Legal clowning

[Sassy Frass]

Hello All you Clowns in Clowndom!
Just want to introduce myself, I'm Sassy!
No experience really just some Facepainting, Balloons,and "lite" walkarounds.
Any sage advice???
Thanks!
Sassy Frass

[Fitzwilly]

You may need a permit depending on where you are located and your city regulations. As long as you keep decent recordsfor taxes then usually there isn't much more you need to do unless you start making major bucks.

[Hopper]

Originally Posted by Sassy Frass

Hello All! My name is Sassy Frass and I am new to clowning Just graduated college Friday night!!
I would like to ask questions about the legal side of doing birthday parties.
Can any one help?
Do I need a permit?
EIN?
I don't really know a thing about it...
Thanks!
Sassy Frass

Hi Sassy

It largely depends on the rules where you live. If you're going to run it as a money making venture, then legally you should register it the same as any other small business in your area.

But...let's not get ahead of ourselves.

I'm guessing that the "college" you just graduated from was probably a six or eight week, one-night-per-week course? If it was, forget the words "college" and "graduation." In clowning you never EVER graduate...and any educator worth his salt would have told you that.

I wish someone would have told me that when I graduated MY first "clown college" That's why I'm telling you. I'm not saying it to be mean and to devalue what you've already done. Its wonderful that you've chosen clowning as your art. But really, they just gave you a starting point. The work in devising a marketable product begins now...the course you just took simply gave you SOME of the tools you'll need and showed you where to start.

Take your newfound knowledge and play with it. Don't jump into the commercial ring just yet. Volunteer far charities as much as you can. Do parties for all your friend's kids. Clown wherever you can, and in as many different forms as you can. (try different makeup styles, different personalities, different performing styles, like silent, speaking, non balloon-and-facepaint etc etc) Take the time to find YOUR clown. (you've just started looking for her) Trying to make money now will just pigeonhole you and cripple your effort to grow. Learn to be funny. Learn your craft. Learn it well.

Once you have learned whats funny and what isn't, and have a product good enough that people would spend their hard earned money to hire you, THEN you can worry about selling it for money.

Welcome to the path!

[Fitzwilly]

I start the standing ovation slowly and let it build and build.

[Jolly Well]

Like Hopper said, you're just starting out on a road that never ends. Try out everything you've learned, and be prepared to pick up new ideas/skills/etc each time you clown around.

Play around with make-up styles, and character concepts until you find your clown. It will come to you eventually.

Look around for other clowns, magicians, balloon artists, whatever - try to learn from them.

Volunteer - it's fun, it's great advertising, and it's great practice.

[Dylan]

Like the others I agree with starting out small and working your way up. As far as permits, etc. check you local laws and maybe consult a tax professional as they will be able to advise you in ways that none of us probably can.

I would suggest getting insurance to cover you while you are clowning as well as taking the time to get to know other entertainers in your area.

Probably the greatest advice that I can give you is: Enjoy the ride.

[Darrell]

I don't do much clowning for money. But if I did it full time, it would be beneficial to know how much in taxes you are going to have to pay. Then you can know how much to charge to make sure you are making a profit.

Darrell

[SuitcaseSam]

Welcome Sassy Frass. How'd the Clown Schooling go?

When we had an Alley here years ago, I got to teach the Hobo/Character side of Clowning. We only did it that one year but I sure miss seeing others build/create their characters. It's rewarding to know you had a hand in it with 'em.

~Sam

[saphireSue]

don't do much clowning for money. But if I did it full time, it would be beneficial to know how much in taxes you are going to have to pay. Then you can know how much to charge to make sure you are making a profit.

An accountant is nice to have, but I've a very good tax person can be a great resourse too. Ours helped me out when I first started doing contract work [origianlly another field] and had to start makeing self employement tax payments, etc. Generally I just need to do this when we do taxes, but I have dropped by to ask a question or two. Generally when self employed you have to make quarterly payments to the state and Federal and you payments are supposed to be in advance with 90% paid by Jan 15 [ex. 90% of 07 by jan 15/08]. These are estimated taxes and then you file by april 15, and just like regular, you settle up, pay to much get a return or can apply that to your April tax for 08, or pay to little and you have to pay 07 as well as your 08 payment. I'd really reccommend you talk with a tax advisor, plus they can help you keep recorders of all the things you can deduct.

[saphireSue]

Sorry realized I address one post with out Welcoming Sassy Frass.

Howdy and Welcome to the group.