Kahlie
Hey celeste,
I know your party is over, but here is some info on what I do with my clients/party requesters, it might help you.
I've noted that most of my party bookers only ask me about a Party like 2-3 weeks before hand, sometimes even less.... that's why I have my template for Price Quote's Handy and my own way of calculating what I think is fair.
So here's my deal:
Pricing consists of fee for traveling that I need to pay. I ask this up front as a deposit. They also get a signed confirmation form from me on what we agreed upon, as well as rules on cancellation, extra guests etc.
I then check what I'm going to do:
- How many guests per minute?
Then my pricing goes up, as it seems that I will be doing a lot of Readings quickly, which costs a lot of energy. Working 3 hours with 5-6 clients an hour (10 mins per client and no break!) really wears you out a lot more then working 3 hours with 6 clients (having around 25 mins a client and a break!)
Remind yourself that most people would enjoy if you would introduce yourself at the beginning of the party, so you would need to schedule time for that as well. Plus I always get there at least 15 mins early to set myself up.
- Workshop or Readings?
I also offer workshops which I've been hired for before on Hen's Parties etc. Since Workshops aren't as intensive as Readings, pricing is lower. It's because I let people do something themselves so I have breaks in it etc.
- Private or Corporate?
My Corporate pricing is higher, as frankly, first of all, companies can afford it, second of all, they usually have parties with a load of people (200), and expect you to do Readings for 'all who want it'. Which can be tricky!
Private Parties are usually people who are all interested, so you know how many guests you are going to go and get.
Decide for yourself how many hours you can work comfortably. I usually set cheaper rates for a Reading after a Workshop/Tarot Party, then I would do privately, BUT not if I'm going to go over 3 hours, then I'm tired afterwards and wouldn't really want to read that much.
So, for example, recently, I did a Tarot Reading Party for 4 People, with a short traveling distance (15 mins) from 10pm-12. Pricing was 125 euros, which would be $177. The host also offered me refreshments (which were very good). So I made around 50 euros an hour, as I also have to drive there. My normal rates for a private Reading are 45 euros an hour. However, then I just have one client, now I was sure of 4.
The host paid, but else, each participant would be paying 31.25 euros for Reading.
I also did a Workshop in June, with 10 people attending, also from 10pm-12pm, but the traveling distance was an hour, and costs for that would be 25 euros. So, I asked for 175 euros, which meant 150 was for me, and I worked 2 hours and traveled 2, So I made 37.50 an hour, albeit 2 hours I didn't work, but just sat in the car
Also, each participant would have paid 17,50 euro for a 2 hour workshop, which is also a very fair price.
Hope this helps on the party bit,
It's sad when people can't afford you, but Don't sell yourself short. You offer a service, they wouldn't be getting free massages even if that was good for them, because they can't afford it... or other discounted services... Tarot Reading is often a luxury somewhat, although most of my clients tell me it's necessary and I get bundles of thanks and gratitude...
Problem with pricing can be solved in many ways:
- Consider doing 30 mins Readings. I have those, which are 25, which is a bit more then half price, as traveling time still eats into what you do.
- Consider finding a place to do Readings. At the store, I offer 15 minutes, 15 euros Readings. I'm going to sit there anyway, and have my books or something else with me if I have no clients.
- Consider 2 for 1. If you really are desperate for more clients or want to build your client base up quick, you could consider a "bring a friend" type of Reading. They get one, their friend gets one free. This way word of mouth would spread very fast.
I felt for a long time that maybe my pricing was too much, as I didn't hit it off much, but also, this is part time for me, and I had just started.
When you get out of a 3,5 hour Reading (Couple Reading) and say you wish to give a discount, and they pay you 150 euros (discount of 7,50!), because frankly, they don't think more of a discount is fair and they really wish that they could do more for you... well... you are flabbergasted, but you think you must be doing something right at least
Kahlie
I know your party is over, but here is some info on what I do with my clients/party requesters, it might help you.
I've noted that most of my party bookers only ask me about a Party like 2-3 weeks before hand, sometimes even less.... that's why I have my template for Price Quote's Handy and my own way of calculating what I think is fair.
So here's my deal:
Pricing consists of fee for traveling that I need to pay. I ask this up front as a deposit. They also get a signed confirmation form from me on what we agreed upon, as well as rules on cancellation, extra guests etc.
I then check what I'm going to do:
- How many guests per minute?
Then my pricing goes up, as it seems that I will be doing a lot of Readings quickly, which costs a lot of energy. Working 3 hours with 5-6 clients an hour (10 mins per client and no break!) really wears you out a lot more then working 3 hours with 6 clients (having around 25 mins a client and a break!)
Remind yourself that most people would enjoy if you would introduce yourself at the beginning of the party, so you would need to schedule time for that as well. Plus I always get there at least 15 mins early to set myself up.
- Workshop or Readings?
I also offer workshops which I've been hired for before on Hen's Parties etc. Since Workshops aren't as intensive as Readings, pricing is lower. It's because I let people do something themselves so I have breaks in it etc.
- Private or Corporate?
My Corporate pricing is higher, as frankly, first of all, companies can afford it, second of all, they usually have parties with a load of people (200), and expect you to do Readings for 'all who want it'. Which can be tricky!
Private Parties are usually people who are all interested, so you know how many guests you are going to go and get.
Decide for yourself how many hours you can work comfortably. I usually set cheaper rates for a Reading after a Workshop/Tarot Party, then I would do privately, BUT not if I'm going to go over 3 hours, then I'm tired afterwards and wouldn't really want to read that much.
So, for example, recently, I did a Tarot Reading Party for 4 People, with a short traveling distance (15 mins) from 10pm-12. Pricing was 125 euros, which would be $177. The host also offered me refreshments (which were very good). So I made around 50 euros an hour, as I also have to drive there. My normal rates for a private Reading are 45 euros an hour. However, then I just have one client, now I was sure of 4.
The host paid, but else, each participant would be paying 31.25 euros for Reading.
I also did a Workshop in June, with 10 people attending, also from 10pm-12pm, but the traveling distance was an hour, and costs for that would be 25 euros. So, I asked for 175 euros, which meant 150 was for me, and I worked 2 hours and traveled 2, So I made 37.50 an hour, albeit 2 hours I didn't work, but just sat in the car
Also, each participant would have paid 17,50 euro for a 2 hour workshop, which is also a very fair price.
Hope this helps on the party bit,
It's sad when people can't afford you, but Don't sell yourself short. You offer a service, they wouldn't be getting free massages even if that was good for them, because they can't afford it... or other discounted services... Tarot Reading is often a luxury somewhat, although most of my clients tell me it's necessary and I get bundles of thanks and gratitude...
Problem with pricing can be solved in many ways:
- Consider doing 30 mins Readings. I have those, which are 25, which is a bit more then half price, as traveling time still eats into what you do.
- Consider finding a place to do Readings. At the store, I offer 15 minutes, 15 euros Readings. I'm going to sit there anyway, and have my books or something else with me if I have no clients.
- Consider 2 for 1. If you really are desperate for more clients or want to build your client base up quick, you could consider a "bring a friend" type of Reading. They get one, their friend gets one free. This way word of mouth would spread very fast.
I felt for a long time that maybe my pricing was too much, as I didn't hit it off much, but also, this is part time for me, and I had just started.
When you get out of a 3,5 hour Reading (Couple Reading) and say you wish to give a discount, and they pay you 150 euros (discount of 7,50!), because frankly, they don't think more of a discount is fair and they really wish that they could do more for you... well... you are flabbergasted, but you think you must be doing something right at least
Kahlie
