Is it time to charge for my tarot readings? And how do?!
October 31, 2019 9:26 AM Subscribe
I've read tarot cards for free for years, and I'm good at it and enjoy it, but the free exchange is beginning to leave me a little drained. Looking for advice on how to level up.
It's become pretty clear that I need to begin charging for this in order to respect my own time and ability, but I'm having a really hard time shifting from "This is a fun thing I do" to "This is fun and it will also cost you $20," especially since my clients are still mostly acquaintances who I'd spend time with anyway (not close friends, who I'd feel super weird charging, but more like coworkers).
Yes, I've run my own spreads on this! But tarot doesn't help with specifics of, like, how very awkward this is in the middle of a random social gathering. This comes up most often when I'm having drinks with people and we're feeling relaxed; "Hey, do you have your cards with you today?" What do I say... "Yes, do you have $20? Haha no really."
Some friends have suggested I just set up at a bar or cafe and read for people there, which is honestly an overwhelming proposition for me but one I haven't completely ruled out; I've gotten far enough that I know which bars would be open to this business-wise, but I don't "look" like a tarot reader (I dress very boringly, wear no makeup or nail polish, and I'm soft-spoken with little theatrical flair). I've set up a website (I have an astrology blog; I also read charts) but because of this whole dilemma I haven't advertised it to anyone in real life. I don't think I'm at a point where I want to be a full-time astrologer/tarot reader (for one thing I'm just not going to be very polished at this stage), but I would love to begin practicing more seriously.
What do you all think? Are there other good ways to get experience/exposure in this somewhat saturated market? I'm not opposed to doing more free readings but I want to be getting more reach instead of it just being a rather taxing party trick. Thanks for any advice!
It's become pretty clear that I need to begin charging for this in order to respect my own time and ability, but I'm having a really hard time shifting from "This is a fun thing I do" to "This is fun and it will also cost you $20," especially since my clients are still mostly acquaintances who I'd spend time with anyway (not close friends, who I'd feel super weird charging, but more like coworkers).
Yes, I've run my own spreads on this! But tarot doesn't help with specifics of, like, how very awkward this is in the middle of a random social gathering. This comes up most often when I'm having drinks with people and we're feeling relaxed; "Hey, do you have your cards with you today?" What do I say... "Yes, do you have $20? Haha no really."
Some friends have suggested I just set up at a bar or cafe and read for people there, which is honestly an overwhelming proposition for me but one I haven't completely ruled out; I've gotten far enough that I know which bars would be open to this business-wise, but I don't "look" like a tarot reader (I dress very boringly, wear no makeup or nail polish, and I'm soft-spoken with little theatrical flair). I've set up a website (I have an astrology blog; I also read charts) but because of this whole dilemma I haven't advertised it to anyone in real life. I don't think I'm at a point where I want to be a full-time astrologer/tarot reader (for one thing I'm just not going to be very polished at this stage), but I would love to begin practicing more seriously.
What do you all think? Are there other good ways to get experience/exposure in this somewhat saturated market? I'm not opposed to doing more free readings but I want to be getting more reach instead of it just being a rather taxing party trick. Thanks for any advice!
Honestly, if the people asking are people you know and people you've done it for before, I'd start by just saying basically what you're saying here - "I have discovered that I need to respect my time and energy more and so I can't do this for free at parties anymore." If they then want to talk about when you *can* do it, you can open negotiations and not feel like you're strong-arming them.
posted by restless_nomad at 9:37 AM on October 31, 2019 [27 favorites]
posted by restless_nomad at 9:37 AM on October 31, 2019 [27 favorites]
This sounds great! I would go for a gradual transition as you get set up - get a regular location and hours, set prices, get a web presence going, etc. Start out floating the idea that you want to take this to the next level and you'd love their help.
Try things like like "Sure, I'd love to do a reading for you. I'm actually starting a business, I'll do this one for free but let me know if you want a more specific reading later and we can set something up!" Or "A group reading sounds fun! First, I need to give each of you the most important card in the deck - my business card!"
Then when you're a bit more established, gently point out that you're a professional providing a service, and that service has a specific name and value by saying something like: "Yeah, let me give you my $20 love life reading. Lets see if you have a mysterious stranger in your future!"
