16/06/2026
Brilliantly explained. To those small events who keep expecting US to pay to attend a day with risks such as a poor footfall and bad weather.
“We can’t pay you, but don’t worry, if enough people turn up and the weather is good, you might make some money. And the best part? You even get to keep it.”
This is why I’ve turned down many fetes this year… they ask for a stall fee as if we are vendors with high value goods. We are entertainment… just like the magician/balloon-modeller/bouncy castle etc.
Here’s one for the event organisers…
One phrase I see regularly in enquiries from event organisers asking for face painters as stall holders is:
“Everything you earn on the day is yours to keep.”
Every time I read it, I cringe. 😬
Not because it’s a pitch-fee type event. Not because I object to people choosing that business model if they want to.
But solely because of the sheer audacity of the phrase itself.
It reads as though the organiser is offering the face painter something generous. As though allowing me to keep my own earnings is some kind of special benefit.🙄
Imagine saying to a singer, magician or any other children’s entertainer:
“We can’t pay you, but don’t worry, if enough people turn up and the weather is good, you might make some money. And the best part? You even get to keep it.”
Keep it?? 😂 I’d certainly hope so.🤯
The phrase always makes it sound as though the organiser is doing the artist a favour, rather than asking them to take on all of the financial risk themselves.😩
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never quite understood why “you’re allowed to keep your own earnings” is presented as a selling point.🤔
Event organisers… maybe one to ponder? 🤔😊🎨
