Kids Entertainer Podcast

It's Episode 105 and we had Regina Martinez aka Silly Sparkles as a co-host. In this episode, Zivi and Regina talked about marketing tips that can be implemented after the show. They shared by sharing their own stories and opinions.

Controlling your nerves is another topic that was discussed in this episode and every new entertainer or even a veteran one can still experience it, so listen to this episode because you can definitely relate to this. Lastly, another hot topic and this time about how many balloons should you carry in your stock. So if any of these topics interest you hit the PLAY button now!

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: How to market yourself at the end of the party ceremony

Steven from Appleton Wisconsin USA asked:

"At the end of birthday party shows, any idea you could share on you know, you get invited to stay, have some birthday cake or some food and meet up with the people. I wonder if you have any ideas on how to do that in a professional manner and what might you wanna make sure we include so that would help our business and so on?"

Regina's thoughts on this:

It's a great opportunity to market at the end of the show. It's a really great time to have a photo op, with the birthday kid and other kids too. If you have a puppet it will have a great impact. When taken a picture ask them to use your hashtag when they post it. Offer a referral discount as a bonus for when they tag you.

Zivi's take:

Most of people these days will agree to get them tagged so if you do the hashtag for them as Regina mentioned in the show, it allows you to take ownership on the process and the details.

Tips from the Vault: Controlling Your Nerves

• The tip is taken from Lesson 7.0 of the Build your Magic Show course of the Kids Entertainer Academy – How Do I Control My Nerves. The main idea is - don't ever say you will never do that magic trick again
• But at the same time, perform magic you find enjoyable and comfortable with and be realistic with your progress

Regina also shared her story about her experience and Zivi also gave his take. See the extended notes for complete details.

Hot Topic:

• For Regina:It depends on the business and market. Restock from a position of power and knowledge. Plus insights and challenge inside the bonus PDF extended notes.
• Zivi's strong points on stocking balloons:Balloons Age. Limit yourself to few colors and spend your money wisely.

As entertainers we want to make everyone happy in our show but do we need to always make everyone laugh? With the help of Danny Schlesinger, the co-host for this episode, we discussed how to be a great entertainer without trying hard to make everybody laugh.

We also discussed about one of the lectures from the Vault which talks about some good lines to use and you interactions with adults during the show. And as always, we discussed a hot topic, this it's about how to handle situations when kids starts to cry in your show. Tune in as this episode will give a lot of tips and tricks on how to be a great entertainer.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: The Future of Kids Entertainment

Drew ripley from Canada

"With the show that I have right now I find that there are parts that are really funny and parts that are not and I am wondering if while Im entertaining smaller kids if the goal should be just keep them laughing the whole time, can I actually be just a comedic performer the whole time or is that likely to be exhausting and backfire and I'll end up with other problems?"

Quick Summary:

• Laughing all the time is exhausting
• When the kids really laugh a lot it's fun for you to be in the situation because it shows how good you are as an entertainer
• Many things can go wrong if you make things go crazy with laughter
• How many interactions in your routine that involve your audience show be considered as well

Tips from the Vault: You Are So Funny! by Alan Rich

Lines that were taken from the lecture:

Line 1: Why are you knees different from my knees? You have Kidneys

Tip from the show: don't use a line that doesn't fit your personality

Line 2: (to a hyper kid) Have you ever considered meditation

Line 3: Are you married… Do you work at 7-11

Danny and Zivi also gave their advise on adult interaction and how important it is that they are also entertained.

Hot Topic:

• For Danny..If it's in a show, encourage the parent to deal with it and give comfort to the kid.
• For Zivi..It's an opportunity for an Awww.. moment. To show that you are human and you care.

It's episode 102, and we're excited to share it along with our second co-host for the season, Regina Martinez, also known as Silly Sparkles. Regina loves sharing her knowledge with everyone and will be one of the three co-hosts of season 5! Today, we talk about the essentials of marketing that can be applied to a new show. I am sure you already have ideas about your next show so stick around, listen and brainstorm with us with this new episode on how to market your show.

We also discussed about the Five Word Tip. These five words transforms a group of kids into an audience. It was taken from one of the Kids Entertainer Academy lectures. Last but not the least, the Hot Topic of this week - Gigantic Costumes, are they adorable or SCARY? Let start dive right in!

In this episode we discussed:

In Your Voice:

Essentials on a new show - the question from Yoshi - I put together a show but I did so far no marketing or whatsoever. I want to know, what are the essentials that I have to take, take my show that is sitting now at the boxes at home to somebody's stage. What are the essential marketing steps that has to get done?

Here are the essential Regina and Zivi brainstormed about:

1. Get Professional Pictures - Make really good promo photos.
2. Next is to Market your show. There is a lot about that in the Pre-School Masterplan course in KEA.
3. We challenge you to do the marketing during the first steps of building the new show, not after your show is ready.

Tips from the vault: The FIVE Words Tip

https://member.kidsentertainerhub.com/topic/episode-102-five-words-to-put-you-in-control/

Ask questions like the samples below.

1. Who wants to see a magic show?
2. You Weren't Ready were you?
3. I will give you another go

Hot Topic:

Full body gigantic Costumes that the entertainer goes inside - Scary or Adorable?

Wearing HUGE costumes has been around amongst entertainers for many years, mostly for kid's parties and shows. The question we ask is, is it adorable or will it scare the kids away?