Once a value is attached, it's easier to wean people off freebies without alienating them. Instead of them hearing "You're not a friend, you're a customer" it sounds more like "Sorry, I can't spot you $20 right now."
posted by Garm at 10:14 AM on October 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
Try things like like "Sure, I'd love to do a reading for you. I'm actually starting a business, I'll do this one for free but let me know if you want a more specific reading later and we can set something up!" Or "A group reading sounds fun! First, I need to give each of you the most important card in the deck - my business card!"
Then when you're a bit more established, gently point out that you're a professional providing a service, and that service has a specific name and value by saying something like: "Yeah, let me give you my $20 love life reading. Lets see if you have a mysterious stranger in your future!"
Once a value is attached, it's easier to wean people off freebies without alienating them. Instead of them hearing "You're not a friend, you're a customer" it sounds more like "Sorry, I can't spot you $20 right now."
posted by Garm at 10:14 AM on October 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
One option could be to offer your services as party "entertainment" ahead of time, billing per hour/party instead of per reading. Probably not at a party you would normally attend as a guest, but maybe something hosted by an acquaintance? A social group I'm in did this just last week - the hostess hired a person to provide readings at no cost to the guests and asked guests who used the service to tip if they felt inclined to do so.
This business model worked on me, at least - I kept the person's card and intend to contact them directly at some point, even though I hadn't seriously considered paying someone for a reading before this experience. Good luck to you!
posted by Ann Telope at 10:17 AM on October 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
This business model worked on me, at least - I kept the person's card and intend to contact them directly at some point, even though I hadn't seriously considered paying someone for a reading before this experience. Good luck to you!
posted by Ann Telope at 10:17 AM on October 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
Your question sounds super ambivalent about what you actually want vs what you think is required vs what other people are telling you is required.
There's also the possibility that people are saying stuff like this because it's something to do at a party other than awkward small talk and people just like things that are conduits to increased intimacy with someone. You don't have to do it parties if you don't want of course. I just think it's possible that people aren't asking because they want something from you and expect it for free but rather that they think it's a pleasant way to pass the time that you enjoy.
What about hosting your own gathering (online like with Skype?) and invite folks who have expressed interest before? That way you could have one set time a week for doing astrology, if people are interested they can show up, you have an easy answer if anyone asks, and you have a concrete thing to advertise.
posted by bleep at 10:19 AM on October 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
There's also the possibility that people are saying stuff like this because it's something to do at a party other than awkward small talk and people just like things that are conduits to increased intimacy with someone. You don't have to do it parties if you don't want of course. I just think it's possible that people aren't asking because they want something from you and expect it for free but rather that they think it's a pleasant way to pass the time that you enjoy.
What about hosting your own gathering (online like with Skype?) and invite folks who have expressed interest before? That way you could have one set time a week for doing astrology, if people are interested they can show up, you have an easy answer if anyone asks, and you have a concrete thing to advertise.
posted by bleep at 10:19 AM on October 31, 2019 [3 favorites]
I don't have advice from experience, but I know biddytarot.com talks a lot about business running. I have not used her services and am not endorsing, I just like reading her writings in general.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:33 AM on October 31, 2019
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:33 AM on October 31, 2019
At least in the circles I run in, people who do readings on the regular either have a only do a 3 card fifteen minute reading for free rule or a I do it once for free rule only for friends rule, or they just never do this for free.
They are just up front, clear and repeat as needed. It's not awkward, unless the person asking really doesn't value your time in the first place. They can find somebody else to give them a free reading.
It's a common practice, so I haven't seen alot of pushback on it. It's a fairly insular community, so if you don't know your local readers yet finding out who they are and their common practices is useful. Some people just occasionally get paid when somebody asks and you say hey, I can only do that for 20 dollars, then they say Oh yeah not a problem. Then you have a customer and go on about your day.
posted by AlexiaSky at 11:02 AM on October 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
They are just up front, clear and repeat as needed. It's not awkward, unless the person asking really doesn't value your time in the first place. They can find somebody else to give them a free reading.
