What's Your Price?

Hiring entertainment isn't like buying lunch at McDonald's. (At least it shouldn't be.) If the first question a client asks is "What do you charge?", chances are, I'm not the right act. That doesn't mean I am expensive, but I guarantee I am not the value meal either.

The other day I was approached by a potential client. They were having a small event and wanted 20 minutes of entertainment. The woman had seen my web site, watched my videos and was positive she wanted me. Because it was a small group, I was in the area and I could easily drop by to do a short set, I gave her a great deal. She replied I was too expensive. I was curious as to what she thought I would charge. She told me she could get a magician for $100. My reply was, I'm sorry you can't afford my rate and I truly hope you have a successful event.

$100? I've opened concerts for major names. I spent a month in Mexico performing at 5 star resorts. I've worked for major corporations throughout the U.S. with rave reviews. This is evident on my web site. What about those even suggest I would charge $100? This is a case of someone who didn't understand the value of entertainment.

The $100 kid's birthday party ventriloquist would not be the act you want for an important corporate dinner. The corporate entertainer, is not the act you want for a children's party. The two things people remember about most events are the food and the entertainment. Trust me, having a few less decorations because the correct entertainer was a bit more expensive is worth it. Does that mean a more expensive entertainer is actually worth more? Only if they are the correct entertainer for your type of event. You need to do your homework. Watch videos, read references, check them out. Talk to the entertainer, make certain he or she isn't just looking for a paycheck. (Too many of them are...)

Before I can give a quote, I need information. I want to know if your planned event is a correct fit for me. If you are looking for the lowest price, I can't help you. If you want the best value for your budget, e-mail me and we can talk about your event.

After Dinner Show

Saturday night, I had a show in lower New Jersey. The organization was holding their annual fund raising banquet and I was hired to close the show with a 45 minute comedy set. There was a lot of great talent on the bill, excellent singing, piano playing, guitars and even a saxophone quartet. I did what I usually do before a show, went into my shell and watched the audience to determine the best method of connecting with them.

Comedy can be a subjective creature. What is funny to one audience can fall flat on the next. It is important to be able to read the crowd and adjust the show to them. This was a very mixed audience, from young teen to senior citizen - about 200 in all. That makes the job even more difficult since you have a wide variety of humor levels to contend with. Younger audiences want the hipper comedy they see on TV - the older crowd tends to revel in the style of great comedians of the past.

To make a long story short - the evening ended with a standing ovation. I was truly honored. They have already scheduled my show for 2010 - so I have some huge expectations to meet on a completely different program. This morning, I received an e-mail from a member of the board:

"I am still hearing (and probably will continue to do so for a while) how great your show was!

When we spoke back stage (in reality – back kitchen), I told you how I had hyped up the act to ticket buyers because I was so impressed by what I had seen on the internet and you said you hoped you could live up to my words (modest for a performer, I like that). Oh my gosh, everything that you did was funny, entertaining and amazing all rolled into one! You “WOWED” the audience!

Thanks so much for making it one of the best shows ever! Selling tickets for next year’s show will be a cake walk thanks to you."
Rhonda Gage
Board of Directors

In truth, I want to thank them and every organization, individual and corporation that has ever hired me. Because of you, I get to earn a living doing something I love - making people laugh!
THANKS!

Corporate Entertainment

Wow, it is already the middle of February. 2009 is flying by too fast.

In January I had the pleasure of providing entertainment for a corporate event in Iowa. The weather was freezing but the audience was hot - and they graciously gave me a standing ovation at the end of the show. There is no better feeling, than making an audience laugh and then being rewarded in that fashion. It makes me realize exactly how lucky I am to be doing something I love.

In February I finally got to go someplace warm! Louisiana. I was doing a customer appreciation event for another corporate client. Again, the audience stood at the end of the show - and they weren't trying to leave!

I want to thank all the new friends I've made in the last two months and let you know I truly was honored by the gesture. As 2009 progresses, I look forward to the travel and shows. I hope to see you on the road!
Tom