But you have other facepainters.......................

Hi all, this will probably be more of thinking aloud.

I was approached this week by a local group to FP at a holiday event they are planning. They have done this event in the past, all the activities are free. They hold a bake sale where the proceeds go back to the community.

This year the only change they are making is having a breakfast. They are selling tickets for this all you can eat pancake fest. The only other thing requiring spending money is the bake sale.

So they would like me to come and and paint but they want me to charge. No problem, then they tell me the catch, they are having volunteer pre-teens paint nose and whiskers on the kids for free. They want me for more elaborate designs. I explained to them at a meeting last night that parents are going to bypass me and go straight for the freebies. So they suggested I still come just to get my name out there. I asked how is that going to happen when no one is going to see my work becuase I have been overpowered by free whiskers!! So they want me to think about it.

I feel they are trying to "stronghold" me into stating I will do it for free. And we all know the expectation is there that if you do it once for free they want that to continue. I don't want to do it for free. This would be a great group to work with, and potential future gigs, but I don't want to burn bridges in my own community.

I thought of two choices to propose to them.

1. I will do PPF but they would have to nix the teens doing the freebies.
2. They can keep their freebies, but they have to pay me. I will give them a discounted rate, if they bawk at that then I will propose to set up a tip bucket to help them recoup the cost of hiring me.

Okay I thought of 3. I have it on my website. They could hire me, and sell tickets at their own price to recoup my cost and make more.

Any other suggestions?

Something similar happened to me a few months ago, however, I was not notified before hand that there would be others there, and the kids were using acrylic paint.

I was doing ppf and only made about forty bucks. It was a complete waste of time. I ended up leaving early. The only good thing that came out of it was that I was able to teach the people there about the dangers of acrylics. (it wasn't until after that that I actually started making money, because the directors put a stop to the teens).

Definitely give them those three choices. If they refuse to pick one, do not do it.

It's pretty high-risk even if there aren't freebie painters there. I'd offer them a reduced hourly rate and let them take it or leave it. I've learned the hard way not to do PPF unless it's a large festival or a pretty sure bet on having a line.

You could find a corporate sponsor to pay your fee.

And I would still say nix the freebies.

I'd say no. But that's just me. There will be other opportunities.

Free is just free and I don't think it does you any favours - just more calls for freebies. Refusing to do free raises your worth, by doing free you are lowering it.

And it is up to the "customer" to find a sponsor... you can suggest they find one, but I don't see it as my job to find it for them.

I would suggest the teens maybe do something else - like spray hair, or do nails, or apply fake tattoos. Otherwise you could end up trying to remove a lot of whiskers! I have never made very good money at school do's as they always limit how much I can charge, and therefore what I can offer.

Have the teens do rub on tattoos.
If it doesn't work... you get to either work for someone else full price or if it's a day off from work, have a great day with your family. Remember, you don't have to do it.

Thank you so much, I feel much better. I knew the answers but I guess I just needed a little bit of reassurance.

The suggestions about the rub on tattoos is great. I will suggest that in my proposal. I'll let you know what happens!

You have been given some great advice. We all need to really remember that doing it for free doesn't help us in the least.

And Shannon hit the nail on the head "Free is just free and I don't think it does you any favours - just more calls for freebies. Refusing to do free raises your worth, by doing free you are lowering it."

-Metina

Metina wrote:

And Shannon hit the nail on the head "Free is just free and I don't think it does you any favours - just more calls for freebies. Refusing to do free raises your worth, by doing free you are lowering it."

-Metina

How did you know I printed that out and put it on my inspiration board!

I have been in this situation TWICE and each time I suggested that there was totally room for BOTH - and I was right! There is an audience for both *free* cheekart and *paid* pro painting! REALLY! Give it a try! At both events I remember thinking that maybe the "free" stuff was actually *helping* my sales! It was pretty good for free cheek art, but some parents just encourage their children to get the BEST and thus when they see the cheap stuff they *will* spend for the good stuff! As long as there is enough foot traffic. If there is not enough foot traffic, then yes the free stuff will cut into your profits. But with enough traffic, it totally won't, and you will totally have a market for yourself. Give it a try!