It's a common practice, so I haven't seen alot of pushback on it. It's a fairly insular community, so if you don't know your local readers yet finding out who they are and their common practices is useful. Some people just occasionally get paid when somebody asks and you say hey, I can only do that for 20 dollars, then they say Oh yeah not a problem. Then you have a customer and go on about your day.
posted by AlexiaSky at 11:02 AM on October 31, 2019 [1 favorite]
There is, in fact, a bar in my neighborhood in which a woman sets up her "free tarot" sign every Friday. A three card reading is free, with a full reading (?) Coming in at $20. She does really well and is now thoroughly a part of the bar's identity. I think bar owners might let you set up without charging you, depending on the flavor of the bar.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 11:10 AM on October 31, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 11:10 AM on October 31, 2019 [7 favorites]
Here's something to consider:
Money is a form of concentrated energy. My money represents the energy I put into earning it, and it's a proxy for my time and effort. Further, in capitalism, we value what we pay for. So people who pay for your services will actually get more value out of the experience because they're putting their own energy into it, and telling themselves, through that payment, that it's something important to them. So charging for your work, skill, and expertise will actually make it more valuable.
posted by spindrifter at 11:12 AM on October 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
Money is a form of concentrated energy. My money represents the energy I put into earning it, and it's a proxy for my time and effort. Further, in capitalism, we value what we pay for. So people who pay for your services will actually get more value out of the experience because they're putting their own energy into it, and telling themselves, through that payment, that it's something important to them. So charging for your work, skill, and expertise will actually make it more valuable.
posted by spindrifter at 11:12 AM on October 31, 2019 [6 favorites]
I would get business cards printed. Something that says:
saramour
Freelance Tarot Interpreter
e-mail address or other contact method
You can get a stack of them cheaply, and when when someone says "Can you do a reading?" you can say "Sure! Here's my card. Send me an e-mail and I'll get you scheduled." Then you can respond to their e-mail and say "Thanks for the follow up, here's my price chart/per hour rate/flat rate/whatever." I suspect it will be easier to handle that awkwardness by taking it to e-mails.
Also, re:not looking like a fortune teller, that's fine. You should invest in something special to keep the cards in. Like, a real nice box with some kind of inlay or engraving, and an upgrade from the small felt bag that every deck I've ever seen comes bundled with. These will help to emphasize that really it's the /cards/ that are special. You're just the medium. If you still feel inadequate, consider getting an appropriate accessory to wear while you do the thing. Wearing it will set a tone, so picking appropriately is important, but you can keep it in the fancy box with the cards to help drive home that it's a special thing, with special uses.
If anyone says "But you used to do this for free!" or something similar you just hand them a business card and say "Yes, but now I freelance." I would give people cards even if you would be willing to do one for free. If your bestie wants a reading, it helps if they obey the rules even if they don't pay. "Even $BestFriend sends me an e-mail to schedule readings. That's just how it is now."
posted by Zudz at 12:06 PM on October 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
saramour
Freelance Tarot Interpreter
e-mail address or other contact method
You can get a stack of them cheaply, and when when someone says "Can you do a reading?" you can say "Sure! Here's my card. Send me an e-mail and I'll get you scheduled." Then you can respond to their e-mail and say "Thanks for the follow up, here's my price chart/per hour rate/flat rate/whatever." I suspect it will be easier to handle that awkwardness by taking it to e-mails.
Also, re:not looking like a fortune teller, that's fine. You should invest in something special to keep the cards in. Like, a real nice box with some kind of inlay or engraving, and an upgrade from the small felt bag that every deck I've ever seen comes bundled with. These will help to emphasize that really it's the /cards/ that are special. You're just the medium. If you still feel inadequate, consider getting an appropriate accessory to wear while you do the thing. Wearing it will set a tone, so picking appropriately is important, but you can keep it in the fancy box with the cards to help drive home that it's a special thing, with special uses.
