AJ said:
Don't be surprised if some of the guests don't realize they have to pay you, that it isn't just part of the hosts entertainment. That happened to me once and I was mortified as I had zero cash with me, I seldom do.
Well, that is part of my education as a tarot reader it seems. I am actually quite shy but I have forced myself to tell people that I charge and how much. Just before this particular party I phoned the hostess just to nail down a few details. I told her that I would not be carrying cash on me and could not make change so however I was paid, it would have to be in cash only and the correct amount. I also re-iterated that in front of all the guests before I started to read as well as explained how I read. Everything worked out fine-I was paid promptly before the reading and in the right amount. It was a little awkward for me to say this but it was neccessary.
A similar situation happened to me as you, AJ only it was a one to one reading and not at a party:
A friend of mine at work (whose birthday is the same as mine so I do her archetypal year every year as a birthday present ) introduced me to a new co-worker last year who was just divorced and expressed an interest in getting a card reading. My friend told her about me and that I read cards. She introduced us and the new co-worker asked me for a card reading, which I did on my lunch hour for 30 minutes. She was happy with the reading, but then left and did not offer me a cent. But I hadn't stipulated anything either-I took it for granted that she would offer me something. I learned a lesson from that.
The other day this same woman approached me for a reading. I told her " Ok but my price is such and such for half an hour." I then gave her my business card. I don't know if she will call me and I don't really care. What is important is that I established that my services did have a price and it doesn't really matter how much , what matters is that I have my self respect from that transaction.
Next week, I am reading on a volunteer basis * for free* at my daughter's high school (and I let the school know that -I did this last year too). I will bring my business cards too as well as my email list and a poster of my "Tarot for Teens" course in the summer. I think it is important to give back to the community some way-and I can do that through tarot on occaision and don't mind it at all that I don't get paid.
That same evening I am scheduled to read at a hotel-I have two prices for different amounts of time reading which is spelled out on my sign. I paid a table fee of $50 , which I hope to re-coup but everything after that is gravy.