Parties, Parents & Entertainers
When planning a party for your kids’ special events, one of the hardest tasks is finding the right entertainer. Why would you hire an entertainer?
1. Entertainers make having a party at home easy; they will keep the children entertained and active during the majority of the party.
2. Theme parties are huge these days, as an example circus or princess, so an entertainer is a perfect complement to the party.
3. It’s simply a popular entertainment choice for parties that kids adore!
Often when parents call an entertainer, they have to endure the entertainer’s self-promotion. Without a recommendation from an outside source, the entertainer may not be exactly what the parent is looking for—how is the parent to know during a brief phone call? Ask for recommendations from your friends to see who may have been good at other parties. It is often word-of-mouth advertising that works best.
When you amass your recommendations, begin calling the names on your list. Let’s say you have decided to have a clown entertain at your four-year-olds’ party.Here is a handy list of basic questions that I recommend you ask the entertainer during those initial phone calls:
- What does your “clown” routine entail?
- What do you consider your specialty?
- What age range is your show geared for? Ask them to distinguish why they are the best for a four-year-old party.
- What is the length of your show?
- How do you make the birthday child feel special?
- What is the cost? Are there any extra costs, e.g. traveling fees to our home?
- What is the deposit? What is the payment process?
- Do you have any references?
- Can I come by another party to see a performance? (Good to do when you have almost 100% decided on one entertainer.)
- Can you provide any references?
- What is the policy if you cannot make the performance?
- Are you available on my party date?
Some other helpful tips to keep in mind during this process:
1) Hire your entertainer as early as possible. The earlier, the better.
2) Ask if there is a contract.
3) Know what you are signing. Read over the paperwork carefully and make sure that you undertstand what happens if your entertainer cannot attend your event.
4) Confirm your event with the entertainer a few days before the event. Specifically, go over the exact time the entertainer will arrive and the “flow” of the event.
5) Discuss your expectations and really understand what is going to take place during the entertainer’s performance. This way both of you will have a good understanding as to what will take place.
Remember that you are hiring an entertainer to take pressure off of you for the entertainment piece of your party. A good entertainer will keep the kids happy, entertained, and busy anywhere from 45 minutes to well over an hour. If you have done your homework, chosen carefully, and confirmed everything you should be able to breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy the fun as much as the kids!
Lisa Kothari is currently developing a website, Peppers and Pollywogs (www.pepperspollywogs.com), to link parents and party entertainers across the United States in an easy, reliable, and cost-effective manner.