Atmosphere Performing – Getting Paid While Promoting Your Entertainment Business
Greetings my fellow entertainers. I have been wondering, for some time, what kind of New Year’s resolutions performers make (and how well they keep them). Do comics resolve to be even more hysterical? Do jugglers resolve to keep more objects in the air? Do prop comedians resolve to develop more unusual props? Do comedy magicians resolve to be more amazing and more amusing? Do other jesters and buskers resolve to be more assertive in marketing their entertainment services? Do still others resolve to broaden their horizons – Perhaps attempt to attract additional client bases, or add new comedic elements to their artistic repertoire?
Maybe you would like the opportunity to perform more often, and at new and different venues. Have you thought of adding atmosphere entertainment to your entertainment bag of tricks? I hear you silently asking me, “What in the world is atmosphere entertainment?” You may know this old, yet reliable art form by another name. Have you heard other jesters or buskers talking about “table hopping” or “strolling entertainment”. While a stage performance is presented while in front of the audience, atmosphere entertainment is performed from within the audience. This energetic style of performance art involves greeting and entertaining (by either amazing and/or amusing them) members of a crowd “one on one” or in small groups. Then, you move on to your next mini-audience (or someone new approaches you). It’s opening night every two minutes.
You may be able to adapt some of your current entertainment skills for use in atmosphere performing. Many stage magicians earn some very nice dollars doing “close-up magic” in restaurants, bars, night clubs, casinos, or on cruise ships, or at large corporate and civic events. Physical comedians pick up extra money doing their stuff while strolling among large crowds at malls, supermarkets, and large department stores, as well as fairs and festivals. Musicians are well-paid to play their wood winds or strum or pluck their stringed instruments while strolling amid crowds in restaurants and at fairs and festivals. These all also great venues for networking. Always brings a supply of give away items which contain
your name and contact information. Work the giveaways into your mini-performances (the little bits of business you do for one or two, or a few people). As with any business, “point of sale” advertising is an an extremely important part of your overall marketing strategy. The best time to promote yourself is while people are able to see and enjoy what you do.
Maybe you will choose to develop new artistic elements to utilize at your atmosphere gigs. Once, while attending an entertainers’ conference outside of Syracuse, New York, I witness a young man walking his pet blue jay (a wooden letter “j” painted blue). He didn’t have to approach anyone. People came up and started the conversation for him. I have an old Polaroid camera (My wife says I never throw anything away) that I use. I insert a picture postcard of myself (with my contact information) where the film cartridge used to go. Then I take someone’s picture. Then, while handing them my picture, I exhibit surprise at how much we look alike. That way, the giveaway is part of the trick. It’s fun, seamless way to get my contact information into the hands of as many people as possible. Adding atmosphere entertainment to your entertainment repertoire is a great way to get paid to advertise your own business. Remember, every person you meet is a potential client.
If you’re adept at visual arts (Sadly, I am not) you could add face/hand painting to the list of entertainment skills you offer. There are great books about it in every bookstore and, in most libraries. Perhaps, you would like to learn balloon twisting (if, like me, you are full of hot air and don’t fancy a career in politics) and use this profitable art form as a way to supplement your income and promote other parts of your entertainment package. Kids (and many adults) will flock to you. And, where there are kids, there are parents. And parent is just another name for potential client. Have giveaways ready for the kids. Color pages rolled up like magic wands (with your performance schedule and contact information included), coloring books, “autographed” picture post cards, mini frisbees, stickers, ball point pens, etc. Kids love these little items and they show them to their parents (who, in turn, see your contact information).
Now, how to get paid? Over the years, I have performed atmosphere entertainment for cash, for barter (see recent posts), for tips, for cash and barter, for cash and tips, for barter and tips, and for for all three. Whatever works for you and your client. Quite often, you can negotiate long-term (weekly, monthly, etc.) atmosphere gigs with venues such as malls, restaurants, and department stores. Then you become a fixture in the minds of your clients, their staff and their patrons. And when they, or someone they know need entertainment, you are the first entertainer they think of.
Well, I know that’s a lot of information. I hope you find it helpful. I firmly believe every building is a potential venue and every person is a potential client. And the person most qualified to market your business is you. Who else has invested as much time, money, and creative and both physical energy as you have?
If you have questions or comments, I would love to hear from you.
P.S: On Wednesday, January 25, 2012 (of course) I will be performing, along with a few new comedy friends, onstage (not atmosphere entertainment) at the Improv Comedy Club in Cleveland, Ohio. If you live, work, or are going to be in the area,
come out and see us. We would love to meet you.
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Read MoreWhat will next year bring?
With eighteen days left in the year, many people’s thoughts turn to the next one. New year’s resolutions, new calenders, new day book schedules, and new corporate, family and personal mission statements abound. In the midst of a difficult economy and an increasingly mobile society, so many of us are questioning where we are and where we are going (physically, financially, spiritually) The short-term questions is, “What will next year bring?” We ask ourselves, and, perhaps, the God of our understanding, a myriad of questions regarding the year 2012 such as: Will I get married? Will I stay married? Will I have a child? Will I still have my job? Will I be down-sized? Will I get a promotion? Will I get a raise? Will I get a better job? Is this the time to make a move? Should I start my own business or hold on to the “security” (or the illusion thereof) of my day job?