If anyone says "But you used to do this for free!" or something similar you just hand them a business card and say "Yes, but now I freelance." I would give people cards even if you would be willing to do one for free. If your bestie wants a reading, it helps if they obey the rules even if they don't pay. "Even $BestFriend sends me an e-mail to schedule readings. That's just how it is now."
posted by Zudz at 12:06 PM on October 31, 2019 [4 favorites]
I love the advice everyone has given you here so far! One more thing to consider: regardless of whether or not you start charging, you can say no to whomever whenever. "Thanks for asking but I'm taking a break to set up my business" is a great placeholder for now. When you do, I love the idea of giving people a card so they put in the effort. Because this is a side gig and a favor or service, they should be doing the extra work, not you. If people try to protest that you're charging "too much" or making it "too hard," then they're being disrespectful and you probably wouldn't want to do their reading anyway.
With practice, setting and maintaining boundaries is quite easy and painless! As a native English speaker abroad, I get asked about lessons -- some paid but mostly free -- all the time. My go-to answer is "Thanks but I'm focusing on my studies right now." People don't usually ask twice. I offer sometimes to people for whom there's a mutual benefit. While I'm open to teaching for free or pay, there's less pressure this way. Also, most people don't mind a no at all!
posted by smorgasbord at 12:21 PM on October 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
With practice, setting and maintaining boundaries is quite easy and painless! As a native English speaker abroad, I get asked about lessons -- some paid but mostly free -- all the time. My go-to answer is "Thanks but I'm focusing on my studies right now." People don't usually ask twice. I offer sometimes to people for whom there's a mutual benefit. While I'm open to teaching for free or pay, there's less pressure this way. Also, most people don't mind a no at all!
posted by smorgasbord at 12:21 PM on October 31, 2019 [2 favorites]
My first encounter with tarot was at a milestone-celebrating sort of party. The vibe I got from the reader was "practical and competent". She was confident in her abilities, and the 'spooky' or theatrical look just wasn't part of her process. She set up in a side room and did readings for guests privately. The lights were on, the host's cat was in there doing vibe-ruining cat things, she gave me a startlingly accurate read of my self and situation, and I remain impressed.
So, that's an option, both for presentation and possible segue. Your acquaintances who enjoy your readings at social gatherings might consider having a reader for an Occasion - bachelorette? birthday? - and it would be entirely normal to charge for that.
posted by mersen at 7:42 PM on October 31, 2019
So, that's an option, both for presentation and possible segue. Your acquaintances who enjoy your readings at social gatherings might consider having a reader for an Occasion - bachelorette? birthday? - and it would be entirely normal to charge for that.
posted by mersen at 7:42 PM on October 31, 2019
I would just stop bringing your cards out with you except when you're going to see a friend or somewhere you won't mind doing a short reading for someone.
Another option for selling your services other than a bar is at yoga festivals or alternative events like an indie craft fair, punk rock flea market type deals, crystal expos - lots of those places are happy to have a tarot reader as an additional draw to the event and it tends to be a friendly crowd (same for doing quick chart readings). If you can do a couple of events over a few months it might be less overwhelming than signing up to do weekly readings at a bar.
Do you have an instagram account? It can be draining to maintain but creating an account and posting images, quotes, and the odd personal post can help to raise your profile, and again you don't have to have it be all selfies, I have a lot of friends who have professional instagrams for their hippy/alternative services and they are pretty creative but not oversharing about themselves, they make the post be about the photograph or the birth service or the yoga.
posted by lafemma at 10:26 AM on November 1, 2019
Another option for selling your services other than a bar is at yoga festivals or alternative events like an indie craft fair, punk rock flea market type deals, crystal expos - lots of those places are happy to have a tarot reader as an additional draw to the event and it tends to be a friendly crowd (same for doing quick chart readings). If you can do a couple of events over a few months it might be less overwhelming than signing up to do weekly readings at a bar.
Do you have an instagram account? It can be draining to maintain but creating an account and posting images, quotes, and the odd personal post can help to raise your profile, and again you don't have to have it be all selfies, I have a lot of friends who have professional instagrams for their hippy/alternative services and they are pretty creative but not oversharing about themselves, they make the post be about the photograph or the birth service or the yoga.
posted by lafemma at 10:26 AM on November 1, 2019
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posted by Bebo at 9:34 AM on October 31, 2019 [32 favorites]