It’s hard enough planning for a party or event, but even trickier if you are hiring an entertainer for your special occasion. Who you hire will be a reflection on you and working in your space. They will also be interacting with your guests which may include some VIPs in your personal life. No matter if you hiring a clown, face painter, magician or in my case a fortune-teller, it’s best to know who will be working with you.
For many years I have partnered with entertainment agents and party planners. Their job is to work through the ideas, logistics and contracts with clients. It’s great to have a planner do all of the leg work for you and they have access to a lot of talent and options.
We are now in an age where anyone can do a little research on the internet and hire any entertainment imaginable. And there is a wide range of pricing for entertainers like balloon artists and face painters, clowns and magicians. It doesn’t take long for someone who is really good to garner a reputation. Word of mouth marketing can go a long way very quickly.
Unfortunately, it takes a little longer for people to catch on about the duds or performers who just really don’t care. A bad entertainment experience is one that people will talk about for a long, long time. It’s the horror story told over and over again and laughed about over cocktails.
Four reasons to hire a professional entertainer:
- A professional entertainer is skilled at their craft. Time and experience with thousands of people at parties and events usually shows when you are working with a seasoned performer. They are comfortable communicating and quickly connect with people. This also includes knowing what is appropriate information to share and which ages and audiences their services align with best. My readings for corporate executives are different than how I relate to teens, or a group of women at a bridal shower.
- Years of experience specializing in parties and events. The best events are usually those where all the details have been discussed up front before a contract is signed. A seasoned performer can suggest ideas and services that would work best for that particular situation and audience. That knowledge can save a client not only money but also embarrassing situations.
- I offer many types of intuitive entertainment (palmistry, tarot cards, tea leaf reading, astrology as well as Lipsology) and can make suggestions of what might work best to get the biggest bang out of my client’s budget.
- Attention to details and a flair for elegance. Most professional entertainers care about how they look and present themselves. They take pride in making a good impression. Besides, a photographer might be at the event! There are some entertainers who skimp on this and embarrass the client. Wearing an attractive costume is a part of my entertainment package agreement. This also includes bringing table decorations and props that match many themes. My clients appreciate that I am easy to spot even across the room and stand out from their guests.
- Quality customer service. The guests should be the first concern of your entertainer. The amount of time entertaining and if breaks are included should be worked out before signing agreements. Discussing costs and a plan for possible overtime in advance can also save some awkward situations. My clients are often surprised at how popular fortune-telling is especially if people see others having fun and enjoying their experience.
Why some entertainers will work for peanuts.
The other day a woman contacted me interested in having fortune-telling for an upcoming event at her retirement community. She said that she wanted fun and quick readings because her seniors wouldn’t be able to stand in lines or wait very long and would it be possible to have two people for the job. So, then came her third requirement: cost. She didn’t have much of a budget which would barely cover one reader for 30 minutes.
When I told her my pricing, she was shocked and joked that she was in the wrong business. I reasoned with her, that then maybe she didn’t need a professional reader. Maybe a high school student would do.
“You should be paying me.” The woman argued, “Wouldn’t this be a great opportunity for you to hand out your business cards and get some extra business from these older people who worry about their life and future?”
You get what you pay for.
Most professional entertainers are interested in doing what they do best: performing. They also value customer service and building their client base. Like in all businesses there can be a few individuals will recognize the opportunity of being invited into a residence, business or retirement home as a potential goldmine. It’s like a fox getting into a hen house and they love clients who are on the cheap side.
So I warned my potential client, “You might want to beware of people who are willing to work really cheap. There will be people who will work for your budget or under in a heartbeat. They can’t wait sit next to senior citizens and learn all about them. And it’s a free invited opportunity to look around and case your retirement facility. I would recommend really vetting them in advance.”
“Oh – believe me I do – I cover my bases” she stammered. But I knew the thought had never crossed her mind.
Four things that stand out with professional entertainers.
Liability insurance.
Even the most psychic of entertainers can not always predict an accident. Many hotels, universities and festivals will require a performer to list them on the certificate for an event. I always ask my client to place my fortune-telling table in an active area of the party instead of a private room. Everyone can see me and any guest I am entertaining at all times. This can really be helpful with big events to keep the lines moving. It’s not unusual for people to gather around to hear what I have to say. And the more people are enjoying the experience, the better.
Check out their website. Does it look professional?
A website is a great place to see what your entertainer looks like and to get a feeling of the personality they have. However, not everyone has pictures. They may have photos of cards or crystal balls or pretty landscapes and that makes it hard to know who you are getting when purchasing entertainment.
Some times entertainers will list their business as them and “associates” or “friends”. This means that you may not get the headliner entertainer for your event. Instead the associate or friend of the reader and may be someone who has less skill and experience and costs them less to send. Party planners and event companies don’t always send the performer that they show on their websites either. Be clear on who will be coming to work with you and ask for pictures or reviews of that particular entertainer before signing the contract.
Reviews. What are customers saying?
Most professional entertainers will have reviews for you to see feedback about the quality of their work unless they are new in the business. If you can not find any, the next recourse is to interview them on the phone. Is there an email address or phone number for easy contact? Do they respond in a timely manner. When you speak with them are they down to earth and business like?
Is there an alternative entertainment site you can book through?
Does the professional have good presence on the internet? If you are not comfortable booking an entertainer directly, there are booking sites like Gigmasters, Gigsalad, Punchbowl and even Thumbtack where you can look at information about the reader before you choose to book them for an event and even get competitive bids.
Agree to disagree
We agreed that we were not a good match for her event or her budget. But, I felt good that I had given her some pointers, a couple of leads and what to look for as she worked to find someone reputable and in need of some pocket change who could do the job and not make off with the silver.
If you are looking for fortune-telling/psychic entertainment or any entertainment for your next special occasion, consider what kind of experience you would like your guests to have. Your future may depend on it.
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Laura E. West is a professional fortune-teller and certified Lipsologist in Dallas, Texas. She specializes in intuitive entertainment for corporate events and private parties. Her clients include Southwest Airlines, Mary Kay, Pandora Radio, Burt’s Bees and Hewlett Packard and Siemens.
www.lauraewest.com