Whether you’re holding a baby shower or you’re celebrating an engagement, there’s always a need to party! Parties and celebrations have changed in the last ten years, and so have the expectations for the people who throw them. You can’t just hand out drinks and play soft music anymore; these days, live entertainment adds something that can’t be replaced. If you want to hire for your next party, and don’t want to worry that you’re making a mistake during a talent booking, here are some tips to follow.
Be Clear On What You Want
The worst mistake someone can make when hiring talent for a party is to go in without a plan. It’s okay to not 100% know what you need, but you have to have some general idea. When contacting performers, you need to let them know how long you’ll want them to perform, what the conditions will be, and how many people will be attending. This plan will allow them to prepare more thoroughly and not run out of material when there’s still an hour left at the party. If you have any questions, you can ask them- but try not to overwhelm or bombard the performers, or they may decline your job.
Be Honest About Your Budget
Although we’d all love to be able to afford Beyonce at our next party, most of us don’t have that kind of budget. Instead, it would help if you calculated precisely how much you could afford and work to stay beneath that. Don’t try to short performers or hope that tips will make up for what you can’t pay them because they deserve a fair wage for what they’re providing you. Instead, if there’s a performer you absolutely must have, attempt to find another way to budget to afford them. You can crowdsource for this or ask for donations from partygoers before the performer is fully hired, but don’t try to short them on their pay.
Hire As Early As Possible
The moment you know you have a party and a venue, it’s time to start hiring. This timing may seem extraordinarily early for some people, but you can’t afford to wait! Many artists and performers get booked months out, and if you stay because you didn’t feel like doing it yet, you could lose the act you wanted. Reach out early, pay a deposit if they request it, and keep up your side of the deal. This plan gives you a promise that they’re in this with you.
Consider Unique Performers
Although a lounge singer, or magician, can be fun to watch: they’re not the end all be all of the party entertainment! Browse performers who do acts you haven’t considered yet! You may be surprised what catches your eye. When browsing, pay attention to your venue size and how many people attend to ensure you’re not over or underbooking your talent. You can even tie in unique performers with your party’s themes, like cosplayers for a teen’s graduation or mermaids for a nautical themed party!
