Advice on reading in public!!!!

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 24 Jul 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Kazz	24 Jul 2004
Hi all, Just got a phone call the other day, it was a woman who had seen my advertisement for my readings. She asked me if I were interested in reading at her fete that she is organising for next Saturday, I said 'oh yes I would love to '...I am very excited and I have never, ever read in a stall before. I would really love some advice and some handy tips from anyone here who has read in a fete, or psychic expo even, just any type of stall. I just would like to know if you should reduce your price from that of private home readings, and spend less time on a client etc....stick to simple spreads. I would love to hear what you all think about this I am very thrilled as I haven't advertised like this before, I usually only read for people that have been recommended to me from friends and family, and just word of mouth. I usually only do the readings in my home or at someone else home. I have read in a cafe but it was very, very small and in a very small town, so a fete or market type thing is significantly bigger than I am used to Thanks in advance Cheers Kazz

Eco74	24 Jul 2004
..but I have read some tips for it.. Mainly; DO stick to simple readings and hold it down to 3-5-card spreads. Both to keep the time down and to keep yourself from getting "overloaded". Have a few layouts in mind that you stick to during the event. A lower price for a simpler reading also "fits the bill" so to speak and you can always put up a little poster or hand out little cards saying "for more in depth readings contact " to those that seem inclined. Or just leave a little box of cards by the stall where people can take one on their own accord and think about it. Maybe they don't want a reading then and there, but may want to contact you later. And thirdly. Make sure you have plenty of water and "energycandy" because you might find yourself sitting there a lot longer than you anticipated and with a lot fewer breaks. Above all though, have fun! You will, I'm sure. :o)

Kazz	24 Jul 2004
Oh thankyou Eco74 That is what I thought of and I think I will have to get some cards made up as you made a good point about some people are not inclined to want a reading then and there. Oh gosh I have my daughters 6th birthday party later on in the day ( on that Saturday) and I don't want to be late for it, and I couldn't say no to this opportunity, so I have said that I will leave early. So lets hope that people are earlybirds that morning...lol;) Thanks for your tips Eco74 Cheers Kazz

Eco74	24 Jul 2004
And it may also be a good idea to put up a sign saying "stall closes at *time*" but with a few minutes (15 or so) to spare for the "latecomers". Leaving the little box of cards behind as you leave.... ;o)

Kazz	25 Jul 2004
I have practiced a couple of different spreads and I find that they are taking up about 10 min or so, so I could probably do 2 spreads .....one being a general and the other could be an answer to the querent's question ( if they want any thing specific). So all in all it should take about 20 -25-min to read for someone, but then again you never know what the reading will hold and it could take longer..:D.......so for 1/2 hour I have between 5 - 10 min, just in case....then I will allow myself at least 10 min in between (depending on how many people I get) Who knows, I may only get the odd one or two ( I hope it will be more than that) but you never know! Thanks Eco74 for your advice, I really appreciate it..:D:D Cheers Kazz

MeeWah	25 Jul 2004
Recommend practice using short spreads of 3, 5 &/or 7 card spreads in a given time frame, such as 15 minutes. To avoid looking at a clock during practice sessions, using a timer can be helpful for pacing purposes. Also practice out loud. I wrote various short spreads individually on index cards for reference purposes; also since I do not use certain spreads regularly & carried them with me. The organizer of the psychic faires I participated in was the proprietor of a head shop with a very large back room on the business premises. She charged a flat rate for a space which included providing a table & a table cover for each reader. It was recommended to keep the readings to 15 minutes with a flat rate of $15, the going rate. When it was not busy, I had some leeway with the time frame & also relied on judgement calls. Since the space was paid for in advance, what I actually charged was not such an issue. I accepted donations/ If a client had not $15 or planned to visit other readers, I accepted less. Some of the folks also gave tips. At the end of each session, I thanked the client & handed out at 2-3 business cards to each (towards repeat business & referrals). The business cards were left out on the table along with the reading decks. I also left business cards with the host business. Also recommend bringing refreshments for personal use especially water, protein snacks &/or fruit. Make a note of the location of the restroom in advance. During private sessions in my home & depending on the personal schedule, there is no particular time limit. The payment is a flat fee per session or by donation, depending on the client.

