Category: BUSINESS

Posts about running a face painting business

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KEEPING A Good Agent

I am working to copy some of our past e-newsletter articles over to the blog to make them even easier for people to find! This particular article can be found in the April 2017 issue. Not a subscriber? You can learn how to subscribe and download past issues by clicking HERE!

Keeping a Good Agent

Last time we discussed how to FIND a good agent.  If you didn’t read that article, take a look back and learn what to look for in a good agent…while a bad agent can bring you tons of stress, a good one is worth their weight in gold!  Now that you’ve hopefully found a good agent, here are some tips to keep your relationship great.


Communication


Preferred Method of Contact

An agent can’t book you if they can’t get ahold of you.  The best way to ensure that you don’t miss out on a gig is to find out your agent’s preferred method of communication, and respond in that way, or at least in the way they contacted you.  If they email, send an email back.  If they call, call them back.  I personally am terrible at keeping up with phone calls, but am quicker with texts and emails!  
Check In
Check in with your agent as soon as possible after you finish a gig.  It’s NOT because they don’t trust you or want to babysit you. It’s really important for the agent to know what happened from your perspective asap, so that they can properly address any issues when they discuss how the event went with the client.  This enables them to have YOUR back if a client calls with a complaint.  For example, if the client claims you were too slow, it helps to have photographic evidence that twice as many kids came as they originally told you.  A good agent stands up for his or her contractors while smoothing over any issues, and in order to do this, you need to keep in close communication to work as a team.  
Likewise, agents would like to know if the client was especially pleasant, helpful, tipped you well, or did anything else that went above and beyond so they can properly thank them, and hopefully book YOU for the same event next year if you enjoyed it!
Sending photos with your check in is a huge plus, and for many agents, a requirement! It helps your agent to better understand the environment you were working in, and plan their discussions with the client for next year’s event, should any changes need to be made to make things run more smoothly.  I also request that artists who work for me send photos of several of their paintings, so I can thank the client with a photo collage of the beautiful work that was done!

Stay Top of Mind
I know this may make we agents sound spacey, but sometimes agents don’t hire you just because they don’t think of you or haven’t seen you in a while! It has nothing to do with your talent…they just deal with so many artists and so many events, that they tend to call those artists who are top of mind first. You can stay towards the top of your agent’s mind by sending an occasional email letting them know what you’ve been up to. Maybe you’ve learned a new skill, gotten better or faster at a particular design, added some cool new products to your kit, send a picture of something you’ve painted recently or let them know some upcoming weekends you have open. Don’t bombard them with spam, of course, but keeping communication consistent or just showing up at local jams, conventions, workshops or other events where the agent is can help keep you top of mind!
Be Professional
Punctuality is a Virtue!
Perhaps one of the worst things you can do to damage your relationship with your agent is to arrive late.   Whether you’re stuck in traffic, got bad directions, were given the wrong address, or had the time wrong on your calendar, we have ALL been there, myself included! While it can be totally mortifying for both the artist and the agent, no matter who’s fault it is, it immediately damages the reputation of the agent’s company.  Do whatever it takes to arrive on time, and plan to be early! 
When you are stuck in one of those situations where you’re running late, it is of utmost importance that you contact the agent the moment that you know you will be late. (not after the fact)  This gives them the opportunity to call up the client and prepare them, making life easier for you and preventing a possible client meltdown when you arrive. Agents take care of this uncomfortable stuff so you don’t have to…help them get the info they need so you can just have fun painting!
Take your Commitment Seriously
Backing out of a gig after you’ve signed a contract is right up there with arriving late, especially if it’s at the eleventh hour.  While you may be taking a to-do off your calendar, the agent is now taking on a huge list of stressful to-do’s to replace you.  Again, I’ve both done this myself, and had this done to me.  We’ve all been there and know it’s sometimes truely unavoidable. But no matter how good your reasons are, be as gracious, understanding, and accommodating as possible, and try very hard not to ever let it happen twice!
Dress Appropriately
You would think this would go without saying, but unfortunately it has to be said.  If your agent hasn’t given you some sort of dress code, just ask them.  They may request a certain style to fit their brand, the client’s preferences, or simply request a level of modesty.  
Represent the Agent
Distribute the Agent’s Collateral
Once you accept a gig that was booked through an agent, you are expected to act as a representative of their business, not your own.  This means you distribute their business cards (unless they say otherwise), and only display their company  name.  
When you are the one who has put in the time and expense of advertising, earning regular clients, and maintaining that relationship, then you are free to sell yourself.  Always ask your agent what their policy is when asked for a card, though this should be in their contract already. Many agents allow and even prefer you to write your name on their cards in case the client wants to request you specifically for a future gig!  
If you’re an artist who argues, “well I’m the one doing all the work and making THEM look good!” then you likely have not played the role of an agent yet!  As an artist who also experiences first hand the sheer volume of unpleasant grunt work involved in being an agent, I have a special appreciation for this and jump at the chance to work for and represent other agents at a fraction of my own hourly rate! Regardless of your feelings on whether an agent is worth their “cut” or not, the bottom line is, you are a independent contractor.  This means you are completely free to work on your own, and if you are unhappy with your agent’s policies or the rate that they are paying you, simply stop taking gigs from them. That’s the joy of being your own boss!
While I could go on and on, these are just a few tips on how to keep your relationship with your agent running smoothly.  The biggest tip though is to simply have open and honest communication with your agent about their own particular policies so everyone is clear about what their roles are!  As I mentioned, this is a series of articles on agents…next time I’ll touch on the subject of becoming an agent yourself! Until then, happy painting!

