gregertainment – Blog

There’s one thing I have found as an entertainer and that is how difficult it can be to get your name out into new markets. This goes for not only new entertainers but for the seasoned veteran as well.

It is for this reason that I’ve come up with an on-going list of ideas that may be useful (and fairly inexpensive) for getting your name out there. Please do keep in mind though, we all know that there are cheaper ways of doing things. For example, many new business owners will buy the cheap ‘punch out’ business cards from their local stationary supplier and print them from their printer at home. Sure it’s a bit cheaper than hiring a graphics specialist to design a card and then get them printed but at what cost in the end? You look cheap via your cards and everyone receiving one will think that your act or show is less professional than others as a result. Why not spend the $100 for design AND 500 cards and have your offerings look professional?  Yes, that’s all it takes – sometimes even less.

So – that said – here is the on-going list:

1. Subscribe to on-line advertising sites. there are many locally focused sites out there and some can be very cheap to join. There are free ones and you should definitely join them as well. The more links to your site the better. BTW – paid memberships are not all that bad. Just be sure you only pay for memberships to sites or on-line groups that specialize in entertainment focused businesses. That way you don’t get lost in the shuffle as site visitors go on to find other businesses. It’s all about focus and hitting that specific target market.

2. Yeah, you guessed it… get a web site! It doesn’t have to be extravagant. A basic site of 3 pages can tell potential clients what you do – what your specialty is as an entertainer and how to get in contact with you. Sites and hosting don’t have to cost that much really. Just be sure you get it done professionally (as per your cards example above – cheap and free sites will look just that… unprofessional). You may want to develop a plan as to how to change and update your site annually or even every 6 months as well. It’s a good idea to present your clients with new ideas and looks regularly to keep their interest. This also shows you as a growing and active entertainer to those who visit your site.

3. Talk to people. Who? EVERYONE! Word of mouth is one of the best forms of advertising. I cannot tell you how many shows I have gotten as a result of talking to people I meet about what I do. That is the first thing…. but be sure you don’t come across as a sales person. No one wants to be ’sold’ when meeting someone for the first time. I tend to just talk about what I do…. fit it into the conversation and let me enthusiasm about it come through. The people I talk to then see this and consider me a professional worth remembering as a result!

4. Be excited about what you do. If you love it, others will be drawn to it. … like a moth to a flame, grasshopper..    (wonder how many get that reference…) One thing that I have learned about everything I do and have done, when I am excited about something, the people around me get excited and it spreads like a wildfire! Not to mention that if you entertain kids… you better love it or they wil see right through you and your business will suffer….