So many questions to ponder. Obviously, I cannot speak for others, only for myself. However, I would invite any reader to pass along her or his personal and professional plans for next year and I will be happy to mention them in future posts. As for me, I will be taking a four month sabbatical from stage performing in order to immerse myself in the creative process. I will be writing new material for use in numerous comedic genre. From stand-up comedy to prop comedy (new material in more ways than one) to comedy magic (more amusing than amazing) to comedic voices and humorous song parodies (my guitar lessons commence is just forty-four hours), it will all be new, original material.
My plan is to re-emerge, onstage, in late April or early May of 2012 with a new and completely comedy variety show composed of original stand-up comedy material, brand new comedic voices and impressions, newly written comedic song parody lyrics (fueled by inspiration from my guitar lessons). Tomorrow, I will elaborate on my plans for 2012 regarding the locations and venues in which I will be entertaining.
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Stop and smell the roses – - and enjoy the jokes, too – - Live, love, laugh – - Then do it all over again.
In the words of comedian Lewis Black, “We don’t celebrate holidays anymore. We just seem to enjoy announcing their arrival.” Lewis has a point. Some of the stores in my area (Columbus, Ohio) had some of their employees setting up Christmas displays at the same time the store’s other employees were putting away the Halloween display. So much for Thanksgiving! And the retail stores are not alone in their zeal to herald the coming of each new holiday without allowing time to properly observe the previous one. From restaurants to car dealerships, every business outlet seems to be in an all-fired hurry to ring in the next holiday with an enormous “deal of the century” sale.
And, apparently, entertainers are no more immune to this holiday heralding hysteria than retailers. I say this because the Linkedin group for stand-up comedians’ question of the week is, “What are your career goals for the coming new year?” Well, in the spirit of “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” I have been considering what I would like to accomplish both personally and in the comedy business during the year 2012. Not unlike a lot of people, I would love to lose some weight (about 40 pounds) next year. Toward that end, I have pledged to eat less and exercise more during 2012. I would also like for music to be a bigger part of my personal and professional life. So I have purchased a guitar and will be starting lessons soon. My hope is to write and perform comedic song parodies (always giving credit to the writer of the original lyrics). I would also like to travel more. At this writing, I am completing my passport application with the intention of visiting Costa Rica next summer. And, like most people these days, I wouldn’t mind earning a few more of those little green pieces of paper printed by the Treasury Department (to help pay for the guitar lessons and the traveling).
Mostly, I have to say, I would like to make more people laugh and make people laugh more. This will mean writing and performing a lot of new material, which I really enjoy and look forward to. And, I would like to spend more time laughing (and not just at myself).
Here’s to the coming year, and surviving the last thirty-nine days of this one.
Read More
She who laughs last – - Is, apparently the deepest
As I have mentioned before, I belong to several Linkedin discussion groups which cater to live stage entertainers. Some of these groups deal specifically with comedic performers (comics, ventriloquists, comedy magicians, physical comedians, pantomime artists, comedy jugglers, comedy writers, sketch comedians, etc.) while others are open to members of the entertainment community at large.
The question of the week, from a group for stand-up comedians and humorous speakers, is whether men or women are a better comedy audience. I would have to say, it really depends on two rather obvious variables: The particular genre of the comedy material and how it is presented.
In both my personal and professional experience, it’s easier to get men to laugh. Men respond more easily to hack jokes and sight gags (remember, men are more prone to react to visual stimulation). As a comedy variety artist who has been married twice (each time to a different woman), I have observed that women, having a more sophisticated comedy palate, will barely roll their eyes at the aforementioned light effort type of comedy that seems to elicit belly laughs and knee slaps from their male counterparts. They will, however, laugh harder and longer at the more deep structure type of comedy (relationship scenarios, storytelling with a decent plot and well developed characters, etc.). One might say that women respond to comedy in much the same way they respond to sex. It may take some time and effort to get women going. But, once you do, they will laugh much, much longer and much, much harder than men.
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Shameless Self-Promotion
For a side-splitting event, you can’t beat Bob Simpson (although his first wife certainly did) and his hilarious original material with his signature high energy and interactive delivery style. Bob’s stand-up comedy is available in sets ranging in length from 15 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the duration of your event and the number of performances you wish to offer your attendees.
As a physical and verbal improvisation “artiste” Bob blends a variety of comedic elements into every stand-up performance. A few examples include:
- Comedy Magic: While it’s more amusing than amazing, Bob’s comedy magic takes full advantage of props and stunts. You may not ask how he does what he does, but you probably will ask why!
- Prop & Balloon Comedy: Combining high energy visual antics with comedic storytelling, improvisation, and audience participation, Bob’s prop & balloon comedy crafts a zany good time for all.
- Pantomime: “Stapling” Bob’s mouth shut produces a delightful look at The World According to Bob through his devilishly curious eyes.
- Original Stand-up Material: With themes such as aging, why you should never argue with your wife (or any other woman for that matter), finding the fun in dysfunctional families, the joys of being a clown, the absurdity of the English language, exercise. weight loss, fast food, etc.
- Vaudeville Style Variety Show: A delightfully seamless blend of stand-up comedy, prop comedy, comedy magic, physical and verbal improvisation, and audience participation.
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