DougFerony 0 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 (edited) Good Morning! I am looking for some guidance. What is the best way for a singer/entertainer to present their services to an activities director and get hired? What is the worst thing someone could do.? (other than spamming your forums. LOL ) I have been performing and entertaining residents for years with my Frank Sinatra/Rat Pack show and I find the work tremendously rewarding. I want to entertain at even more Independent Living and Nursing Centers, but I am not sure if cold calling is the way to go, emailing the AD, or sending out a flyer. Any advice or guidance would really be appreciated! Doug Edited April 2, 2009 by DougFerony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandylou 0 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 (edited) Doug, It is best if you mail a brochure, flyer, and a disc with clips of your show to the AD. This will let them know what you do, how well you do it and if it is somehing that their residents will enjoy. Also include total charges. If you can, include copies of newspaper articles about the event and references from other ADs as well. Many ADs, myself included, have hired entertainers and then been sadly disappointed with the results. Just make sure that doesn't happen to you by doing what you need to do to promote yourself and provide quality entertainment. All ADs are on a budget so make sure that you don't price yourself out of the market either. You don't need to spam anyone if you provide a good show for a good price. They will begin to call you sandylou Edited April 2, 2009 by sandylou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougFerony 0 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 (edited) Doug, It is best if you mail a brochure, flyer, and a disc with clips of your show to the AD. This will let them know what you do, how well you do it and if it is somehing that their residents will enjoy. Also include total charges. If you can, include copies of newspaper articles about the event and references from other ADs as well. Many ADs, myself included, have hired entertainers and then been sadly disappointed with the results. Just make sure that doesn't happen to you by doing what you need to do to promote yourself and provide quality entertainment. All ADs are on a budget so make sure that you don't price yourself out of the market either. You don't need to spam anyone if you provide a good show for a good price. They will begin to call you sandylou Can you review this flyer (pdf) and let me know if it's something that would be effective promotion? Should I change any of the verbage? http://dfl.highlands.com/dougferonyflyer.pdf I do have a four minute demo, it shows my Paramount Concert with a 25 piece swing orchestra. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMPUq_T2UY0 What is a good ballpark figure for prices? Thanks for any and all advice. Edited April 2, 2009 by DougFerony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennie 26 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Hey Doug, You are more than welcome on the Activity Directors Network. Outside entertainment is a special treat for most residents in Long Term Care.. Best thing you can do is to provide cities you cover, pictures, links, descriptions, pricing (keep it as low as possible), setup equipment required and possibly offer an option to allow the AD and the facility to sell tickets as a fundraiser, offer Ad material, press kits for the paper... thanks for being a part of our Network.. Pennie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miguel 4 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Hi Doug.. I think your brochure looks great! The only advice I would give would be the following.. 1. Always be willing to work with facilities about charges to entertain, You need to understand that many activity departments (primarily in skilled nursing) are faced with very small budgets. I personally will not pay an entertainer more than $50.00 an hour.. I think that charging a facility 100.00 for an hour is a little extreme.. But some facilities can afford it. 2. LIke someone mentioned earlier.. Send out promotional flyers and a demo CD for the facilty activity director to have.. This is nice to be able to have when planning the months events... 3. My biggest pet peeve personally is getting phone calls every week asking to be booked.. I understand that entertainers are trying to make a living but it really comes down to the activity directors decision to hire an entertainer based on the residents request or response. Sometimes I will not hire an entertainer to come back based on my residents responses to them. Other than that I would also suggest that you network with Activity professional associations and networking sites (ActivityDirector.net,org,and Com is the BEST!) Hope some of these ideas help! -Miguel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yunakitty 2 Report Share Posted April 4, 2009 I agree with a lot of the suggestions, but I have to be honest - I would be a little scared off by your flyer. Not that it isn't impressive - it's too impressive! Even though I'm at an upscale community, it doesn't look like something I could afford! I have one entertainer regularly booked at the present time, a singer/guitarist who has a whole set up with backing music. He does classic oldies, some Broadway, etc, and has really good rapport with the residents. I pay him $100 a visit, and he plays for an hour in addition to arriving 15-20 minutes early to set up and it takes him the same amount of time at least to pack up. He's really in demand locally, so he actually plays at a discount for us because he likes us. I can only afford to have him twice a month with my current budget of $700 a month, because I have so many other expenses (when you have to do it upscale, you can't have kool aid and box cookies at parties, and the money goes fast when you're expected to do wine and brie parties constantly .) Anyway, what I was going to say was that I think you'd be a hit with our independent living side, and they have rather discerning taste. A Rat Pack style performance would be right up their alley. Do you only market yourself to Assisted living and Skilled Nursing facilities? