I read Tarot at Mingle Hill Farm’s Annual Flower Fest this weekend. I don’t do too many in-person events these days – I am an introvert absolutely love reading for my clients online, nestled in the comfort of my home office, surrounded by talismans, crystals, and serenity. Although I went to another dimension from the extreme heat that day and talked nonstop for almost six hours, I had a great time.
I was happy to connect with my community as many local people came out to the event – let me tell you, it is a small world here without the relative anonymity of the big city and I have to get used to my worlds colliding – a lovely woman I married recently in my other role of wedding officiant showed up, seeing me in my witch hat and with my cards. She said, “Oh, we should have had you reading at the reception!”. Another person asked me about my faith and gave me a Catholic medallion to protect me from evil spirits (perhaps they thought I was a bit suspect myself), but I kept my cool and shut down that interaction swiftly.
I read for many clients that day, all women, and I was moved by how they trusted me with their hopes, dreams, sadness, strength, and vulnerability. I read with my Unifying Consciousness Tarot and I couldn’t be happier with people’s reactions to the deck. The imagery differs from a traditional deck – vibrant, surprising, and “wonderfully weird” – yet the cards resonated deeply with everyone and sparked deep spiritual discussions and revelations. People going through life transitions and transformations seemed drawn to my table that day.
At the end of the day, I needed a cool shower, comfort food, a quiet room, and no expectations of conversation from my loved ones. But I was so happy.
For the new Tarot pro, here are some tips if you’re considering working events. Events aren’t for the faint of heart – they take planning and stamina – but they will level up your Tarot game quickly and can be good fun.
- Choose the event wisely. Do some research before you commit. Is the event a longstanding favourite? Something new with a lot of buzz? Is it in a convenient and easily accessible location? Or, if not, is it in an area with some draw of its own? What kind of attendance does it attract? Ensure you have all the information you need concerning the organizer’s fees. Find out if you need to bring your own table/furniture/booth/chairs/tent, if WiFi is available, and if there are any restrictions regarding setup and signage. Will you be in a quiet spot, or will you be fighting music or entertainment? Ask how the organizers will promote the event – will they market you and the event widely, or are you expected to do that all on your own? Gather as much information about logistics as you can.
- Be a pro. Know what you’re doing. Be confident in your skills and the value you offer your clients. If this is in question, beyond the understandable and natural nerves, perhaps the time isn’t right to dive into the world of events.
- Decide what you are offering and set your prices. If you’re doing readings only, set your prices and display them clearly. I prefer to offer shorter readings at festivals, 15- or 20-minutes max, because of the high energy, lack of privacy and noise. You can decide if you charge for a certain length of time or prefer to charge for a specific kind of reading. Manage the reading and keep it on time so you don’t get behind schedule. As an aside, I often offer readings, teach a class, and sell my magical jewelry at events. Having more than one offering can maximize your valuable time there.
- Payment. Decide if you will accept cash only, or if you’re willing and able to take credit cards or other forms of payment. Cash is the easiest, but you may lose sales if that’s all you accept. I like the Square card reader. They charge a fee, but for me it has been worthwhile. Making it easy for people to pay you is always a good idea. On that note, it collecting that payment before you do the reading is preferable; this avoids confusion and allows your customer to leave your table thinking about the wonderful experience of their reading rather than mundane things like money.
- Solo act or tag team. It can be challenging to run your booth/table on your own. If you don’t have help, have a schedule/time sheet available so that people can sign up for a particular time slot without you having to manage that process. If you are doing readings and selling products, managing this well on your own is almost impossible. Consider having another person with you so they can handle sales while you are reading. If you can’t have someone with you all day, see if someone can cover your table while you take a lunch or bathroom break.
- Self-care. Self-care is non-negotiable when working at events. Bring plenty of water and make sure to stay hydrated. Pack some snacks, as you may not have time to stop for a proper meal, and food may not be readily available. Schedule short breaks throughout the day to recharge. Know your limits – how many readings can you do before needing a break? You don’t want your readings to suffer because you’re frazzled or tired; ideally you don’t want to leave the event as a shell of your former self.
- Put aside some time for fun. Take the opportunity to get to know the other amazing vendors sharing your space. If the event is in a unique location, make time to explore the area or decompress at a local establishment after your work is done. Take advantage of the many benefits of working at an event, aside from the financial rewards.
