Your child has a birthday coming up and you want to do something really special. It looks like it's finally that birthday. The year that many parents eventually face; you're going to hire a clown. But where to begin? Where do you even find clowns? What's the process? What should you expect from your clown? How do you make sure you are hiring a pro? And, most importantly - how do you make sure you are providing your child, and your child's guests, with a safe experience?
Age Appropriateness
Not every age group is appropriate for a clown. Younger kids might find clowns to be scary; older kids might feel that they are too old for a clown and become sullen or embarrassed in front of their friends when one arrives at their party. What's an appropriate age? Well, it can vary vastly. Since you are more aware of your own child's fears and concerns, you are probably the best judge of whether or not your child is at the appropriate age. Talk about it with your child, well in advance of their birthday, and gauge how they react. If they seem excited by the idea of having a clown at their party, then you are in business.
When to Book Your Clown
Book your clown as far in advance as possible. Most people don't think about the fact that clowns do almost all of their work on weekends and holidays. Talented clowns often book up months in advance. If you wait too long to book then you might not be able to book a clown. It is best to book your entertainer three months in advance, (or even further in advance if you are trying to book on a major holiday or during the summer months).
What is a Professional Clown?
There are several different "levels" of clowns. You want to make sure you are hiring a professional clown.
A professional costume is the hallmark of a professional clown. You can always spot a novice by their inferior costume. A clown costume should look like it was made for clowning - and not as though it was once worn as street clothing by the average Joe. Costumes should not be glaringly mismatched. The pieces should look as though they coordinate, even if they are different patterns or colors. Professional clown costumes are made to coordinate in a silly manner ... not give you a headache from pattern overload!
Don't be afraid to call and ask a few questions! But, first and foremost, ask if they are available for your event date and time! If they are, the some other important questions include:
· How long have you been clowning?
· Where did you receive your training?
· What sort of skills do you provide?
· How long is your show?
· Can you provide me with references?
· Do you have a website where I can see photos of you? If not, can you email me photos?
Don't Book on a Whim
Before you call to finalize a booking with the clown of your choice, make sure that you are absolutely certain that you want to book an entertainer. Most clowns do the bulk of their work on weekends and holidays, meaning that the hours during which they can book work is extremely limited. If, on a whim, you book a clown - then you later cancel, you could be costing that clown a lot of money!
How do clowns protect themselves from this problem? By having contracts and charging booking fees and/or deposits. Don't be surprised if your clown sends you a contract in the mail and charges you a booking fee or deposit for their services. This is a very good thing! It shows that you are dealing with a professional. A contract protects you just as much as it protects your clown. It assures you that your clown is committed to your event and that they will be there when they say they will be there. Many entertainers will require you to pay a deposit or a booking fee at the time that you return your signed contracts. The most important thing to remember about a contract is this: Until your entertainer receives a signed copy of your contract, with your booking fee or deposit, your event is not booked.
What to Expect on Party Day
Well, you've made it through the process. It seemed difficult. There was a lot you needed to know, but you did it. You hired a professional and tomorrow is your child's birthday! So what should you expect from your clown on the big day?
Make sure adults will be in attendance to monitor the children. It is not the responsibility of a clown to discipline your child or their guests. Part of a clown's job is to stay "in character". If they are forced to step outside of that character, in order to control your guests then the illusion is shattered. Some clowns simply will not do this, because they feel it is inappropriate behavior on the part of a clown. Clowns should be seen as a means of delivering joy to your guests, not discipline.
If you think your clown did a great job then it is perfectly appropriate to tip them at the end of their performance, (usually 10%-20% of total bill), but it is never expected. You might want to put the tip in an envelope so that the children don't see you passing money to the clown. It's much more fun for them to think this magical creature came just to see them on this special day.
This information came from http://voices.yahoo.com/article/1283096/how-hire-professional-clown-tips-former-2314532.html?cat=31
Age Appropriateness
Not every age group is appropriate for a clown. Younger kids might find clowns to be scary; older kids might feel that they are too old for a clown and become sullen or embarrassed in front of their friends when one arrives at their party. What's an appropriate age? Well, it can vary vastly. Since you are more aware of your own child's fears and concerns, you are probably the best judge of whether or not your child is at the appropriate age. Talk about it with your child, well in advance of their birthday, and gauge how they react. If they seem excited by the idea of having a clown at their party, then you are in business.
When to Book Your Clown
Book your clown as far in advance as possible. Most people don't think about the fact that clowns do almost all of their work on weekends and holidays. Talented clowns often book up months in advance. If you wait too long to book then you might not be able to book a clown. It is best to book your entertainer three months in advance, (or even further in advance if you are trying to book on a major holiday or during the summer months).
What is a Professional Clown?
There are several different "levels" of clowns. You want to make sure you are hiring a professional clown.
A professional costume is the hallmark of a professional clown. You can always spot a novice by their inferior costume. A clown costume should look like it was made for clowning - and not as though it was once worn as street clothing by the average Joe. Costumes should not be glaringly mismatched. The pieces should look as though they coordinate, even if they are different patterns or colors. Professional clown costumes are made to coordinate in a silly manner ... not give you a headache from pattern overload!
Don't be afraid to call and ask a few questions! But, first and foremost, ask if they are available for your event date and time! If they are, the some other important questions include:
· How long have you been clowning?
· Where did you receive your training?
· What sort of skills do you provide?
· How long is your show?
· Can you provide me with references?
· Do you have a website where I can see photos of you? If not, can you email me photos?
Don't Book on a Whim
Before you call to finalize a booking with the clown of your choice, make sure that you are absolutely certain that you want to book an entertainer. Most clowns do the bulk of their work on weekends and holidays, meaning that the hours during which they can book work is extremely limited. If, on a whim, you book a clown - then you later cancel, you could be costing that clown a lot of money!
How do clowns protect themselves from this problem? By having contracts and charging booking fees and/or deposits. Don't be surprised if your clown sends you a contract in the mail and charges you a booking fee or deposit for their services. This is a very good thing! It shows that you are dealing with a professional. A contract protects you just as much as it protects your clown. It assures you that your clown is committed to your event and that they will be there when they say they will be there. Many entertainers will require you to pay a deposit or a booking fee at the time that you return your signed contracts. The most important thing to remember about a contract is this: Until your entertainer receives a signed copy of your contract, with your booking fee or deposit, your event is not booked.
What to Expect on Party Day
Well, you've made it through the process. It seemed difficult. There was a lot you needed to know, but you did it. You hired a professional and tomorrow is your child's birthday! So what should you expect from your clown on the big day?
Make sure adults will be in attendance to monitor the children. It is not the responsibility of a clown to discipline your child or their guests. Part of a clown's job is to stay "in character". If they are forced to step outside of that character, in order to control your guests then the illusion is shattered. Some clowns simply will not do this, because they feel it is inappropriate behavior on the part of a clown. Clowns should be seen as a means of delivering joy to your guests, not discipline.
If you think your clown did a great job then it is perfectly appropriate to tip them at the end of their performance, (usually 10%-20% of total bill), but it is never expected. You might want to put the tip in an envelope so that the children don't see you passing money to the clown. It's much more fun for them to think this magical creature came just to see them on this special day.
This information came from http://voices.yahoo.com/article/1283096/how-hire-professional-clown-tips-former-2314532.html?cat=31