Most businesses have been hit hard by our current economic recession. What can we do as entertainers to get more work for the 2010 year?
Build Relationships for More Shows
Create a relationship with each your customers. After all, they hired and they paid you. And hopefully you did a great job for them. So why search for a new client?
Instead, develop a long term relationship with them. Think of techniques can you employ to expand your business with them. Can you refer another entertainer for their next event? Can you provide another act, character or service for them? You are actually doing them a favor by saving them the time it would take for them to search for another performer. Libraries will frequently hire an entertainer back year after year if they have a new show that is fits into their theme for that year.
Don’t Delay Until Show Day
My goal for 2010 is to meet ahead of time with each person that hires me. I plan to visit each school or library to check out the venue. Think of the message this sends! The boss can’t help but be impressed that I took the time to preview the performing area ahead of time. Also, potential problems can be identified and corrected before the program. I also use this time to find out useful information about the audience. Of course, I could do this on the phone, but I want to build a long term business relationship with the client, not just a one time program.
Network for Additional Shows
One fantastic technique that you can employ is to network with colleagues. Trade 12 past clients for 12 clients of a fellow performer. The next step is to contact the potential new clients and introduce yourself and different show for the same fee. Out of 12 contacts, you will usually book two of them. And of course, you will get referrals from those shows. This has proven to be a very effective technique for me!
Win More Shows with Honey
Finally, be a good person to deal with. Do NOT call, e-mail or badger people for your program fee. Instead, ask if they need additional information to help with the processing of your payment. This is the kinder approach for receiving your payment if it was not delivered at the conclusion of your performance. If you do a great job and are easy to work with, the boss will tell several people. Conversely, if you are difficult to work with, they will tell MANY people as well.
Good luck with your business in 2010!
About SteveKissell
As a clown, humorist, author and motivational speaker, Steve has performed in 46 states and 5 countries! Yes, Steve Kissell has been performing for 25 years at conventions, schools, churches, libraries, birthday and holiday parties. He also shares the performing arts of clowning, comedy magic, and storytelling.
Contact Steve at: kisselltalks@cs.com or Visit Steve's Website
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hey,
That Steve guy is a great writer, I like the way you broke up the article, good stuff!
All kidding aside, these are some great tips. Glad you liked the new format. One of my goals is to edit articles to maintain consistency of style.
Steve has always been an entertaining performer and a good lecturer also. Thanks for the article. The tip on visiting the site before the performance definitely made the article worth reading. Just one more thing I can steal, I mean boorow from Steve Kissel.
Glad you liked the article. Steve is one of the busiest performers around, it’s great that he is willing to share these techniques.