by Gary Cole
One of the most common questions I'm asked is how do I start a face
painting business. Even though to cover this thoroughly you would need a large
book I'm going to give you 10 keys in abbreviated form to help get you
started. I'm also going to give you some internet links for further research.
1) only use safe products - Of course we are partial to SNAZAROO "the
world's safest and easiest to use face paint" but if you want to face
paint children then you need to think FIRST of their safety. There are
MANY FDA approved safe-for-children face paints, so there is no excuse for
using acrylics or other non-safe paints. With 8 color SNAZAROO "Rainbow
Pallet" selling for less than $15 you have no excuse. Do a search
of "face paints" on the internet and you should find several. Look
for "FDA approved". See also http://www.snazaroo.us/products.htm
and http://www.snazaroo.us/volume.htm
.
2) talk to others that are doing face painting - You will find, in general,
that face painters are a close knit group. They have no problems in sharing.
If you have e-mail go to http://www.snazaroo.us/email.htm
there you will find a forum for face painting beginners to pros that can
answer just about any face painting question. You'll also get lots of painting
as well as business tips. Join in, its free. Or just send a blank e-mail to join-facepaint@email.sparklist.com
.
3) buy some face painting books - There are lots of EXCELLENT face painting
books out there for under $13. Borrow some from a friend, get them from a
library or check the web. A good place for some are at www.snazaroo.us/products.htm
I would suggest you start out with these three ("Five Minute Faces",
"First Faces" and "SNAZAROO Zoo".
4) On the SNAZAROO web site there are now hundreds and hundreds of photos
posted from fantastic face painters all over the world. These are free for
your viewing and you can print them out for non-commercial purposes. Just
click on the drop down photo menus under the rotating camera. Send in some of
your painting and you might just win a prize.
5) Get some practice - Offer your services at the charity events in your
area. There is nothing like being in the line of fire to sharpen your face
painting skills. Look for events for everything from the cancer society to the
local humane society. Charge a token $1 per face as a donation and you will
see your skills and speed improve.
6) Set goals - I would like to suggest a few. Know 15 full face and 10
cheek art designs by heart. Learn to do EACH of them in less than 5 minutes.
Develop a kit of 12 colors of quality paint. Have 15 good artist quality
brushes. Develop your own face painting 3 ring binder or face painting menu
board.
7) Check out the competition - Look at other ads or even better go and
observe others painting in your area. See what they can do in quality, speed
and for what price. This can be your goal to do better. You need to know what
you are up against.
8) Check out the internet - Like just about any field, there is a lot on
the internet. Do some good searches and you will find lots of gems like the
"10 commandments of face painting" at www.snazaroo.us/10.htm
or "tips for face painters (well over 100) at www.snazaroo.us/tips.htm
Check out the many FAQs (frequently asked questions) on the web for face
painters. You might check out the drop down menu at www.snazaroo.us
on FAQ's. Keep looking on other sites and you will find many more.
9) Invest in yourself - Once you start charging for painting, invest the
money in yourself. Buy a more professional sized painting kit. Buy a good
selection of brushes and develop a simple face painting set up from table to
colorful outfit (even if it is just a snazzy hat or shirt).
10) Start acting like a professional face painter - When cash flow allows,
consider running an ad, get business cards, get a dedicated phone line, think
of getting a business license or insurance. Keep working at it and you will
succeed! You can't eat an elephant in one bite. Learn from your mistakes and
continue to learn new skills, tricks, business and marketing skills.
Gary Cole
SNAZAROO USA Inc.