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougFerony 0 Author Report Share Posted April 4, 2009 I agree with a lot of the suggestions, but I have to be honest - I would be a little scared off by your flyer. Not that it isn't impressive - it's too impressive! Even though I'm at an upscale community, it doesn't look like something I could afford! I have one entertainer regularly booked at the present time, a singer/guitarist who has a whole set up with backing music. He does classic oldies, some Broadway, etc, and has really good rapport with the residents. I pay him $100 a visit, and he plays for an hour in addition to arriving 15-20 minutes early to set up and it takes him the same amount of time at least to pack up. He's really in demand locally, so he actually plays at a discount for us because he likes us. I can only afford to have him twice a month with my current budget of $700 a month, because I have so many other expenses (when you have to do it upscale, you can't have kool aid and box cookies at parties, and the money goes fast when you're expected to do wine and brie parties constantly .) Anyway, what I was going to say was that I think you'd be a hit with our independent living side, and they have rather discerning taste. A Rat Pack style performance would be right up their alley. Do you only market yourself to Assisted living and Skilled Nursing facilities? I don't just market myself to Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing, I just happen to enjoy working in your facilities. As an audience seniors take the music and every note right into their hearts. You can see them become 20 and 30 year olds again as the sounds from their younger days carry them away. It's a release from their wheelchairs and their spirits soar. I shake hands with every person in the room at the beginning and the end of my show. You've got to love the greatest generation. Truly incredible people. I'm sure you feel just as blessed in your jobs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heavenstar 0 Report Share Posted April 6, 2009 I agree with the others-- you look too expensive for our group (low income, independent living) BUT... that has never stopped me from asking if you would do a special program for a smaller budget-- like community service. My residents appreciate professionals only and have no patience for small town musicians- unless it is their grandchildren, so I am constantly trying to get high quality music for free or very cheap (around $100). I wish you lived in Houston-- I would love to have you here! It would definitely be right up their alley-- andl also I really appreciate you going out of your way to contact the AD's and listen to their opinions! It shows that you love what you are doing, you are considerate and you care. I also like the fact that you make contact with each resident before and after your show. I am sure you get invited back to those facilities because the residents remember you and remember how you made them feel. It probably sets you apart from the others. Good Luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwilliams 0 Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 I'm always hesitant with new music groups (having been burned in the past). I would suggest that you call and see if they are interested in you sending a flyer (include any fees) with a demo. After a couple of weeks, I would call back and see if they had listened to the demo and if they would like to set up a date and time for you to come out for a performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DougFerony 0 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2009 I'm always hesitant with new music groups (having been burned in the past). I would suggest that you call and see if they are interested in you sending a flyer (include any fees) with a demo. After a couple of weeks, I would call back and see if they had listened to the demo and if they would like to set up a date and time for you to come out for a performance. That's a good thought about calling. I try and call as much as possible before sending out my demo and flyer. Besides enjoying talking to the AD's directly, it kind of ensures my demo package lands in good fertile hands. I have to watch my costs in this economic environment. It costs around $7.00 a shot to create and mail the materials. If I only land one gig after sending ten packages, then I am not going to make any money...if I factor in the crazy gas prices too, I'm at $0.00. (But my heart is richer!) Boy times are tough for all of us? Hopefully things are looking up! BTW...I would LOVE to be in Great State of Texas. The music scene is amazing!! (and I love Bob Wills) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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