Please Help

[Bar27262]

Work Less

[OkiDoki]

About making your prices higher; you also got something that is called inflation. Everything gets more expensive so you have to go with that flow. Probably the best time to higher your prices is newyearsday like a lot of bussines do. It would be wanky if you would ask the same price as you did 10 years ago while the beer or bread is twice expencive as it was 10 years ago.

If you have the feeling you have to many gigs you are probably to cheep so yes raise your prices.

Another trick is to make you starting rate higher and then the longer they hire you the cheaper you become by the hour. In this way you become more interesting for a different market (shopping centres, markets, fairs etc.). Not doing 2 short gigs in one day but just doing one big gig and end up with the same salary but a lot less stress. Long gigs will burn you out much less because you will do more different things with all there own energy. Have a break by twisting balloons after a show for example. I personaly find birthdaypartys, weddings etc. at the end financially not very rewarding because of all the work it gives next to actually performing.

I agree with Fitzwilly. Do get in contact with collegues. The asset it gives you isn't comparable with the competition. I've myself a few colleques I do work together with sometimes. Also to whom I sent costumers if I can't (also makes it easier to say you can't) and vice versa. Further if one of us gets sick you have a back up.

I drive with a Navigation system and I would say to ALL clowns GET one it pays of. Only the time you save not having to find out the route at home and on the road will quiet quickly pays itself back. In the Netherland anyway for sure

Getting burned out yep it happens to me almost every year around Saint Nicolas. It's a Dutch tradition. 3 weeks before his birthday he comes over to bring presents to all the children. Kind of Santa Claus but then different. 3 weeks of going from one gig to the other and then being very happy he is going back to Spain.

Anyway good luck with it all and take it easy

[gz9c0b]

I feel burned out many tomes on the way to a gig; but somehow once I arrive, the clown in me takes over and I enjoy the gig. Sounds like good advice to raise your prices. I have done that and it seems like the 'quality' of the gig got better.

Lucky the Happy Hobo Clown
http://www.feelnlucky.com

[jakeg]

I think that I know exactly how you feel. I made the bulk of my living for many years doing a clown act. It got to a point that I hated to put on the make-up. I still do a kid's show, but now, although I still wear my clown costume jacket, I refuse to get into white face and have turned jobs down rather than do it. (I turned a job down 2 weeks ago.)
By the way, the tip about the GPS system is right on the money. It takes away a lot of the stress when doing multiple shows.