There's a request that, when it arrives, is often worth more than a month of single seats: "can we organize a private workshop for our group?". Birthdays, hen parties, corporate teams, groups of friends. It's profitable because you sell the whole event to a single client. But it's also where many artisans get hurt, because they quote by feel and end up underselling.
What to ask before quoting
Never quote blind. First gather the information that determines the cost:
- How many people: the number changes materials, timing and manageability.
- When and where: at your place, theirs, another space? Travel and logistics weigh.
- Occasion and expectations: a corporate team-building has different needs than a hen party.
- Duration and customizations: do they want something special, a theme, a particular difficulty?
- Budget, if they share it: it helps calibrate the proposal to the right value.
How to build the quote
A private price isn't "single price × people". You're selling exclusivity, personalization and your dedicated time. Build it like this:
- Hard costs: materials for everyone + any travel + space rent if needed.
- Your time: preparation, event, cleanup. Value it for real, don't give it away.
- Exclusivity premium: they're booking everything for themselves. That has added value over a single seat.
- Any extras: catering, gift wrapping, customizations. See ethical add-ons and upselling.
Deposit and balance: protect your time
For private events, a deposit on acceptance is essential: it locks the date, protects you from last-minute cancellations and commits the client. The balance is settled before or during the event. On Handsome custom workshops and private groups are handled with an online deposit and on-site balance, so you lock the date without chasing payments. And B2B corporate events are mediated by the platform with contract, invoice and payment handled.
Managing expectations
A private event is also more delicate: there's high expectation and a client to satisfy. Put everything in writing — what's included, duration, number of people, what happens on cancellation — to avoid misunderstandings. A happy private client brings other private clients: it's often the start of a very profitable recurring-events channel.
Domande frequenti
- How do I quote a private group workshop?
- Don't multiply the single price by the number of people. Calculate hard costs (materials, travel, space), your prep and delivery time, an exclusivity premium and any extras. A private event is worth more than a single seat, not less.
- What should I ask before quoting?
- Number of people, date and place (at yours, theirs or elsewhere), occasion and expectations, duration and desired customizations, and any budget. These data determine the real cost: quoting blind leads to underselling.
- Should I ask for a deposit for private groups?
- Yes. A deposit on acceptance locks the date, protects you from last-minute cancellations and commits the client; the balance is settled before or during the event. On Handsome online deposit and on-site balance are already handled.
Online deposit, on-site balance, mediated B2B events. 0% commission.
Manage custom requests and groups
