Does anyone have suggestions on what all to include in my promotional packet?

If you've got any newspaper articles or pic. of your clown, those are great to add, not just a list of your skills but a few pic. is helpful, I tried doing a set of packet specialized to the place I was seeking a gig. ex. car lot. As buying car, es. here is a long drawn out process, kids and people get board, having a clown to entertian could help in this area, etc.. Also any reference or letters, ie I've got several from the two charities I support that are great thankyou letters I keep in my notebook.

Thanks, Saphiresue! Those are all GREAT ideas...I never even thought about the reference letters.

I went to OfficeMax and bought paper that had colorful balloons all around the borders. I used it for flyers.

If you have business cards made, spend a little more to get them in color.

Also, having a website with a few pictures of yourself clowning with kids will give the potential customer a better idea of what you can do for them.

Just my 1 cents worth.

Darrell 8)

Just food for thought.....


I am a firm believer in being a Do-It-Yourselfer. Everything from costumes to balloon pumps, magic tricks and props are produced here in the home workshop. We did our business card also, and I am finishing up the ones I have. However, I am considering spending the money on professionally printed, two-sided color cards. Something that does goes deeply against my thrifty Scotch-Irish, German nature.
Why? As the saying goes: "You never have a second chance to make a first impression." Especially if you are dropping you card to someone in a position to hire you.
I have come to the conclusion that a Professional card makes a better business statement than a micro-perfed one done on the home computer. Laser printers and bubble jets are great for most things but, I have come to the conclusion that if you are selling yourself to a business; As a business, then it is worth the investment.
Look at it this way: A good 8x10 black and white photo can be manufactured on your home computer, photo-shopped to perfection and then taken to Wal Mart and printed by their lab very cheaply. Rate sheets,activities lists,testimonials, references, even tri-fold brochures with simple black and white printed pictures (eg: you playing games with kids at a party or you posing with a few adoring fans) can be done on your computer and if you want a better resolution; taken to Kinkos to be produced. But don't short sell youself with an obviously home made business card! It might be the only chance you have at a job. A mom in the grocery store line smiles while your mugging it up for the kids and she comments and you say, "Actually, I'm a clown and I do parties. It might be somethng to think about sometime." a Professional card shows that you take what you do as an entertainer seriously. And in a day and age of ever more cautious parents, might be the difference between being taken seriously as an entertainer and not (God Forbid :cry: ) a predator. I would hate to see that hapen to a real clown.
I know I have painted a picture with a worse case senario. And I am not saying it's mandatory thing. I work and live on a budget like everyone else does. But I have seen others get home made business cards and they get put in the trash.
Once when I was talking to a manager at a sandwich shop.I saw a bowl sitting on the counter, full of business cards. It was a drawing for a dinner for two at his place of business. I commented on the cards and he said, "I always throw the crappy, home-made ones away. Anybody can print a business card. Whether they are in business or not."
So for me, I think start saving my money. I'm going bite the bullet.....


Just my 2 cents worth...
Scruffy

I agree with you Scruffy, I used to make mine, until one of the presenters last year made that point about how professional they don't look and you can get professionals one reasonable if you shop around. One suggestion he made was to not put to much on the card as this can actually limit you more. ex. face painter, story teller etc. if you have a lot on there but not every thing he said people will tend to think that's all you do and may not consider calling you for say coorporate functions or senior retirement parties, school programs etc.

Thanks!! These ideas are all so helpful! I actually WAS thinking of printing my own cards for one main reason... The company I called could get me 250 cards, up to 2 colors of ink for only $34.00...BUT to add my picture would make it over $100.00 for 250!! YIKES!!! I can't afford that type of card right now, and I felt it was so important to have a picture on there ( to show parents that I am a "cute, girly" kind of clown and not a "freaky/scarey" kind of clown) My sis-in law can use her work printer for these, which is not as professional as Bennetts or Kinkos, but much more professional than average. SOOOO... do ya'll think I should opt for professional yet basic for the $34.00, or home-made but w/ a picture? Thanks again for all ideas!!!

Call around, I can remember but I think it as around 60 for 1000, with my pic. but we have a new card comp. in town and I showed him my card and he told me he'd beat the price. So check around see if another dealer will give you a better deal.

SOOOO... do ya'll think I should opt for professional yet basic for the $34.00, or home-made but w/ a picture? Thanks again for all ideas!!!

having owned/operated a printing business for some years, I'd say do it yerself. With today's computing power and a decent HP, you can bang some cards out as many at a time as you want. The standard cautions apply though - as someone already stated, don't make your card too busy. If someone wants to book a clown, they'll call to ask you if you do their kind of party. I made some very basic cards with balloons and confetti, the name of our Clown Troup and a phone number. To me, the stigma that used to surround "homemade" cards is disappearing. Don't get me wrong, nothing beats a cool full color glossy business card, but how much does a clown make? Plus, I've found that info soon changes and you're stuck with 1000 cards that no longer have the correct info, so then you're forced to do something tacky - tackier than homemade cards - and that's using whiteout or labels to doctor an old card.

It's really what you prefer. To me, a homemade card is what my clown character would hand out. With that in mind, you may think of all the different ways you can present your business info, such as using a portrait oriented card (rather than the traditional landscape orientation), Or a double-size card, folded so you can out little jokes or something on the inside.

Have fun! Be creative. Even if you have it professionally done, tell your printer/designer to push the envelope for you.

Good Luck!

8)

Do you know any artists, especially the kind that work with pixels? Maybe somebody could draw you a black and white drawing of your character... if it was a digital image it would be easy to add to a business card, and maybe even make it into a logo for your web site.

Princess, go onto www.deviantart.com and ask around. You should be able to find someone who is willing to help you out for little or no cost.
Good luck!

Do you know any artists, especially the kind that work with pixels?

Artists that work with pixies? Is that like Michael Jackson?

THANKS!! :D I have thought of black and white art, but wasn't sure where to look...maybe this will help! You guys (and gals!) are GRRREAT!!!

Oh, you know, Tim. Pixies, gremlins, elves, trolls. They're all in the same grouping. Just down the yellow brick road, and a left onto Drury Lane; you'll find 'em.