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FINDING a Good Agent

I am working to copy some of our past e-newsletter articles over to the blog to make them even easier for people to find! This particular article can be found in the March 2017 issue. Not a subscriber? You can learn how to subscribe and download past issues by clicking HERE!

FINDING A Good Agent

Have you been struggling to find enough gigs to keep yourself as busy painting as you want to be?  Do you dread the business side of face painting, wish you could skip all the paperwork and chasing down payments from clients, and just PAINT? Perhaps then you might consider working for an agent.  Finding a great agent to work with can be very good for filling your calendar.  Sadly, there are a lot of bad agents out there, and artists need to remember that as independent contractors we have the freedom to work for whomever we want, and should be interviewing potential agents just as they interview us. Here are a few tips to help you find the right agent for you.
Do Your Homework
Where To Find Agents
Before you can start working for agents, you of course need to find them.  You can start with a simple Google Search or find out who’s offering face painting services on Thumbtack, Gigmasters, Gigsalad, and similar sites.  Some areas have Facebook pages for local artists to connect with agents and share gigs.  The best way is to simply connect with other local painters who are willing to share who they work for and what it’s like.  
Define your Wholesale Rate
When you work for an agent, you need to be willing to work for a lower hourly rate than you would on your own.  (and you certainly should be charging more for yourself than you get from an agent!!)  A good agent invests a TON of time and money into their business to land their gigs, as well as doing all of the “grunt work” most artists hate…booking contracts, dealing with client complaints, coordinating multiple artists, cutting paychecks, advertising…the list goes on and on.  I don’t know about you, but for me, NOT having to do all of this and just show up & paint is totally worth a reduced rate.  Find out the going rate in your area that agents pay, and decide what you are willing to work for.  Or, how much NOT having to do all that grunt work is worth to you. The rate you’re paid will vary among agents and among gigs, based on many factors, so having a general range or minimum in mind is best.  You may be willing to work for less if it’s in your own town, for example, or if it’s an all day event.  

What to Look For
Before you start setting aside precious weekend time slots for agents, make sure they are reputable.  Here are a few things to look for….
Prompt Payment
A good agent will make sure you’re paid in a reasonable amount of time, not make you wait until the client pays THEM before paying you.  It’s the agent’s job to control their own business cash flow issues, not project them onto you.  If you’re having to spend time chasing down payment from an agent, there is really no advantage to working for them in the first place…you can do that yourself with your own clients and make more for doing that extra work! On the flip side, a good agent who pays quickly and takes care of all the billing is SO worth working for a reduced hourly rate!
Written Contracts
A good agent will back things up in writing.  Contracts are incredibly important, not only for protecting the clients and the agent, but for yourself. Your contract should not only include all event details, but the amount you will be paid, how you will be paid, and the date you can expect to be paid by. 
Solid Business Practices
If your agent is a legitimate business, and they have paid you $600 or more for any given calendar year, they are required to send you a 1099-MISC form by the end of January for the previous year’s wages for your taxes.  As an independent contractor you are required to pay your own taxes, and this is all part of running a good business.  Likewise, you are required to provide them with your address and social security number in order to fill out these forms.
Expectations
Make sure to have a discussion about an agent’s expectations of you.  Are you only allowed to hand out the agent’s business cards? What is acceptable attire to wear to gigs?  How should you handle questions about their rates or your availability? How early are you expected to arrive to a gig? What should you do if you are running late?  How should you handle client complaints?  What if the client wants you to stay later? Are there limitations as to what products you can use or what age you can paint?  Are you expected to provide your own design menu or adhere to theirs? All agents should have something to say about these topics, and making sure you are both on the same page is critical to your business relationship. 
Word on the Street
An employer calls up references to get the opinions of those you’ve worked for, so why not do the same with them? Talk to other artists who have worked for an agent.  This is a great way to learn whether you will fit into an agent’s business practices and expectations.   Make sure to get multiple opinions to be fair.  As we all know, not everybody may give glowing reviews, but don’t judge an agent based on one bad review. We’ve all had relationships gone bad, so take opinions with a grain of salt, remember there are two sides to every story, and give them the benefit of the doubt…just as you hope they do with you. 
More to Come
My hopes is that this article will help you to get started in your search for an agent, and hopefully lead to an awesome relationship with them!  This is the first of a series of articles I’ve written on agents.  Check out our next post for more on what you can do to KEEP your good agent relationship, and what to think about if you are considering becoming an agent yourself!