magpie9	26 Jul 2004
And just a little more free advice.... Dress up the stall or table to make it look interesting and attractive, maybe even Gypsy-ish or Psychic-like. Spread a deck or 2 out face up, to draw people to look at them. Have a 1-3 card spread that you can do in 5-7 minutes for $5, as well as a longer(10-15 min.) reading. If someone is really interested in a long(15-30min) reading but not right now, get them to go for the quickie now, and make an appointment right away to do the longer reading. That way, they are more likely to make an appointment and show up for it. A money jar is nice, as is a placard telling the rates. A coupon entitling them to a free reading after they send X # of paying customers to you can be useful too. I find it works better to mix and match a series of few-card layouts (1-7 cards) at these affairs, rather than one big layout, (like CC or the Gypsy). the smaller quicker layouts give you a lot more flexability as to direction and directly addressing the clients concerns. They also move a lot faster, and time is important at these events. Have a wonderful time, we're all rooting for you!!

ros	26 Jul 2004
~ extra ideas~ When I do readings I let them pull an angel card at the end of the reading. Diana Cooper, The Angels of Light is what I use, but any kind of card would do. These cards are very small and people like to get gifts even if it is just a card. Also you could give them 3 business cards and tell them if 3 people come to you for readings and give you cards with that clients name on it, they will get a free or 1/2 price reading. You will have 3 paid readings from one client. If only 2 of the cards come back you extra advertisment free!

Kazz	27 Jul 2004
Oh thanks guys for your advice, you are wonderful. I am feeling a little nervous about it actually, as to which spreads, will I do ok, what if I don;t get anyone, etc etc...but I have so many good short spreads, and I have been timing them, and I think I should be right in that dept. I have got to go and get some cool material for a table cloth as I do not have one, and I have to make a sign and some cards up. So I think once I have done that I should be feeling alot better about it.... I am really excited as I have always back out of the 'Markets' type public readings as I always thought it was too "gypsy" type, but I am looking forward to it ...A lady said to me that once I have done this I will want to do it all the time.... Here's hoping that I do ok!!! Thanks again guys for your support Cheers Kazz

Eco74	28 Jul 2004
Let us know how you feel about it afterwards. :o)

Kazz	30 Jul 2004
Well it's the 'eve' of my big day...(god I sound like a schoolgirl on her very first date..lol:D) I have bought a cool midnight blue velvetine cloth for my table cloth, and I have made up some cards for advertising and I have toss up a few ideas in the "what to charge" department, and after changing my mind a thousand times , I have decided to go with a flat rate of $15.00 a reading ( which will take around 10-15min) with the option of quickies and longer readings if need be at the time, depending on how many people are interested.. I have my candle and some sandlewood incense...and my trusty deck of cards, my amethyst crystal...(just a tiny one) for when I really need it....now I am ready!!!....LOL!!! Thankyou you all so very, very, much for you excellent advice and tips, and I will inform you all on how it went....OK.wish me luck!! Cheers Kazz

Alta	30 Jul 2004
A big Good Luck!!! from me. Oh, this sounds like fun. Have the best time and get some new paying customers. :)

lark	30 Jul 2004
Good Luck Kazz! Give us a full report when you get back. Sounds like you have everything... Don't forget a big bottle of water!!!!

lunakasha	30 Jul 2004
Best of luck to you Kazz!!!! I am anxious to hear all about it when you come back!!! :) Luna

Umbrae	30 Jul 2004
Drink LOTS of water

Ace	30 Jul 2004
Sorry I wasn't in on this discussion earlier, but a street fair I did last week left me totally wiped out and I did very few readings! So I have been off the forum for a few days. My advice: IF you can, keep to very simple minimumal spreads: 3 cards is good actually. I ask my customers to give me a topic "love", "career" etc You can't do "Everything" in 10-15 minutes! You might ask the cards to tell you what is the question being asked by the client by pulling one card before you begin, it helps narrow the focus some. Put up a sign stating price and amount of time you will spend. Truth in advertising! Use a timer if you can, it holds you to the time and prevents arguments. At the end of the time, if the client asks for more, you tell them the price for more, or better, give them a card and tell them to call you. But make sure you haven't led them to believe they MUST call you-just if they want to. FOr the rest, the others advice is sound. Drink LOTS of water, relax and HAVE FUN! and don't worry. I am discovering that even when I am not reading at a street fair, I am "on". The result is wipe out exhaustion at the end of the day. Try to plan on extra rest on the day after. Enjoy it, Kazz it is really a fun time! And please let us know how it goes!

Shade	30 Jul 2004
Not sure if you're still reading this but I've read for a number of charity events and here are a couple suggestions. If you have a way that you like to clear the cards between readings this is a good idea, perhaps a crystal or just a "laying on of hands" between people. Charge and schedule for time increments not per reading taht way you avoid people who seem to think taht becasue they're in the chair they are entitled to an hour of your time. Have a sign up sheet on hand so that there isn't any confusion about who is next and also so that people don't have to stand waiting looking over your shoulder as you read. The free gift idea that was mentioned earlier is good, I know of one reader who has a dish of very small crystals thta people pick from after a reading. Have LOTS of busines cards as people will be impressed and want to contact you.

