who let the gabby out- ha ha ha ha

[littleprofessor]

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--

[Fitzwilly]

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.

[tim]

Originally Posted by Fitzwilly

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?

[gabgayle]

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.

[Dylan]

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

[tim]

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

[Willace-the-Clown]

i missed you

[Patches]

Originally Posted by Dylan

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...

[gabgayle]

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

[ibimus]

Originally Posted by Chip

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!