Below are a few choice tips to consider whenever
you're tasked with selecting the entertainment for your event. It's well known that
good entertainment can make up for a multitude of ills. Likewise, a bad choice can
also take even the best plans and throw them in the dumpster. I hope you'll find
these helpful.
First Impressions Count
Let your own instincts guide you in this. When you meet
an entertainer that you’re considering to hire for your event, pay attention to
the details. Were they timely in getting back to you? If over the telephone, were
they polite and professional or were they tired, rude, or impatient? If you don’t
feel a “connection” when you first meet your potential entertainment, you probably
won’t connect at the actual event.
“They’re all the same”
In choosing an entertainer
for your event, don’t fall into the belief that all entertainers are the same. They’re
not. Each person is different and has their own strengths (and weaknesses). If you’re
in the market for Rock music, don’t expect that a Country band will give you good
results. Likewise, don’t expect a young entertainer that’s “done a few weddings”
will have the same skills as the person who has been doing it 5, 10, 20 years (or
more).
You Get What You Pay For
This old saying is true in a lot of areas and it’s the absolute gospel in the area
of entertainment. Does this mean you need to always hire the most expensive? Well,
no, that’s no guarantee either. Pure price shopping, just for the sake of saving
a few bucks is a sure recipe for disaster at your event and should be avoided like
the plague. A true professional knows that, long term, he/she MUST charge a fair
price for their services or they won’t be able to stay in the game, long term. The
cost of proper equipment, or lighting, or rehearsals isn’t cheap and you’ll almost
never find a “cheap entertainer” that has any of the above.
Discuss, Discuss, Discuss Then Get
Outta The Way
Good communication is absolutely necessary to get the kind of entertainment you
really want. Don’t expect the entertainer to read your mind. Three weeks prior to
the event, take the entertainer’s songlist and compile a list of songs that you
prefer, as well as songs that you think your guests will enjoy. Tell them the kind
of mood you’re after (“light, dinner music” or “we want to get down and dance”)
in plenty of time to allow them to make provisions for what you want. Also, don’t
try to line out every song. Pick out a dozen or so songs, then let the professional
do their job. Never wait until the week before and request a song that the entertainer
will have to learn. Remember, they have a busy schedule too and rehearsal on a new
song takes time. Once you’ve clearly communicated your wishes (in writing), then
make yourself back away and don’t attempt to micro-manage the entertainment. If
you try to “lean on” the entertainer all during your event you’ll accomplish exactly
two things; you’ll make them nervous (throwing them off their game) and you’ll ruin
your own enjoyment of the evening. To an extent, go with the flow and let the evening
unfold naturally. Remember also, that you’ve hired a professional. It’s quite possible
that they’ll read the guests a bit better than you and will know the right adjustments
to make in their playlist to keep the party rolling along.
Get It In Writing
One of the biggest pitfalls of any kind of vendor/client relationship is not having
your arrangements in writing. You’ve taken the time to interview and select just
the right entertainer, now GET IT IN WRITING. Make certain you have:
- Venue location
(complete address – including the state)
- Start time and
ending time
- Number and duration
of breaks
- Power, equipment,
and lighting responsibility
- Payment arrangement
including deposit, balance, and refund terms.
Waiting Till The Last Minute
Make certain you allow plenty of time to make arrangements for your entertainment.
Three weeks is shaving things a bit too close (in most circumstances). Anywhere
from four to twelve weeks in advance will allow enough time to secure your entertainment,
get all contracts in order, and work out any details you may have in mind. Any less
than that and you’re just asking for trouble.