hey ladies and gents.
a question came up whilst conversing with another clown. i am busting my "balloons" trying to market myself so i can leave the regular job i despise. i am doing quite well, but to go all the way i have thought of entry boxes in a few key areas. 1 in each of the restaurants i work in, and 1 in the party store. once a month, i will draw a winner out and they will receive a postcard allowing them to have a 30 mnute balloon or facepainting in their local area by me. for free. it will be good for 30 day before and 30 days after their childs bday - which must be on the entry. in return i receive- a ton of people on my mailing list with birthdays and addresses. is this a good idea? also, what if the person who entered and won, is not interested, but just messing with the clown.... ie- they dont want the party. OR there is a dangerous situation in store for me when i arrive? what is different this time vs. any other call? AND, fo r you ladee clowns, why do we dress up and go to peoples houses we dont know?? what if we get konked on the head?? for years ive done in home parties... but suddenly i feel a little vulnerable. is anyone else with me here?

ps... poll- who missed me the most?

ps... poll- who missed me the most?

It wasn't me.

Good point. I have three daughters, and an upcomming daughter in law. I wouldn't sent them to an unknown persons house without first scouting it out. Perhaps if you were real ugly and mean, but you're so good looking and kind. You know we missed you. Hope all is well.8-) :pie:

Maybe it would make you feel better to let a friend know where you're going and when you expect to return, so if you get conked on the head they can round up a posse and rescue you.

I think that's Tim's--I'm sorry, I mean Miss Deborah's--reflex response to everything... "Who broke my vase?" "It wasn't me!" "Who spread peanut butter all over the floor?" "It wasn't me!" "Who painted the cat pink?" "It wasn't me!"

I think that's Tim's--I'm sorry, I mean Miss Deborah's--reflex response to everything... "Who broke my vase?" "It wasn't me!" "Who spread peanut butter all over the floor?" "It wasn't me!" "Who painted the cat pink?" "It wasn't me!"

That's right. It was HER! (points to princess)

I got into some dangerous places during my day job, so I'm aware of those surounding, there are certain places I will not go, I simple say I'm booked when asked once I find out their location. Sorry this may sound bad to some of you, but in areas I know the cops have problems in, shooting, drug dealing out in the open on the street, those places I avoid if at all possible esp. in costume, it's just not worth the risk. When some one books me it's usually a mom, so far to date I've not felt uncomfortable taking on a gig.

i know it wasnt deborah. dont worry, it wasnt you i missed the most, either.

i have done in home parties for different things for a long time. i always tell someone where im going, and i have a friend that calls me before and after a job, and they expect me to do the same. (usually we compare tips- haha)

I am a professional clown and can make anything under the sun. I feel that if a client wants me at their party, I will go. The kids are expecting me -- not a balloon-- but me, a clown. Don Caldwell said that balloons are only few cents, but what makes an impact is doing them face to face with them. I understand that neighborhoods may be dangerous, but it should not be an excuse for not going to a client. If you are realy uncomfortable, call the police. Yes I am serious about this. Notify the authorities may help you or even call a budy. I always check in before and after an event (parents). Entertainment is the greatest achievement and brings a smile out.

everyday we step out of our doors into an unknown world. kids who go to school are being shot... one even today. i will continue doing what i do.
i guess what i was asking is, would a giveaway party be any riskier than a regular party?
tim posed this question for me.

I think what underlied the concern I originally expressed was that when a serious inquiry comes in concerning your clowning, you have the option of weeding out the pranksters from the genuine job offers and declining (or quoting exhorbitant rates) to anyone who isn't playing on the level. You'll seperate the wheat from the chaff in this way. If, however, you are offering a "free drawing" sort of thing then anyone can (and will) enter and could win. Now we have a different situation. The winning contestant may well be a regular mom who wants to book a party. It may be a corporate type client who could see some use for a clown. All fair and well so far. But it could also be a nutjob who hates clowns or some screwball 20 somethings who figure, "Hey, we won! She has a contractual obligation to provide our prize. Let's take advantage of the opportunity and turn the tables on the clown!" My point was that when someone is paying for something, they will respect it more and likely take it seriously. If they are getting it for free, however, this may not be the situation. My recommendation, then, was that (even with a "free" party giveaway) a nominal charge (say $20 or something) be added as some sort of transportation cost or what have you (maybe a refundable on the day of the show date confirmation deposit fee?), just to see to it that the winners really want a clown for the right reasons. Or, even more minimally, have a clause on the contest documentation which allows you the legal right to decline your services to the winner for some good reason.

