Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Day 48- The True Cost of Touring

So it doesn't happen often, but from time to time I have girls tell me that my tour prices are too expensive. This frustrates me for many reasons-- most of which is that I don't usually have time to fully lay out an explanation. So here goes.
Touring isn't cheap. I have to pay for flights, hotels, food, supplies (hair products, brushes, makeup), etc. This all comes out of pocket for me. Your ticket price is paying me directly for these costs. This goes double for classes that I do overseas. A lot of people in Europe and Australia don't understand just how expensive a round trip flight from here is. And that is one flight alone-- that doesn't count other flights/trains once I get there. When I get to the UK this summer, I am spending nearly a month there and hotels for a month alone are astronomical. Not to mention the fact that the pound is worth about 1.5 times the dollar so the exchange rate for me is pretty awful when I am buying pretty much everything in pounds. This is true for the reverse reason in Australia-- our dollar is worth about 1.5 times yours, which means that when I come home and exchange my earnings, I am losing a lot in the exchange.
Also keep in mind that this is a business, not a hobby. I pay taxes on all of my earnings as well-- which is another big chunk that doesn't come directly to me. Also when I am gone for a month, I still have to pay all of my bills-- rent, insurance, car insurance, utilities, etc. And when I am on the road, I have to eat out for pretty much every meal since I am rarely staying anywhere with a kitchen, nor do I have time to cook. I value myself more than eating fast food for a month straight, so eating nutritious meals 3x a day on the road also adds up. Remember too that every 4th day is a travel day-- which means airports-- which means extra pricey food/water.
I have not set out to swindle anybody. I am not charging any more than other people that do what I do. I actually looked into taking a class with a hairstylist that I follow recently and he charges $400 per person for his classes. The thing about classes and shoots is that they are a luxury-- not a necessity. I am not charging you a premium for water or shelter. I am charging you a fair price for a service that you can choose to accept-- or not. You wouldn't walk into a boutique and tell them that their shoes are too expensive and that they should lower the price for you. I would love to be independently wealthy and travel the world on my own dime and give away all of my knowledge and skills for free. But unfortunately that isn't my life.
I try to give at least 6 months notice before my tours start so that if girls are interested in booking with me, they have time to save. If you want to book the class at $75 (or £85 if you are in the uk) and you have 6 months to save, you only have to save $12.5 a month. That is a few cups of coffee. I have had girls ask for my class or shoots as birthday/christmas gifts. I have had girls do all kinds of things to make it to see me and take part in my activities. And I love each and every one of you for it.
I do my best to put out free content all over the internet. On youtube alone you can find over 300 videos for free that teach all kinds of things. I answer all of my emails and help however I can. I answer thousands of questions and comments. I do everything I can to make girls feel awesome about themselves. I don't charge girls for every single little thing I do. But my tours are my tours and they come at a cost. This cost has been carefully planned to cover all kinds of factors and it won't change. When girls stop booking my classes, I will stop touring and move onto my next project. But for right now, this is my job, and I take it seriously.
Please don't make me feel guilty for trying to earn an honest living. I do my best to make it fair.

16 comments:

  1. Girl you got it right. I am a makeup artist that travels all over the Pacific Northwest and I pack that cost into my services. I am also hosting my first vintage makeup class this year. While its local, I can not afford "swag bags" or it will jack up the cost of the class. Having to figure out the cost was scary. I ended up charging way less because I am testing the market. It's not easy. People forget that you have to live too and you want to be comfortable and support yourself. Never be afraid to charge what you are worth.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would love to take a class of yours one day.last time I didn't have the cash and accepted that fact.you are a business womanand a ggreat one at that . You should never feel guilty for charging what you do.and what you charge isn't a high price considering what others charge.you do you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Considering the overseas flights and accommodation and food costs, especially because you lose money in exchange over here in the UK, I don't understand that some gals think you're overpriced! The amount of time and energy you put into getting over here is more than worth the money you charge for a fantastic experience, and I hope that in the next few years I'll be able to come and see you on tour at whatever price you're charging. Keep at it! xox

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think you hit the nail on the head with what you have written. Especially the fact they are a luxury and not a necessity. I have to say that your prices are still way cheaper than the glasses I must buy in order to see daily, which is a way overpriced necessity (even with cheap frames). So bravo! Stick to your guns!

    ReplyDelete
  5. "I would love to be independently wealthy and travel the world on my own dime and give away all of my knowledge and skills for free. But unfortunately that isn't my life."

    Duuuuude. I say this all the time. I would LOVE to just take photos of babes all day everyday and not charge them anything, BUT this lady needs to eat and have a place to live, sooooo...

    xoxo,
    Tara O.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well written! I just can't believe you get girls accusing you of charging too much. Your rate for classes (and shoots for that matter) are more than reasonable and after attending one of your classes, WELL worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You classes are 100% worth every penny and we all are very lucky you are willing to share all of your knowledge!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I get it. I often get asked to 'donate'my services. It irks me. Yes I can screen print you some rad merchandise for your band but I still have to pay for materials. Tote bags, t-shirts and ink are not free. Nor is my precious time. I work full time (including weekends) and pursue my creative outlets on the side. I would be 'donating' precious time with my partner and family.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I get it. I often get asked to 'donate'my services. It irks me. Yes I can screen print you some rad merchandise for your band but I still have to pay for materials. Tote bags, t-shirts and ink are not free. Nor is my precious time. I work full time (including weekends) and pursue my creative outlets on the side. I would be 'donating' precious time with my partner and family.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I don't understand why people follow you just to give you grief all the time. Having to justify yourself like this is really unfair, considering how much of your time you already give to people. I can't imagine how frustrating this must be for you, but just know that so many more people adore you and everything you do for them every day (like me!)
    I would love to come to a UK class, but finances won't allow it right now (and I only live in Germany!!)
    I can't imagine how you manage it! You are amazing!
    Hopefully one day you will do a European tour and come nearer to where I am. That would be a dream :D

    Have a great day, and keep on smiling :) <3

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love this post and I only want to make a suggestion in case you aren't aware of it. Have you heard of airfarewatchdog.com? It's pretty awesome. I used it a few years ago when I was planning a European adventure for myself. Essentially you set up your account and put where you want to fly to and where you want to fly from and your proposed dates and it will send you email notification at least weekly on current lowest prices fares. Summer is high season for Europe so the fares will always be higher, but I've seen LAX to LHR around $700 during low seasons and $900 during peak season. I'm a frugal person for a lot of things (I went o Ireland for 9 days last summer and only paid $1550 for round trip flight from LAX, hotels/B&Bs, AND car rental!) so I thought maybe I could throw a money saving tip your way if you didn't know the site existed :D enjoy your upcoming tour!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Good for you...I honestly would pay more! Heck if you are ever in Sacramento I will pay you more...and feed you!xx

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for stopping by! Please be nice and kind with your words even if you have something to criticize. I am trying to answer to as many questions as possible but please have some understanding that I cannot answer to all of you. XOXO