talkmagic.co.uk

Rather revealing...

http://m.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/20 ... ntertainer

"And, by the way, the families who leave a piece of cake for the staff are the ones we'll help out – lugging presents back to their cars, offering to give them change for parking. These are also the ones who send us thank you cards, and whose children say please and thank you. You don't know how much we appreciate that."

True! At a party at the weekend, I was welcomed with "Oh! You're on time!! Well Done."

I responded, "Yes, I do like to turn up on time!"

two things a children's entertainer / clown needs are a thick skin and a athletic support cup.

charge a descent rate and you gain there respect because there paying for it.

start off by treating them like your quoting to decorate there house or build them an extension and they will pick up on the tone and treat you like any other respected tradesperson, think like a second class servant and you'll be treated like one.
have respect for your trade and your talents and you will be far better placed to deal with any negative criticisms levelled at you, that's why I try to get in the line, "when you meet a magician you nearly always ask them to see a trick.... you don't ask a builder to see his brick."

its all about confidence and attitude these days, even if you don't have any put on a show adults are the same as kids don't show them your afraid and they wont walk all over you and expect you to work for free as its not a proper job, better to loose a job than get the rep as a pushover, you show me respect and you'll get thoughts little extras that make your party the envy of your neighbours, treat me like a second class citizen and I'll pee in your coffee (metaphorically speaking).

I hate the families that treat us as the hired help. One woman in the initial phone conversation referred to what I do twice as 'your little show'. Finally I told her that if she wanted a 'little' show she needed to go back to the phone book and find the cheapest performer. Then I hung up.

I did a company barbecue on Saturday. About six of us worked it. There was tonnes of food that was thrown away at the end - no offer to us performers. When it comes to quoting for that gig next year, that will be remembered, and my price will go up nicely.

I find that the best way of being treated with respect is to demand it. I don't negotiate about things like food during the show, or performing in play rooms. I lay down the law. If you stop them serving food during your show, and send it back to the kitchen, you will be treated differently - and better - when it comes to payment and being rebooked. They have to know you are an expert and that you expect to be treated as one.

TonyB wrote:I hate the families that treat us as the hired help. One woman in the initial phone conversation referred to what I do twice as 'your little show'. Finally I told her that if she wanted a 'little' show she needed to go back to the phone book and find the cheapest performer. Then I hung up.

I did a company barbecue on Saturday. About six of us worked it. There was tonnes of food that was thrown away at the end - no offer to us performers. When it comes to quoting for that gig next year, that will be remembered, and my price will go up nicely.

I find that the best way of being treated with respect is to demand it. I don't negotiate about things like food during the show, or performing in play rooms. I lay down the law. If you stop them serving food during your show, and send it back to the kitchen, you will be treated differently - and better - when it comes to payment and being rebooked. They have to know you are an expert and that you expect to be treated as one.

I tend to agree, with the above. I would also like to add, if you are a $50.00 entertainer don't expect to be treated like a $250.00 entertainer, at 50 bucks you are a babysitter, at 250 you are a baby sitter who gets more respect.