With Halloween around the corner, then the holidays, tis the seasons for house parties! Now, I know some people hate them and that's ok, but I personally like them. Unlike a fair, you usually go in knowing a bit more about how many people you are going to read, what the atmosphere is going to be like and how much money your are going to make (which is nice). But it can be weird going into someone else's home and being a stranger among friends. Also, safety is always an issue. I mean, your going to someones house who you have never met! Well I'm here with some tips on how to enjoy doing house parties.
1. Actually speak to the person and use your intuition- When you talk to someone about a gig, you will quickly get a good or bad feeling from them. Your a metaphysical practitioner for goodness sakes! Your job is to read people. So this will be no problem for you. Don't do any parties where the host makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Listen to your gut and pay attention to how you feel when you are talking to them.
2. Make up a contract, which includes how much you are getting paid and how long you are to stay- This is to make insure that everyone agrees on what your services are to be for the party. It doesn't have to be anything super complicated, just make something up that you can email to the client and electronically sign, or if you have met with the client, have them sign it in person. Make sure you have squared away how much you are to be paid (I recommend the host pays you beforehand or at the party) and also make sure you are only staying the time you are supposed to. Do not let anyone try to convince you to stay past your time if you do not feel comfortable doing so! You are only obligated to stay until the time your contract says. Stand your ground! Another thing to think about is you stance on alcohol. Sometimes at parties drunk people may want a reading and that can be very difficult. If you want the right to not read for people who are intoxicated, make that clear to host when you speak to them and in your contact. Oh and don't forget to ask if you can put out a tip jar!
3. Give the host realistic expectations- Never underestimate how many people want a reading. Let me give you an example. Once I had a party host say to me, "Yeah we are having 100 people, but only some may want a reading (mind you this was a corporate event)". When I got there, while I pulled out my deck and was getting situated someone came and sat down. From that point on, I was reading people for the next 2 hours without more than a 15 second break in between clients. I had to get short readings and even then some people didn't get read. The host needs to have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. Many times you have to explain to them how many people you can realistically read in an hour. Ok, let's say you are going to give 5-7 minute readings at a party. So with that, you would be able to see between 8-12 clients an hour. And also remember, unless there is a line, there can be a lag time between clients when everyone is wondering who is going next or your last client goes to find the next one. So if your hired for 3 hours and you don't have a bathroom break, you could theoretically read between 24-36 people in that time span. So if a host is telling you 50 people are at the party and only booking you for 2 hours, let them know the deal. And also, if you feel that you can not handle that many people, there is no shame in that! Some readers don't like reading at that volume, and that is fine. We are all different and that is what makes us special.
4. Tell your host what you need- A quiet area? A table and chairs? Does the host have pets your allergic to or scared of? Let you host what you need in order to have a good experience.
5. Know where you are going- Map out your route to the person's house before you go there. That way you know where your going and how long it will take to get there. This is especially important when you doing a party in a major city. For example, sometimes I do parties in New York City where parking is atrocious 90 % of the time. I make sure I find out where the nearest parking garage is in the case I can't find street parking within a few blocks. I also recommend always leaving your home so that you arrive at least 20 minutes early so you can park and get yourself together.
6. Leave the address with someone you know- Leave the address and phone number if you have it with your spouse, friend, sibling, parent or someone you trust. Because you are probably going somewhere you have never been before, it's good it just let someone know where you going.
7. Have a extra phone charger- I like to have an extra phone charger on hand so I will know I have power and be able to get hold of someone if need be.
8. Have fun and send a thank you note- Have a great time with the guests! And as a nice touch, send the host a thank you note afterwards, I just think it adds a nice touch.
Do you have any extra tips?! Let me know in the comments below!
1. Actually speak to the person and use your intuition- When you talk to someone about a gig, you will quickly get a good or bad feeling from them. Your a metaphysical practitioner for goodness sakes! Your job is to read people. So this will be no problem for you. Don't do any parties where the host makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy. Listen to your gut and pay attention to how you feel when you are talking to them.
2. Make up a contract, which includes how much you are getting paid and how long you are to stay- This is to make insure that everyone agrees on what your services are to be for the party. It doesn't have to be anything super complicated, just make something up that you can email to the client and electronically sign, or if you have met with the client, have them sign it in person. Make sure you have squared away how much you are to be paid (I recommend the host pays you beforehand or at the party) and also make sure you are only staying the time you are supposed to. Do not let anyone try to convince you to stay past your time if you do not feel comfortable doing so! You are only obligated to stay until the time your contract says. Stand your ground! Another thing to think about is you stance on alcohol. Sometimes at parties drunk people may want a reading and that can be very difficult. If you want the right to not read for people who are intoxicated, make that clear to host when you speak to them and in your contact. Oh and don't forget to ask if you can put out a tip jar!
3. Give the host realistic expectations- Never underestimate how many people want a reading. Let me give you an example. Once I had a party host say to me, "Yeah we are having 100 people, but only some may want a reading (mind you this was a corporate event)". When I got there, while I pulled out my deck and was getting situated someone came and sat down. From that point on, I was reading people for the next 2 hours without more than a 15 second break in between clients. I had to get short readings and even then some people didn't get read. The host needs to have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. Many times you have to explain to them how many people you can realistically read in an hour. Ok, let's say you are going to give 5-7 minute readings at a party. So with that, you would be able to see between 8-12 clients an hour. And also remember, unless there is a line, there can be a lag time between clients when everyone is wondering who is going next or your last client goes to find the next one. So if your hired for 3 hours and you don't have a bathroom break, you could theoretically read between 24-36 people in that time span. So if a host is telling you 50 people are at the party and only booking you for 2 hours, let them know the deal. And also, if you feel that you can not handle that many people, there is no shame in that! Some readers don't like reading at that volume, and that is fine. We are all different and that is what makes us special.
4. Tell your host what you need- A quiet area? A table and chairs? Does the host have pets your allergic to or scared of? Let you host what you need in order to have a good experience.
5. Know where you are going- Map out your route to the person's house before you go there. That way you know where your going and how long it will take to get there. This is especially important when you doing a party in a major city. For example, sometimes I do parties in New York City where parking is atrocious 90 % of the time. I make sure I find out where the nearest parking garage is in the case I can't find street parking within a few blocks. I also recommend always leaving your home so that you arrive at least 20 minutes early so you can park and get yourself together.
6. Leave the address with someone you know- Leave the address and phone number if you have it with your spouse, friend, sibling, parent or someone you trust. Because you are probably going somewhere you have never been before, it's good it just let someone know where you going.
7. Have a extra phone charger- I like to have an extra phone charger on hand so I will know I have power and be able to get hold of someone if need be.
8. Have fun and send a thank you note- Have a great time with the guests! And as a nice touch, send the host a thank you note afterwards, I just think it adds a nice touch.
Do you have any extra tips?! Let me know in the comments below!