Potential gig and some ?

I headed to my local farmers market this morning ( i live in a very small town) and am in the process of getting a booth- just waiting on the contractor agreement. But here's the cost breakdown: it is a $50 registration fee, which is good for the rest of the season(til Octoberish) I think that is reasonable. Here is what i need your opinons on- I can either paint for "free" at no charge to clients and work for tips- which I then keep 100% of my tips. Or... I can do price per face and have to five the market 5% of my sales. I honestly don't know if it will be a huge turn out ( while I was there for about 20 min- I counted about 15 kids there, plus I can of course advertise my business. Would love your imput on what you would do and suggestions!

I have been coming home from work every night and painting, painting, painting

Are the other vendors being asked to give 5% of their sales back to the market as well? (Just curious why they would ask you to do that.)

I would definitely take the PPF deal and give them the 5%. With tips, you could end up working a whole lot for virtually nothing. This is likely not a place where you will make much money, but it's a great way to start out. I got started with a monthly flea market, and worked it for a good 6 months or so before feeling confident enough to start taking private gigs (which I got from people I'd met at the market). Best of luck to you, whatever you decide!

I like the 5%. If you would happen to paint every child that was there....say 10 Faces at $5. That is $50. Then 5% is $2.50. Therefore you still pocket $47.50.

On tips or Donation means you might be painting for free because they aren't required to give you anything. Which means you could do the same amount of work but nothing to bring home. It is a little more of a gamble.

Of course it is up to you, but %5 really isnt anything.

5% isn't bad. If you made $100 then it's like giving one face painting for free

Yup go with 5%- but go ahead and set out a tip jar too!

THanks ladies, that's what I was thinking. 5% seems really reasonable. I do think all the vendors have to give that, I am still awaiting her email and I have some work to get going, but I figure you gotta learn as you go... and I don't know who on here said it "fake it til you make it" that is my new motto to live by

I'd go with the 5%. It seems like a better deal. FYI, you are a draw to their market & of value to them. My farmers market is happy to give me a free booth & let me come & go as I please & still charge what I want. If I have parties, I don't show up. If I don't I work the market. If it's raining like crazy & I know there will be no business, I'm not bound to be there. The market can be a great thing if done right, but it can also strap you down & keep you from bigger & better jobs if you're not careful.

The farmers markets I have worked with generally ask for a once a year membership fee and a weekly fee of anywhere between $30 and $60 each week you are at the market. I think %5 of sales sounds very reasonable.

I agree, 5% is very reasonable. If that had been an option for me, I would have taken it. The booth fee at our market is $15 weekly plus a $30 annual membership, and it is only from 8-12 once a week, so to pay $15 for 4 hours is pretty high. So I decided to paint for tips only, and they don't charge me a booth fee. I do it the same way as Linda, if I have another event I am not bound to be there.

I actually do quite well in tips, and I have been making more and more as people are getting educated... early in the season they mentioned in the market newsletter that I am donating my time and materials in support of the market, and I mention it to people every time I get an opportunity. I even get tips sometimes from people who aren't getting their child painted, because they like the notion of what I am doing. And doing it this way fits with my personal beliefs, because I do feel strongly about supporting local farmers and buying local. And I can honestly say to other non-profit organizations that I can't afford to paint for free for every charity and that I have already chosen my way of giving back to the community, but that I can offer them a reduced rate.

I do think it helps that I "seed" my tip jar with $5 bills and $2 coins; most people give me no less than $2 and I get a fair number of $5s. I never paint a kid unless the parents are there (I say that I "need permission") - that way they can't just send the kid over with a quarter. But, I never ever think badly if people don't tip - I am painting for free after all and it was my choice to do so. I take whatever I get graciously and always thank them with a big smile.

The best part is - I have gotten a few gigs from it, just last week I was approached by someone to paint for a large event. It's a charity also, but he stressed that they have an entertainment budget and would pay me my hourly rate. Karma works!

Fabtastic wrote:

I do think it helps that I "seed" my tip jar with $5 bills and $2 coins; most people give me no less than $2 and I get a fair number of $5s. I never paint a kid unless the parents are there (I say that I "need permission") - that way they can't just send the kid over with a quarter. But, I never ever think badly if people don't tip - I am painting for free after all and it was my choice to do so. I take whatever I get graciously and always thank them with a big smile.

I love this! Adults are more likely to tip decent if they are right in front of you.

Last yr, we were in Charleston, SC and approached by a balloonist for tips. My hubby had no clue what to pay her. He ended up giving her $5 per kid. She made a Shark and a Parrot.

So many people have no idea what we would charge if we were charging, that they don't have any idea what the service is worth. That's why I give lots of hints with the $5 bills in my jar. Although I am finding that more and more, people are recognizing me from festivals we have done, so they know what I usually charge and seem to tip accordingly. And I get the occasional one who says, "Do you know what they charge at Disney World for this?!?" - and hands me a ten dollar bill!! I LOVE them!! I want them to keep talking, and tell everyone!!

Of course, there are always some who decide that free means free, and I'm okay with that. I suspect that their kids would never get painted any other way...

I am toying with the idea of switching to PPF next year, for the sole reason that I don't want to contribute to facepainting becoming devalued; that people expect it to be free. If they get used to me being there nearly every week for free, they may pass by me at the festival... but so far it seems to be working the other way around.

I am still waiting to hear back, but I left a lot of messages around the area. I am one of those people who want to go NOW! LOL, i need to remember to be patient and just keep knocking on doors. I have gotten some good feed back for the calls I made. And I can't thank you all enough for your tips and suggestions! I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's artwork on their face book pages too!