Entertainment Considerations
Professional vs. hobbyists
Do you know the different between experienced professional
entertainment and hobbyists?
Not knowing the difference may be the difference between creating
a highly successful event or an event disaster.
Why Professional Entertainment?
Many individuals
have made grave errors and false assumptions in their quest to provide
entertainment for their special event. We hope the following information will
help to expel some myths about entertainment and assist those who are truly
seeking to have an above average and highly successful event.
All Entertainment is the same
The greatest error
that nearly half of
individuals seeking entertainment make is that "All entertainment is the
same."
Once that
assumption becomes a belief that all entertainment is the same then obtaining
cheap, inexperienced and nonprofessional entertainment becomes the order
of the day. Typically the next justifiable step once that mind set is
established is for these individuals to shop for the price of entertainment rather than
finding quality entertainment that is suitable for the event. The quest for how
cheap the entertainment can be obtained for for these types of individuals
becomes the priority for employing such entertainment. For many the quest for
cheapness becomes such an obsession that it undermines the success and the
integrity of the overall event itself.
However those who
are invited to these cheap, nonprofessional entertainment events know the
difference and remark rather consistently about how terrible the music or entertainment was to
friends as well as to other entertainment providers.
Those who
understand that employing professionals becomes a matter of event life or death
understand the true value, quality and experience only professionals possess.
If individuals
would employ and approach entertainment for their event like they would employ a
heart surgeon to perform life or death surgery on themselves they would never
allow cheap, inexperience or hobbyists to become part of their vocabulary or
much less the event equation.
Dedication,
determination and delivery that most professionals possess most hobbyists are mediocre at
producing at best. Some hobbyists maybe good,
but the difference between good mediocre and average mediocre is not much at
best.
Entertainment Myths
That
all entertainment is the same. If that is so why is it that the most
experienced, talented and professional entertainers sell the most recordings,
pack the most venues and dance floors where ever they go? Why is it that the
higher quality entertainment cost more than cheap entertainment. It is because
all entertainment is not the same and generally speaking entertainment like any
other commodity is you get what you pay for!
That
I can get by with cheap entertainment. Is a special event an occasion where getting
by is ever a consideration or option? If getting by is the answer then perhaps
not having the event is a better consideration or solution to the problem.
One
may think or fool themselves into believing that getting by with cheap
entertainment is a great option but by the phone calls I have received over the
years guests who are invited don't think so.
Guests who are invited to special events that serve cheap entertainment
generally don't say anything and simple say their good byes early. Cheap
entertainment is like cheap wine it may appear to have a lot of sizzle, but just
one taste will expose the true content of the bottle.
Entertainment a key role in
the success of any event
Entertainment is the single most
essential element at most special events in the creation of the special event
experience. Why, because it is the Entertainment that will create
the active atmosphere for a social environment which
will in turn will create the experience and memories
for people because of the way they
felt while at the event.
Thus the entertainment generally
plays the key role in the overall success of any special event. The
entertainment is the one most prevalent element that gives the biggest
"bang-for-the-buck" at most special events. Neglecting or not understanding the
entertainment's impact on an event is like not understanding the power and
energy release from the splitting of an atom.
Entertainment is like a barometer for special events. The
more professionally experienced entertainers
posses a greater talent level
which will directly translate as a higher temperature reading in the
overall atmosphere of your event.
Thus the effect will produce a highly
successful event. Equally true is that if the entertainment is composed of
inexperienced part-timers or hobbyists the temperature
reading may be so low that the event will end earlier than expected and no one
will stick around to see how long it will actually
last. Chances are you won't either.
The entertainment is part of the party not the wait staff.
At most events were the entertainment is principle player in producing the
active atmosphere and is expected to be the life of the party the entertainment
becomes an intricate part of that party. What does this mean. For events
where interaction between the entertainment and their audience (guests) is a
primary consideration such as at social affairs, parties, fund raisers and high
energy engagements the entertainment is the key factor to getting and keeping
the event on track. Their interaction, eye contact, enthusiasm and energy gets
the party happening and produces an electrically charged affair. Affairs that
require no personal contact between the entertainer and audience are events that
are typically considered background, low key, sedated or boring affairs. If the
entertainment is expected to be an active part of the event and to carry
the event separating and segregating the entertainer from their audience will
guarantee that the party will never get off the ground, but will be a very
sedated or boring affair.
