How To Find Fairs/Parties?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 11 Apr 2005, and now archived in the Forum Library.

satinangel	11 Apr 2005
How do you find out about reading opportunities??? Or start getting yourself out there reading in public?? Not that I am ready yet, but I am curious.

HudsonGray	11 Apr 2005
Our health food store has a monthly newsletter/magazine (newspaper paper, not a glossy zine) that lists anything New Age related, all upcoming events they're notified of go in at least a month in advance. Also, the Friday Cue section of our daily newspaper lists upcoming weekend events, these would include sf conventions, street fairs, carnivals, festivals, rummage sales for churches/organizations & farmers markets. A farmers market is a good place to get a table & give things a try. Also look for the small community newspapers (most are at the library) in their events section. Check with flyers posted at New Age/Occult/Bead & Rock stores.

Shade	11 Apr 2005
Mnay high schools have a grad night celebration which often features tarot readers.

satinangel	11 Apr 2005
Excellent advice! Both of you! Thank you for taking the time to respond! I know our Sr. High School has palm readers at their Sr. events....but I've not yet seen a Tarot Reader...maybe it's time the switch over! ;) HudsonGray! LOVE your signature!

tarotbear	11 Apr 2005
If you have a large group of coworkers who have some 'interest' in your reading cards, all you have to do is find someone and say 'Hey! You people are always asking if I do readings - why don't we have a 'tarot party' over someone's house some night soon?' That's more or less how I got started. If you have friends who have those 'candle parties' and ye olde 'tupperware parties', you can probably snag those people into a 'tarot party.' Fairs can be a little tougher ~ check New Age newspapers and stores. Usually, though, those things were set up far in advance, but if you can find the important person and show an interest, perhaps you can get a spot in the 'next' fair.

Umbrae	12 Apr 2005
I started reading in bars, and coffee shops. This takes planning and research. You have to first find a good pub/coffee-shop. No live music, and a clientele that you can relate with. Start hanging out. Get to know the workers and management. You want them to get to know you. You want to build a relationship with them. If workers and management are standoffish – find a new venue. This can take months… (If you’re close to Seattle – back in the 80’s, Wallingford was too yuppie, Ballard was cool. Now, Ballard is too yuppie – okay but some parts think they are…Cap hill and the U-district are still cool. Portland – head to Felony Flats (S.E.). You don’t want to be in a place where folks cannot afford to throw parties – but likewise you want to be in a place where folks are not ‘stuffy’ and look down their noses…you know, the pseudo-intellectual snobs…) Then casually take out your deck, while sitting…and don’t try to read for strangers. Allow the staff, time to get to understand and know you. You’re a regular, you’re nice, they like you, and you read cards. You pull out the cards and do a quick spread. You take notes (write stuff down – with a pencil - not a computer this is important…a computer makes you look too slick) Image is important. (one step at a time is crucial to this) Meanwhile get business cards made (lovely computer software allows you to do this all by yourself – make 10 at a time only – cuz you will want to tweak your layout. I prefer too simple. My cards look like a sixth grader put them together – that’s important. Everything is either right or left justified depending on how I feel when I print them. Leave one side of the face of the card empty. So remember your friends at the coffee-shop/pub? Often…usually…more times than not…if you just sit with a spread in front of you, somebody will walk up and ask if you “read the cards.” You must learn to answer in the affirmative. My stock answer when I was on the other side of the bar was always “It’s something I’m playing with…” People want to help me…back then, bar readings filled my tip jar. On this side of a bar, my answer is, “Yes, the Tarot is how I earn my living” You may want to use, “Tarot is how I feed my family”. (Regardless if it’s true). Tangential Insertion: Everybody wants something for free – “do you do free readings?” Free free free. I don’t charge for readings to make money. I charge for two other, and far more important reasons. First I want to discourage ‘free reading leeches’. They exist, and they will drag you down by literally ‘eating’ your time in small bites convincing you that you are acting out of love. Second, and this is important, a sitter will feel different about a free reading than a paid reading. Payment serves to unite the sitter to their reading – it moves it from ‘free entertainment’, to ‘an investment’. The difference in the reading (from the sitters point of view) is huge. So you never ever ever read for free (I have 6 people that I have granted lifetime free readings to…okay maybe 7 – all others pay cash). So they saw you sitting with your spread (I always am writing notes in a notebook – so it doesn’t look like I’m prowling…) and they ask if you ‘read the cards’. You answer, “It’s how I earn my living” They ask, “Could you read for me?” “You know, I dunno how management would feel…you’ll have to ask them.” And that is the key. They are asking permission from management if you (management’s friend) will read for them. Ain’t life grand? So you start to do readings in your pub/coffee-shop. That’s phase one. Phase two: Every sitter gets a business card. Your business card shall not contain your home phone or address. It can contain your cell-phone and e-mail address. Each reading should begin with either a year cycle or numerology reading on their name…cuz here’s the point. Remember your poorly designed business card? You need to have something to write (I use year cycle) in that blank section on the face of the card. You don’t write on the back of a card – you write on the front. “Your year number is Five. This may be an uncomfortable year for you. I call it the ‘year of the hitchiker’. You stick your thumb out and take your chances – be ready for what comes….” And you write it down and hand the card to them. People don’t toss business cards. They toss brouchures. Plus – you wrote something) on the card, that pertains directly to them.! They will not toss it. Sooner or later – somebody is going to go through their wallet and bang – the card – and they are going to refer a friend, call for a new appointment, or ask if you do parties. Fairs: There’s a few companies out here in the states that do traveling “Body Mind Spirit” fairs. They always rent tables to readers. You call up and reserve a space…. There are regular readers who travel with the show. Show management is responsible for advertising at each city. How are they? They are not bad. Not good either. For starters you have competition. Of the folks who walk in for readings, they have a pick of the 24 sitters there that day. 23 are regulars who show up year after year. The twenty fourth is you. Don’t go to fairs expecting to make money. Go to the fairs for the experience. It’s hard grueling work. Drink plenty of water, wash your hands after each reading…stay fresh…give each sitter a business card! The one ran out of Ashland Oregon is poorly managed. I’ve been playing with a new business card format… (I use My Business Cards from My Software – it’s cheap)… I am playing with a verticle format with my info at the bottom of the card. So their year number is above it – it looks cool as heck when you hand it to them…but it may look too cool, too slick…amateurish has always worked for me. Anyway – that’s my take.

