Why every artist needs a creative mentor
Every artist wants an act that looks good, works well and if possible, an act of world class. Creating an act is not just skill, it requires creativity in combining tricks, music, costumes and props and if possible a theme or story. This however is not where it should end with developing your act. […]
Packing for dummies
When I travelled in circus, I encountered many artists with acts that would perfectly suit a variety theatre or a cruise ship. However, if I watched how they moved around, they would definitely not fit. Too many props to carry or too much stuff to carry along. Working small venues or ships requires a […]
7 ways to get more bookings for your act
“How should I promote my act to get more bookings” is one of the most popular questions people ask me. It might seem a complicated question but the basis is relatively simple, it always comes down to the “where do you want to work?” or “what are you good at?” questions like I described in: […]
Artist Development; how to create an image, and develop your X factor.
Before you can market yourself as an artist it is very clever to determine who you are, both as a person and as an artist. After my last post; 10 things that every performer should know, i decided to write a more in-depth article on artist development. Everyone has heard about the so called X […]
10 things that every performer should know
There are some very important things that every artist should know before they try and make it as a professional. In several discussions, talks, interviews and advices in the last years i discovered that the old generation of “star attractions” had a sort of framework to get them on track with every new thing they […]
Starting non-stopping shows
New shows are opening in a rapid speed this year, many of those close as fast as they opened. We do need initiators like this to maintain a right of existence but where does it go wrong? Many people underestimate the time, effort and money it takes to brand a show. In many cases […]
How to predict a festivals winner
There are many circus festivals around in Europe and so there are many artists. Often I have seen acts that win festivals that are not per definition the best acts. So what makes someone win a festival? Festivals are all about politics. Are you likeable, who are your friends, who is your family? It […]
When originality takes flight
For centuries there have been trends in showbiz, there is however a danger to it. People or shows who dedicate themselves to a genre or a style are outplayed by the big producers as if they were grasshoppers grazing on a field and leave it ruined for the next decades. In 2011 I witnessed […]
Setting a price, know what you are worth.
Ticket pricing is an important part of your business process. Setting the right price for your tickets can actually grow your ticket sales and thus more turnover. But setting a wrong price could bring down your success. How to develop a good pricing strategy. 1. Identify your show Setting a good price is a […]
Knowing your audience
You’re out there and you’re taking action, but you’re not working toward a specific goal. These are the situations that will cost you; huge amounts of time and money, without a clear potential for a good turnover. If you want to make a good turnover you should define your audience. When you know your […]