Re: your email re face painting services
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Debbie Debuty
Jan 15, 2007, 3:14:11 PM1/15/07
to happy...@valornet.com, Face Paint Forum
Many people have emailed me. This is to everyone trying to get more
business or get started.
Go to the party supply and rental places. Take them your
advertisement info. Try to sit down or make an appt with the event
planners. Find out if and who they have to book for face painting. I
give one company 10.00 and hour cheaper rate if they book us. So they
make something for picking up the phone & booking us. We are dependable
and high quality so they love being able to offer us. Much of this
work is multiple hours. Yeah! Get your foot in the door even if you
have to offer doing a free party to the event planner. Make it personal
though. She has to be there. It could be for her children or a friend
but she has to be there. Or offer half price to the first event they
book you for then go in and see what they say. This is one worth
fighting for.
Another way to get lots of work. Get a restaurant job. Keep
approaching rest. to do kids night until you get one. It will get you
parties if you market to every kid. We will work for $50.00 an hour,
min. two hours, every week, plus a free meal, plus we must be able to
rec. tips. We make up our own 8 1/2' x 11' poster for their window to
advertise when we will be there. It is a full color photo of us etc.
We make sure every week the add is up and replace it when needed. If
you make them more successful they will keep you.
Also the phone book if you know you are going to live there and not move
away. It is expensive but pays off. The off brand phone books deliver
to everyone. Bell telephone phone books del. only to who has a Bell tel
account. So the best is the off brand book now. Many of them are not
printed yet for this year. My add I am approving right now so it's not
too late in my area. Go under the Party Services heading.
My business card is a magnet. People don't throw it away. They know
where to put it. I hand them out like candy. I tell the kids, "Here's
a picture of me and my friends that do parties. If you want me to come
to your party you can call me." Mine cost me about .22 each. It is
worth it.
Contact daycares. They have themes each week or month. If each child
brings in 3.00 that will pay your fee prob. Then you market to the kids
birthday parties. Day cares are good about sending home info. They all
have a cubbie the parents check.
Babies R Us has quarterly customer events. People can come set up and
advertise. You could paint. They don't usually pay but It's your
target market. They stuff all sales bags. They told me if we did an
event they would give anything away we wanted. We do a huge amount of
1 year parties so don't think that's too young.
Parks and Recreation. We did two events a year for them until some part
timer undercut us. Find out when tournaments are and do them. I have
been asked many times to do them.
Don't go do any event without spending time preparing signage or the
best advertisement for that type of event. I am very forward in
advertising at every event unless a booking agent booked me. I won't
step on their toes. I have only had one person tell me they didn't want
me to advertise at their party. Make your card attractive. Be
enthusiastic when giving it out. Your people skills are as important
as your art work. If you aren't fun and accommodating and using your
head to be painting in the right area facing the right direction etc.
you will miss out on future bookings. Make it your goal to help them
have the best event ever. At parties we _always_ make arrangements to
be face painting when they are eating or opening presents so they all
aren't just standing there getting bored and pushing each other or going
into the more private parts of the house. Sometimes you are booked
just because parents want someone to handle all those kids. Use your
head and meet that need. You may say "I"m not there to baby sit." Ok,
but parents are watching and thinking about their next party they have
to deal with. If you can do that too you will get much more
business. I make suggestions to parents all the time about how to
have a party or what to do first, second. Many times they aren't
keeping track of the time and what all they have to get done by a
certain time. I go find them and quietly make a suggestion. They
appreciate that you have their best interest on your mind. I get lots
of tips!!!
Paint The Town, DebDeb
business or get started.
Go to the party supply and rental places. Take them your
advertisement info. Try to sit down or make an appt with the event
planners. Find out if and who they have to book for face painting. I
give one company 10.00 and hour cheaper rate if they book us. So they
make something for picking up the phone & booking us. We are dependable
and high quality so they love being able to offer us. Much of this
work is multiple hours. Yeah! Get your foot in the door even if you
have to offer doing a free party to the event planner. Make it personal
though. She has to be there. It could be for her children or a friend
but she has to be there. Or offer half price to the first event they
book you for then go in and see what they say. This is one worth
fighting for.
Another way to get lots of work. Get a restaurant job. Keep
approaching rest. to do kids night until you get one. It will get you
parties if you market to every kid. We will work for $50.00 an hour,
min. two hours, every week, plus a free meal, plus we must be able to
rec. tips. We make up our own 8 1/2' x 11' poster for their window to
advertise when we will be there. It is a full color photo of us etc.
