My Rates are too Low?

Hi....I am new to the face painting biz, and I had an "Aha" moment when reading a post from another member venting about facepainters charging low rates. I am probably way lower than most facepainters...almost ridiculously low considering... but I live in a low income area, a really small town in North Carolina, and face painting is just now catching on. I am gradually increasing my rates, but what would you say is the average rate for facepainters. I have seen $100 - $200 per hour, but honestly, with rates like that, I would get NO GIGS around here. I have just crept up to $60 from $35 a year ago. And as my client base increases, and my skill level increases, I can see myself charging maybe $75 - $80 TOPS. But even when I feel like I have "arrived", I would not feel comfortable charging even $100+ an hour. I guess because I teach full time, and work at a daycare part time....this is not my bread and butter...but rather something fun that I can also make a little money off of....Sorry so long...but just wanted to get a feel of what I really should be charging based on my skill level and location. If you'd like to see samples of my work, check out my photo album, or my website...www.happyfacesbytudi.webs.com.

Thanks!

Setting your prices is a calculation based on EVERYTHING that goes into your business and what the market will bear. Everything from insurance to gas...

I believe Shannon Fennell (forum member and very experienced in this biz) has actual calculation sheets posted on her site to figure this out if you need direction.

Hello and welcome to the forum by the way

I live in a slightly rural area, and many FP'ers here charge $25 (I don't see their work very often), one charges $150 (she is the best known in the area and everyone wants her). I am at $100 1st/$75 second hour, and am relatively new and I am getting a TON of work, since August (I started in late June). I might raise my rates in 2011 to $125/$100, but no more. I have to say that this area is NOT wealthy, and is somewhat rural (southcentral PA). When I raised my rates from $60/hour I got so much more business! Part of that is my marketing and super word-of-mouth, but part is that people simply want me more the higher my rate. Go figure. Just practice and practice and you will quickly be WORTH $80 or $100! Really!
Barbie

would the $150 person be Kerry Ann Smith? SHE IS AWESOMEEEEEEE

I live in a city area and I charge $60 an hour. I think that is reasonable.

Welcome to the forum!
I agree, check out Shannon's sheets to help you calculate your pricing. Your pricing should be comparable w/ what the market will bare. In a major metropolitan city a painter can charge $100 to even $200 an hour, but in more rural areas it might be as low as $60 an hour. I'm middle of the road in my city & plan on increasing my rates come January 2011. I figure that's the slow season & I'll need the increase to balance less business. I charge more now that when I started based off of training level, quality of products, advertising costs & insurance cost(to name a few). I even gave my teen daughters a raise a few months ago & have been as busy as ever(the were $20 a gig & now are $20 an hour). They'll get raises as they improve, practice & get drivers licences.

Hi... you can download my Excel spreadsheet from the link in my signature. It will help you figure out what you NEED to charge to cover your costs.

Shannon:

That sheet is genius. Thanks for sharing.

˙·٠•● Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ Welcome Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ●•٠·˙

hello and welcome

I think $60 is a reasonable price to start at. That's what I started at.
I have just lifted to $80 per hour with a two hour min and people seem hapy with that. The good thing is I now have room to offer a discount to my local area!
$35 is way to low to cover all of the costs involved plus your time.
I may never charge $100 per hour - and I live in a huge city - mainly because I could afford to hire myself at that rate, that's how i judge if I'm affordable.

I could never afford to hire myself at my own rates. But I am a cheapo and I don't cater to people like myself. I charge $100 per hour, and have plenty of business. I live in a very small town (we have a family dollar and that's about it) but I am between two larger cities where I work most of my gigs. Live in small town, be willing to travel. It's worth it.

To the original poster: It's SCARY raising your rates! Especially when you don't feel like people will be willing to pay them. I say, try it and see. I had to have another artist URGE me to raise mine from $60 to $100, and I am so thankful to her. (Thanks Arla Albers. But in the end it was the best thing I've ever done. I got even more calls, people treated me like a professional, and I made more money! I looked at your website and I think you are worth it. I don't know what you can get in your area - all areas are different, but if you can work in a larger nearby city then you should be able to make $100 per hour, easy. I feel like you should be at no less than $75 per hour, even in a lower-income city. It's a frightening thought, but take the plunge and see what happens. You can always lower them again if you start sinking.