Our local Y is wanting me to do a full hour of face painting, balloon characters, kareoke, games, and a small show for a summer camp kick off. I have no clue as to what to charge. There are expected 60 kids plus their parents! I have been doing clowning as ministry for about ten years but never for pay. I want to be fair but i don't want to cheat myself either. ANy advice would be helpful,

TIA
tiny t

you listed a lot of stuff for an hour, or did you mean 1 hr for each item? How long do they want you there? Expenses? Also call around and check what others in your area are charging.

They want me for one hour total. I will fit what I can into that hour.
tinyt

There are no clowns in or near this area. So there'sa really noone to compare with....The opportunty here is super for a business.

8O

Tiny T
For starters, welcome to the forum. We're glad you found us. :D

I just dont' see how you can cram all those activities into an hour and be fair to all the kids. Face Painting alone, if you spend five minutes on each face, that is still only 12 kids an hour! And no clown wants a kid to feel like they were left out. See if they would go for two hours instead, you could stroll and do balloons, , maybe sing too.
Face painting is a time consuming thing. even if you only paint "cheek art". It still takes time. I am torn as to what advice to give. One thing I do reccommend for face painters, is to make a sign to hang around a kids neck that says" I'm the last one in line." Thay way when you look down the line of eager participants and know you are going to run out of time, you can give this to the last kid to hand around their neck. This will tell any others that get in line that you WILL STOP then you are finished with this kid, and save dissappointing others.
I dunno, Level with the people. tell them what they want is more than one clown can handle for the time limit given and be fair to the kids who come.I myself would likely say a hundred bucks. then be prepared to stay an extra half hour to an hour if needed. Yes, you are there to fullfill their needs. but you are also there to make a lot of kids happy. and even two hours in only two minutes per kid. Doing basic balloons take about one minute each

http://clown-forum.com/ftopict-608.html
some more info on pricing to consider before quoting them.
Good Luck!

Thanks guys...the advice is appreciated. I have a young friend that is going to help w/faces. I don't know somehow 100 bucks seems cheap...i have two b-day parties booked for 80 dollars for one hour and theres only six kids. So if i provide candy, balloons, entertainment, prizes for the games, 10 bucks to the face painter, 100 bucks is less than $1:50 per child. I'm not the expert though I'm just trying to do the math. Does it sound to much to figure by the kid because, in my thinking $3. per child is $180. that is more fair i think. Is there anything else i sould consider?
tinyt

The hundred dollar figure applies to my area. For me, a hundred dollars is hi gor the area I am in. Enoinomically, WalMart is the biggest employer. IT makes it hard to get woork as a clown.
If you feel like one-eighty is reasonable, then go for it!

a lot depends on your area, here we econimally depressed with the main industry being the mills which have been slowly closing with around 400 more to loose their job soon. 180 would be to much here, big city could get more. If you expect 60 kids, I still don't see how you'll get them done even with 2 painters in 1 hour. If limited to 1 hour. I'd focus more on a performance type show with music, and some games so you could include the kids as much as possible. You could even include a balloon into the act to show you know balloons. But this would also make sure you're pretty much done in one hour.

You both have been very helpful. the idea of the "sign around the neck" is great! Sue, I was thinking the same thing about the performance. Our city runs about 18-20 thousand with no clowns and I know the kids would stand in line to have thier cheeks done. I may just cut that out completely. Thank you both for your help. I am glad to have found this forum.

Welcome Tiny T! I'm not sure of your demographics, but the Clown Forum staff is right that you can dicate your fees by demand, area, etc. I have never had a party that large (60 children), maybe 25 to 30 at most. I am in Southern California and have charged $150.00 for 90 minutes for 25 kids. AND that does not include face-painting. If you feel up to it, I don't think it would be unreasonable to work your one hour at the set price, then offer face-painting at a nominal fee for anyone that may want to "hang out" beyond your original time. Just a thought!

Can anyone possibly give a going rate for clowning in Northern California? Balloon Twisting would be included, but no face painting. Looking to set prices for a 1-hour show. Also, as a finale before the balloon twisting, there would be one magic trick....Balloon to Rabbit (where the rabbit would be a stuffed animal for the birthday child)

Thanks!

~ Missy

Hey, Missy, I can't help with your prices for
a bunch of reasons, but be sure to include the
costs of your stuffed Rabbit in your price, as
well as some money to cover gasoline and
makeup and balloons.

You might look in the yellow pages for some
local clowns and ask them how much they
charge for a birthday party for x number of
children, etc. Ask like you are going to book
them. Sad, but that is one way to find local
rates.


Ashes

You might look in the yellow pages for some
local clowns and ask them how much they
charge for a birthday party for x number of
children, etc. Ask like you are going to book
them. Sad, but that is one way to find local
rates.


Ashes

I thought about doing this but I didn't want to feel guilty, which is why I just asked openly here. But, if that is the standard....here goes..... *takes deep breath, cringes, and dials*

Thanks!

~ Missy

Welcome Missy!
This is about the only way to find these things out. Price is a subjective things. It. depends on area, number of clowns availible, Avereage wage, Blue collar workers VS. White collar workers. and of course, expertise.
Here in Southern Michigan, A birthday party for fifty dollars is viewed by many as rather extravigant. Where Gigi is in Florida, Fifty bucks is REALLY cheap for a clown at any level. ItJust something to find out. Also, I would put my prices at or below what others are charging. If the pros are getting $100. per hour, and you are truly at their level of ability, then charge it. If you feel you must charge a lower fee, then be honest with the people who wish to hire you. Tell them, you are just starting and offer them a One time discounted fee.
As has been said in other posts, figure how much it costs you to be a clown. How many faces can you get out of a container of clown white. If you can get 20 faces out of a six dollar container of white, then you are using 30 cents worth of white, same with other colors, if it costs you three bucks worth of makeup everytime you apply your face, then that money has to come from somewhere.
Also figure in mileage, and cost of balloons if you do twisting. I figure a cost of ten cents per balloon. They cost me about three or four cents each, but, again, average out breakage, and some creations can use two or three balloons. I generally try to get 25.00. Even if all I do is twist at a NPO ( not for profit) event. If you feel you have been overpaid, then donate some of what they gave you back to their cause. If you are doing to do this as a business then you must make a profit to cover your costs and keep the lights on. So to speak :wink:

Please do not get me wrong. I am a clown I go where I'm wanted. And More often than not, I do so for free. But if you are considering a career to pay the bills and put a little back for a nest egg, You must count the cost!

Good Luck!

Scruffy

Well, I got a lot of answering machines today (okay, so I really only called a few) but I did get one call back. I was quoted a rate of $150.00 for an award winning clown in our area. So, obviously, I wouldn't be able to charge that! I guess once I complete my routine and figure out exactly how long it is, etc. I will be able to better judge my worth.

Thanks for the help!

~ Missy

Just remember with hard work and practice, you might be anaward winning clown too!

Skills can be aquired and honed. Just never quittrying. And to keep your perspective, never forget why you started doing this in the first place.