OMG!! First possible gig! UPDATE! :(

****SAD UPDATE****

So I called back the "potential client" today to verify that they got my email and a guy answered the phone. I asked to speak to said client and he said that I had the wrong number. Ughh!

I'm bummed!

Facebook works wonders guys. I reshared my flyer on my wall and within 10 minutes I got a call inquiring about my rate. The gig is a bday party at a local playground. She doesn't want any huge full face masks just fast easy designs. As my first customer I only charged $60/hr (1hour minimum) and sent her the booking contract. So hopefully she commits. So excited!!! God provides! *crosses fingers*

ugghhh kinda nervous though HELP!!!

No need to be nervous...you have the skills, just paint!

Way to go! Facebook does wonders or Disney would not have full time employees to do the job...just wish we could all share ONE full time person. Suggest you clarify rain/shine in your contract, very important in outside bookings. When you arrive take a deep breath look at the setting and know where you want to set up when you walk over...even a tree to back your equipment up to helps provide a space that is yours. If you are unsure the old trick of taking a magic rope and putting it down to mark your space keeps kids out of your "stuff" and climbing up your back when you are focusing on painting your first gig.
Breath deep, smile big and collect the smiles and $$$

Thank you guys! skjfunny. I totally ask for details in my booking contract. I have an Event Description (theme, indoor/outdoor, anything I may need to know): section in the contract. And it's stated in the liability statements as well.

So happy!

Congrat!

Facebook rocks!

I'll keep my fingers crossed!
Let us know how it turns out!

Thanks guys!

Congratulations!

I've not had any bookings from facebook yet, but it's great to know that's a possibility

Have fun!!!

AWESOME! Crossing my fingers for you! I try hard to steer people to my Facebook page over my website because it's more interactive and I like to stay in people's peripherals on the off chance they might have forgotten about me come party booking time I like to put up a picture of a new design I've painted now and then, announce where I'll be if an event is public so maybe they can bring the kiddos down to get painted. Sometimes I'll offer up a deal to anyone who books by the end of the (day/week/month). Facebook is a phenomenal marketing tool.

A big congratulations! You earned your "good luck" by taking all those preliminary steps. I began a year ago, and by baby-stepping along, the steps got bigger and bigger. It's a journey, like a sleigh ride with lots of swoops and turns and highlights. Enjoy it. Sure, you'll be a bit on edge the first time out, but be sure to remember the FUN while you do the first one, and you'll have SUCH a happy day!

Congratulations!

)Joan

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement. I'm just hoping she decides to commit.

*sighs* I suspect someone was just trying to be nosy or find out details about my business but I'll stay positive.

Oh, Mika ... I hope you DO get the gig. But waiting is torture. Here's what I do, when I have a bad experience or a let-down. To make myself feel better, and to DO something, I just keep marketing. It's fun to think up places to approach, and to scour the newspapers and community bulletin boards for potential events. Sometimes I approach people in person, and sometimes I send a brief e-mail which includes photos of the work, explaining how face painting could add to their event. I just booked and completed a big event this past weekend, with that approach, and then got a birthday party out of that as well. But about a month ago, I had a gig that turned into a great bug giant time-sucking money-COSTING disaster. I had been so psyched for it, and then felt so let down. But I did that thing about dusting myself off and kept moving ... went out the very next afternoon, talking to businesses, fliers in hand. Action feels better than waiting on one person to call you.

I only began this a year ago, and only recently have the calls started to come in. Keep the faith! It'll happen for you. Just keep hanging in and telling the world about YOU!

) Joan