Family Fun Nights - At Restaurants

I was wondering if anyone has had success in setting up ongoing work at a restaurant. I know some places have family fun nights where kids eat free with an accompanying adult. I have postcards that I have sent and have even painted my daughter and gone into a few restaurants asking if they'd be interested. When I've done that the general managers were not there to see. Definitely a spur of the moment idea to come in and show some work. What's the best way to market your services for this kind of venue? It'd be really nice to set up some ongoing work. How do you sell the idea that it's good for them to have you there? Would it be wise to offer to let them have you come for a trial period (no charge) of 2 hours or so, so they can see what you can do?

I know that many have done this with success and hope to see some replies. But, I will offer my thoughts.

Why not call and schedule a time to come in and show the general manager. You will get turned down by some, but accepted by others. Just explain you only want 10 minutes to drop off some work samples and throw some ideas out.

Offer to come in and paint the staff one night or do sports themes if it is near a game. Focus on how this could boost their business and think of all of the ways to help, not just with the kids.

Do you balloon twist as well. The kids LOVE this and could help get your foot in the door as well. Even if you only learn 4 or 5 basic designs, it will get you started. That is what I did. I just learned some super basic things and then went ahead and put it on my business cards. The I got real serious about the twising and LOVE it. youtube is great for learning!

10 days and report back. I am going to throw my hat and the ring on this one as well. I need to do it.

Provide a list of the resturants, your mode of contact, a summary of the discussion and how it went. The prize will be a boost to your business, self confidence and you may have an ongoing gig on your calendar. Deadline is Sunday, Jan. 24th.

That's a great suggestion. You're on! Setting up a meeting with the general manager is a good way to go. I have a friend who does balloon twisting. She's asked me if I would like to learn so I can help her out on some larger events. I'll learn a few so I can do both when I go in to talk with the general managers.

I stopped in apple bees and hometown buffet with samples etc, and they seemed interested...anyone know any other restaurants that consider face painters for these "family fun" nights? A regular gig during the week would be awesome, even if it doesn't pay as much as weekend parties

I never recommend working for tips, but that's my personal experience.

You won't get your full hourly from a restaurant, but it's a trade off for the amount of advertising and exposure you can get for it. I've sent out things to restaurants here, I've approached a couple of them in the past, not much luck with it so far, but I will be going at it more aggressively soon... this spring I'll be filling in for a clown who is taking a "maternity leave" from a balloon twisting gig at a local restaurant. Only problem with this one for me is that it is through a clown who acts as an agent and so she's keeping a good chunk of the money as well as the requirement that only her cards can go out... But I figure it's a little bit of regular cash for a bit as well as a chance to see if I even like the restaurant scene for twisting.

I can say that sending out a letter with photos won't do anything for you, you'll need to go in and negotiate face to face. Making an appointment with the boss is probably a good idea. Let us know how it works out!

I just booked my first restaurant gig today! We're doing a trial run for 4 weeks and he's paying me. It'll be 5:30 - 7:30 pm one night a week. He didn't even ask to see my work! I did show it to him and he's going to put up 'free facepainting Tues eve' on the big 'read a board' sign he has on the restaurant street signage. I'm very excited! I start next Tues.

I was able to get something started at a local bowling alley on Saturdays...they seem to have lots of birthdays and leagues there that have children and challenged adults on that day. It is kinda like a jam for a non profilt clown group to which I belong....

Strictly for practice tho...no charge. My hope it to eventually move this to other venues, or a larger one where a face paint jam session can be started in the area. Gonna try some free advertising first and see how that goes. Great ideas on this forum....love it.

Catz,

Maybe have them say "BLAH BLAh Resturant is sponsoring complementary professional face painting" since FREE is such a 4 letter word in this biz.

Keep giving it away for free and you bring down the worth of everybody. If they charge you charge. I paint at the local Boys and Girls Club or my school when I need practice and want to do something good. For large events for both of them I charge but give a non profit rate.

Buster, why not see if the bowling alley will at least barter a trade for bowling or food since you will be meeting there and painting their customers for free. Once people get word that there are face painters there, it will be an added draw to their venue. Once it starts to drum up business for them, maybe negotiate a fee for your new guild (which is what you will have if you are holding regular jam sessions for a group of painters).
The money you earn as a group could go toward bringing in instructors to help your group improve their skills.

My boyfriend and I pull in a considerable chunk of our income from restaurants.

Ryan works them 5 nights a week and I work them 2-3 nights a week(I have class the other nights..)

We have a lot of restaurants that we rotate between.

Things to know about restaurants:

*You won't get your full hourly rate, BUT you'll get a guaranteed gig every week, during a slow night. Plus, you'll probably get tips, maybe not a lot, but enough to save up and get you to a convention(that's how I do it!)

*Restaurants like it when you can customize something for them. E.G. I have a cow print cover for my balloon pump when I work Chick Fil A's... The owners love it!

*Because of the repeat exposure, you will get 'regulars' that come and see you every week. They are the best! They make me smile, and challenge me with new ideas and they always have a hug waiting for me! Eventually you will work their b-day parties and school events.. and their family will see there, and then they will book you, and so on, and so on...

*also, I would recommend any books by Bruce Kalver... he pretty much spells out the process for you.... T Myers sells his stuff..

http://www4.mailordercentral.com/tmyersmagic/products.asp?dept=86

Too bad they are out of stock! Darn!