Marketing for Masquerade Balls?

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

This weekend, I received a request from a Kujiji ad that I placed. The woman, a band singer, wanted her face done up for the Masquerade Ball that she was performing at. She didn't want to deal with a real mask moving around or taking it off cuz it's not very comfy.

She brought her gown and jewelry to my house and we had a great time. Using lots of metallic colors (silver, gold, bronze) and some glittery cremes, she turned out beautifully. She couldn't stop looking in the mirror and hugging me.

It made me think...should we market ourselves to organizations who do masquerades and provide a staff to do all of the guests. That would be a blast! They could write our fees into the cost of the event. Maybe contact ballrooms and hotels? Just thinking...

[Sherry]

Gosh, I don't know.  This is a world I really don't know much about.  I'm curious if this is a regional thing, because I really haven't heard of balls happening very often.  Or maybe it's one of those things that you don't notice until you start watching for it.

[Alison]

When is Mardi-Gras?

[Sherry]

I found this on a Mardi Gras FAQ site:

1. When is Mardi Gras Day 2010?

Mardi Gras day in 2010 is February 16. Mardi Gras Day (which is also Fat Tuesday) is the last day of the Mardi Gras Carnival season. Mardi Gras day falls on a different day each year. It is always 46 days before Easter.

2. When does Mardi Gras officially start?

Mardi Gras officially starts at Twelfth Night, which occurs 12 days after Christmas on January 6th. There are several celebrations around the city, and it is a great day here in New Orleans. It means for us King Cake Lovers, that the bakeries around town will have King Cake for sale!!!!.

[Alison]

Okay Friends ~

So what specific positive action
can we all take now
to make sure we're involved this year?
Instead of just waiting to see if we get called.

Let's think up one or two simple specific things we can do,
everybody do it,
and report back here if anything came of it.

What do you say?

[Party Picassos Facepainting]

I was thinking of getting information to hotels, where masquerades can be happening ANY time of year!
Including photos of several "masks."

[Sherry]

Things I have been doing is getting into the local Farmers and Arts Market here and the Artwalk.  I'll be doing the Farmer's Market tomorrow and then checking out another one that is pretty close to me.  I'll have to decide which I'd rather do.  Since moving to the big city, there is SO much opportunity for face painting.

Some things I haven't done yet, but have been contemplating is sending out mailings to some nightclubs.  I think it'd be nice to get into and would most likely be on an off day or time for face paintings.  I don't normally get night bookings for my face paintings.

I'll report back if I do end up pursuing this.

[Alison]

Yes - do.  Report back if you do anything.
Me - I'm just hoping to start preparing for next weekend's gig
and get out on time to today's figure drawing workshop
where I'm supposed to meet with my new friend.
And I want to go to the store to buy a 'drawer'? 'hassock'? or something to put away my extra Sample photos before going.....  When to do Marketing?

Do you pay to be in the Farmers Markets/Arts Markets/Artwalk sort of things Sherry?

[Sherry]

The Artwalk is free.  The Famer's Market closer to me is $15 a day, or $12 a day if you pay 4 weeks in advance.  The one that's in a much busier area is charging $30 a day.  The downtown one also charges $30 each Saturday.  That was the first one I applied to ,but they turned me down. 

I'm not so sure about the $12 one.  I went today and only made $5 over the $12 I paid to be there.  We'll see if things pick up.  I've paid for 3 more weekends.

[Alison]

These prices are definitely do-able.  Even if you had to forfeit your money when a real gig comes in.
I wish I could find stuff like this in my area (Long Island).  Where would I start looking?  Do things like
the Farmers Market have other people doing this sort of stuff too, or did you just add yourself in with
the fruits and vegetables?

I'm Soo sorry you made so little today. 
That sort of scene can feel even more discouraging than just the lack of money.
Are you allright?  You do know of course that there are some 'dead' places - because
you obviously do much better at other places.
(I forgot - Is your Chik-Fil-A retail?  Or do they pay you by the hour to be there?)

[Sherry]

The downtown market is actually called "The Arts Market" and they already had a face painter, but she's not there every weekend, so I thought there would be a place for me.  I found out about them through one of the artists that work with me.

The tiny "Green Market", I happened to see small signs along the road side when I would go grocery shopping.  It took me a few weeks to figure out where they were exactly.  I just happened to see their tents in a parking lot one Saturday while I was going to the bank.

The other market "The Farmers and Arts Market" I saw a sign for them when I was going to another store near where the Chick Fil A I paint at is.

I did a quick online search for Long Island markets and found this:

http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/regionmetronassau.htm


Check out that link.  I've noticed that most farmer's markets don't sell just produce, they also have arts, crafts and home baked goods, so there's room for face painters I think.  It couldn't hurt to ask.

At Chick Fil A, they pay me to be there, so it's not a pay per face, which is good! 

[Alison]

Oh My Goodness - That's really great Sherry.  I printed it out - thinking that if I don't look into this, it's Really my own fault - I mean, you put it Right In Front of Me.  But, figures, they're only during my busy season.  I wish I could find some indoor venues for Now.

i'm glad Chick-Fil-A is a regular gig for you.  You go every week, right?

[Sherry]

No, I wish.  They call me when they need me.  It varies from one to 3 times a month.  I really need to get more restaurant work.  Things are starting to slow down in my neck of the woods, so maybe I'll have time soon to send them out.

I think I'll start a thread in the business section about letters to restaurants.

[Alison]

Send 'Them' out?  Do you mean letters to restaurants?

Do you just send them out in general to anywhere,
or do you only choose restaurants that have specific children/family events?

[Sherry]

I try to choose restaurants that I think might be receptive to the idea and the ones that I see advertising family or kids nights.