Ace	30 Jul 2004
Good Advice, Shade! I was going to also add: ground, center and see if you can clear yourself during and especially after you are done. this is draining work, make sure to leave it behind when you leave.

Jeanette	30 Jul 2004
Good luck, Kazz, and Happy Birthday to your daughter as well! I hope you both have a wonderful, memorable day!!! Give the update ASAP!

HudsonGray	30 Jul 2004
After really draining events I always treated myself to a big sitdown dinner of meat -- either steak or barbecue -- to get the body back onto firm ground. A good meal right after will keep you from dragging for the next 2 or 3 days.

Ace	30 Jul 2004
I will try that. I usually get a protein craving about 2 days after I have a street fair, and finally get back to even. If I eat meat sooner, maybe I will recover faster. thanks!

psychiclayla	03 Aug 2004
Have a little saucer handy, labeled "Tips - Thank you" I put a couple of £1 coins in and that encourages people to do the same if they have enjoyed their reading. Sometimes folk really appreciate the effort you make in a reading and they want to give you something extra but don't know how much is appropriate. It's a real confidence-booster when someone tips you, especially when you're just starting out. Hope it all goes well for you on Saturday!

Kazz	04 Aug 2004
Ok..Ok..I back! I haven't been able to come on here for a couple of days, so i am sorry for the wait... Well all in all it was a good day....The stall was very small, only 5 stalls. It was mainly focused on Bellydancing....selling of clothing, jewellry and lessons on bellydancing, music etc...which was the main theme. There was one independant lady selling her own jewelry and another stall full of childrens toys, apart from them it was two big stalls full of bellydancing stuff and me, the tarot reader in the back corner...;) Very slow morning, and being winter, very cold in the hall where it was held...I had my first customer, a lady who came in to see teh bellydancing gear and then saw me and decided to have a reading. She was very blocked, I got nothing positive from her at all, then I thought, it's me, maybe my nerves etc...but I proceeded to read for her, and it went better as the reading went on...I charged $15.00 and the readings seemed to go for about 10-15min...I also offerred 1/2 hour readings, but the smaller was the most popular. My second lot of readings was the 3 girls who were selling belleydancing clothing at the stall, they all wanted a reading. They asked if I would exchange a reading for some jewelry and I said yes, I picked some lovely earrings and then they threw in a surprise necklace and $10.00 cash so I could read for the 3 of them......it was great:D Each one of the girls loved my reading, one stood out the most ...whom I was just blown away from what I got from her and her reading...in all the years I have been reading tarot, I have only ever had one other person who broke down in tears, and this day the second of my three wonderful ladies, did just that.....I will put another post in and tell you all about that reading. After I read for the 3 girls, another lady who was catering the event, wanted a reading also, and the lady who organised the whole thing, payed for it for her as a gift... She was my 5th and final reading for the day, and I had a ball. Considering how small the whole stall was, I was not expecting alot of people for readings as it was based around bellydancers and teachers etc.....so I was very pleased with how it all went for my first market readings. As each of the readings were done , the more acute they become. I think more so it was a case ....the more I was relaxed and at ease the more intuitive I became...and there was so much noise around me....there was bellydancing displays and music, and at one point the hall seemed full of people just dancing all aorund the place , yet I stayed focussed and conquered the day just fine:D:D:D Thankyou, to each and every one of you, who gave such great advice, it helped me immensely Update shorly on the readings I had.... Cheers Kazz

Sulis	04 Aug 2004
Sounds as though you had a really good day. I'm glad it went well for you :) Love Sulis xx

Flavio	04 Aug 2004
I read this thread with great excitement as the days passed to your "debut", I'm so glad you had a great day... I have no experience reading in public so I was unable to provide any useful advice, thnak s to this thread a lot of tips are now in my Journal. Congratulations again and look forward your threads on the girl's reading.

Dark Inquisitor	04 Aug 2004
Congratulations Kazz !! I am so glad it all went well for you . It sounds like you had a lot of fun too. Sometimes I think tarot is supposed to be fun and many of us lose sight of that .

