Pricing on your hourly rate

[Alison]

They can bring as many people as they want - It's not my problem.
(Like, um, if they had big party with 200 people, and hired you for 2 hours.....
that's not unusual for me - The people who get painted
are the ones that get painted.

On my Contract, it says:
"As Many Faces As Can Be Painted
from______________ til _____________ (time)"
to make it clear that I work By The Hour.

I usually have extra time at the end -
If they want to Pay for an extra hour,
I'm glad to stay.

[artsyface39]

Hello
I have started my business for about 9 months now. I charge $50 for a min. of 2 hours. If they live in my area I will do an hour for $50. I feel like I have to start low and go from there because I am new in this business.

Questions: How much do you charge for big events? Restaurants? Libraries? I was asked to volunteer my time for Cure for Breast Cancer. I asked about a tip jar they agreed. Is this ok? Should I have charged even something?? They told me I can charge but I feel like if I charge for a small design will they be willing to pay? I think if I dont' charge I will get a better turn out. What are your thoughts???

I live in Colorado. The average price I have seen here is $75 per hour, of course there are up and down prices but this is the average.

I am marketing all businesses and I am not sure what to charge for some types of businesses. Thanks and this site is veryyyyyyy helpful to me:-))

[Sherry]

That's interesting Alison and something to think about.  Before they get to the contract part, do you let them know how many you can normally do per hour?

ArtsyFace, I think it's o.k. to charge a lower rate to get your name out there and to get some practice to improve your skills.  I remember how I felt starting out and how you feel unsure at times of what to charge and wondering if people would be willing to pay.  I think you should go with your gut and take a chance.  You'll learn what works and what doesn't work. 

I charge a lower rate for restaurants because it's a recurring gig and it's on a week night that doesn't normally interfere with other possible bookings.  Right now I only have one restaurant gig and I went with the rate that a local clown charged and it was $85 for 2 hours.  I'm planning to look for more restaurant work and I want to charge $50 an hour.  For any other corporate bookings I charge the same rate I charge all my customers and that's $75 an hour.

On the Cure for Breast Cancer event, maybe you can put out a tip jar and charge a small fee.  Have a sign that mentions the fee.  Then if you're not getting any business and you're getting worried, have a back up sign that says FREE face painting and you'll still have your tip jar out.  Just an idea.

[mrsito]

I'm finally able to access this site again! However, i can only do it through my phone and that part blows!!!!!
The party i was talking about did have some guests stay in line for pfp...i charged them 7 for each design but ended up making 10 for almost each one because they gave the extra 3 as tip...i was really shocked that the host would do that however....