I am sure it's been here before....rates

At the last face painting jam, a few of us got to talking about what to charge. There definitely is a vast array of experience in the group. On one hand, the newbies weren't comfortable with charging what the more experienced face painters charge and the more experienced didn't want the newbies to undercharge.

So, what would be a happy medium?

Don't you have a normal minimum freelance rate? Like if you hired one to fix your computer, cook for a dinner or so? Here it is around 50£ hour.

Hmm... I guess that makes sense Lone. Never thought of it that way.

I started out charging my make-up rate, then realized I was seriously gyping myself! What I charged to apply make-up to ONE person I was charging for an hour of face painting - duh!!

That changed fast!!!

I know newbies often feel they shouldn't charge "the going rate" BUT... there is a level where you need to consider costs and a wage in the calculation!!

You can use my spreadsheet to calculate your costs...

http://www.shannonfennell.com/CostPerFace.xls

Something I just added to my website recently that might help people think on a slightly different level too... I was looking at the Chuck E Cheese website because I know several people around here are going that route for parties and parties are my main thing as a clown... and they list their prices PER CHILD. So, while I'm not changing the fact that it costs $XXX to have me there for an hour for up to 12 kids, I added a line at the bottom of each package "Compare with other options at about $X per child for 12 kids!" It gives them rates in the same terminology as the competition even if what you are offering isn't the same.

So, think about how many kids you can do in that time frame and think about what the cost per child is and compare that with the costs of say McD's or Chuck E Cheese in your area for bdays? Just a thought

I had not thought of checking the ChuckECheeses or McD. Good idea.

I agree with Shannon. You have to know you costs to make sure you have covered your costs. Then there is wear and tear on the car and the value of your time.

Cover the basics and go up from there.

Shannon, your spreadsheet was a big help. It totally makes sense.

I'd be interested in finding out how many people actually follow a formula or just go by the local going rate.

How does one figure 'experience' into the equation?

Perry Noia wrote:Something I just added to my website recently that might help people think on a slightly different level too... I was looking at the Chuck E Cheese website because I know several people around here are going that route for parties and parties are my main thing as a clown... and they list their prices PER CHILD. So, while I'm not changing the fact that it costs $XXX to have me there for an hour for up to 12 kids, I added a line at the bottom of each package "Compare with other options at about $X per child for 12 kids!" It gives them rates in the same terminology as the competition even if what you are offering isn't the same.

So, think about how many kids you can do in that time frame and think about what the cost per child is and compare that with the costs of say McD's or Chuck E Cheese in your area for bdays? Just a thought

I like this idea of thinking like our customers! This is great!

Please keep in mind though that you might be faced with the customer who calls, says they are only inviting 10 guests and could you please only charge them the price per child for 10 kids? And oh, since they probably won't all come to the party, can you please only charge them for 8?

And it spirals from there as they might have 15 kids show up the party!

I love love love this kind of marketing though- relating to what our customers are searching for and really getting into their shoes is great!

I would consider keeping this information for the phone calls. This is just a thought too : )

~Michelle

To figure "experience" into the fee - with me, it is an increase in my rate over time... I started out at a fee that was the same as my straight make-up rate - realized that was a mistake, raised it... then for a couple of years I did an annual increase each January. My last increase was January 2007.

I am seriously thinking about increasing my flat hourly rate again this January... I know with the economy that seems contra-indicated BUT this year I have been getting comments from almost all who inquire along the lines of "Oh, that's very reasonable..." and have found out a local clown company is charging nearly $400 for ONE birthday party!! So I think it is time for an increase if I am being seen as the less expensive option!!