How to become well known

[Joey]

Hello!

How would one become more well known? I wish I had more gigs than I have now, but need to become popular. Please fell free to explain how you made t big.

Thanks in advance!!

Joe

[Scruffy]

Hard work, practice, constant study, and making every life decision based on your goal.

[Fitzwilly]

Where are you located? What type of clowning do you do? How long have you been clowning? Do you have any areas that you really enjoy or have really practiced?

[Chance Marmalade]

Marketing plays a huge part in becoming known. Once you've developed an act and a character you're happy with I suggest seeing about getting in the papers. Write your own press release that announces your arrival on the scene. but make it stand out. Show that you have something special to offer, being new can actually be quite a benefit when trying to get press coverage. Put on stage shows, produce them yourself, advertise them, be in the public eye. That's the key I think. It worked for PT Barnum!

[Sir Toony Van Dukes]

This advice works for any type of individual business....

Treat your customers with respect and give them the best possible product. A happy customer is often a repeat customer and will give good referals to their friends.

Network. You may think that other clowns, magicians, etc. are your competition, but consider them as partners. If you are already booked for a gig, it is nice to be able to tell someone that you can recommend a friend who may be available. They may return the favor the next time they are booked.

Order business cards and other marketing materials that you can give your customers. Create a website. List yourself in the phone book.

Good luck!

[stitches]

Volunteer at public events and pass out business cards. Magnet business cards are great because people often throw away or lose business cards but not their refridgerator! Anyway, I started out doing this for fun so I volunteered often - business grew unintentionally. Besides, the COAI "Clowning in Excellence" award requires about 200 volunteer hours. Keep track with a feedback form that the event organizer fills out. Ask questions like...
- How did my participation contribute to the event?
- Would you want me to entertain at future events? Why or Why not?
And of course record the name of the organization and the number of hours that you volunteered.

[Giggles the Clown]

Hi Joey: All of the above. You get some great advice on this forum. If you feel comfortable with costume, act, makeup, etc. and are ready to get out there, please think about a business plan. For example, what services you offer, within what geographic area, what appears to be the range of rates for those services in your area, etc. and then think marketing. First year I spent about $500 in print advertising and received no business from it. (Hey, I had to try it.) Now, most of my business comes from a web site, ClownsForHire.Com. (and I work a LOT during clown season). Get a plan and follow it. Like most businesses, it takes a while to grow. But what they say about persistence, persistence, persistence, is truth, in my opinion. And it sounds like you love what you're doing enough to seek help and persist in going forward. Hooray for you!

[Darrell]

The best thing I can say is to take the great advice you receive on this forum and you will become well known!

Darrell

[Bumbles]

Hi Joey,

If you do not already belong, join a Clown Alley in your area, they usually have a business manager and have a list of members who are available for jobs. Our Alley takes a 10% cut from the fee charged for the gig, the rest goes to you.