FACE PAINTING CHAT UK

[dawnshipway01]

my kids school asked me if i do face painting for free i am on the committee (basically mums help the school. I do school discos,for £1.00 but last summer fairs i charge £4.00 as i'm there all day big line of kids which calls me the paint lady how cute is that,but this time there what me to paint all day for free.mmm can i say no but than i might lose out its hard...

[cawdella]

I facepaint for free for a couple of hours at my daughter's preschool at their summer and christmas fairs. Preschool does have their own set of snazaroo paints but I tend to use my own anyway. Would you be using your own paints? I think if you are painting for more than two hours you need to make sure that you are at least covering the material cost. I know it is tricky as you are a committee member ...

[Glyn]

this is always a tricky one.
Its the same as giving to charities..... there are some you would give to as they are ones you want to support for personal reasons.... and some that come to the door & you feel 'guilty ' if you do not give to what is (usually) still a worthy cause.

BUT! you cannot ( I asume) aford to give to EVERY charity that asks you.

If the school had a leak.... they would call a plumber....if it was a Dad who had a plumbing business would he be expected to do it for free?
If one of the dads or Mums was a landscape gardener....would school expect shrubs or trees to be planted for free?
( I know this is a bit of a silly reasoning as the county would sort these sort of items....but hope you get what I mean LOL)
So equally.... you cannot be expected to work for free for a whole day. Its your business....just the same as the plumber....it's just not percieved in the same way ( YET... that is starting to change )
Maybe you could offer to show half a dozen other parents how to paint a few designs....and help the school sourse some decent paints & brushes & sponges ( enough so everyone can help) .... ask the school PTA to purchase these & maybe offer to be the custodian ( so you know they will be looked after & stored properly for other events)
That way everyone wins.

[cassilissa]

I am on my kids schools PTA and I'm in 'charge' of the facepainting at summer/Christmas fairs,
I don't charge but I don't use my own paints, I have however made the PTA invest in decent paints, brushes, sponges etc and it also means it's all done hygienically.

I just feel that I'm giving something back to the school, even if it's only my time (and not my paints, lol)
My children go to a very small school I have to add and as it's also part of a parish (catholic) it's like a small community with 95% of parents chipping in and helping some way

[Glyn]

absolutly Linda....as I said....everyone wins!

[cassilissa]

xxxx

[LizzyB]

It was the school fete that allowed me to get the practice I needed when I first started out, and I continued to paint for free (using my own kit) until both of mine left. They had a team of about 4 volunteers who each took a turn on the day. The amount of paint used costs pennies, so unless you're turning down a paying job on that day (if you're on the committee I would imagine that you would be there anyway) it's good exposure.

You could just offer to do an hours shift with any other volunteers so you get to enjoy the rest of the day with your children. Just make sure you hand out your business cards.

Liz

[stuffster]

I agree with the others.

My kids school was where I started painting - if it wasnt for doing freebies for them, I would have never realised how much I love this, so I feel I kind of owe it to them. Besides, I love painting and Id rather do it unpaid , than turn up and watch another mum doing it worse!

I use the school's supply of snaz paints, but take along a couple of split pots and my own white and black, and I use my own brushes and sponges. I also insist that all the other mums painting use my sponges, one per child, cos I cant bear to see sponges re-used now.

If Im perfectly honest, it doesnt do my ego any harm to be painting alongside the other mums, and because I end up with all the kids fighting to be painted by "Daisy's mum, cos she's the best"!!

[jonobobo]

The mums and teachers always used to do the face painting at my kids school fete, a couple of years ago they asked if I would volunteer to help but instead I negotiated a pitch fee with them ( on the heavy side ) but at least then were all making something from it. I then charge whatever I want, I get another professional in to help so we get through the q quicker and the kids get better painting and the school committee get a nice lump sum and they don't have to worry about getting volunteers.
Also I don't have to worry about getting offered other work.
Jo xxx

[Pam]

The children and Parents at your childs school are your instant target clients for parties and other events surely.

This is one of the easiest promotion opportunities you have to get business. Dont focus on one days income, focus on the potential.

Make sure you have loads of cards and information for your marketing.. These are the easiest people to sell to as they 'know' you and will trust you to do a good job.. dont get bogged down by answering questions at the event, tell them to contact you on another day - or have a form they can fill in for you to contact Them and do so at a time that is more convenient - they will understand how busy you are on that day..

If you dont want to do the full day tell them you have other commitments and what hours you can do..

Pam
xx

[darkling]

I first started face painting at my boys' school about 2 years ago, which is when I realised how much I loved it! I now paint 3 times a year at school events - but the PTA purchased a nice kit for me and another volunteer to use (all Snazaroo but that's fine by me... I do use a couple of my own paints but try to stick with theirs if possible - with some nice brushes & lots of sponges), so it doesn't really cost me anything, and I'd much, much rather be face painting than standing on the tombola stall or trying to sell jam!! As said already, it gives all the parents a chance to see your painting, so is great advertising - my first few paid bookings were from parents who'd seen me painting at school.

[dawnshipway01]

[quote="Glyn"]this is always a tricky one.
Its the same as giving to charities..... there are some you would give to as they are ones you want to support for personal reasons.... and some that come to the door & you feel 'guilty ' if you do not give to what is (usually) still a worthy cause.

BUT! you cannot ( I asume) aford to give to EVERY charity that asks you.

If the school had a leak.... they would call a plumber....if it was a Dad who had a plumbing business would he be expected to do it for free?
If one of the dads or Mums was a landscape gardener....would school expect shrubs or trees to be planted for free?
( I know this is a bit of a silly reasoning as the county would sort these sort of items....but hope you get what I mean LOL)
So equally.... you cannot be expected to work for free for a whole day. Its your business....just the same as the plumber....it's just not percieved in the same way ( YET... that is starting to change )
Maybe you could offer to show half a dozen other parents how to paint a few designs....and help the school sourse some decent paints & brushes & sponges ( enough so everyone can help) .... ask the school PTA to purchase these & maybe offer to be the custodian ( so you know they will be looked after & stored properly for other events)
That way everyone wins.[/quote

Great advice,cherrs hun cant wait as this is a big advent for me as i get loads of kids coming,have to have a rota of helpers with decent paints/brushes...

[dawnshipway01]

Thank you great advice from everyone once again,think i will need more helpers this time as i had long Que and school can buy brushes/paints and my business cards good idea as all the mums know me now lol,but just in case more advertising brings more happy clients... its the best job as i see the children's face lights up with a big smile means a lot to me i'm a big softy really.Well good news i'm getting quicker but have to keep it simple lol