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Giving out an AGENTS’ Card When Clients Love YOUR Work


I am working to copy some of our past e-newsletter articles over to the blog to make them even easier for people to find! This particular article can be found in the October 2017 issue. Not a subscriber? You can learn how to subscribe and download past issues by clicking HERE!


If you’ve ever worked for an agent, chances are you’ve been instructed to only give out the agent’s cards to guests who inquire about your services at the event.  But why? Let’s take a closer look at this situation, from both sides of the brush.


Don’t bite the hand that feeds you!
Having worked extensively as both an agent and contractor for decades, I feel qualified to chime in on the subject. First, let me just say, that if you find it unfair to be asked to only give out an agent’s cards while working for them, you have not spent much time acting as an agent yourself. I don’t mean bringing along one friend and passing through payment to them to help you out…I mean spending all of your time selling, booking, filling, managing, billing, contract wrangling, and paycheck processing for large gigs that utilize multiple artists which may or may not even include yourself as a painter.  Just trust me on this one, a few gigs like this and you will develop an immense appreciation for agents and the grunt work they endure to enable you to just show up, paint, and get paid! I for one LOVE it when I have the opportunity to get paid a little less than my own going rate to work for an agent and let them handle all the stuff that is NOT fun!
But it was MY talent that made them ask for a card!
This is an understandable argument at first glance…yes, when I create a masterpiece on a child’s face and that masterpiece prompts the parent to ask for my card for their upcoming birthday party, I feel that I should be able to get the credit for my work and reap the benefits of that potential future gig.
Yes, my talent may have made them ask for the card, but I wouldn’t even have been there if not for my agent’s talent that landed the gig in the first place. Don’t forget this! While my talent may play a big part, it is not the only thing that has prompted them to ask for my card. It is the fact that I was there in the right place at the right time, which was all orchestrated behind the scenes without any involvement, time or expense from me. (Thank God…that part is way more boring and draining than the painting!)
I sell face paint online and out of my basement. Say I were to go get a job at a local costume shop, and every time someone came in and showed interest in face paint, I would give them my own card and say “call me instead, I can get you the same quality product for cheaper!” After all, it was my salesmanship that got them to ask about paint, right? I would be fired! Immediately! Using someone else’s storefront, marketing, blood sweat and tears to market my own business, while even being paid by them to do so, is completely unethical. It takes an immense amount of trust for an agent to invite you to represent their baby, their business, that they’ve poured their life into for years. Take this as the honor it is, and you’ll be given gigs for years to come.
But I want credit for my work!
Some artists feel that they are somehow stripped of their “credit” for the work they are performing when asked to give out the agent’s cards. I have never seen an agent personally claim that one of their artist’s work was their own on Facebook or anywhere else. When you work for an agency, you are a part of a team. Nobody else is claiming that they are the creator of your paintings…that is illegal.  As an artist you own the rights to the painting you created…not the rights to the gig you are working or future gigs as the client. 
I personally have cards specially made for my contractors. On the front it says “Ask for me by name!” and has a blank line for each artist to write their own name on it. This way if a future client calls, they can specifically request that artist, and that artist still gets future gigs. As your agent if they are okay with you putting your name on their cards…chances are they will be totally fine with it, and grateful that you’re asking!  The credit you get for doing a good job? It’s your paycheck!
But they are making money off of ME!
First of all, the amount of money an agent is charging the client on top of what they are paying you is completely irrelevant.  If they are offering you an hourly wage that you are happy with, great! Take the gig! If they are not, then don’t! I have a personal goal to never take a gig that I will later resent getting.  I want to show up to each and every gig happy, thankful and grateful for the work. This attitude really shows with the client, whether you are grateful or not, and can have a huge affect on whether they call you back next year! 
Second, if you’ve worked as an agent you know that for every 1 hour gig, it can take multiple hours of back-and-fourth drudgery with the client, and that’s with a client who isn’t particularly difficult to deal with.  And let’s not forget the amount of time and money they put into advertising in order to get these gigs in the first place. They may even be sub-sub contracting, or owe someone else a finder’s fee on top of it. Personally, I think the ability to let someone else deal with billing and office work while I just paint is priceless!  When you take a gig through an agent, you have no idea what work and expense they have gone through to get it, or will go through to follow it through and maintain the relationship so you can work it again next year.  So rather than worrying about whether they are getting paid too much for an amount of work you are unaware of, focus on what you can control: whether you take a gig for a certain rate, and your attitude about that gig.  If the fact that an agent is making sure they too are getting paid for their time upsets you, please, please just don’t take the gig!
I admit, when I started out I was a little resentful of agents who would make money when I was the one painting.  But after just a few gigs taking on the agent role, my perspective changed completely and I developed a huge amount of respect for the work agents do. If you have an agent who doesn’t treat you well, don’t work for them anymore. But if you have an agent who pays you well & has your back, hold onto that! Respect their policies, and you’ll be reaping the benefits of their grunt work for years to come! 
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Save Over $30.00 On Our NEW “Business Starter Kit!”

