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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
One aspect to operating as a professional performer and an entertainment business, is understanding what it means to the client when they choose to book you. Another is what it means to you?
I have been watching some performers recently due to a project I've been involved with. It includes performers ranging from the casual part-time performer doing 8-15 shows a year, to a good amount of permanent part-timers and full-time performers. Now I should say while many were magicians and mentalists, others were DJs, bands, comedians, kid's entertainers, hypnotists, caricature artists, psychics, murder mysteries, and more. One of the areas I had been brought in to cover, evaluate and discuss was the psychological aspect and mindset of when someone shops for and books the entertainment for their event (all types of events including corporate, cruise lines, schools, colleges, clubs, private events, weddings, festivals, fairs, and even trade shows), the psychological process and mindset that occurs and takes place throughout the process. While I won't dive into all of that here, the one element of this that I found very interesting was with the thinking, feeling, perception and mindset these performers had as far as the responsibility that comes with someone choosing to book you for their event. Before I get into this too much I wanted to ask those here how you think and see yourself as to the responsibility that you have that comes with being booked by someone for an event? It doesn't matter if it is a consumer or professional market event, a $300 or a $10,000 event, but any type of event? Do you feel a sense of responsibility when accepting a booking? If so, what does it mean? How do you feel and what does it mean to you? Or do you not feel any responsibility at all? I'm interested in your thoughts on this. |
misterillusion Special user Roseville, California 748 Posts |
What it means to me is that the customer has put faith in me and my performance to satisfy their needs based on my advertising, website, or conversation. My first objective is to be sure they have my written confirmation/invoice which includes all the details and gives them the confidence that I will actually show up at the event. I feel that I am not only representing myself, but all other magicians and/or entertainers in everything I do. My shows can be local or long distance. Regardless, of distance, I always calculate the time it will take me to arrive at the venue early enough for my setup time plus a time-cushion for unexpected delays. I would rather be waiting for them to have me start then for them to be waiting for me to start later than the scheduled start time. For larger gigs, if possible, I will travel to the venue in advance to see what I will be dealing with logistically. Whatever the show or audience I always strive to over deliver. This could mean performance length, or an unexpected elaborate finale, or unexpected handouts. In other words, I strive to give more value than expected. When possible, I will interact with the audience prior to the show to establish some rapport. This can pay dividends too. A few months ago I performed at a senior facility for their Mardi Gras night. Everyone there was a senior citizen except for a family which included two elementary school-age kids. I spent a few minutes entertaining the kids before the actual show started with some sponge balls etc and handed them a couple of my Tri-fold brochures which had magic tricks inside. That little bit of interaction resulted in a magic show for that family at my "deluxe rate", Bottom line is I want to leave the event with everyone thinking positive about my performance and interaction.
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Those of you who read my posts know I place a very high priority on customer satisfaction. I have the attitude I absolutely will not disappoint my client. When I'm hired by an agency or a third party this attitude is actually heightened a bit. Not only do I have a passion to satisfy the client, I want that client to give the third party a glowing review. This is good for all parties involved.
Also, when I'm working for someone else I would never give out my contact information, only the contact information for the company that I'm working for. I consider myself an employee in this situation. Where I'm a bit fuzzy on the responsibility is confirming the details of the event. This may stem from the fact the one of my first agents was very protective of details when he booked me. Many times I wouldn't know who I was working for until I got to the event. There was never a contract or anything in writing. I think he was afraid that I would contact the client directly and try to cut him out. I was new to the business at this time, so I didn't question it, especially because many of the gigs turned out to be high profile gigs, gigs I would have never booked on my own. I still wouldn't mind working under this kind of arrangement, as long as I trusted the person/company in question. Trouble is, as I have learned, many agents or third party bookings or NOT very good with details, which is very frustrating. I feel like the details of the event are the bookers responsibility. That's why they are receiving their 15% or whatever they are getting. I am I wrong on this?
