HELP!! YMCA calling tomorrow for price.....

tinyt · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2005, 10:40 PM

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

saphireSue · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2005, 10:58 PM

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.

tinyt · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2005, 11:01 PM

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

tinyt · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2005, 11:04 PM

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.

Scruffy · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2005, 05:18 AM

8O

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

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!

tinyt · #6 (**permalink**) 05-25-2005, 09:54 AM

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

Scruffy · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2005, 04:13 PM

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!

saphireSue · #8 (**permalink**) 05-25-2005, 09:36 PM

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.

tinyt · #9 (**permalink**) 05-25-2005, 10:14 PM

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.

RedClownFred · #10 (**permalink**) 06-07-2005, 08:37 PM

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!