Help First Gig!!!!!!

Bonkers #361 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-16-2007, 09:51 PM

I was just contacted by my local Holiday Inn for their Christmas party. I know the front Desk manager. She saw me making Balloons for my kids and wants me to come and entertain the kids at the party and do balloons for them my question is

Can anyone recommend walk around ideas?
Should I go as a clown?
What do I charge?

I am new But I am confident that I can keep them smiling I am looking for great attention getters though

Fitzwilly · #2 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 07:12 PM

I'm suprised that you haven't received 10 postings by now Bonkers.

How long is the party?
About how many children?
Is it for employees that might be interested in hiring you next summer, or guests?
Being newer, do you feel more comfortable (and funnier) in or out of clown?
Once you break out the balloons you are pretty much done doing walk arounds.
I'll start thinking of walking arounds for my next post.

Bonkers #361 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 09:08 PM

I agree I figured more postings.

They have around 250 Employees I dont know how many kids or how long or party I was planing on being there maybe 2 hrs or so and I feel in clown. It's Ironic it is the hotel that the 2009 Coai meeting is using so I wnat to be the best WOW I can be. I just did my nieces birthday for the pratice and WOW the kids were out of control as soon as I made the birthday hat (Fireworks Hat) the kids started fighting over it I explained that it was for the birthday girl Needless to say Parents did not stop them and the hat got popped I explained that if they were going to act like that NO ONE got balloons I got them under control and made one for everyone I realize not all parties are this out of control I really need a cattle prod for my next in-laws birthday

Fitzwilly · #4 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 09:35 PM

Okay, with that many employees unless you book a room for a couple of days there is no way you are going to be able to make balloons for all the children. Two hours is a good time frame. As you are making plans let the host know that you can make a great deal of very, very simple balloons or a lesser number of nicer balloons. Find out what else is going on at the party and if they have at least one staff member working the party that can be assigned to you to help manage the children because you will be "under seige." Also the hotel may want to consider hiring two balloon twisters.
If Santa is going to be there, tone down your excitement while he is there and try to be stationed accross the room from him. There is nothing worse than upstaging Santa, and a a balloon twisting clown it CAN happen.

Bonkers #361 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 09:44 PM

Should this be something I turn over to my alley. So we can have several clowns there? I want to be good. I think it is just Dinner and Music

Fitzwilly · #6 (**permalink**) 11-17-2007, 10:09 PM

I wouldn't turn it over to the alley yet, but if there is someone in the alley that you respect they might be able to help you with this project.

Darrell · #7 (**permalink**) 11-19-2007, 11:32 AM

I agree 100% with Fitzwilly!

Bonkers #361 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 06:59 PM

Just an update today was my first gig and it was at the Holiday Inn I wanted the experiance of making balloons for the kids so I charged $20.00hr plus the cost of each full bag of balloons I was such a hit with the kids and pleased everyone so much including the adults I had alot of fun But best of all they paid me $25 and hour and gave me a voucher for me and my wife to come back for a prime rib dinner I had a blast and I am looking forward to my next gig

Fitzwilly · #9 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 09:26 PM

Excellent, Bonkers!!! You are now on your way. Keep us updated please.

tim · #10 (**permalink**) 12-16-2007, 11:23 PM

Such a deal! And what a great experience. Congratulations. Keep building upon all this good work!