I am pleased to announce another new product offering to our growing selection of new fall additions…the “Business Starter Kit” professional face painting supply set!  This is an incredible deal that you will only find at Paintertainment.  While I created the “Smile Painter Set” for beginners looking for quality supplies, this kit is geared toward the budding professional, looking for a set that will give them the most for their money when they are starting up their business.  Packed with the essentials you need to get going, I have also included a list of other optional items you may want to add to your set.

This kit comes with over $206.00 worth of paints for only $175.00, which means you save over $31.00!  The kit includes eleven of our large, 2.5 ounce Kryolan Auqacolor paints, two round brushes (a #2 and a #5), two flat brushes (a #12 and a #28), one round makeup sponge, three 1-oz jars of glitter (pastel pink, pastel blue, and blue-violet), a canvas apron with pockets, a spray bottle, and a 16″ storage box with a lift-out tray and clear storage compartment lid!  There are not many businesses you can start with such a small amount of money, and this is our little way of helping you get started for a small investment!  Order your kit today at Paintertainment.com!

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Paintertainment says Bye-bye to Paypal and Hello to Google!


For years we have been using Paypal as our exclusive payment processing method on Paintertainment.com. However, I have had so many problems with them over the past couple years, that I have finally decided to make the switch to Google Payments system instead. It has taken me a while to figure out how to integrate the new system, but Paintertainment.com is now up and running with Google Payment buttons!

As customers, you can still check out using any major credit card like you could in the past. You just won’t be able to use a Paypal account balance. (Unless you have the Paypal credit card connected to it) I realize this may be a downside for some of you, however, I am now hoping to eliminate many other issues my customers have faced using Paypal in the past! I can also now offer coupon codes, which is a big plus for you!

As a fellow online merchant, if you’re interested in WHY I’m making the switch, my biggest problems with Paypal have been (and this is only a partial list):
1) When they changed their button designs and as a result my website was un-shoppable for DAYS while I waited for them to fix their problems.
2) Every now and then someone will place an order and Paypal won’t notify me…resulting in upset customers emailing me a month later wondering why their order is taking so long, really making me look bad when I pride myself on my customer service!
3) The shipping calculator kept allowing international orders to be entered with domestic shipping costs, resulting in extra work and payments for my international customers to correct and complete their orders.
4) They do not offer coupon codes…what’s up with that?! You would think that they would have that figured out in their many years of business, but no luck. I would like the ability to reward my customers with coupons.

As a merchant, the only downside so far that I can see is that I do not receive payments instantly, they will take days to reach my bank account. With Paypal it would drop right into my Paypal account, connected with my Paypal debit card, which I could use like any major credit card to make my own purchases. Hopefully Google will come out with something like this. However, I felt it much more important to try a system that will WORK for my customers!

I hope to incorporate a better international shipping calculator soon (currently I ask international customers to email me first for their custom shipping costs and an invoice), as well as offer coupon codes.

Thank you for your patience and understanding through my past Paypal issues and during this transition to Google…I welcome your comments and suggestions if you’ve tried either method on my site!