Many people find it difficult to hire entertainment for corporate events. You must choose entertainment that is professional and suitable for all audiences. It is easy to fall into the corporate trap of doing the same thing year after year.
How important is it to keep your current clients and employees happy? Appreciating clients and staff can increase morale, strengthen business relationships, and help you grow your company. The right entertainment will make your event a success! How can you make your group’s entertainment more interesting and different than the rest? Here are some tips to help you make the hiring process simpler.
1. Plan Your Event
How you would like the evening go. You can plan your event around the entertainment you have in mind. If you don’t know what entertainment you want, then plan the event around that entertainment. You should allow for flexibility in your time-table if you aren’t sure about the entertainment. You can adjust the layout of the room to suit the performance you choose, as well as the itinerary.
2. Know your budget
Before you approach entertainers about their entertainment, be aware of your budget. The entertainment you receive will depend on how much you are able to spend on the entertainer. You need to stick to your budget and provide entertainment that meets your requirements. But, hiring entertainers based on their lowest price can spell doom. You might want to put things in perspective and determine the “per-person” entertainment budget. Your guests will quickly forget about the best food and drinks, but entertainment that leaves an emotional impression and lasts a long time makes a lasting impression. The lasting impressions are made by the amount of fun your guests had at your event.
3. Talk to us about your event and budget.
Professional entertainers will ask you questions about your event. This includes what kind of event you are planning, how many people you expect to attend, what theme you have chosen, and what the timeline is for the event. This allows them to determine if the act they offer is suitable for your event and group. You might get some ideas that they can use to improve your event. Ask your entertainer about any special packages. You may find a package that makes your event even more special. You can also discuss your budget with them to determine if they fall within your price range. You can proceed if they are within your budget. If not, it is a time-saver and you should contact the next entertainer on the list.
4. Refer to References and Request Promotional Material
After your first contact, you should feel at ease with the entertainer and agree that you are a good match. Ask them for references and promotional material. Most entertainers will have websites which contain all or most of their promotional material. Do not engage an entertainer if they are unable to provide references.
5. Refer to References and Examine the Promotional Material
You may have additional questions after speaking with references and looking over the promotional materials. You can call them to discuss your concerns and answer all of your questions. Your entertainer should be a specialist in corporate entertainment and understand the expectations and needs of your company. An entertainer who regularly performs in “R”-rated comedy clubs, or a magician who works at children’s birthday parties, would not be a good choice for a corporate conference.
6. Ask about a Guarantee
You want to feel confident when planning your corporate event. An entertainer should offer a guarantee if they present a high-quality presentation and have enough experience. Give them what you can guarantee!
7. Request a contract
You should receive a contract from the entertainer outlining your agreement, along with details such as the date and location of your event, as well as any other arrangements. The agreement should not exceed a few pages unless you are booking a celebrity performer. It should be clear in the contract what equipment you will need for the event. Some cases will include this information in the form a Technical Rider, which is attached to the contract. The agreement should cover travel fees, travel expenses, meals, and transportation. This should all have been discussed during the initial phone conversation. There should be no surprises on the agreement. The majority of entertainers require that the contract be signed and returned within a specified time frame.
8. Communicate
Your entertainer will be there to make your event even more memorable. Keep them informed about any changes to your event. This will help them bring you the best show possible, especially if it is customized material. It is important to inform them as soon as possible if they are performing a custom performance at your event. Professional entertainers will want to be there in time to set up and conduct sound checks prior to the show.
9. Promote the Event
Promote the entertainment you booked to get people excited about your event! You should have the ability to get articles, press releases or photos from your entertainer to help you build anticipation for the event. To get people excited about your event, some entertainers will perform “teaser” acts.
10. Relax and enjoy the show!
These simple steps will help you feel confident that you are hiring a professional entertainer. This is the culmination of all your hard work. Now, you can relax and enjoy the results.