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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
When I was at the Venthaven convention, Ken Groves gave a great business of the buasiness lecture and one thing that stucj out was learn to say NO if a gig isn't right.
I did a Christmas Party last year for an all adult group (against my better judgement) and it was a disaster because that is not my audience. It is hard to pass on any paying gig, but if it will end up hurting your reputation, better to say No thanks. Thoughts?
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
Absolutely agree.
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mrmagic9112 Regular user 138 Posts |
I also agree. I think you need to be yourself and if your style doesn't fit a specific venue,then pass on it. I used to do a lot of post prom parties in high schools. It got to the point that I hated them and so now I don't do them at all. I am a family & children's entertainer. Saying no is hard at times but, in the long run I have found it better tokeep with my reputation and brand image as the family & kids guy.
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
"It is hard to pass on any paying gig"
Not really if you are working enough. That is the benefit of getting out there and hustling and bringing in the calls. You know you may turn down one, but the next call will be one you want. AND.....by concentating your efforts in the market and on the type of work you WANT to do, you will be far happider and content. B
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magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
BINGO Blair!
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
Jerskin Inner circle 2497 Posts |
I say No a lot. I have a minimum price & stick to it. I just said no to 3 weeks work even though it was close to my price & I had no other offers.
GrEg oTtO
MUNDUS VULT DECIPI |
rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Not only learn to say "no", but learn how to fine-tune your antennas to correctly discern what is and isn't likely to be a good audience for you. Learn to ask the right questions and really listen to the answers.
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magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
Saying no is great if the situation is not right for you.
But, also remember the power of NOW. You NOW have that offer on your desk, there is no future just the NOW. Live in the NOW.
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
Wayne Brockway Regular user Michigan, U.S.A. 104 Posts |
Neale,
I agree with Mr. Groves. I used to have had a very hard time turning down shows that weren't what I wanted to do. In the past year I have said no. I also agree with Jerskin. Don't set your price that you are worth. Don't let them talk your price down. When you go to the store to buy meat, your butcher will most likely not sell you prime rib for the price of Spam! Wayne... |
martin king Elite user 416 Posts |
Totally agree!
Saying no means you're rendering your customers a service...it means you've really listened to their needs and you know that you can't provide the right show for them...that doesn't mean to say that you have to loose out all together, you could find a performer that is right for them and act as the go-between/agent and earn a small commission. (What I didn't do at the beginning of my business, which was a really dumb mistake...but I did it at the end, before I chose to wind it up) You're also stregthening your positioning...as we all know, or should know...people want what they can't have; as a result, the booker MAY try to find another event where you are the ideal entertainment. However, having said that Paul Daniels recommends that you should accept every booking that comes your way; he says 'why should you sit at home and have bills piling up while somebody else is doing the gig that you could have done and earning your money'...not so sure that I agree with this... I think that my suggestion of acting as the 'agent' means that you sit at home spending your time more usefully marketing to people that could use your services/earn money/save your reputation/stregthen your positioning/service your client, etc., etc., etc. |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
When you consider that 80% or more of your bookings come from a previous show, it is smart to look your best at every show. I agree, by saying yes to shows that are not your specialty, you are not be advancing you cause. Unless it is a market that you've identified as being an area of growth, saying no sometimes is a good business practice.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Defintely do not accept minimum wage when your show is worth much more. I am preaching to myself here.
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