Kids Entertainer Podcast

In this episode, we discuss an often-debated topic among kids and family entertainers: how long should a magic show be? We consider kids' psychology today and share insights from our own experiences.

Furthermore, we share two magic tricks that you can give away to your audience—tricks that are easy and perfect for children to do.

It's another succinct episode packed with resources, actionable tips, and valuable information to chew on, so go press Play now.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: What is the Best Part of Your Magic Show?

If I were to ask the 5-year-olds in your audience what their favorite part of your magic show is, what would they say? - Silly Jilly

• Your favorite routine vs. the routine that stands out in your audience's eyes
• Doing market research: Asking your audience what the best part of your show is for them

Tips from the Vault: Magic Trick Templates for Giveaways

• Choosing magic tricks fit for children
• Magic workshops and magic kit party giveaways
• Free magic trick templates that you can use

Hot Topic: How Long Should Your Magic Show Be

• Ideal length of show for different ages, groups and events
• The psychology of children today and how this could inform your show

For professionals who are into balloon entertainment, this question often comes up: should we concern ourselves more with serving our customers and hence being a commercial act, or should we focus on advancing our art?

It's a dilemma that not just balloon twisters face, but any artist or performer, and we invite you to explore this topic—and more—with us in this episode.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: Balloon Entertainment vs. Balloon Art / Commercial vs. Art

Is it okay to keep being fast and funny, or am I doing myself a disservice by not doing more? - Dan Geers

• The two ends of the spectrum: focusing on your art and focusing on pleasing the customers
• How you can be artistic and entertaining at the same time

Tips from the Vault: Thank You Letters

• The value of thank you letters
• Different forms of thank you that you can send to clients
• Tips and ideas for an amazing thank you letter that will make you unforgettable

Hot Topic: The Dangers of Balloons

• Being aware of the dangers that balloons pose
• Precautions you can take

Among the top things that can make a huge difference to your children's shows is a good-quality PA system. But from so many options, how can you tell which system will serve you best? We give you tips and a fantastic free resource in this episode.

And without throwing around off-putting jargons, we also delve into the essentials of SEO, as well as the business of upsells. Hit play and get the tips that can help you serve your customers better—and rank better in Google in the process.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: Bare-bones SEO for Kids Entertainers

What do we really need for SEO? – Annie Bananie

• What SEO is essentially about
• How Google ranks your site
• Tips to raise your SEO ranking and also serve your customers better
• Some tools you can use

Tips from the Vault: PA Systems

• The importance of a good PA system for children's entertainers
• Tips for choosing the right PA system
• Kinds of PA systems and things to consider

Hot Topic: Upsells

• What is an upsell
• Advantages of offering upsells to you and your customers
• Ideas for upsells

Are you tapping the power of backing tracks and effects to inject energy into your children's shows? If not, this episode just might nudge you to give them a try, and we give you the resources you need to start.

And if you feel like your magic show, face painting or balloon twisting is growing stale or you need something new to offer, we offer practical tips on how to keep things fresh and in tune with your bookers.

Last but not the least, we give some thought on whether it's ever all right to miss a show. We wish to hear your thoughts on the matter so we encourage you to join our Kids Entertainers Facebook group. Let's keep the conversation going.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: Keeping Your Act Fresh

How often do you change your Birthday Magic Show? - Stefan Swanepoel

• The definition of a truly commercial act
• Changing your routines gradually
• Keeping your act fresh and up-to-date with new music, props, costumes

Tips from the Vault: Backing Tracks

• Licensing and royalties – being aware of the laws in your country regarding the legal use of copyrighted materials
• Why add backing tracks
• Keeping the music in your shows updated
• Where you can get music and sound effects for your shows

Fiverr

Audio Jungle

Hot Topic: When Is It Okay to Miss a Show?

• Our responsibility to the birthday child
• Valid and invalid reasons for missing a show
• Must the show go on at all costs or would it be better to leave space for flexibility?

Managing challenging behaviour is one of the top concerns of any kids and family entertainer. In this episode, we give you strategies that have worked brilliantly for us, and might work for you as well.

We also discuss clown doctoring and important guidelines to keep in mind if you're entertaining at hospitals.

Last but not the least, we look into how prizes can go wrong and what you can do about this.