We make sure every week the add is up and replace it when needed. If
you make them more successful they will keep you.
Also the phone book if you know you are going to live there and not move
away. It is expensive but pays off. The off brand phone books deliver
to everyone. Bell telephone phone books del. only to who has a Bell tel
account. So the best is the off brand book now. Many of them are not
printed yet for this year. My add I am approving right now so it's not
too late in my area. Go under the Party Services heading.
My business card is a magnet. People don't throw it away. They know
where to put it. I hand them out like candy. I tell the kids, "Here's
a picture of me and my friends that do parties. If you want me to come
to your party you can call me." Mine cost me about .22 each. It is
worth it.
Contact daycares. They have themes each week or month. If each child
brings in 3.00 that will pay your fee prob. Then you market to the kids
birthday parties. Day cares are good about sending home info. They all
have a cubbie the parents check.
Babies R Us has quarterly customer events. People can come set up and
advertise. You could paint. They don't usually pay but It's your
target market. They stuff all sales bags. They told me if we did an
event they would give anything away we wanted. We do a huge amount of
1 year parties so don't think that's too young.
Parks and Recreation. We did two events a year for them until some part
timer undercut us. Find out when tournaments are and do them. I have
been asked many times to do them.
Don't go do any event without spending time preparing signage or the
best advertisement for that type of event. I am very forward in
advertising at every event unless a booking agent booked me. I won't
step on their toes. I have only had one person tell me they didn't want
me to advertise at their party. Make your card attractive. Be
enthusiastic when giving it out. Your people skills are as important
as your art work. If you aren't fun and accommodating and using your
head to be painting in the right area facing the right direction etc.
you will miss out on future bookings. Make it your goal to help them
have the best event ever. At parties we _always_ make arrangements to
be face painting when they are eating or opening presents so they all
aren't just standing there getting bored and pushing each other or going
into the more private parts of the house. Sometimes you are booked
just because parents want someone to handle all those kids. Use your
head and meet that need. You may say "I"m not there to baby sit." Ok,
but parents are watching and thinking about their next party they have
to deal with. If you can do that too you will get much more
business. I make suggestions to parents all the time about how to
have a party or what to do first, second. Many times they aren't
keeping track of the time and what all they have to get done by a
certain time. I go find them and quietly make a suggestion. They
appreciate that you have their best interest on your mind. I get lots
of tips!!!
Paint The Town, DebDeb
The Infotainer
Jan 15, 2007, 8:19:50 PM1/15/07
to Face Paint Forum
Some further observations on Debbie's post:
>> Go to the party supply and rental places. Take them your
advertisement info.
advertisement info.
Ideally, create marketing pieces that specifically target their market.
>> Try to sit down or make an appt with the event planners.
It's never professional to just call in anywhere. ALWAYS write / telephone
to make appointments. Then you are both prepared.
>> Find out if and who they have to book for face painting.
Obviously, information about your competition is useful
but much more
important to find out about who they book for, the kind of events and clients.
>> I give one company 10.00 and hour cheaper rate if they book us. So they
make something for picking up the phone & booking us.
make something for picking up the phone & booking us.
Undercutting to get business is a dangerous ploy. Why? Because if
THAT'S the reason you are getting booked, it's only a matter of time before
someone else comes along and does the same to you. This only serves to
someone else comes along and does the same to you. This only serves to
drive prices down, not where they should be going.
Always sell yourself on unique strengths and then you cannot be compared.
It's what's called as differentiation and they say: "Differentiate or Die!"
>> Another way to get lots of work. Get a
restaurant job.
I agree .... restaurants are great for building your client list (database).
You'll meet many people who will have parties later so your email
campaign can ensure you keep in touch until then. Don't worry too
much about big fees ... the value is in localish people who have disposable
income (that's why they are dining out!)
>> If you make them more successful they will keep you.
There are several ways of getting them see you as a success. Perhaps more
about that another time.
>> Also the phone book if you know you are going to live there and not
move
away. It is expensive but pays off.
away. It is expensive but pays off.
If you are competitive in what you offer then phone book listings can work. But
they do atract the kind of people who phone around for best prices. After all, they
have your competition right infront of them. But having a 'Unique Sales Proposition'
can squash those and give you an real unfair advantage.
>> My business card is a magnet.
What you really want to do is get their card! 'Marketing Magic' shows you how to
get contact details of potential customers and clients (suspects and prospects)
so that you can develop them until they are ready to book and buy.
All 'local' fairs, promotions and family gatherings are
great places to be seen.
