Description
Fortune Telling: Using one’s tools, skills and intuition to help others examine their present circumstances, or “fortune”, what brought them to it, and what their options might be going forward.
Doing this professionally can take many forms from offering reading for small private parties, all the way to making a full time business offering Fortune Telling at corporate events, fairs, festival, and many other types of events. It is enjoyable and lucrative work, if you are prepared for it.
Yet, there is very little in the way of “how to” information to guide someone in the various aspects of setting up a formal business in this field. This book offers a comprehensive, step-by-step tutorial covering every aspect of the process. It draws on years of experience, working hundreds of events and giving thousands of readings , to help you learn how to make money and be successful as a professional Fortune Teller. The extensive information in this book includes:
What Professional Fortune Telling entails
Creating an effective business name
Registering as a legal business entity
Website design considerations
Your Tax ID, banking, and payment processor
Deciding which type of events best suit you
Guidance on how to price your services
Marketing and Advertising
Designing promotional materials
Contracts and Insurance
Assembling the tools of the trade
Working with themed events
Costuming, decor and booth design
Developing and managing clients
Managing event bookings
Getting in “The Zone”
Professional etiquette
Dealing with challenging people
Self-care, safety, and sanitation
Author Jay DeForest is a Professional Fortune Teller. He works all types of events from private house parties with a few guests, to corporate events with hundreds of guests. He owns and operates a company with a large team of readers, working events throughout the year. Jay is the co-creator of the Living Magick Learning Card Series, and Co-Director of the Northwest Tarot Symposium. His is also a Professional Development Consultant for people creating a business as a professional reader. He can be reached through our Contact Page.
Jay DeForest –
If you’re looking to start a fortune telling business, look no further. Jay DeForest lays everything out for you in an easygoing manner, with engaging stories that carry the lessons home. Jay talks you through everything – from small, one-on-one readings, to big corporate events – and what you need to do in order to survive the pitfalls, and thrive as a fortune teller.
Whether you read Tarot cards, the i Ching, Runes, a Crystal Ball, palms, or tea leaves, or do any other sort of divination, if you’re planning to go professional, you must have this book on your shelf. From setting up a DBA to dealing with booth placement, this book handles it all.
Jay DeForest –
Jay Deforest walks you through the pitfalls that await the budding fortune teller.
Having worked a fair amount of events, the author details many of the issues I’ve faced myself. Everything from the small stuff (tables, chairs, locations, etc.) to the big stuff (intoxicated customers, energy vampires, dehydration, restroom breaks).
If you really wish to make money with your favorite method of divination – you need this book.
Very well written with no fluff added. Hands down. The best.
Jay DeForest –
I was privileged with the opportunity to read this book before it became public and I must say I was highly impressed.
This book contains the basics and covers all the bases for beginners and professionals alike.
It tells you what you need to know about which types of events are best and what to expect when you work them. It goes through multiple techniques on how to deal with all types of clients- the good ones AND the difficult ones.
This book is no nonsense and covers all the gritty little details that a lot of us don’t even think about and definitely didn’t know were important before we started this profession.
I suggest this book to all of my students to prepare them to read professionally at parties, events and functions.
Do not miss this opportunity. It is a literal goldmine if information!
Jay DeForest –
This is a book that has needed to be written for a long time now. It is one that I wish had been available when I first started as a professional reader. Fortune Telling (working with the Tarot, Runes, Palmistry and other modalities) as defined in the author’s note is the reader’s ability to use their own tools, skills, and intuition to help their client examine their present circumstances, reflect on what got them there, and consider their options for moving forward. This is a profession, and takes professional skills and know how.
There is an entire section devoted to you as a reader, and your attitude about yourself. You need to be confident, dress the part (not necessarily in costume), knowing your place (you have been hired to do a job), understanding what different events want from you, and getting “in the zone” for doing readings. Important things that we may not think about are setting boundaries around our reading area when doing an event, and how to deal with people like drunks, skeptics, deniers and more.
If you are someone who has not done fairs or events before, then the section on tools of your trade will be an important one for you. Here Jay discusses how to develop what he terms a “reader kit”, including such things as a tablecloth, a reading cloth, a set cushion, promotional materials, tissues, and pen and notebook.
When I first started looking at reading professionally, I had no clue where to begin as far as setting up a business, local licensing, etc. Quite frankly, I was scared to death! Also (whispers) … the Internet was just getting started, and I did not have the resources that are available now. The chapter on setting up a business (including a business bank account) is a must read for anyone wanting to become a professional reader. Included is information on setting up a professional website (you do not want to know what my first website looked like!). There is more – items like “booking agreements” (contracts), insurance, and what to charge.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is at the beginning of their journey as a professional reader, as well as to those already walking the path. There is something here for everyone!
Jay DeForest –
I was absolutely delighted -and honored- to receive this book for review.
It’s chock-full of good advice, based on experience, and written in an entertaining and cogent way. It’s very clear and specific, and will save you time, trouble and stress.
This is not a “how to read the cards” type of book. This addresses the business aspect of dealing with clients and promoters in public situations, and the ways in which you can prepare yourself to succeed at such venues as outdoor fairs, parties and other types of events. It also has good advice about setting up your business and promoting your practice effectively.
Much of the advice also applies to other types of enterprises in similar situations. (I wish I’d had this book when I was doing art/craft shows with my jewelry!)
If you are considering taking your passion for Tarot or other oracles to the next level, this book will be a valuable practical guide. You’ll get into better venues, serve your clientele with greater confidence, and look more professional when you’re there. The rest is up to you
Jay DeForest –
I only THOUGHT I had a clue!
I’m a Tarot reader, and have been for a very long time. I’ve never EVER read at fairs or other gatherings, but it’s been on my radar for a time. I don’t think I knew what to expect from this book, but I sure got my eyes opened. Nuances of being a compassionate Reader versus an Entertainer who reads were plainly presented. The differences don’t require you do be less compassionate, but to remember who you are while you are on a “gig,” and that is: You are the hired help, the entertainer, and you must learn to conduct yourself in this manner. Jay even goes into ethics, etiquette, and the importance of contracts and getting paid. Even: what to wear! I’ve had the book for a while and had other books ahead of it for reading, but if I had known, this book would have been put right at the top of the stack by my chair. What did I learn? Well: it’s more work to be self-employed than it is to have a job (like I do now), but it seems far more rewarding than what I do. Will I be a Fortune Teller? At first, I thought I would never do this — now, I find myself wondering “why not?” So ~ if you are looking for a resource book to help you with general business and a peek into being self employed whether you are a Reader or not, Jay offers many unique and useful insights. If you are a Reader and considering such a move, it helped me to know that it’s possible. I will be retiring from being an RN in a few years, and I have an idea or two now about becoming an event “Fortune Teller,” versus an occassional Reader. I totally recommend this book for anyone who is considering a business.