MARKETING YOUR ENTERTAINMENT
COMPANY
* NETWORKING:
This means exchanging numbers with other people in the birthday
party business that do not do exactly what you do and can
recommend you as well as you recommend them.
These are people you can approach:
dj's
party supply stores
cake shops
party halls
moon jumps
magicians
pony rides
caterers
party planners
tent rentals
tables & chair rentals
and you can probably think of more.......
*NEWSPAPER:
You should place a classified ad in the newspaper as soon as you
start your business. Place your ad in the entertainment section of
the newspaper and only do a 3 line ad. Start your ad with a number
or an A. Most people start calling down the list so you want to be
at the top of the list. For example: Awesome children's birthday
party entertainer! All your favorite characters available for
parties. Call now: Claudia 381-0845
Stay in the newspaper always. If you get an ongoing contract
with the newspaper you will pay much lower rates. If you are
targeting a specific audience such as hispanics--- make sure your
ad goes in a spanish paper and is written in spanish.
*YELLOW PAGES
Get a business number and never ever change it. Never publish
your cell phone number either. If you are going to be away from
your phone either leave an answering machine, or forward your calls
to a cell phone. When you get a business line you will
automatically be listed under party entertainers, or party
services. Specify this to your phone company when getting your
business line. Look in the phone book for the number to call to
advertise with them and place a business card size ad for the next
printing of the phone book.
*BUSINESS CARDS
You have to have them and give them out all the time. Make
sure all your employees give them out on a regular bases as well.
When you do a party make sure every adult gets your card and leave
a few with the birthday party mom in case other moms want your
number.
When you go anywhere give them out. Leave some at the pediatrics
office when you go. Leave some by the register of your favorite
restaurant. You can get 5000 color business cards from
www.hotcards.com for only 100 dollars.
*FLYERS:
Flyers are only cost effective if you put them in the right
places. I recommend that you make a 8 by 11 posterboard with
pictures of your characters. At the top put something like
this:
WE DO PARTIES!!!
your child deserves the best party ever
CALL US TODAY TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION
PUT YOUR PHOTO
HERE
THEN FOLD THE BOTTOM EIGHTH PART UP AND STAPLE IT ON THE SIDES.
THIS LEAVES A POCKET TO PUT FLYERS OR BUSINESS CARDS FOR PEOPLE TO
TAKE.
ON THE FOLDED UP AREA TAPE YOUR BUSINESS CARD WITH CLEAR
TAPE.
YOU CAN PUT THESE UP ON BULLETIN BOARDS ALL OVER TOWN.
EXAMPLES:
GROCERY STORES
RESTAURANTS
LAUNDRY MATS
APPARTMENT LAUNDRY MATS
DAYCARES
WALMARTS
AND ANYWHERE ELSE YOU FIND A BULLETIN BOARD
*SIGNS
You should have a magnetic sign or a painted sign on your
vehicle. If you can convince friends or family to use your sign as
well that would be good too. Every where you go you are a traveling
billboard. Real billboards are very expensive but magnetics signs
run under 100.
DIRECT MAIL:
You can also use your flyers to do some direct mail. Target
businesses and company picnics, anniversaries, or grand openings
first.This group is probably smaller than the mass population of
your area. Then do daycares, schools, and church organizations.
Then go to the general public.
COLORING PAGES:
Make coloring pages of your character picture and make it into
a flyer that children can color. Give these away at parties and
when you go to take pictures with the characters. Give some to the
kindergarden teachers and to the daycares. Make sure your phone
number is on them.
WEBSITE:
Make a website with information about what you do and how fun
you are. Do not give them the price of your services on the website
because you want them to call so that you so that you can close the
deal.
PAY PER PERFORMANCE:
GO TO SERVERAL PARTY SUPPLY STORES AND GIVE THEM A LARGE
PICTURE OF YOUR CHARACTERS WITH A SIGN THAT SAYS : BOOK US FOR YOUR
NEXT PARTY; ASK AT COUNTER.
THEN MAKE A DEAL WITH THEM TO CALL YOU AND BOOK THE PARTY. THEY CAN
TAKE A $20 DEPOSIT AND KEEP THAT FOR HAVING GONE THROUGH THE
PROCESS OF CALLING YOU AND BOOKING THE PARTY WITH YOU.
RADIO STATIONS:
Make a deal to give the radio stations a discounted rate if they
include you in their radio remotes. The condition for the
discounted price is that they will mention your company name during
these remotes.
FLEA MARKETS:
You can go to a flea market and pay for your spot to be there.
There you will sell photos with the characters, sell balloon
animals, and sell facepainting. Make sure every one that comes near
you get a business card.