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On Apr 16, 2023, Ken Northridge wrote: If it is your experience no, you are not wrong with this. It shouldn't be that way and doesn't need to be that way. This and many other similar things are exactly what I wrote the book An Entertainers Guide To Working With Agents And Agencies. Besides there being so many misconceptions about agents and agencies, they have shifted and changed greatly from what they once and how they operated for many years. Yes, the agency should be open and transparent about the details of a booking as it pertains to the performer. For example, my agencies have an Artist Information Sheet that we use for each booking which has all of the pertinent information on the booking client including their on-site representative (including contact info), of course name, address, phone of the venue, as well as the venue representative. Then all details and times (arrival, setup, performance) are included along with any special notes or instructions. Since nearly all of our work has payment required in full in advance, rarely is their payment to be collected, but we include that info as well in the event there is or any overtime, add-ons, or extras need to be included. No the artist doesn't need all of the contract info, inside client info that is between the client and agency, or non-performance-related info between the client and agency, but they have all they need in order to have a great show with nothing left to fall between the cracks. We give this to the Artist upon the booking (usually within a few days or a week), and then it is updated as necessary right up until the date of the event, with a final conversation and review the week of the event. Now most agencies I know do have an agreement between the agency and the artist for the bookings as well. While we typically will not pay deposits it is usually paid in full at once upon the completion of the agreement. Now I know some agents and agency go to great length to keep all contact between the artist and the client having to go through them, which may be why an agency would not give the direct info on the client to the performer. While I can understand this to a point, it often creates miscommunication, things that do slip through the cracks, and a middleman or woman that must be added to the mix. There are so many way to not need this, I really don't understand why this mindset and approach needs to exist today. Especially when the contract between the artist and agency should have a non-compete clause to prevent the very thing they are worried about. I get the agency needs to protect their relationship with the client, but I disagree that this is needed to best serve them. Yes, trust should also be a key factor within all of this. The agency should trust you the performer, and you should trust the agent/agency. Successful relationships are based on trust. I get we all must do what we need to to protect ourselves, but as I said there are better ways to do this, but trust must be a factor. I think your passion to satisfy all parties involved is admirable and the right responsibility, as it should always be about creating a win-win-win for all parties involved. I think the way your agent operated in not the norm, yet many performers will based their thoughts and perceptions of all agents and agencies on their own single or small handful of agent/agency experiences. Now of course the issue of responsibility does not only come into play with agent or third-party bookings and it is just as prevalent with self-represented bookings as well. Mister Illusion, I think you also hit the nail on the head as to how you perceive and treat the role of responsibility in your business and to each of your clients and bookings. I also agree this is part of professionalism and can pay dividends as I have seen over and over again, year after year, in my businesses and in those performers of whom I have worked with. I hope we hear from some more here on their thoughts and how they view this issue. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I’m a bit different. I believe I actually OWE my audience.
When at the resorts I partnered with it cost anywhere from $450 to $1,250 per person per night to stay. Now they didn’t but tickets specifically to see me, but it is still part of that experience. They deserve to get what they are paying for. Right now coming to see me is an expensive ticket. People come in and they owe me nothing. I’m the one with the debt! This audience could literally be doing ANYTHING else with their time but they chose to spend that with me. Money can be returned, but time can not. They have invested their time into seeing me and I’m going to make sure it is the best use of that time. (It is what drives my passion for what I do and why I take such hard lines on things.) They could do ANYTHING, but chose to purchase an expensive ticket to see me, take the time to get there with taxi, subway whatever they want and all that goes with it. Yea I owe them big time. By the time they have spent all that it is about a $300 for one person for the least amount they spend. I never take that for granted or lightly. I am not the only one in the show, but the entire experience has to be on a level. Working private parties or kids shows is different I get it.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Fedora Special user Arizona, usa 746 Posts |
I can tell you the responsibility I feel is quite substantial, and comes in several
forms, to name a few: 1, To of course abide by everything in my own contract, this includes everything from being on time, to accurate invoicing. 2, that the show itself is of sufficient quality to satisfy both the client and as much of the audience as possible. 3, I feel a particularly strong responsibility in always giving prompt responses to questions, a redundant question about time or equipment is just as important as a request to be sent an invoice. 4, this is the harder one, I have a responsibility to serve the best interests of the client, even if it's in their best interest is to work with someone other than me. This is harder because you have to accept that the person you're speaking with may in fact be better off going with a sort entertainer that isn't you, if you actually care about the client you'll point them in the right direction. Anyway, thanks for starting this thread, be interesting to hear more viewpoints. |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
The old words, “The Buck Stops Here” is a good mindset for any business owner to have.
I’ve always believe that the customer is the most important part of a business, without them its not really a business. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
So a performing business in which a person does not perform is not a business at all? Good point.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Quote:
On May 30, 2023, Dannydoyle wrote: I’m not sure I understand what you mean by that. But no if all the performer does is perform as a business and he never performs at all, he doesn’t have a ‘performing’ business. But my point was, customers are important because they drive revenues, without them, businesses cannot continue to exist. However, with many businesses, magic included, there is such a thing as a part-time business. Part of the time you work and get paid, part of the time you don’t. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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