Last Monday I got all revved up about working festivals. Actually I get revved up about festivals in general. I do that.

I have no idea if it’s too late for you to get in on a summer festival, but if you are so inclined, go out and look around and think about next year.

While you’re looking for potential places think about these things:

Local or tourists? Markets, county fairs, small town celebrations and the like attract a lot of locals. Bigger events like Bumbershoot and air shows get waves of tourists. If you’re looking to build your practice, Bumbershoot may not be the place to do it, but it is a good place to have fun and to do something different for a change.

General interest of people attending. You may need to adjust your demeanor to match the attitude of the people around you. I’m not telling to change yourself, you just have to be aware of how people at your chosen event work. Women and men at a lavender festival are ready to relax and have a luxurious experience. All you have to do is say, “I have a table open here.” People at a tiny county fair may be slow to give up their cash on an unknown; you need to talk to them on their level and appeal to their needs.

I just had a fun thought for a person working an air show: “I’ll work on that crick in your neck so you can see the planes better.” A person can’t be at an air show without getting a major pain in the neck. I know. I’m carrying a good one from this weekend.

Free or charge or fund raise. Again, you need to think about why you are at this celebration. Quite frankly, I can’t see too many situations where you would work for free. (I do believe very strongly in the joys of trading with other vendors, though.) Fund raising and awareness campaigns are another thing.

Festivals are a great place to do good for your community. And most people are really willing to help out. We had some bad floods out here last December. Since then you can hardly go anywhere without seeing a therapist set up to raise money for people affected by the floods. Everyone wants to help, but individually, we can’t give enough money. Most people are relieved to see you — and are muscle-relieved, too. Are you going to create new clients this way? Maybe a couple few. But your halo will be really, really shiny.

Bring your brochures and business cards anyway. And check out part of Tama Bevin’s interview. The section that is 5th from the bottom may be of use.

Most festivals or fairs will charge you a booth fee, either a flat rate or a percentage. Your potential clients don’t care about your rent. They care about how much they have to pay. Deciding what you will charge is another great opportunity to market yourself. Listen, I know what people are doing, but I will still try to get in with the therapist who is charging $5 more than anyone else. Usually that therapist has a waiting list. People figure you’re that much better if you have the strength to charge what you feel you are worth. Try it and see how it works. You can always lower your price the next day.

If you’re an experienced therapist, charge a little more (you are worth it) and then finish the session by telling the client that for $30 more they can get a full hour studio session if they make an appointment with you today. Or something like that. Once you have them in your hands, you want to keep them there. Figure a way to get them into your studio, or to get you and your chair into their office.

It’s also a great chance to find out who your colleagues are and what they are doing: “Do you have a regular MT? Oh really? I haven’t met her. What does she focus on for you?”

Don’t forget festival workers/volunteers. As a frequent volunteer I want you to pay close attention to this bit.

I have this image going through my head of the 4H stock barns at the Thurston County Fair. 4H parents volunteer to spend the night — usually in a stock trailer — and watch over the stock and whatever kids are sleeping over, too. Those parents deserve you. Personally, I would tell the non-spend-the-night parents that they owe the volunteers. In a diplomatic way, of course.

So that’s what I’ve got. Anybody out there done any festivals this season? How did it work out? other than you were completely exhausted at the end of it.

All my best,
Eileen

Update: I made it through a Montana vacation without having a close encounter with a cougar. And without having to fight a wildfire. Firefighting happens more often that I’d like. Anyway, see what was on the front page of The Olympian when I got home (sigh): Neighbors keep eye out for cougar

I like the instructions on what to do if you encounter a cougar.

• Don’t walk towards a cougar. Right. Got that.
• Make yourself bigger. Open your jacket or shirt to look bigger. Stand next to other people. What they leave out is stand next to someone slower than you.

Just sharing a little local color.

E—