Kazz	04 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Dark Inquisitor Sometimes I think tarot is supposed to be fun and many of us lose sight of that . Oh yes indeed!!!!...I can really relate to that! The same lady who rang me for that stall has invited me to set up shop at the end of her stall, at a multicultural festival on the 14th August, and of course I said YES!!.....the cost of each stall is $25.00 so she has said I can join her in her stall, but I have offered to pay half. It should be a lot bigger than last Saturday. So I am really looking forward to doing that one next week You guys are right about the "have plenty of water" thing, as after a couple of readings, I was a little drained and very dry...;) Ok I will get around to posting all about that reading very soon. Cheers Kazz

mota	04 Aug 2004
Do short, impulse readings...maybe 10 or 15 minutes for 10 bucks. You'll stay busy, but that isn't where your opportunity lies. There are two groups who will want more from you... First, people who aren't able to get through the line to see you. Second, those who want a longer reading than ten minutes...many of those who do the short readings will want the longer ones, the half hour or hour readings. In other words, have plenty of business cards and/or literature. They don't have to be fancy, you can just run them off on a computer. If people like you, they will call you. A well attended fair of any size will keep you busy for weeks to come with spin offs of private readings and entertainment events (covered in other threads here). Do as few readings for tradeouts as possible...despite your doubts it is obvious people like your readings. You are worth cash for your readings, psychic welfare seldom helps anyone. But I wander...though I can tell you this. A friend of mine and I used to sell palm readings at music festivals. We only charged five bucks for a ten minute reading. We typically went nonstop for five hours on friday night, twelve on saturday, and sundays usually five. That's twenty two hours at thirty bucks an hour...you will do better because you aren't underpriced. Good luck.

Jeanette	07 Aug 2004
Kazz, I am so happy for you! And, I wish I could have been there for the bellydancing "hafla" since I'm a bellydancer, too! What is it about tarot & bellydancing that goes together so well? Maybe that topic is for another time.....

Kazz	08 Aug 2004
Jeanette, I haven't seen alot of bellydancing, but I am mesmerised by it all. I didn't realize that alot of the bellydancers whom I have come to know just recently, are quite spiritual and wonderful people to be around. I am going to a multiculural festival with the same bellydancing teacher that invited me to her last stall. She has asked me to share her stall with her this Saturday...(I should do alot better as it is a bigger stall)...She is the most kindhearted and warm person I have met that I instantly clicked with in such a small space of time........The tarot and bellydancers do indeed go well together.....for some reason or another. Ok I promised I would let you know about one of my readings I had at the stall...... She was a youngish women, and very sweet from my initial meeting with her... I used a 7 card horseshoe spread that cover all thigns that to me are important...home/family....career.relationships......acheivements......energies......money/property......lessons.. The first seven cards usually tell me of what is happening around them presently, or just happened .. She had alot of tension in her life which affected her family and work environment, but nothing too bad that I could pick up on....the next 7 cards were very similar with alot of depressing energy around her that seemed not to be shaken off anytime soon, so I advised her that she really needed to let go of this sadness as it was affecting her in more ways than just her well being....I also picked up that she was seriously looking to spend money on a new car and with that I said it would help her to be focussed on something good and happy for a change.... Which she then replied by saying that she was looking at new cars the day before...I was happy for the confimation.. The 3rd lot of 7 cards were much better, very family orientated, more contentment, but still quite a bit of solitude..I told her that she should take up the invitations to outings and parties that were coming up as they would be great and give her something to look forward to... It was then that the last card hit me like a ton of bricks.....it was in the lessons and it was her mother. I told her that she should really listen to her mother as hse is trying to tell you something important and is worrried that you do not take her advice......Well then she bursts into tears..( at first I thought ...god her mother has died and she is freaking out) I grabbed her hands and just said 'honey just cry, get it out, everything will be ok believe me'...I got such a buzz through my body of grief, I couldn't let go of her hands... She then said that she had lost her baby around 3 months ago and that her mother has been at her and at her to slow down as she was really overdoing things...she feels she wished she had listened to her mother, so I just said that this was natures way of doing things and it was meant to be this way for now, and to stop putting it all yourself. At the end of the reading I asked her if she would like to ask a question. Her question was of course if she will fall pregnant anytime soon...I drew 3 cards and 3 swords was the first card (can't remember just now what the others were) I said to her 'no' not at this time she has too much grief and that she needs to heal before a new soul will come to her. She needs to get on with her life and try new things and then once she has given herself time to heal, a little soul will then choose you. She was so blown away from the reading and told me afterwards that a huge weight had been lifted off her and couldn't thank me enough..I was so grateful to have helped her and that made my whole weekend That reading and that woman will be in my thoughts for a very long time...unforgetable!! Cheers Kazz

