Originally posted by travlin'easy:
John,
I can answer some of your questions.
Performing the NH circuit requires organization of everything. Your equipment, in particular, must be easy to set up and tear down, thereby allowing you to be able to get in, perform, schmooze, reload the gear in your car, then drive to the next job and do the same thing again. And, of course, you must carry some essential spares, just in case. One thing that I personally consider as essential is my trusy GPS. Not only will it take you to locations where you have never performed, but additionally, it can route you around traffic jams, which in this part of the world is a constant problem.
Contracts are easily created on your computer using any word processor. I have an old program called "It's Legal" that has sample contracts in it and allows you do copy the contract to your word processor and a document file. Then it's just a matter of filling in the blanks.
QuickBooks is a great tool for getting those invoices out, and keeping track of who has paid and who has not paid. It's an easy programn to use and not that expensive.
Print Shop is among my favorites for printing advertising media. You can design and create flyers, banners, posters, cards and calanders using the program, then mail them to current and perspective clients.
Creating a mailing list is easy. You can find all the Nursing Homes, assisted living centers, retirement communities, alzheimers centers, etc.. just by doing a few Google searches. Then it's just a matter of selecting the ones you want, copy the information into your word processor or data base program and you've just created a comprehensive mail list.
Targeting the audience, however, requires a bit more work--but not much more. Essentially, you have to get your advertisments to the current activities directors. This means you must call each location and merely ask the name of the activities director. Now you have someone to send the advertising media to and not have it end up in the junk mail pile that will get tossed into the dumpster. It's a good idea to update the AD list once every six months. The younger ones tend to change locations regularly, which is good news for you. When they move to a new facility they are often looking for entertainers at the new location. They call the ones they've had good results from in the past.
Rates of pay vary throughout the world, but on average in the U.S. the rate is approximately $100 per hour. The rate is usually double on certain holidays, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, Thanksgiving, Easter, etc.., holidays that most individuals like to spend with their families. Rates have increased at some facilities over the past two years because of the rising gasoline costs, and some now pay up to $150 per hour.
Hope this helps,
Gary
Wow gary ....
Great info thank you so much.
Where did you ever learn how top do all this? I see I have lots of work ahead of me, but I think it will all be worth it in many ways in the end result. I have only performed in my community & the audience danced sang along & enjoyed themselves. Thats what got me thinking this route.
Previous Topic
Index
