Starting Out

[Mermaid Hamant]

I would like to start trying to do birthday parties but I do not know how to get started. Where do I advertise and do you think my fabric tail would be a problem?
Thanks :)

[Spindrift]

Community/school newsletters? Fliers at the library, newspapers, youth centers, clubs, etc.

[Sitre Seer Moroaica]

Go out and chill in your tail in where children are close, so they'll see and come over, swim in the local pool, and pretty much the above :)

[Mermaid Hamant]

Great ideas thanks!
Also how much should I charge? I don't want to be too high or too low.

[Spindrift]

$100-300/hour. I would charge less for the first few just because you're starting out and don't have the feel for it yet. It might not work out/mistakes happen.

[Mermaid Hamant]

Do you think I should charge less than that because my tail is not silicone or latex?
I have a babysitting job right now so I'm not depending on it for income.
I guess I am just a little insecure about the kids not liking my tail because it is not "realistic".

[Sitre Seer Moroaica]

It doesnt matter with the tail but for me personally I would start out for free just to get that customer service starting and feedback on the way so when you do start you have some "back up" words to let others know that for your prices you are legit.

But for starting out I'd go small on pricing. Maybe cut it back for close friends/family like around $20-$30 and then when you get more experience raise it up every $10 dollars :)

[Mermaid Hamant]

Thanks! That is more of what I was thinking! :)

[AniaR]

if you havent done any gigs before, vollunteering is a good way to start to get your name out there and get your "footing" lol ;)

[Ayla of Duluth]

My friend is a jack sparrow impersonator. He charges $80 for the first hour, and $50 for every hour after that. At least that's what venues pay him to do events. He charges that price for birthday parties too but is willing to negotiate the price based on location, budget, etc.

[Mermaid Hamant]

if you havent done any gigs before, vollunteering is a good way to start to get your name out there and get your "footing" lol ;)
Vollunteering where?

[Kanti]

You could always just hang out in your tail in public pools, springs or at the beach.
Then whenever people ask you about your tail or think you look good you can slip in
the ol "yea I do parties and events, just give me a call" and give them your business
card.

You can volunteer at schools to talk to kids about the environment and stuff like that.
Maybe you can even try to get a little gig at the renaissance festival :')

[Mermaid Hamant]

I have a local pool that I would love to hang around in with my tail, but they don't allow swim fins. :(

[Mermaid Hamant]

How do you set up for a party like that?

[Mermaid Momo]

do you mean decorating for parties? i don't have a tail yet, but you could probably drape a few tables with netting instead of table clothes with fake starfishes and seashells tangled in them. You could also provide grab bags with ocean themed items in them. (of course, these could be added to the pay)Here are some links for mermaid parties:
http://poshtotevents.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/tea-under-the-sea-for-paiges-4th-birthday/
http://www.livinglocurto.com/2009/07/mermaid-birthday-party/
of course you don't have to do all the things they did, but if you did, you could charge a lot more because you're basically the whole party right there.XD
http://stemparties.blogspot.com/2009/02/real-shindig.html
you can even have a simple set up like this:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Ffja5A7i53k/TNdCQvazvHI/AAAAAAAAFyk/APBhDcvE4ag/s1600/mermaid+tablescape.png

just type in mermaid themed party in google images and scan through those. You could probably even find companies that do mermaid parties and email them about what a party would include.

[Mermaid Hamant]

Thanks!
I also meant with the tail though. Do I have to have someone carry me in with it on?

[Mermaid Saphira]

It's probably best that you have a mertender near by who will help you, but anyway the best time to put on your tail is before the children see you ;)

[AniaR]

You can volunteer anywhere, go to the hospital in costume to visit sick kids, volunteer at a spring fair for a school, go to the library and read books to kids about the ocean in costume! Do a birthday party or 2 for free so you can figure yourself out and how you want to do things and not be scared if you mess up.

[Mermaid Saphira]

You can volunteer anywhere, go to the hospital in costume to visit sick kids, volunteer at a spring fair for a school, go to the library and read books to kids about the ocean in costume!.

I am planning to do both of these things, I think they are awesome ideas <3

[Mermaid Hamant]

Thanks guys!
Thanks for the volunteering ideas Raina! :)