Can you do it for less?

When you mention a fee, you can immediately tell some people had no idea of the cost for a professional entertainer. There is a silence. It happens in person, on the phone and even by e-mail. After the silence, the question comes, "Can you do it for less?"

It has happened a lot lately. "We loved your video, we saw you live, we WANT you! Oh, could you possibly do it for less?" I had one potential client want me to drive 4.5 hours each way, and pay me less than I could make locally. (I seldom work locally.) They even offered to pick up my gas and toll expenses...nice.

[I usually DO NOT drive to events more than 4 hours one way. I fly in for those engagements. This particular event would have required me to provide sound. I agreed and figured driving into the quote.]

I realize these people don't understand. I explain it to them. I have to be compensated for my time. You could get a local act for less. "Oh, but we've had them and they aren't as good as you." Then why do you think I would come out for the same amount AND travel 9 hours to do it?

There is more than just gas and tolls involved. I have to get up early, leave my family, fight traffic for 4.5 hours and make sure I am on site prior to the event. I have to set, sound check, then wait for the performance time, nail the show and leave the audience laughing, then wait for the event to end so I can pack up and load out without interrupting the guests. I then get to climb back in my car and fight traffic for another 4.5 hours to get home.

How do I pay for wear and tear on the car? How do I cover the cost of the hotel room if I get tired and can't drive any further? What about meals? What about setting a portion of that income back for my retirement fund? Insurances? Mortgage? Electric and phone bills? Advertising expenses? Office expenses? Want me to keep going? How about some compensation for actually having a skill? That wasn't just there - I put in years of practice - hours the other guy who you don't want, may not have done.

And you want me for the same amount plus gas & tolls. No.

Please understand, I am not saying I am better than anyone else. I have a great show and I am proud of it. I have clients that rave about my show. And if you want a comedy show that will leave your people laughing, I hope you will consider me. But if you are looking for a bargain, you'll have to look somewhere else. I have a mortgage to pay and a family to support. Sorry.

An Evening Of Comedy

Last night's self promoted show was a success. It wasn't a sell out. In fact, we only sold about half of the house. The main things were - I didn't lose money and we had fun!

The evening started with local comedian Terry Duck. I've known Terry since he was a little kid. When I mentioned I was doing a show locally, he told me if I ever needed an opening act, to let him know. I hired him on the spot, sight unseen. My wife thought I was crazy. We had no idea if he was any good. I had a feeling though, and I was right. He had the audience laughing the second he walked on stage. Great job Terry!

Mike Rose, the Magic Kinda Guy, was up next. Mike's dry wit always wins over the crowd and his Chicken Towel is a riot. If you ever get the chance to see him work, don't miss the show. The two of them warmed up the audience and made my job much easier.

Last night was the official introduction of K.A.R.L. the alien, pictured above. It also saw Baby Billy come on stage for the third time. Both were greeted with laughs. Of course, Dangerous and the Human Puppets stole the show as usual.

I absolutely love working in a legitimate theater. The audience comes to see the show and the feedback and energy make performing a joy. Thanks to everyone who spent their Saturday night with us.

Promoting the show

This coming Saturday will be an experiment. I am promoting my own show in a rented theatre. Professionally, it is known as four walling. I rented the theater, I paid for advertising, promoted the program and hired the opening acts. Hopefully I will earn a profit when all is done. No guarantee.

At one time, everybody in town knew who I was. That's not conceit, it was a small town. Now, the town has grown. I am not known locally because most of my performances involve travel. Five years ago, my show sold out the theatre. Two years ago I split the house between two shows. This time, with one performance, I am hoping to come close to a sell out - but really I have no clue how it will do. I'm not checking with the box office in advance either.

The theater is in my home town, literally a few minutes from my house. We've done promotion through Facebook, posters, postcards, Internet, the Theater's marquee and their newsletters. No radio, no print ads. A local paper with free distribution did a short article on the show. Hopefully these will combine to create a decent house.

Like I said, it is an experiment...

College Shows

A week ago I did a showcase at my first APCA college conference. What a blast, great audience, lots of laughs and bookings to boot! A great introduction to the college market.

Monday I arrived in Florida for a Tuesday college luncheon show. I was a bit nervous. This was the first actual show in the market. Prior to my arrival, I read a comment about the show on the college's FaceBook page. The college announced it and someone wrote a disparaging comment about watching the audience walk away from an untalented clown. Were they even going to give me a chance? Didn't sound like it...

Although it was a noon show, it wasn't in the cafeteria. They set it up in a ballroom of the student union. There was concern the crowd would not show up, but they did. The show went well and the crowd grew in size. In all, a very positive experience and Student Activities was happy! So was I.