1. We shared Regina's thoughts on this kind of costume as a mom.
2. Size is powerful.
3. Costume quality is also a big factor.
4. The high end polar bear full body costume that was mentioned https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG1NHYFHDk4&feature=share

This episode marks a new beginning. We reached a new milestone having the 100th episode of the podcast. As we enter a new season, we say farewell to Ken Kelly, the founder of this company, who after 3.5 years have decided to move on to other things, and sold his share to Zivi Kivi. Thanks so much for Ken for all that he contributed to the podcast, the company and for his influence and legacy. We wish Ken goodluck in his endeavors and suspect you will hear more of him in the future.

Do you think putting prices in your website is worth it? Then listen to this episode.

We also discussed a game that you can use in your events, that was taken out from the Vault.

Lastly, since the Halloween season is coming, we talked about Halloween shows and characters.

In this episode we discussed:

In Your Voice:

Do you put prices on websites? What are the pros and cons? - Virginia from Los Angeles asked us, and here are some of the Pros and Cons:

• Pros:
• • Acts as a filter. Filter out customers that are just looking for price
  • Shows fairness and It builds your confidence (the trust factor)
  • You can show different packages and it saves you a lot of time with customers

• Cons:
• • New in the area, depends on the location.
  • Prices are not final yet
  • Competition will know your price and they will undercut you (but honestly, they will know your prices one way or another anyway)

Tips from the vault: The game "I Like You Because..."

• Taken from the lecture from our Learning Circle course
• The lecture was about the concept of the 5 love languages for kids
• The game involves two people - each one need to says "I like you because …... "

https://member.kidsentertainerhub.com/topic/episode-101-the-i-like-you-because-game/

Hot Topic:

HALLOWEEN CHARACTER / SHOW - is it really worth it?

• Tips on how to make your Halloween shows
• Discussion with regard to costumes

It's best to be prepared in life as well as business. And to arm you for the future, we discuss the technology trends in business that are likely going to affect kids entertainers.

And since this is our 100th episode, we have a fantastic present for all of you, our listeners. What is it? Go on and click play to find out.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: The Future of Kids Entertainment

What developments are on the horizon that can affect the future of children's entertainment? - NJ Holtz

• Trends to be aware of: eLearning, eCourses and automation systems
• The uses of chatbots

Tips from the Vault: Free Access to the Entire Vault!

Get your Free Access to the KEA Tips Vault: Go to https://kidsentertainerhub.com/vault/

For KEA members, check out a new course by Colin Dymond: Adding a Puppet to Your Show

Hot Topic: Mentors

• The danger of not having a mentor
• Ideas for getting some mentorship

Want new warm-up routines to begin your show with a bang? Then this episode is for you.

We also discuss what upgrades you can add to your party offers to provide more value to your bookers and earn more in the process.

Last but not the least, we share our thoughts on an often-debated topic among kids and family entertainers: do you really need backdrops?

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: Party Package Upgrades

Which party package upgrades do your clients choose most often? – Regina "Silly Sparkles"

• Defining your core offer
• Brainstorming for upsells that suits your core offer
• The beauty of tiered pricing

Tips from the Vault: Warm-Up Routines

• The importance and purpose of warm-ups
• Ideas and resources for warm-up routines

Hot Topic: Do You Need Backdrops?

• Pros and cons of having backdrops
• Don'ts when designing your backdrops

Most of us, if not all of us, have experienced customers asking for a discount. Should we give in or say no? If we say no, how do we communicate that nicely so we don't lose the client?

We discuss this rather tricky topic here and offer strategies that have worked for us.

We also offer fantastic party game ideas for kids that even the older children will love, as well as steps you can take to move from a non-performing into a performing act.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: How Do You Go into Performing?

How do you transition from line twisting into performing? - Melissa Sherk

• Simple steps you can take to ease yourself into performing
• Resources that can help you

Tips from the Vault: Ideas for Games for Children Ages 8+

• The importance of framing the game to the children
• 3 fantastic non-elimination games you can try

Danger Pass the Parcel

Comedy Musical Chairs

Comedy Musical Statues

Hot Topic: When Customers Ask for Discounts

• The problem with giving discounts
• Tips on how to structure your offer to discourage clients asking for discounts
• What to give in place of discounts

Planning to start asking for deposits from your bookers, or wondering how you can simplify the process? In this episode, we discuss how you can ask for deposits with no hassle to you or your client.

And because we always strive to give you as much value as we can, we also discuss how to deal with undercutting, and also whether one website or several specialized websites are for you.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: Specialized Websites or One Website?

Is it best to have a singular website that promotes all your services, or a singular website for each of your services? – Keith Tusing

• Pros and cons of having one website vs. having several specialized websites
• Things to consider when deciding whether to have a single or multiple websites

Tips from the Vault: How to Ask for Deposits

• Benefits of asking for deposits for your children's shows
• Hassle-free ways to ask for deposits

Hot Topic: How to Deal with Undercutting

• The right attitude towards the issue of undercutting
• Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and how you can get bookings even if you charge more than your competitors

In this episode, we tackle a question that many kids and family entertainers are keen to find the answer to: how do we know if our business is indeed doing well? How can we say objectively that we're flourishing, or at least performing better than the last months or the previous years? What things do we need to look at to be able to say that we're on an upward trajectory or that we need more fine-tuning?

It's an important question as the answer will allow us to run our business in a more informed way. And we give you the best answer we know, based from our own experiences, in this episode.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: How to Know if Your Business is Growing

What should we measure to know if our business is growing? – Steve Wickenton

• The importance of measuring and keeping track
• Tools and tips you can apply right now to measure the performance of your business

Tips from the Vault: Answer Phone Message

• Why you need a good answering machine/voicemail message
• The anatomy of a great answer phone message

Hot Topic: Who is the Boss—the Booker or the Audience?

• What you can do to please both the booker and the birthday child