Kazz	11 Aug 2004
I have another stall to set up on this coming Saturday at a much bigger festival. I think the spread I was using in the last stall, worked well enough in the time frame, so I think I should stick to that for this. One other thing....what if it is an outdoor venue??? Have any of you read outdoors, I mean, I have, but more a verandah type outdoor area rather than it be wide open... I gues the trouble with that can be .....Wind!!!!!...Now that would just play havoc with my candle, incense, not to mention my CARDS....:eek:.....lol Anyway I will definately let you all know about any good readings that I may have... Cheers Kazz

magpie9	11 Aug 2004
Pebbles, glass stones, runes, rocks, etc will keep the cards where you put them! And the tablecloth and flyers, too!! Will you have some sort of roof, for shade, or will you need a hat or umbrella? Good luck and have fun ;)

Jeanette	11 Aug 2004
WOW!!! What an awesome reading! You couldn't have done any better. You were definitely meant to help that woman at that particular time and place in her life. I'm sure you will receive many blessings in return for helping her in such a positive way. :) I just can't for the life of me understand why do people tend to think tarot is an evil thing and causes spiritual harm? Best of luck with your next time at your friend's stall! And, maybe you'll start bellydancing, too! It's SO much fun (and funny to watch, in my case)!

Grizabella	11 Aug 2004
I'm interested in this spread you called a 7 card horseshoe. But then you mention 3 lots of 7 cards. Can you explain this more and what each lot signifies? Do you just use the three lots of 7 or are there more? I think I'd find using this one to be more informative than just the single 7 card spread I use.

Kazz	11 Aug 2004
Thanks Jeanette, yes I can't understand why people tend to lean more towards the 'evil' side of thier thinking in regard to the tarot, when it can be such a spritual healing experience... Lyric, for most of my readings I use this 7 card 'horseshoe' spread as to me it always comes up as to what is happening around you now. So what I did for the stall was lay the first 7 cards out..... ...........................4 .................3................5 .................2................6 .................1................7 1. Home/Family 2. Work/Career 3. Relationships 4. Achievements 5. Energies 6. Money/Property 7. Lesson to be learned Almost always this spread comes up and is indicated by most querents that it is what is going on around them now, so.... I then get them to pull another 7 cards and place them over the top of the existing 7, which is what should be about to happen in those areas, then I get them to pull another 7 for a more "what's ahead'. But sometimes it doesnt work out that way the cards may want to tell you another story and I find doing it like this, most querents can relate as it is basically going on in thier lives or just about to. Most people are more likely to believe in you gift when you can tell them something they already know is happening or about to, when they haven't said anything about them selves.. Hope this helps Lyric, please let me know if anything is unclear...(as I tend not make much sense when trying to explain something..lol) Cheers Kazz

Ace	12 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Kazz I have another stall to set up on this coming Saturday at a much bigger festival. I think the spread I was using in the last stall, worked well enough in the time frame, so I think I should stick to that for this. One other thing....what if it is an outdoor venue??? Have any of you read outdoors, I mean, I have, but more a verandah type outdoor area rather than it be wide open... I gues the trouble with that can be .....Wind!!!!!...Now that would just play havoc with my candle, incense, not to mention my CARDS....:eek:.....lol Reading outside can be challanging! I have a picture of me on my website reading in downtown Chicago in October-and holding down my cards for dear life! I usually lose a card each year I did that particular event, Chicago, you know, is the Windy City! So one idea for an outdoor and maybe windy venue: don't take a favorite deck, take a couple of decks just in case you lose a card (I can't find anything I like to use to hold down my cards. if it weighs enough, it is too big. if it is small and attractive, it doesn't stop them from blowing and flipping) I haven't tried big washers yet, I may check out a hardware store. As for other props, you might leave lighted candles home, they can be dangerous in crowds anyway. And this is a funny story: I had a prop glass ball filled with bubbles on my table (people get a kick out of my "crystal ball") One day I noticed that one of my cards had a tiny hole burned in it. I was disgusted, I thought someone had used my deck as a cigarette prop. Finally, I stopped taking the ball to outdoor venues when someone tucked his $5 for his reading under it, and it suddenly caught fire! (there was a little stream of smoke rising from the bill!) The ball was concentrating the sunlight like a magnafying glass and burning things!

Jeanette	12 Aug 2004
OMG, that must have been quite a shock to see what your "crystal ball" was doing! As for the wind problem, maybe you could use a table with a "border" around it, maybe an inch or two high? Sort of like a frame, or walls, that might keep the wind away some. Or even a large tray that has high sides? It could be decorated very prettily, of course! :)

ambermoon	12 Aug 2004
What if you put a magnet board underneath your reading cloth, and used various small magnets to hold the cards down. Maybe glue some crystals to the magnets to make them look nice.

The Advice on reading in public!!!! thread was originally posted on 24 Jul 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.