What to do..........

[Glitterfly Faces]

I just rec'd an e-amil from some childrens group in my city asking me to volunteer at the 2010 festival face painting.
I replied that I don;t mind volunteering my time, but I cannot afford to volunteer my supplies.  I have a feeling that there are going to be a ton of kids at this thing.

What would you ladies have done?
And, if I do end up volunteering my time, what should I charge to cover the cost of my products?
I use all professional paints like you all and they are expensive.

Plus, not sure how many hours they expect me to be there.

Just need some advice from ya'll.
Thanks inadvance,
Kim

[MandiIlene]

In the past, if I had nothing to do, and felt like this was going to be a good marketing opportunity.

I made sure I could put out a tip jar to cover supplies,(but I would ask them first for the supply money, and if not tell them you will be soliciting tips to cover the expense.) If they have a problem tell them you would be willing to set up a display and hand out little temp tattoos (stapled to your card) or something, but not work for free.

I handed every person in line my card and told them I did parties.

I didn't stress about time, cause I figure I am here to talk to people and market myself, I don't care how long my line gets, its free.

I put together a small board of 12 of my fastest designs, 6 boy 6 girl and only painted those.

I brought a presentation trifold poster of my portfolio pieces, belly art, body paint, and nicest face paintings to show people what I could do, if paid by the hour. But explained that was not what I had time for today.

~*~Mandi~*~

[Alison]

In the first place, I would never work for free.
Why can the paint''store' (and the post office and the gasoline-station and the train-station etc)
be paid (either by me or by the client),
but I cannot be paid?
I used to have that problem when I was teaching art - Even though I was of course paid, it bothered me when I'd have to be reimbursed for supplies (things) which cost more than I did (a Professional who really cared about 'your' kids

So, I would either work by the hour or I would work retail.
If client said that everything else there is being offered for free, I would ask to be paid the same way they'd be paying the delicatessen (supermarket) etc. 
And Then, if it would be appropriate to work retail (free to client, but me charging the guests), I would also make it clear that I would only be there IF I didn't get a regular-paying gig for that day.  I would not want to be committed to retail if an hourly gig came up

It's when people are willing to work for free that cuts into our legitimate right to earn a living like everyone else. 

[Glitterfly Faces]

Perfect advice ladies.
Thank you so much.
I think I need to realize that just b/c I am newer to this, I am still selling a product and my time is valuable. 
I appreicate your advice.
Kim

[Shannon Fennell]

I have a "non-profit discount" that I offer, AT MY DISCRETION, to charities and not-for-profit groups.  If I feel generous I will offer them this discount and stress what my usual rate is.

The discount is about 65% of my usual hourly rate.  And for certain types of events like markets or craft sales I also expect to put out my tip jar which usually ensure I make my usual rate for the whole event (combining the discounted rate and the tips.)

I NEVER work for free.  I don't believe anyone should and don't think there is any justification in doing so - like it is good for exposure - because all it gets you is more requests to work for free from other groups.

Even with the discount I am still covering my overhead and taking minimum wage for the job.

I have had groups hire me and then sell tickets for face painting or get sponsors to cover my rate.

[Glitterfly Faces]

I got another call from Sears today.  They are having a gala on Dec10th and selling tickets.  I called back and she wants me to go and display my work at one of the cosmetic line counters for "exposure."
She got my flyer in the mail with my rates and proceeds to tell me that they are not paying for me to be there.  I can hand out business cards and no tip jar is allowed.
I told her thank you, BUT....No thank you.
Being a cosmetic sales person you know how much professional make up costs.  She had no reply.
She said they could pay me in a gift packet from the cosmetic line I work at.  WTF?  Are you kidding me?

Anyways, I just seem to be getting calls for free work.  Where are the paying customers?

The worst part is that Sears is charging $10 per person to attend their Gala in the store, during store hours and they can;t pay me for my services.   

[Sherry]

Hi Kim,

Do you have a website for your business?  I get a lot of paying customers online, especially the better corporate ones.  You can also contact the city.  Now that I'm registered with the city, I get a lot of good events working for their special events.

[Glitterfly Faces]

That is a great idea.  Thanks Sherry.
I try and find out more today.
Best wishes.
Kim

[Alison]

They are having a gala on Dec10th and selling tickets.
She got my flyer in the mail with my rates and proceeds to tell me that they are not paying for me to be there.  I can hand out business cards and no tip jar is allowed.
I told her thank you, BUT....No thank you.
Being a cosmetic sales person you know how much professional make up costs.  She had no reply.
She said they could pay me in a gift packet from the cosmetic line I work at.  WTF?  Are you kidding me?

I'm glad you weren't fooled into acting lilke a child.
I'm amazed at people who think that just admiring me - because they're impressed with me - would be enough to make me so happy to have the opportunity to work for free (or cheaper).

I'm not a baby.  This is real.  I have bills and responsibilities.

[Alison]

You can also contact the city.  Now that I'm registered with the city, I get a lot of good events working for their special events.

Contact the city, Sherry?  Register with the city?  How do you do that?

[Sherry]

I would contact the Office of Special Events for your city.  They contacted me initially.  I'm really not sure how they found me, but they contacted me and asked for a quote.  When they decided to hire me, they had me sign up.  I can't remember what it was called exactly, but it was where you sign up to be a vendor for the city.  I had to do that before they could hire me and write me a check.

[Alison]

Thanks Sherry ~ Always so much red tape to work for such Large organizations

[Shannon Fennell]

FYI... the Sears store here spends several hundreds of dollars on cakes, cookies and donuts every month for their "Customer Appreciation" days and sales (I take their orders!!)... I think they can pay a facepainter!!

And I work for the local government here quite a bit - city and county.  There's never been any "extra" paperwork... but we are rural!!

[Glitterfly Faces]

Exactly my thoughts.  And they are charging $10 a person to get into the Gala.  Not a fundraiser so, where is that money going?  Geesh. 
They said they could pay me with a nice gift basket from the cosmetic counter.  Uh....no thanks.

Thanks,
Kim

[twink-elle]

Hello,
I have children in the school who are part of activities with volunteer coaches and food prep people etc. so I don't feel like doing a couple of free events every year is out of line, even if I don't get any calls as a result I'm a hero to a lot of the kids in our community and that feels pretty good. We live in a small town (about 400 kids at the school) and there are lots of people who share their time, talents and resources to make it a great place to grow up. It is also a great example for the children to follow.
I do a lot of paid events and make good money-not many pay per face around here. Even the non-profit events have budgets for entertainment that they get from grant money or corporate sponsorship and I have several of those groups that hire me every year.
Good Luck,
Danica