Live Events for Artists: Are They Right for You?

You’ve seen your favorite artists and calligraphers working their magic in stores and partnering with big brands for events. But the question is: HOW does this even happen? We’re opening up about how you can do live events, how to price for your time and the pros and cons of being an “in-person artist.”

Some key things to think about:

• Can you spend the time driving/traveling to events (and do you want to)?

  When I first started out I hated the idea of live events because I was still at a full-time day job and didn’t want to go out of my way. Now, it’s something I look forward to because I get out of the house. Don’t forget to factor in TRAVEL time, especially if the event is farther away from you.

• Is the price right? How much do you value your time?

  Elisabeth charges a minimum of $150/hour for live art events. Make sure you are comfortable with your pricing and that you are factoring in the time of travel, as well as additional travel costs. (Oh, and don’t forget to count that mileage as a deduction!)

• Who provides the materials for the event?

  In some cases, you may have to provide the materials to, and in most cases, you will be bringing the tools to do it. (Meaning your pens, paints, etc.) Get all the details from the coordinators about what you will be lettering on so you can test it out ahead of time.

• How do I get paid?

  Getting paid by a company can sometimes be different than getting paid by a typical client. We recommend sending them an online invoice for both of your records. Make sure the payment is on your terms; you are allowed to have a say in the process! Paying up front makes thing easy, and you don’t have to worry about following up for the remaining balance.

• Don’t forget to bring your business cards!
  You never know who you might end up talking to who could use your services or want to hire you in the future.

Now that you know what to expect, be sure to your due diligence on getting in touch with these brands and companies too. We recommend using location-specific hashtags or even emailing them to let them know you are available and willing to work with them for events. Most of the time, they don’t even know where to look!