How Can I Start Reading Tarot Professionally?

This month, I’m answering some of your biggest, gnarliest (and most common) questions about tarot.

Today’s question: how can I start reading tarot professionally?

I get asked this question all the time. There are many talented readers out there who really wish to go pro but may be hesitating often due to a few reasons:

lack of confidence in their abilities
lack of capital to start a business
lack of business know how
fear of not having a steady paycheck

Let me try to address those issues and add some of my best Tarot Lady advice, straight up:

Prepping for business:

Before you even start thinking about hanging out your shingle, it’s important to get over the fear that you are not good enough. And how can you do that? Do as many readings as you possibly can (preferably face to face) until you burn that nonsense out of your brain. As you are doing these readings, ask for feedback. Often your friends, family and clients will be more than willing to give you their thoughts – and as you start to get more positive feedback, you’ll begin to feel confident enough to consider going pro. (For the record, I read tarot for 10 years and for many people before I started my business.)

Next, make sure your personal life is in order. There is nothing worse than a tarot reader who dispenses life advice but lives like a hot mess. If your own life is a disaster, this will bleed over into your work and no one will take you seriously. I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true. You must be a living example of what can be possible. That doesn’t mean you won’t have issues from time to time but get the icky stuff out of the way. A grounded tarot reader who has a Zen life makes the best (and most successful) reader in my opinion.

Start reading up on business so you have a general idea of what that entails. There are many fine books and blogs out there that will give you the info you need to launch your business successfully. The more informed you are, the more likely you will ease into self employment.

Put some money away so that you have something to live on while you start building your business. Or if that feels scary, continue working a day job until your tarot business starts to become steady.

Get clear on your audience and your policies. If you have your market in mind and some healthy boundaries in place, you’ll be setting yourself up for a sane and profitable business model.

Starting your business:

If you don’t have money to start your own business, check out my blog post on How To Bootstrap Your Tarot Business. This will give you some ideas to get things popping even if you don’t have two nickels to rub together.

If you do have money set aside, at the very least you’ll want to spend on the following:

accountant
website
business cards
licenses
insurance
phone
office space

Get an office set up – even if that means only a corner in your house. You need a space where you can work undisturbed. This is vital and should not be overlooked

Once you are set up, you’ll need clients. Start deciding how you will promote your business. Will you use social media? How about local gigs at a bookstore, coffee shop, restaurant or bar? Have you checked out your local television and radio shows to see if they’d be interested in having you on as a guest?

Establish a budget that makes sure your expenses are covered – and you have money to live on. As you’ll be self employed, you’ll need to make sure you anticipate costs such as health insurance, taxes, etc. With a variable income, this can be tricky to manage at first – but once you are going, you’ll start to become aware of how your business ebbs and flows and this will allow you to create a sound budget that works for you.

Living as a tarot pro:

Whatever you do, be sure to pay your taxes. This will get you in trouble faster than anything else. Consult with your accountant and set up a quarterly payment plan. And then be sure to set that money aside religiously!

Have regular business hours. Resist the urge to be available at your client’s beck and call as that is the surest path towards burn out.

Practice good client care and treat your customers with respect. However, that does not mean being a doormat. Don’t be afraid to fire a client that treats you poorly. You are not in the business of being abused and you do not have to put up with any form of disrespect.

Join your tarot community for support. You’ll need some trusted peers to rely on (I can’t count how many times my colleagues have been a godsend when I have been in a sticky tarot wicket!)

Market the heck out of your business. It’s the key to being successful. Afraid to market? Get over it and just do it.

Although this post is by no means complete, this should give you a nudge to get started. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get that tarot party started!

Blessings,

Theresa

If you are still hemming and hawing or full of trepidation, consider getting a copy of my Tarot Business in a Box – it will give you the full scoop on how to get set up properly, right from the get go.

What are your challenges with your tarot business? How did you get your tarot business started?