About eight years ago I did a local park anniversary celebration for free. I got several
bookings from it, most notably one family that I have just completed my latest
job for since then, and the earnings from them up to £3050 (US$5946).
>> Your people skills are as important as your art work.
Absolutely, and your marketing is most important of all. You can have the greatest
talent in the world, but if nobody knows how to find you .....! An average artist with great marketing skills will always achieve more. However, I recommend trying to excel in all areas.
>> I make suggestions to parents all the time about how to have a party or what to
do first, second. They appreciate that you have their best interest on your mind.
Of course these are one of the many ways to get a booking in the first place. Be seen
as someone helpful. People book people they know, like and trust. So, an essential
part of your email campaign should be to 'nurture' your prospect list and convert them into bookers. Advice in all areas of their event is seen as valuable and keeps you where you need to be .... top of their mind!
All for now
John Gordon
Debbie Debuty
Jan 15, 2007, 9:46:27 PM1/15/07
to Infota...@btopenworld.com, Face Paint Forum
I'm not sure I made it clear explaining my pricing to the party
company. I don't come down 10.00 an hour from what someone else
charges. I went back and reread what I wrote and I didn't make it
clear. I hope people realize I don't go around undercutting others for
business. I'm not in favor of that type of behavior or business. A
booking agent is in business to make money. So I lower my price 10.00
an hour to them, so _my_ price for my services and their price for our
services is the same. If a client is shopping us both, the party
company doesn't look overpriced. They are quoted the same hourly rate.
We both benefit. They are usually booking multiple face painters and
multiple hours from me for big to very big events. For example the
last check I got from them was $1,080.00 in December for three elves
face painting one night. They made 120.00 off us. I can happily
afford to help them profit from using us. At anytime someone could
undercut me with them. But we are excellent in how we look, act, and
skills. They have security in hiring us. This is not driving down the
price of face painters in my area. I actually don't have anyone in
the four counties we serve going after the party service business full
time. So we are setting our price with almost no competition. You see
on occasion the person using acrylics doing cheek art but that's it. No
full time professionals like us unless they come through town doing a
fair airbrushing.
Paint The Town, DebDeb
company. I don't come down 10.00 an hour from what someone else
charges. I went back and reread what I wrote and I didn't make it
clear. I hope people realize I don't go around undercutting others for
business. I'm not in favor of that type of behavior or business. A
booking agent is in business to make money. So I lower my price 10.00
an hour to them, so _my_ price for my services and their price for our
services is the same. If a client is shopping us both, the party
company doesn't look overpriced. They are quoted the same hourly rate.
We both benefit. They are usually booking multiple face painters and
multiple hours from me for big to very big events. For example the
last check I got from them was $1,080.00 in December for three elves
face painting one night. They made 120.00 off us. I can happily
afford to help them profit from using us. At anytime someone could
undercut me with them. But we are excellent in how we look, act, and
skills. They have security in hiring us. This is not driving down the
price of face painters in my area. I actually don't have anyone in
the four counties we serve going after the party service business full
time. So we are setting our price with almost no competition. You see
on occasion the person using acrylics doing cheek art but that's it. No
full time professionals like us unless they come through town doing a
fair airbrushing.
Paint The Town, DebDeb
The Infotainer
Jan 16, 2007, 6:29:11 AM1/16/07
to Debbie Debuty, Infota...@btopenworld.com, Face Paint Forum
Debbie
I think I did understand correctly ... perhaps my reply wasn't clear either.
My whole strategy on pricing is different to what many practice and not
possible to grasp in just a few words. Also, as a strategy, it's tied up with
many different tactics and won't merely work by changing a single element.
>> So I lower my price 10.00 an hour to them, so _my_ price for my services and their price for our services is the same.
In fact I am cheaper to book through an agent. I wouldn't go out as low as they sell me for (including their commission). But people don't always like to do that as they don't get the same service as a direct booking. And I have other 'product' I offer exclusively and not available through agents.
>> If a client is shopping us both,
the party company doesn't look overpriced.
Absolutely. If you get a flow of work from anyone, you cannot "bite the hand that feeds you".
>> At anytime someone could undercut me with them.
Yes, that's what I was referring to. It is only becoming part of a downward spiral if a trend starts to offer the same excellence and security etc at a slightly lower price. And if a newcomer to the area wanted to get in with that booker, they may be inclined to try that believing it the only way to get a foot in the door. Of course it isn't, but competing on price is often seen as the way to go.
Sounds like you are lucky and have a great business in an area with no competition. Lucky you.
John
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