How to answer question about my rates?

This has happened several times while I am painting. A mom (or whoever) will come up to me and ask/grab a business card and ask "what are your rates?"

Last weekend when I was painting @ a more public event, I just directed them to my website. But I feel a little cornered and don't want to come off flipant at private birthday parties by telling them to go to my website. I want to continue to give a good impression but not necessarily talk money when I am painting.

Any suggestions?

If I am super busy I will give or tell them to take a card, otherwise I will answer the question at public events but generally not at private functions.

If someone asks what I charge for birthday parties I'll tell them - often I get home to emails wanting to book. If they are asking about a festival or other sort of event I tell them to call or email me for a quote.

I just say quickly that my rates start at $XXX per hour. If you would like to discuss pricing for your event please fill ut the contact me section on my website and i'll get you a price quote.

Gives them a bit of information, but a reason to contact you.

I will usually say that it is anywhere between $XX and $YYY for a party and they can find details on my website. It's not dismissing them completely, but they get an idea of a price in their head before looking at all the options... they can then realize that there must be several details involved in the price and they have some decisions to make.

I tell them I don't discuss money in front of children and ask them to call me. They take a business card off of the table and do.

I just tell them my prices and be done with it

I never discuss 'new business' while I'm working. I don't want to take time away from my current client. I simply hand them a card and tell them to either call me or send me an email and tell me about their event and I'll get back with them with a quote.

SuzySparkles wrote:I just tell them my prices and be done with it

Me too.

I let them know my rates. I also have a contact me form that they can write their name, phone # & email on if they want more info on pricing, where I can be found painting, etc. This form's been a great tool for getting me future gigs! People intend to call you, check your site, etc but they get busy & forget... If I call them, it's almost a given they'll hire me.

I also just tell them to go to my homepage and maybe the range. Especially if it is parents wanting to know the price for a birthday party and I am in the other end of the country. I know it will probably be to expensive so I don't want them to start almost promising the child I will be there.