How to get the most out of your Entertainment

By: Richard Cole – Entertainment Specialist
Richard Cole Entertainment

When hiring entertainment for your Resort it’s important to look for acts that give the most bang for your buck. While the quality of the show is important, there are other things that can determine the benefit of an entertainer to a resort. 

As a full time entertainer, I’ve had the opportunity to perform at many different events. In almost every case there are extra things I have been able to do to bring more people to my shows, and therefore ensure a fully packed room. Many are simple, and cost very little or nothing. 

There are things you can ask an entertainer to do, and things that you can do to make your event attendance higher. 

Entertaining people has taken me across Canada. From Vancouver to New Brunswick. I’ll show you some of the tricks I use to make every event I perform at a success! 

 

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Hiring entertainers for your Resort can be an intimidating process. These seven tips will help you complete the task successfully. 

 

The most important point to keep in mind is that the success of your entertainment will relate directly to the quality and experience of your entertainer. As well, as the match of the entertainer to your audience.

 

Using the following tips will help you systematically secure quality entertainment that will be a successful match for your audience.

 

1. Determine the Needs of your Audience

Entertainment can add a lot to your resort. In addition to being a draw to help get people through the gate, it can help your attendees to relax and enjoy themselves. 

Providing entertainment can help you make your message and objectives of the event be heard. Consider if there is a goal or message for the festival.  Are you a fun filled, excitement driven kids friendly zone, or a quiet, leisure acoustic place of solitude?

A good entertainer will be able to customize their materials to fit with the message you want your guests to take home.

 

 

2. Maximize Your Time and Determine Your Budget and Date

Your budget for entertainment is going to depend on your overall budget for the week for the resort. Know how much (at least approximately) you can allow for entertainment and know the dates of the performances before gathering information on entertainers.

This will save you a great deal of time from having to review and consider entertainers that are out of your budget, entertainers that are way below your budget (i.e. lesser quality) and entertainers that are already booked up. 

Most entertainers should be flexible with their fees if you are booking them for multiple shows. 

 

3. Identify the Type of Entertainment that Would be Most Valuable to Achieve Your Needs

Uniqueness and appropriate content should always be your priorities with any type of entertainment you consider. There are obviously many different types of entertainment available to suit different needs. When looking to add a new kind of entertainment consider what your event may be lacking. Could you use entertainment that is unobtrusive , such as a musician sitting in a corner, or would you prefer an elaborate fireworks display or monster truck show? Depending on your message and the needs of your audience, decide what form of entertainment is going to benefit your festival and the diverse age groups and tastes that will attend. 

 

4. Finding Your Entertainer

Meeting planning companies and entertainment agencies are excellent resources for finding entertainers. In addition, entertainers can be found in the phone book and on the web, and you can also get referrals from colleagues or associations in which you may be a member.

 

5. Your Initial Contact with Your Prospective Entertainer

A professional entertainer can query you regarding your needs and the needs of your audience and what your goals are for the event in just a couple of minutes, letting you know if they feel their services would be beneficial for your event.

Be cautious with the entertainer that does not have any interest in determining your objectives or just wants to send you out promotional material without first determining your objectives.

Not every entertainer is right for every resort.

Not every entertainer is right for every resort.

The professional entertainer will not waste your time considering his services if they are not suitable for your event but will instead direct to a more suitable form of entertainment within your needs and budget.

The professional entertainer will turn down many programs because they know more than anyone what type of events they are best suited. They won't risk an unsuccessful event for you, or themselves.

The amateur entertainer will not have the experience to explore your needs or the experience to determine whether they can successfully assist you. They will accept anything that comes their way with no regard for the consequences.

After briefly discussing your event, and if you both feel that there is a possibility that there is a match between the entertainer and the event, the entertainer should send out promotional materials for your consideration.

 

6. Selecting Your Entertainer

Some things to consider when hiring an entertainer:

• did they include references or letters of recommendation?
• are they insured, especially if there is any possibility of spectator safety. 
• are they easy to get a hold of, do they return your calls if they aren't in the office, in a   reasonable amount of time?
• do they conduct themselves in a professional manner?
• do they belong to professional associations which represent their area of expertise? 
• how long have they been performing? 

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