satinangel	12 Apr 2005
Tarotbear and Umbrae, This is exactly the solid information I was looking for! I appreciate your sound advice! Thank you so much for taking the time to respond... Tarotbear ~ I love the idea of a Tarot party, with the old Tupperware gang! I am sure they will be up for it...Maybe when I gain a little more confidence!!! ~Almost there~ Umbrae, I think the U~Dist. would be a great place to start! Everything is so acceptable "down there!" Have not been down that way in ages though! Might have to venture down that way for coffee and see if it's changed! Also, thank you for the information about the business cards...I've already started using your advice in regards to the personal year and giving the querent that information at the beginning of the reading...however, had not thought about putting it on a business card... WOW! Lot's of information to digest! Thanks again, gentlemen!!!

tmgrl2	12 Apr 2005
Gee, Umbrae... Too bad you didn't have any suggestions!! Seriously, though, satinangel, when Umbrae speaks, I listen.... I've just decided to get some business cards...altho I still have a flyer that my sitters read (re my philosophy) while I set up our space. I love the idea of the space on the card for the year cycle. I don't have the nerve to go to a coffee shop (and pubs are out these years for me...) but... I just got another request today to do a "women's brunch" in the next month or two. Word of mouth and satisfied sitters, are definitely what will bring you business. I agree with Umbrae about the "value" added when one charges for the readings. I am moving into accepting a sliding scale, for example, when I know that my "usual" rates may be steep. I am also thinking of reducing my hourly, even though, readers in metaphysical shops and fairs here get $100 per hour and up. I feel that is too much. Also, when I first started reading live (not that long ago) I did some barters...reading for an hour massage...reading for personal trainer, reading for owner of gym... But after that first reading barter, unless we barter again, I charge. Anyhow, my masseuse asked me today, if I would come to her house this summer for a "gathering" of women who want readings. What a hoot! I look forward to this. I'm not comfortable with the bachelorette type, late-night, sitters being drunk type of setting. But I simply tell people, I read Tarot, and next thing I know I am being asked for readings. I could read more than I am, but want to conserve my time at this point. So...start out with the process of building a business, just as you work the reading event as a process...and over time, with intent and work, you will have what you draw toward you by how you go about the process of developing your work. Put the word out, set it up, do it, do your best, don't worry about the outcome...and move forward. Keep us posted. Always helps others when experience is shared. terri

satinangel	12 Apr 2005
tmgrl2 wrote: Gee, Umbrae... Too bad you didn't have any suggestions!! Seriously, though, satinangel, when Umbrae speaks, I listen.... terri, Thanks for your input as well and yes, I've already learned when Umbrae posts...I am drawn in to reading and learning! I love the whole "value added" idea and had not thought about that before...I do though terri, like your barter idea as well!!!! BTW, I am a Terri too, nice to see that you spell it correctly! Nice to meet you! Hope to speak with you more in the future.... I hope you all know, how much I value what you've chosen to share with me! SatinAngel

HudsonGray	12 Apr 2005
If you use the same type of spread for readings, I knew someone who had the idea of photocopying the spread (just squares where the cards would be, and the position meanings) with lots of white paper underneath on the page, so the person getting the reading could write in which cards were laid down & take notes on the actual reading itself. People seemed to like it and it makes the reading easier to remember.

firemaiden	13 Apr 2005
Wow, Umbrae, about the business cards - leaving room to write something personal about them, and they don't throw it out... that's positively brilliant. I gotta try that! (not with tarot).

Adjustment	13 Apr 2005
Thanks for such a great information Umbrae!!

tmgrl2	13 Apr 2005
Thanks, terri!! And thanks to everyone for input...we have several threads on this and similar topics, all of which have been helpful. Search and find.... terri

The How To Find Fairs/Parties? thread was originally posted on 11 Apr 2005 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.