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Post by josiebrat on Jun 16, 2015 14:06:51 GMT
Hello everyone,
It's me again. I know many of you have been teaching and doing workshops so maybe you can give me some advise in this area. I have been asked to do some kids workshops which will either be 4 or 8 sessions at 1-1/2 hour each. Is it best to work on an hourly rate or per child? When I taught a class recently in school they paid per student. I'm finding it harder to keep track of these cost for different workshops and want to develop a simple formula. Of course, my classroom fees were separate in the case of the after school program and I would do the same here.
I'm also planning to teach a nuno felt scarf workshop in the late fall, and want some direction from you experts as to how you handle your workshops. The class will probably run 6-7 hours, based on a few I have taken myself and considering there maybe newbies. I'm thinking I should calculate an hourly rate, add in my overhead (expenses such as gas/water/printing of handouts, etc) then come up with a fee per student? In this case, I have been asked also to provide the kits and provide a fee for that which I can do. When you run workshops like this do you always provide students with a handout so they can then go home and make scarf on their own? I remember when I took my first class, I was so happy to have a handout as I found myself using it for the first few times I did a scarf alone.
Appreciate your thoughts on this matter.
thanks,
Josie
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Post by MTRuth on Jun 16, 2015 16:22:44 GMT
Sounds like you have a lot of teaching opportunities. That's great. I usually charge per student. I also set a minimum and maximum number of students per class. I will not run the class unless I meet the minimum number. Your second paragraph sounds like a good way to figure out your fees. I have not done a handout for my classes but many people do.
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Post by Shepherdess on Jun 16, 2015 23:06:35 GMT
I charge per student, plus a materials fee. I do give a hand out but it is not as detailed as it would be for a stand alone kit. It is just something to help them remember what they did in class. when I teach through my guild they pay me by the hour for the class plus one hour prep and students pay me the material fee. I set minimum and maximum numbers as well. going our the min is 4 and max depends on project. Staying home I will teach 2. it is easier because I don't have to pack my stuff up at take it anywhere. with kids I am not sure I would bother with written instructions.
The people I know that do schools say they have to be strict about the helpers being there to help the kids and not there to take the class.
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Post by Pandagirl on Jun 17, 2015 0:39:55 GMT
I've only taught one felting class, but many others over the years and always charge per student plus materials fee. But be careful the last class I taught they didn't charge the materials fee and I had to eat it. There are many factors you have to take into consideration in pricing. All the things you listed were good, but you also have to take into consideration your market and the price it will bear. If you overprice you won't get students, if you underprice they may not take the course seriously. I know that's not the answer you want, but you need to take into consideration what others are charging and the rate they are able to fill a class. As far as all your considerations, base it on the minimum class size, anything else will be gravy. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
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Post by zed on Jun 17, 2015 9:18:10 GMT
A handout would be useful, but you could also maybe have the info as a PDF to email out or access online, you can get better detail online than with a print out, and it's extra cost for you doing the printing, they could do that themselves.
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Post by Shepherdess on Jun 17, 2015 13:27:02 GMT
oh ye no pictures in the hand out.
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Post by Pandagirl on Jun 17, 2015 14:10:18 GMT
I forgot to mention I always give handouts that include resources like this forum. :-)
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Post by josiebrat on Jun 17, 2015 14:18:55 GMT
Wow ladies - This is all good info and I thank you so much for your advise. I have calculated a per person fee, and agree it should be based on minimum students.
For the kids class I am not doing any handouts, but will so one for the adult scarf class and keep it simple without too much detail/no pictures. Great idea about doing as a PDF to mail out so students can print it instead of me.
Of course, need to have resource list and this site is top of my list.
Ann I was fortune this time to have a good assistant as she only focused on helping the kids, but I know a few if my friends were not so lucky. I'll keep this in mind.
For pricing -I'm still new at this so I'm mindful that I cannot price too high. Thanks again and will keep you posted. I have to work on supply list this week for scarf class so I can come up with material cost.
I'm also going to offer my nuno felt scarf class from 10-5 or 9-4 as some of the students maybe doing this for the first time. When I did my first class it ran for 7-1/2 hours and I used every minute of it and only took short break to eat .
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Post by josiebrat on Jul 13, 2015 1:02:50 GMT
Hello Everyone,
It's been a while since I wrote here, but I have been keeping up with what's happening on the forum. I need some advise again from you as I know you have the experience with workshops. I had mentioned previously that I would be teaching a nuno felt class and the hours I planned to use. Class will probably include more newbies. In this case do you think the 9-5 I'm planning including 1 hour for lunch is ok, and not too much time? The person who prompted me to do this particular class wants to have more time than less. Of course as it's my first nuno class I'm just being careful. I'm only going to do the rolling. The plan is to teach 2 separate classes in a 2 day period, first one basic and the 2nd day going beyond the basics (i.e. fringe, shibori type balls, synethetic embellishments, beading).. Any tips you have from your own experience will be greatly appreciated. thanks
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Post by carole aka craftywoman on Jul 13, 2015 9:00:39 GMT
Hi Josie,
You are one busy lady, I charge per student and I include homemade cake, teas and coffees and the rental costs, and people seem happy with that, it does cover some basic fibre too enough to complete one project, but if we are doing big projects and we need more expensive fibres then they buy what they need and I provide the embellishment.
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Post by josiebrat on Jul 13, 2015 15:49:34 GMT
Hi Carol,
Thanks for your comments and I have taken note of this. On the items you included above do you factor this also into your per student cost? I have included cost of all fibers, and other things needed in the class in my fee. It is a lot of work putting this together, but in the end I'm hoping everyone will get something out of it. thanks again
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Post by MTRuth on Jul 13, 2015 17:35:38 GMT
I think that more time is always better than less time. Especially with beginners. They always take more time than you think they will. The two day class idea is great. That way if some people want to advance on and learn more the second day they can.
Are you having them make a scarf? I find that most people want to take a finished piece home with them. I personally like techniques classes and don't need a project based class but find that the majority of people prefer it the other way.
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Post by Shepherdess on Jul 14, 2015 2:27:10 GMT
More time is better than less. You will feel better if you are not worrying about the time. If they finish early you can discuses what you will be doing the next day. It will give you a better idea for next time.
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Post by MTRuth on Jul 14, 2015 16:13:24 GMT
Or you can do a "critique" at the end of the day. Let each student describe what they like about their piece, what they would change for next time, what their plans are for a next piece etc. It gets a good discussion going and allows all students to see others work.
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Post by josiebrat on Jul 20, 2015 11:42:18 GMT
Hi Ruth,
I like your idea about the critique and would definitely plan to do. Thanks
Josie
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