Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nikki Osier on February 19, 2012 at 9:29am

One thing I can tell you is dont sell yourself short. Calculate how much money you will be spending all together and take in to account your time that you will be spending. I learned my lesson when I did a hoop workshop for 15 kids. I told them a small price because I felt bad asking too much and realized I was only barely covering costs and my time spent wasnt being paid for. Believe me it was such a hassle to make 15 hoops by myself which is the most Ive ever made at one time before. So I definitely learned my lesson to make sure next time to make sure I pay myself for my hard work as well.

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StudentPermalink Reply by Sarah Maccarelli Jordan on February 19, 2012 at 6:12pm

Thanks Nicole...I appreciate your advice.

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StudentPermalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on February 19, 2012 at 9:53am

For 200 hoops, $2,000 is a STEAL. The only way you're really even covering your costs is if they're all made of the 1/2" 125psi tubing with just a couple decorative strips of gaff or vinyl tape. Since the 3/4" tubing is pricier you'll barely break even if you use that, without even factoring in the Uhaul rental, shipping on supplies, the time you'll spend making the hoops or your husband's time off. I agree with Nicole. Find out what your total costs are and exactly what you need to cover that, then add in more for your time and energy. I think I'd charge at least $7-$10/hoop for the 1/2" 125psi hoops, and at least $12-$15/hoop for 3/4" tubing—again, minimal tape. Just a few strips of something colorful/decorative. 

How much lead time are they giving you on this? I feel like it'd take me at least two or three months to make 200 hoops. 

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StudentPermalink Reply by Sarah Maccarelli Jordan on February 19, 2012 at 6:11pm

The event will be April or May....they will get back to me on Tuesday to confirm.

Thanks for the input. I will definitely do minimal tape.

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StudentPermalink Reply by Tilly Whirls on February 19, 2012 at 8:54pm

Geri (the HoopShack) does some fairly plain hoops that have three colors of gaff—two 1/2" strips and one 1" strip. Two go in a spiral and one crisscrosses and they always look kinda cool. Anyway, it's a really simple way to just do a couple colors of tape that still looks nice. 

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150214465087931&set=a....

And Ted (Brancu, I think it's spelled?) told me once to always make sure people know exactly what they're getting when you're offering your services. So maybe send them a photo of the type of hoops they'll be getting. That way they know ahead of time and can't complain about anything the day of/once you get there. 

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StudentPermalink Reply by Liquid Lucy on February 19, 2012 at 3:53pm

I teach hooping as an elective at my middle school. 20 hoops going at once is craaaazy. I can't imagine 200! Are you sure they understand what 200 hoops looks like?

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StudentPermalink Reply by Sarah Maccarelli Jordan on February 19, 2012 at 6:11pm

I know right! I made an itemized bill that includes everything from hoop tape to me renting a truck to deliver all of the hoops. :)

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Permalink Reply by Miss Strange on February 20, 2012 at 11:15am

$2000 for 200 hoops comes out at 10 dollars a piece for a hoop and thats really cheap considering you have to make all of these hoops, teach, and perform. Do the children/ parents keep the hoops? You could maybe look into buying bulk children's hoops that are made with really cheap plastic... Idk 200 hoops is a lot to make by yourself. but if you can do it more power to ya! :) you rock!

the best piece of advice I can give is to make sure you keep all your receipts so you dont lose any of your personal money. I like to get a chunk of money upfront before I put in all the work and collect the rest after the gig. but these are all just suggestions. sounds like a really cool gig. Make sure they provide you with a head set microphone you you can move and teach at the same time and so you dont hurt your voice talking over that many children. lol

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StudentPermalink Reply by Sarah Maccarelli Jordan on February 20, 2012 at 12:11pm

Thanks for the tips and the compliments....I usually require 50% deposit...that would pay for my materials, etc.

I thought about getting some sort of headset/mic thing too.

Thanks again :)

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Permalink Reply by Jane "Electric Blue" on February 23, 2012 at 1:46am

I don't know what the going rates for that sort of thing is where you are but here you would be selling your self way way short. 

The hoops them selves are worth more than that, at the price you have quoted you are only charging only $10 a hoop that is with out any pay for the teaching, and people running group work shops will usually charge more than that. 

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Permalink Reply by liz fenwick on February 24, 2012 at 12:27pm

I live in the northern VA area I'm not sure where you are but if you need a free helper I would be glad to assist I will also be in Orlando late march for a week, I am new to hooping and would like to get into making hoops myself, personally I want to make my first led hoop soon, but if i am anywhere near your I would be glad to learn from you and help you out, also I feel that 10 dollars a hoop is a very good deal you could even show the school other peoples websites and how much hoops go for.

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