In summary for most special events where the entertainment
is actively involved in an event's atmosphere the
overall success will almost solely depend upon
the talent, experience and the level of professionalism of the
entertainment. Not understanding the crucial role that the
entertainment plays for special events would compare to driving a vehicle with a
defective gas gauge. You won't know whether or not you'll be stranded and run
out of fuel well before you arrive safely at your destination. Not
understanding or underestimating the crucial role true professional entertainers
play for an event is to risk having your event run of steam well before
the end or worse having an event that never truly had a chance to get off the
ground. Employing "bargain hobbyists" to do the work of trained
experienced professionals is a recipe for disaster. In the world of
entertainment the old adage "You get what you pay for" real comes home to roost
once the event begins. You will know right then and there whether you made the
right choice base on bargain cost or based on the real value of professional
experienced talent. Unfortunately some find out the hard way at the expense of
their whole event.
Studies on
important aspects of events
Over the years and recently some studies were taken and
here is the results of those who responded and what they had to say was the most
important aspects of an event that had the most impact on the event itself.
Weddings
Corporate Events
Entertainment
(50%)
(80%)
Food
(25%)
(10%)
Location
(14%)
(5%)
Flowers/decorations
(5%)
(5%)
Other
(6%)
These studies are
surprising to some but are interesting to show what really has the
greatest impact on on an event and those attending. Think about what is
budgeted for each aspect or type of service for your event and what rate of
return (overall success) do you expect from your event investment dollars?
Putting the emphasis (budget) on the area or areas of greatest impact or "bang
for your buck" will yield the greatest results.
OLD PROVERB
"Choose the ruts you travel in wisely, you will be in
them for a lifetime"
ENTERTAINMENT PROVERB
"Choose the entertainment wisely, you'll be hearing
it's effect for a lifetime"
Understanding talent and experience levels
(What level of
quality do you expect or desire from the entertainment
for your event)
A. Great entertainment
Experienced
talented professionals
B. Average
entertainment
Part-time
inexperienced amateurs
C. Mediocre
entertainment
Spare-time
no experience novices
D. Cheap
entertainment
First-timers
or true beginners
The choice is yours, but then so are the
results....
Entertainment
The major excuse why someone doesn't hire professional
entertainment.
I can't afford it.
The major reason why to hire professional entertainment at your
event.
You can't afford not to!
Are you depending on what professionals bring to the plate for
your event
or are you taking a chance and risking your event on
non-professionals?
Professionals
Non-professionals
Reliable
transportation Broken down vehicles
Full
gas tank Running on fumes
Arrive on time Late or can't make it
On
the schedule Be there If it is
convenient
Proper sound equipment
Improper or broken equipment
Right
equipment for the event
One size fits all for all events
Proper preliminary Planning Hope things go well
Comprehensive written agreement No written agreement
Full
time professional living
Weekend extra spending money
Full
time Career Part time hobby
Professional Band Hobby Band
Proper stage attire Regular clothes
Proper sound level What, you don't like loud music
Proper selection of music Very limited music selection
Proper variety of music We just play one type of music
Experienced special event band Amateur bar or garage band
Dinner, dance and party music All the music sounds the same
Read
the crowd to please
We play what we want
Play
music for all ages Play music for one age group
Experienced Little or no experience
A
refined talent Mediocre or unrefined talent
Full-time pro's Part-time amateurs or beginners
Highly skilled and Trained Little skill and little or
no training
Is your event going to be a home run or a strike out!
Hiring highly skilled, trained and experienced full time
professionals
is truly the only experience you want at your event.
With professionals you truly get what you pay for.
Involving the Entertainment in your
planning
The key to cutting costs is to cut in areas that will ultimately not really
make that much of a difference to the overall success of the event. However do
not cut in an area where the most obvious overall burden of responsibility for
the success of an event (bang for your buck) is place upon that entity's
shoulders. If it is expected for the entertainment to play a crucial and key
role to the over success of your event put your resources to work finding,
interviewing and contracting the best. The success or failure of your event is
riding on the decision that you will make. The question is have you done your do
diligence?
In other down home words, don't buy the costly accessories, fancy paint job,
and chrome for a vehicle and cut back on the gas only to find out that you ran
out of gas before it got you get you to your destination safely. If you need to
cut back on costs cut out the costly accessories, chrome and fancy paint job
that you don't rely on to get you there. As in most events the fancy accessories
that you just couldn't live without are generally just that,
a costly gaudy distraction and one that is rarely ever
utilized.