giveaway vs. paid party. I have given out free party and donated my time to some charities. the pros of donating is advertising, more potential clients, getting name in newspaper and practice! The cons--cost of balloons, general maintenance of car, and time. outcome may be frustration and wondering why. I learned that a potential client and organizations will pay for entertainment, but they are always looking for volunteers. You can claim(income tax) for your gigs. keep record of mileage to the gig, receipts for clown items, and how much you made. This has been an ongoing question in any forum that i know of. The answer is . . . If you feel comfortable about giveaway, than do it. Ask the charity for money (they will usually pay) . have fun--

A party is a party is a party. If you are placing your drawing boxes in areas in which you believe you will draw the type of clients you want then it shouldn't be too much of a problem. If on the otherhand you are placing your drawing boxes in areas that you don't feel comfortable going to then I have to ask why? The idea is not to attract everyone, you wouldn't be able to service them all to their expectations anyway, the idea is to attract clients that fall within your specialized nitche.

A party is a party is a party. If you are placing your drawing boxes in areas in which you believe you will draw the type of clients you want then it shouldn't be too much of a problem. If on the otherhand you are placing your drawing boxes in areas that you don't feel comfortable going to then I have to ask why? The idea is not to attract everyone, you wouldn't be able to service them all to their expectations anyway, the idea is to attract clients that fall within your specialized nitche.

I'm generally with Dan here, especially concerning "nitche" marketing. Obviously, the idea to a "drawing box" is really to garner contact information which can then be used for marketing purposes. Very few people are actually going to win "freebies." Still, the potential exists for anyone and everyone to enter such a "contest" and, in my opinion, we (as the performer) ought to retain the right to employ discretion as to whether we actually want to do the gig or contractually bind ourself to something somewhat sight unseen. Perhaps I'm just thinking like a lawyer, but we need to protect our own rights and not put ourselves in a situation which we might not desire before we have the opportunity to use prudent judgement as to whether or not we want the gig. The chances of some bad scenario might be remote, but when you open yourself up to something like offering free chances to unknown potential clients, it does, nonetheless, exist. There should, therefore, be an escape clause or sorts, I believe. Perhaps it is just the way in which the winning prize is presented. Not necessarily a "free party", for example, but perhaps a "waived fee" for a "mutally agreed upon booking" which still requires a phone conversation and the signing of a contract?

okay i had to reread my first post to see if i clarified. i dont think i did. or maybe i just came up with it. i dont know!! perhaps 30 minutes free of a 1 hour party. which in turn would be a half price value (and clearly state that on my boxes). like, faceapingting for 1/2 hour free to the winner. also, i did state these would be in the restaurant i currently work in on sundays, and the party store where i have my info already set out. i would not be placing them at the pool hall or the tattoo parlors.
its primarily because of these princess parties im trying to get off the ground. im swimming in dresses and tiaras, and no little girls to wear them. its starting to really aggrivate me.

tattoo parlors....now that is a good idea. Those crazy tatto types are always looking for a clown

I think a clown at a pool hall would be awfully fun. Maybe that flapper girl clown character you were once working on.

i missed you

tattoo parlors....now that is a good idea. Those crazy tatto types are always looking for a clown

Now, now... There may be some crazy tattoo types in here...
:applause:

i have 2. the most recent one- a cover up is a baeautiful top hat. it is done so well!!

I think a clown at a pool hall would be awfully fun. Maybe that flapper girl clown character you were once working on.

I shoot pool quite a bit, and I agree - that would be a BLAST to have a clown hanging around!

I was shooting pool with John Spears at the Roundup and we decided that we need more practice. So Clare next year bring your favorite cue.