In this episode we discuss:

In Your Voice: Hospital Work

Has anyone here done gigs at children's hospitals visiting sick children in the wards? I have been hired by a children's hospital to do balloons and very simple magic. I just watched Patch Adams last night. Such a gorgeous movie, but I honestly don't know if I'm that naturally funny or perhaps I am overthinking again (which I always do!). Would love to hear from anyone who has done this type of work. Thanks! - Dale Gideon

• Tips and reminders for entertaining in hospitals
• Tips for 'being funny' and clown doctoring

Tips from the Vault: Managing Challenging Behaviour

• Understanding children and the causes of disruptive behavior
• Setting boundaries and contracting with the children
• Using points
• Dealing with a disruptive group
• The power of compliments

Hot Topic: The Dark Side of Prizes

• Shifting the focus – from the prize to the fun
• Awarding points and empowering children with this
• Branding the prizes you give away
• Using prizes to encourage volunteers

Welcome to the new season of the Kids Entertainer Podcast! We're thrilled to be back and we hope you are, too.

With our return, we introduce BIG changes aimed to bring you continued inspiration, valuable knowledge and actionable tips that will help your children's entertainment career to flourish.

Ready to find out what we have in store for you this season? Go on and hit play.

In this episode we discuss:

• Julian's farewell to KEH and his next adventure
• Introducing our new presenter – Find out who!
• Our new show format

In Your Voice: Starting your own kids entertainment business

I have been daydreaming about starting my own children's party entertainment business. I'm currently a children's dance/drama teaching artist and I have been face painting for years. I want to do characters like a ballerina that teaches a mini class and does fun games, or like a fairy (I love fairies!) that does some magic and face painting. Thoughts? I figure it will just stay a dream if I never talk about it... I know princesses are super popular at girls' parties, but we are kind of a feminist/girl power family so I was thinking female superheroes might be fun too! - Thera Knapp

Tips from the Vault: Breaking into the preschool market

• Why entering the preschool market is a smart business move
• Tips for getting started and creating your own preschool show
• A great resource you can download for free

Hot Topic: Entertaining younger children

• Making yourself seem smaller
• Misnaming the stuff they know
• Repeating what you say

Want more ideas on how to get your audience laughing and respond to on-the-spot situations in a winning, witty manner? Comic magician Alan Rich talks about this, as well as jokes, gags and more, in this interview. Hit play and get ready to learn.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Alan made a career out of being funny
• The benefits of being funny in your kids entertainment career and in life
• Who can be funny
• Lessons from professional comedians
• The construction and delivery of a joke
• How to deal with hecklers positively
• Tip on capturing ideas
• Mistakes people make when trying to be funny
• How to be 'quick-witted' and deal with hecklers positively
• Where Alan looks for material
• Difference between a joke and a gag

Wondering how it is to run a magic retail business? Former magic shop owner, magic routines creator, and lecturer Sean Taylor shares his inside knowledge and insights into the industry. Listen to the interview and you'll even pick up several ideas for appearing and disappearing tricks along the way.

In this episode we discuss:

• What sells in magic shops
• How it is to be a magician and a magic retailer at the same time
• Challenges, insights and forecasts regarding brick-and-mortar magic shops
• What has changed about children's magic
• The two types of routines that consistently sell
• Tapping magic clubs for your professional growth
• How using a single case can shape your magic show for the better
• How appearing and disappearing magic tricks add more impact to your show
• Ideas for appearances and vanishes

Lawyer-turned-kids-entertainer Scott Green shares insightful tips on how to project the right image, make stronger routines, handle disruptions during your show, and even write comedy to help you power up your performance.

In this episode we discuss:

• From being a lawyer to a kids entertainer
• Scott's experience in street performing
• Performing in a suit: "Dress for the job that you want."
• How he keeps the audience focused and engaged without yelling or too much animation
• Tips from game shows that you can apply in kids and family shows
• Tips when performing on TV
• Why he keeps on innovating and his 6 key questions to help you find the weak spots in your props or routines and improve them
• Comedy writing tips: Working backwards and Chekhov's gun principle
• Is it a good idea to hire a comedy writer?
• Thoughts on the future of kids entertainment

With the brimming—sometimes overwhelming—treasure trove of available information out there, sometimes we lose sight of what's essential. In this podcast episode, Danny Schlesinger brings us back to the fundamentals of stage craft to help us pack more impact to our shows and make us more effective performers.

In this episode we discuss:

• How Danny got started in entertaining and what training he got
• The importance of theatre training to children's entertainers
• How he helps kids entertainers with his directing services
• Where entertainers can get training
• The influence of Avner the Eccentric
• The fundamentals of stage craft

Breathing

Use and abuse of volunteers

Tension

The eyes

Focus: doing one thing at a time

• Microphone technique
• The importance of demonstrating control
• The importance of looking professional