10. Professional entertainers are in business, and businesses need to make a profit.  This is how they put a roof over their head, food on the table and stay warm in the winter. Because they make it their career, they dedicate themselves to becoming the best they can be, and share the talents they have honed with their clients.

9. Professional entertainers have to buy professional equipment. They don't walk into Wal-Mart, pick up what's on the shelf and declare themselves a professional entertainer. They spend quite a bit of money on props, supplies, costumes, equipment and dues to necessary associations, the list goes on.  That is just for the performance.

8. Professional entertainers continue their education, and learn as much as they can about their form of entertainment. They attend seminars, learn from others in the business through books and videos, and stay up to date on new equipment, techniques, trends, and laws.  They concentrate on becoming the best they can be.

7. Professional entertainers don't just attend an event, they create an event. They understand the needs and expectations of their clients, and they understand the timing and flow of the event. . You're not just paying for a distraction, you are paying for the professional entertainer to create lasting memories for your guests.

6. Professional entertainers can spend hours producing one event. Time can include:

• creating the marketing
• answering emails and phone calls
• meeting with the client to talk about the event
• setting up for the event
• drive time to and from the event
• time for the actual event
• searching for special equipment or costumes
• loading and unloading equipment
• upkeep of equipment
  
• follow up work

You can see why one event may include hours worth of work. It's impossible to stay in business if you only make a few pennies per client.

Check back next week to see the final five reasons why entertainers charge what the do.

We have been so busy this summer, the blog has taken a back seat.  As fall settles in, we do slow down a bit, our mid-week gigs come to a halt.  So hopefully

It's time for another installment of FAQ!  This week we talk about...

What happens if it rains?

There are a few things we can do. 

We offer the option of a rain date - you pay an extra fee to secure a second date for your event.

We also have no problem moving indoors - give us a garage, basement, family room, we can make it work.  Except for the inflatable rides, we can move everything indoors.  We have no problem substituting another available activity.

We will move to another date provided we are available,  but during the warmer months, when most events happen outside, this is a gamble.  We worked with a school this past spring that did not secure a second date, and tried to move their event to another date due to the weather forecast.  She could not find a date that all her vendors were available for and her hands were tied.  

Most people opt for the substitution and have the party anyway.  For most events, it is about the fun and togetherness.  Enjoy that.

The hardest part of writing for me is trying to figure out what I am going to write about about.  If someone would just tell me "Write about this.", I would be fine.  So the first thing I am putting out there is...what do you want to hear about?

For right now I will tackle a frequently asked question once a week.  So this week's question is...

How far in advance do I need to book?

The simple answer to that is, as soon as you know about your party, it is best to book your entertainment.

It does get more complex than that.  If you are looking to book your party during a specific season, such as Christmas, Easter, or communion, realize that there are MANY people looking to book entertainment during those times as well.  Those times of year fill up quickly.  Consider having the party on a different day.  It will be easier to have the details come together. 

Also it seems that is one day a month that everyone wants to have their party, and one day a month that no one wants.  Don't set your party in stone, and then call for entertainment.  Make sure all your ducks are in a row and then send out your invites.

However, it never hurts to call and see if there was a cancellation (I had the chicken pox on the day I was supposed to receive my communion!), or that maybe there is time between events.  It just might happen!