There are a number of things to consider when booking an entertainer. As with any independent business, there is a variation in the quality from one entertainer to the next. Some are wonderful, some are good and some are perhaps not up to the standard you’d expect.
So how do you know which is which?
The proof is in the pudding. (yum!)
Any children’s entertainer worth his salt will not be the cheapest entertainer on the market. Yes, there are some entertainers who charge £130 for a two hour party and the price might sound fantastic. However, you should ask yourself why he values his show so cheaply?
Does anyone recommend them?
If you have found an entertainer not by personal recommendation, you should ask the entertainer if he/she has references or testimonials from parents, schools, nurseries etc.
Be wary of testimonials on an entertainers website if they appear to have been written by the website owner – I use video testimonials and independent review sites to prove mine are genuine and not written by me. Can your entertainer prove his testimonials are genuine?
What is their availability like?
A busy children’s entertainer will usually have at least a couple of slots on each weekend day to coincide with traditional eating times i.e. a lunch party (roughly 11am-1pm) or a tea party (roughly 3.30pm-5.30pm). If an entertainer is available for a 1pm-3pm party, it is usually a sign that they aren’t all that busy.
So how can I get a really good children’s entertainer cheaper?
The best thing about children’s entertainment is that the children can literally have fun anywhere and at any time – as long as the entertainer is good.
So how does this benefit you?
Well, if your child’s birthday is on a weekday, why wait till the Sunday to celebrate? If you book a party for a Thursday afternoon/early evening, for example, you are much more likely to either get a discount from the entertainer or have some freebies thrown in. In addition, as you won’t be booking at a peak time you will get your exact choice of times.
Brilliant!
Rental for halls can also be cheaper during the week, and their availability can be more flexible.
And lastly…
When looking to book any party, it seems that the norm is to book the hall first, and then look to book an entertainer afterwards. However, the hall itself has virtually no bearing whatsoever on the success of your party where, by contrast, getting a decent entertainer is essential to its success. Booking a party with a hall for a set time limits your options when it comes to good entertainment.
My advice is to book with a good entertainer before you book your hall. If possible, why not save yourself some money and have the party at home? This also gives you the flexibility of time you may not otherwise have.
Many thanks for reading!
Mark Hawley is a Children’s Entertainer from London, England. He has performed at over 1,000 shows from school discos and children’s birthday parties to corporate and wedding children’s entertainment. You can find his site here: http://www.thecoolkidsparty.com. If you are looking to book a party in the areas of London, Surrey, Essex or Kent then go ahead and book your party here: Children’s Entertainer in Londo