Art Marketing Video: How to be a paint party instructor!

Hi friends! Yesterday I shared the tutorial I used for a painting party I was hired to do this week. I taught at a bridal shower and it was so much fun! Paint parties, also called “Sip and Paint” have become so popular lately, in fact it is becoming a big industry with studios popping up for drop in classes and bars and restaurants hosting the events. I was at a softball clinic today and another mother mentioned how she went to two different “sip and paints” this week at two different places  taught by two different instructors. If that is happening here in Smallville it is surely happening in your neck of the woods. The best part is that many of the ladies (and men-I don’t mean to sound sexist) taking these classes have never painted before! Think of all the people you know that say “oh, you’re so creative, I could never do that.” You can say “I’ll show you!” In tonight’s video I’ll show you how you can start your own paint party business with some inexpensive supplies (most of which you already have) and how to have a successful class.

Video! (email subscribers, please click-through to my blog to see the video)

If you have questions please leave them below, also check out the comments on the YouTube video page because there are some great questions and advice there too.

What do you need to have a paint party? Plan on more than enough for everyone in case you have extra students.

• Paint
• Surface (canvas, paper, wood item, etc)
• Brushes
• Paper towels
• Water buckets
• You may also need cleaning wipes and paper for covering tables
• Your easel for teaching and a finished project to work from.

Tips:

1. Charge by the project so there are no surprises for the host (or you!)
2. Set a minimum # of students so you can guarantee making a certain amount.
3. Arrive early to set out supplies.
4. Have business cards to encourage guests to have parties or invite them to take your regular classes if you teach them.
5. Talk about your paint party business to friends because this type of business is advertised best by word of mouth.
6. Consider teaching at children’s birthday parties if you have lots of patience and energy.
7. Bring an assistant for large groups so they can refresh supplies and help students if needed.
8. Never supply alcohol, this might be a “sip and paint” but the sipping would be taken care of by the host of the party. You are the teacher, not the bartender.

I hope you found this helpful. I think it is a great way for an artist to start a business teaching with very little overhead and there is a huge market for this so jump on the trend and you may tun some curious non-artists into class taking Picassos! Have a great night and til next time happy crafting!