How to book corporate entertainment correctly (page 2)
Know the Performer's Experience
You want a corporate entertainer who primarily entertainers for corporate audiences. Don't be afraid to ask questions... Is the performer a full-time entertainer? Have they performed at events like yours in the past? Do they have letters of recommendation and reviews from past clients for you to read?
Special Requests
Many entertainers are happy to customise part of their performance for your event. If you have a special request in mind, be sure to discuss this with the performer at the time of booking.
Discuss Set-up Requirements Before Booking
Set-up need for entertainers vary greatly. Some can perform in the corner of a room with just a microphone, some need a minimum stage area and special sound and lighting equipment. Be sure that your venue will be able to meet your entertainer's set-up needs prior to booking.
Leave Your Guests Wanting More
90 minutes of entertainment may sound like a great idea when you are planning your corporate event, but most audiences do not want to sit through a 90 minute show. A longer show does NOT equal better show. Even the TOP comedians and entertainers in the WORLD (Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, etc) only perform 60-75 minute shows. Professional entertainers and corporate event planners agree that a good length for most corporate live entertainment is 35-50 minutes. It is always better to leave your audience excited and wanting more...rather than having them get tired and start looking at the watch.
Know What The Fee Includes
There are travel expenses associated with hiring national entertainers for your corporate party. Many entertainers include the travel expenses into their performance fee and for some travel will be an additional expense. Be sure to know what is included in the fee you are quoted to avoid any unexpected (and potentially expensive!) surprises.
MOST IMPORTANTLY - Always Ask To See A Demo Video
A demo video is the only way you can truly judge whether a corporate entertainer will be right for your company party. The demo video should be short highlights of the segments of an entertainer's show. The video should be filmed in front of a live audience so you can see how a real audience reacts to the show. If an entertainer's video is nothing but split-second clips and flashy graphics set to music, then they are probably trying to cover for an inadequate performance - or worse, it could mean that they have NEVER even performed in front of a real audience.
