You are at it again Stephen....assuming things that are not there and not believing things that people are telling you!!!

Case in point: When you ask the client if its okay to make it snow as part of your show, they expect just that - snow. That it will melt away like the real stuff and not be a problem.

What they didn't expect is white confetti all over the floor, in people's hair, and underneath the sofa. They didn't expect you to create such a mess, and then just leave it there for someone else to clean up.

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You're just assuming all that! Quit embarrassing yourself!

I think Tom is right, there are stage hands at the Atlantic City casino's that hate Sam.

Wait, If I wanted to make it snow, I just hire a snow machine, I've seen DJ's and other entertainers use snow machines all the time. When you say you are going to make it snow, that's what I expect, that you just going to use a snow machine which will create artificial snow that will melt away. These machines are common place nowadays.

I don't think the thought even goes across a clients mind that when you say snow, you actually meant white confetti that gets everywhere and that won't be cleaned up.

I may be wrong but I think Sam wears a bullet proof vest everywhere he goes.

But seriously, there is a big, big difference in making a mess on a stage and a living room.
This being in the Little Darling section, I assume we talking smaller venues. Certainly you can't
go in a home and just scatter confetti everywhere.

Service repair people are often judged by not only the job they do, but how they leave everything.
The general rule is, leave it in the same condition you find it.
I would think that others would be judged the same way.

Tom

Unless they've had to clean up the mess, they won't even think about it. But, the first time that they have to clean it up is the time when they'll be irritated. It's not good for repeat business, unless the client expects a big clean-up.

Snow storm is a very visual trick, and I know children enjoy those fluttering confetti falling all over.
But it causes quite a mess, and the parents have to work very hard after everyone is gone to find every piece of paper, even the ones that
fell between the base board.
A friend of mine did the pop streamers as he was abouit to leave. He thought it would look nice with streamers hanging over the chandelier.
The customer was furious to say the least,the streamers started a fire once it hit the candles on the cake.
That same customer booke me the following year---she told me the story.
Tricky Ricky

I always pick up any random pieces of robe or broken balloons. If anything, I think the client appreciates the extra level of attention. Also, I'd hate for a toddler to walk by and put a balloon fragment in their mouth. For the most part, a party is going to generate a lot of "mess"--so it's not a big deal--but it's a classy touch to clean up after yourself.

Ive earnt most of my brownie points when ive helped clear up the hall when we have all arrived and it has been in a mess.
Ive been seen with a sweeper and pan and brush before many parties. I remember one early Sunday morning when the previous nights party didn't know there was a morning booking.
There were blocked toilets and a floor covered in broken glass. It was all hands to the deck to get the show started on time.

Julie--that's awesome--and can't hurt when it comes to getting tipped!

England is not a tipping country, but it probably helped the repeat business possibility.
But most importantly, it helped the child have a great party they will never forget.

Wisconsin is not a tipping country, either (bunch of overweight cheapskates up here), which is why busking and working restaurants for tips only generally does not fly here. However, if you are cleaning up after yourself for a tip, you're doing it for the wrong reason. I think you do it out of common courtesy and respect for the venue and your customer. Anything else that comes of it is gravy.

I always clean up the room following a showas I just think it is respectful. When doing a mouthcoil at a kids show, it never fails that it is quickly transformed into confetti. The same goes for Balloon Bag remants, rope clippings, stray sponge balls, etc. I bring a pop-out camping waste basket which also works nicely as a drop bag for various items.

I hope my tips come having such a great show and performance. Cleaning up is simply not giving them an excuse to rethink the value received.

Dan.

Are you for real Stephen? I really think your getting way to obsessed with this. Lets say I do a great show the the 'dreaded' snow storm, but the the next guy does a sh*te show but without a snow storm, or I do a sh*te show with a snow storm and the next guy does a great show without a snow storm what does this prove. Your theory is that if the next guy gets more bookings its because I do a snow storm, but if he doesn't then what has that proved. Its proved that your opinion and the way you percieve this is completely ridiculous. Seriously everyone is different, what works for some, jokes, tricks, humour etc may not work for others. ANd visa Versa. Im sure many would cringe at the way I am when I arrive at shows, I hug and give mum a kiss, and generally have a laugh with the adults througought the show. Maybe we should see if the next entertainer does this and compare show totals Stephen?

Your the one that bought up the topic of making a mess gets you repeat business. Or did you forget about that?

Woah there cowboy, I never said anything of the sort. All I said was I get requested to perform that trick when they call to book after seeing me. At no point did I say " I get more bookings because I make a mess" in that context.
You really need to stop looking too far into things.

I always clean-up or volunteer to clean-up - most of my shows there is no mess to clean up - Sometimes there is at the school shows and I am always told not to worry about it, that they will have the custodian do it. But the point is, I always offer (unless other arrangements have been made prior to the show) to leave the venue better than I found it.

What are your guys thoughts about popped balloon animals? Do you pick them up?

Always pick up Balloon remnants purely as ive worked as H+S Manager at Englands largest indoor adventure park and am paranoid of child safety, parents tend to notice aswell. To be honest what really annoys me is when I turn up and parents have flooded the hall in balloons(Yes this is in my party tips sheet of No No's) The children then go and burst all balloons, my worst nightmare as I then spend 5 minutes picking it all up.

I always will pick up everything after my show. I do not care if it is from my show or something a kid dropped. My belief is that if you are a professional, you leave the place exactly as you found it when you got there. if you can, you leave it better then when you got there.

If there is trash on the floor, I pick it up. If furniture was moved, I offer to move it back. I make sure everything is as it should be. It is only the right thing to do. now with small pieces of trash and poppeed balloons, always pick that up as soon as you can. that can become a choking hazzord for a young child.

Parents will notice your good manners and cleaning up after yourself is just good business as well.

Kyle

Leave the venue you perform at cleaner than you found it!