Farmers Market

[OC FUN]

I contacted a Farmers market who was going to do a crafts fair at the same time and offered my services.  They will be putting me at the main entrance, so everyone will see me.  It is on the 13th and 14th.  They told me I can accept tips or even charge for the balloons.  I don't know which would work best.  I would like some tips about how others have handled similar events.  Thanks.

[that_guyjake]

Well, you are going to have small issues either way you go...  If you charge you may not get very many people to buy your balloons, but if you do only tips you may find yourself giving away a lot of balloons because the people at the market think you are getting paid by the farmer's market to be there.  Personally, I would charge a few bucks a balloon and have a small amount of balloons that you have ready for those who can't pay or refuse to-(swords and dogs...) 

Congrats on getting that gig though 

Jake

[Timmy]

I would say that if the farmers market is paying you to be there, then you should work for tips only since you are already getting paid. (you said you offered your services, i wasnt sure if that meant for free or if they hired you with pay)

 From my experience with the local farmers market: They paid me to be there for two hours. I made balloons for about three minutes before people started to tip me. Once a few people tipped, it seemed like everyone was giving me something. I even kept saying that the balloons are free, just so as not to discourage anyone from coming and getting a piece of art from me! I think I only "gave away" maybe three designs the whole time.

Now, had the market not paid me, i think i would have definately set a price for designs. Much like Jake said, I would have made a few very basic balloons to give to people who couldnt/wouldnt pay....but even then i would keep it to a minimum.

just my .02........ gratz on the gig!!

[Twisted Chicken]

I have done both and I always make more money when I work for tips...always. When it's a set price people don't want to pay. When they get to decide how much to pay, they flock over with more than I would have set the price. That is my experience, anyway.

[Papaballoon]

I work a farmers market too.  In my case, the city has a number of them.  One is run by the City recreation department and I have had a sort of deal with them for several years.  I don't charge them and they don't charge ME!  Also, I can come and go as I please.  Which means that if it is dead, I can just boogie!  On the other hand, the last year or so, I have ended up being there the entire  time (7:30 to 12 on Saturdays) and made ....eeeeeehhhhh...."enough" usually to justify my work.  It is relaxed, a place to play, reherse and just be silly and experiment.

On the other hand, the Downtown association has some larger farmers Markets at the city square which is a real treat.  The association pays me (and a friend) a modest fee and we hang out and have fun and get PAID  AND we get tips too.  In NEITHER case do we make an issue of tips.  We often get people who apologize for not having cash to tip us!   I tell them, "I don't hold the balloons hostage!" and USUALLY We get enough to make it well worth while.  We always get something!   Some people don't tip of course, but they are in the minority, even in frugal Iowa!

I would tell the farmers market that you will work a week or two just for tips to see how it works out, then ask for a reasonable fee for showing up "to pay for expenses at least" since you are providing entertainment.

Funny thing.  I have discovered that if you are from a distance away, you get more respect!  My last weekend gig was in a town 120 miles from home and they were GREAT and want me to come back for a program in July for 3 days!  Hmmmmm!  About 2-3 weeks pay for 3 days....Yeah, I think I could do that!

[that_guyjake]

that is Awesome Papa!

[Sherm]

Most of the stuff that I do is "tip-only", and i just have a small bucket next to me, where I throw my balloon scraps. In a few minutes someone will throw a dollar bill into the bucket, and, PRESTO, you have a tip jar that doesn't make it look like you want tips.
And if no one tips for awhile, I secretly put a few of my own bills into the bucket, creating the illusion that people tip me.
I only do the second thing if I go 15-30 minutes with a crowd and no income.