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Amapele
05-25-2016, 09:53 PM
Okay, so I'm in the southern part of the states, and its becoming the season where all the local towns have festivals, including parades, and carnival type things. I've contacted a few towns, and the space to set up a "booth" is around $150 for one day, for a 10'x10' space. Some of these towns have free rental for non-profit organizations. I'm wanting to get my name out there, and wont be offering anything for sale, but I'm wanting to set up, so that little kids can come talk to me and take pictures. I'm not sure if I should just eat the $150, and set up for a day, or just have a shirt made, and walk around handing out business cards. (The shirt idea probably wont be as successful as the other) I'm just not sure what to do. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
Mermaid AshleyML
05-25-2016, 10:04 PM
I would say set up and wear your tail. Kids will be more interested in a mermaid then a shirt. And if they kids get super excited about seeing a real mermaid there parents would be more likely to want to book you cause they see how much the kids enjoyed a few minutes of your time, instead of guessing the kids would like it. That's how I look at it from a parent point of view


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Amapele
05-25-2016, 10:12 PM
Thank you! That's what I was thinking. Now it's convincing my other half that eating the $150 will be worth it
Mermaid AshleyML
05-25-2016, 10:14 PM
No problem! And I would just say that even getting your name out there would be worth it.


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Amapele
05-25-2016, 10:25 PM
I think it would be, but he doesn't. He doesn't understand that in this case, I have to spend money to make money
Mermaid AshleyML
05-25-2016, 10:27 PM
Hmmmmm do you know how much you want to charge for parties? If you know that you could let him know that even if you get one gig It could pay that back that tent fee


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Amapele
05-25-2016, 10:39 PM
I may have to book 2 parties to cover my costs of the booth rental, but it would be worth it!
Mermaid AshleyML
05-25-2016, 10:42 PM
Honestly and forgive me if this sounds pushy but I wouldnt charge any less then 100$ for an hour. I hired an actress for a birthday party and she really wasn't that great. And that's what she charged


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Amapele
05-25-2016, 10:54 PM
Well, being in the area that I am from, people are general broke hillbillies. Lmao
Mermaid Lieke
05-26-2016, 02:40 AM
You can put up a tipping jar, with a sign 'please help us feed the mermaid' so you still earn a bit of cash. And maybe you can take your partner with you to take pictures so you also have some pictures you can work with for more exposure.

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MermaidCelesteFL
05-26-2016, 07:46 AM
I was going to say along the same thing as the tip jar. Although mine says "Leg Fund"- and it totally works! I made about $60 from the jar alone, and it was split evenly between three mermaids that day.
Mermaid Lieke
05-26-2016, 07:47 AM
Leg fund is so much better!

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Mermaid Lieke
05-26-2016, 08:04 AM
Another question, what do you do if it's cold on a festival? Do you wear a scarf? Or do you wear a dancers tee underneeth? If my tail is done in time I'll be doing a fair pretty soon but the weather in Belgium is pretty unpredictable

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Amapele
05-26-2016, 10:12 AM
Awesome ideas! Thanks for that!

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Amapele
05-26-2016, 11:49 AM
So, because the guy who is over the vendors knows me from elementary school, he is letting me have the space for $50 a day! I was like, "DUDE! I friggin LOVE you right now!" Oh, and it gets better. He also wants me to be in the Parade on Friday, AND he wants to write a piece on me in the local newspaper! I'm like jumping up and down with excitement! So, I'm going to buy some spray paint, some cheap shells from the Dollar Tree, and some twine, so I can attempt to make necklaces to sell for $1 a piece. I know it sounds dumb, but hey, I'm at least gonna try!
MermaidCelesteFL
05-26-2016, 11:50 AM
That's awesome! Congrats and good luck!
Amapele
05-26-2016, 12:29 PM
Anyone have any other ideas on how to make money at this thing?
Mermaid Arabella
05-26-2016, 12:56 PM
Do you have any experience face painting? If not, I don't know that I'd try to deal with that now, but if you do, that'd be a good option. Or something to look into for the future.

Maybe try to get some "Pirate scarves" for the kids who don't want jewelry? (Or hell, maybe they'll be a weirdo like I was and want both!)

OH! And if you haven't already, definitely go check out Raina's videos: http://halifaxmermaids.weebly.com/
MermaidCelesteFL
05-26-2016, 01:00 PM
I'm trying a different approach to my business model, and I've started offering "Mermaid Hair makeovers" with Britelites hair chalk. A pack of four of them is about $40, I think? Just a couple of streaks here and there of the hair chalk and some inexpensive "mermaid" hair barrettes, and you can charge whatever you want (within a reasonable cost). Just make sure that the guests don't have lice before you work with them.
Mermaid Arabella
05-26-2016, 01:05 PM
I'm trying a different approach to my business model, and I've started offering "Mermaid Hair makeovers" with Britelites hair chalk. A pack of four of them is about $40, I think? Just a couple of streaks here and there of the hair chalk and some inexpensive "mermaid" hair barrettes, and you can charge whatever you want (within a reasonable cost). Just make sure that the guests don't have lice before you work with them.

O.O That is BRILLIANT!! I'm sure the kids......who am I kidding, I WANT A MERMAID TO MAKE MY HAIR PRETTY!!!