, it goes a long way

Maybe ppf at a pizza type place?? You have to pay to play pinball and/or shoot pool, why not ppf?

My restaurant is more fine dining a causal mountain ski resort/summer lake resort town. We are ranked #1 on tripadvisor.com for our area, the atmosphere is not a large town ...... Maybe in a large town where corporate restauarants all compete, there might be a different attitude about ppf.

So sorry to be long-winded. Maybe i should just keep my mouth shut, I hope I didnt upset anyone.

Lauri, What would you say the percentage of cost is compared to the monetary value of a GC. If the card is 50, is the actual cost for the restaurant 15? I wouldn't mind working for GC. This would allow me to bless families to a dinner out, and otherwise any name brand GC sells pretty close to value on Ebay. Even with seller and paypal fees you can prob get 42 for a 50 GC. That plus tips sounds pretty good to me if it's local.

Never thought of re-selling on the GC's.....
I'm in the middle of watching Inception and we're on a bathroom break , gotta go, he's callin' me

Been wanting to try this out myself...thanks for all the tips ladies!!!

Psalmbook wrote:This is how restaurants work where I'm at: I paint for 2 hours at around 1/2 my going rate. I'm allowed to politely pursue tips(I wear a BIG button saying "TIPS MAKE ME SMILE! THANK YOU!"), and a soft drink & meal per entertainer is part of the deal(since I'm working through dinner time). You could alternate balloon twisting & face painting or have 2 entertainers. The more services you offer, the better as a lot of restaurants want variety each week.
As far as advertising, we have a local website that lists all the restaurants that have free kids nights. I went their & complied a list. I emailed, sent post cards & called them or their corporate office. I'll offer the 1st night for free(tipping & meal will be included) so they can get a feel for what I do & then we negotiate from there. I've been a little lax in this & need to go after some more restaurants. They can get you tons of leads for future parties & events, it's great to facebook & email to let people know you'll be there & ask all your friends to come out & support you, etc.

Whom do you ask for when you call corporate office about a restaurant gig?
This one really needs face painting entertainment for customers waiting one to two hours for a table.
The other one just needs family night fun.
Could you share the email sent to corporate headquarters.
Special thanks,
Susan

sorry repeat

I am interested in doing this too.
what would be the cheapest you charge for working
a 2 hour face painting job in a restaurant ?
also
I have heard some places do not want to pay and expect you to work just for tips. that sounds pretty crummy to me.

I'm wondering what you would cahrge for this type of thing also if its going to be a regular gig.