While we are busy performing at the daycares, libraries, Vacation Bible Schools, birthday parties and hospitals, how do we keep our own humor tank filled? It’s important to care ourselves so we do a good job lifting the spirits of our audience members.

Establish Your Trusted Team

The first strategy is to connect with other clowns and develop friends like us! Yes, opposite personalities often attract, but we need to spend time with others understand and think like us.

The Bible says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

For example, each year I meet for a weekend with five of my closest pals from the entertainment world. We spend time attending movies, bowling, cooking and even playing board games. It’s a time for us to reconnect with like-minded individuals.

And of course throughout the year we chat about marketing, performing and income ideas. When we have a problem or issue, we can bounce it off other members the group and discover new and fresh ideas for handling the situation.

Also, we share special moments that we had while performing or just check in with each other from time to time. A successful entertainer must have a strong support group of friends to help us stay charged up and develop new performing ideas.

Physical Fitness Equals Humor Fitness

A second technique in maintaining a positive performing persona is to exercise regularly, maintain a regular sleep routine, and drink plenty of fluids. I am not a doctor… but I played one in a skit once. Seriously, my own experience is that just getting off the couch and moving can go a long way toward lifting the spirts and brightening the day. I find that simply walking around the block and getting my blood flowing improves my of well being.

Being dehydrated is not healthy and makes us feel tired. And, if you are tired, you most likely won’t be able to perform at your best. The prescription? Drink adequate amounts of water each day. When we are thirsty, our bodies letting us know that it is time to drink!

Getting adequate sleep is also important if we hope be at our peak performance level. One simple step for getting adequate sleep is to maintain a healthy sleep schedule. Try to establish a regular bedtime schedule, allowing enough time for between seven and eight hours of sleep each night. Also, try cutting back on the caffeine earlier in the day. If you try these strategies for 3 weeks you’ll probably be able to notice quite a difference.

Take Red Skelton’s Advice

The third and most important technique that I use to do my best is to pray before and after each program. I do not pray and ask God to help me do a great show, instead, I thank God for the gifts he has given me and for the super job that I am about to do. I am not boasting, but I am confident that I have the gifts to deliver what is expected of me by the audience. This is a verse that I keep in mind, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Remember what the greatest clown of all said: “Talents are gifts from God and when we use those talents, they are gifts to God!” Red Skelton.

A kid-show performer constantly needs help in maintaining a sense of humor, purpose and spiritual lift. Implementing these three strategies will give you a jump start to performing at your very best.

Photo Credit- Flickr User: Pedro Ribeiro Simões

What is “It” than makes a performer shine? What is “It” that makes that one person stand out in the crowd and get a standing ovation? “It’s” not the costume and make-up. “It’s” not the skills or the props. “It’s” not their presentation skills. In fact, “it’s” not even talent!

Although these things are important, the answer is much deeper and has to do with class, charisma, personality, stage presence, communication skills, and a fun and lively attitude towards their art form.

Consider these Standouts

When Leon McBryde walks on a stage the audience immediately falls in love with “Buttons,” the character he created. He doesn’t do magic tricks or perform any type of fancy skills. His special magic comes from within, from inside his clown soul… and that keeps his audiences spellbound.

Dave “Mr. Rainbow” Barlett, with his simple costume and make-up and special sense of humor, can work a crowd better than anyone I know. People love Dave and just can’t get enough of him. And when Suzy hammer, the “Pink Fairy” walks into a room everyone smiles.

Of course, some performers are very skillful. Consider Oscar “Timmy Bond” Flores, Carol “Clarol” Crooks and ‘Chagy” who excel in every imaginable skill. But it’s not their skill that people remember. It is their likable and friendly personality that endears them to their audiences. My own character, “Mama Clown,” is kind but witty and this combination creates a wonderful rapport with most audiences.

How to Create a Performing Persona

Creating our performing character is a journey of self-discovery. We become what we believe. In order to fully develop our performing personality we must have clarity about the person and character that we want to be. Once we have clarity, then we are driven to fulfill that vision.

Character development is not a quick or easy process. It doesn’t happen overnight. What is amazing and hard to believe is that it takes an average of 13 years to get in touch with the clown within us and a lifetime to perfect that character.

Developing that Special Something

So, how exactly do we learn to create that special kind of magic that stands out in a crowd? How do we learn to shine?

First, we begin with the basics. We learn how to apply our make-up and put together a costume that will be appealing to the eye. Next, we develop our ability to write skits and master some magic tricks. And we practice these skills until we get them right.

And then, one day it dawns on us. Being funny is a serious business and is not as simple as it sounds. We come to understand that what it takes to succeed as an entertainer cannot be taught and that being charismatic is like being photogenic, either you are or your not.

The mannerisms that makes our characters tick, our “look,” and the sparkle in our eyes tell a lot about who we are and what makes us unique. When our characters and our souls become one, then everything clicks and our actions become second nature to us. That is the magic that captivates and audience.

Think about it, why does everybody love Lucy? She was, in her own way, a clown. What is it that made her so lovable and unforgettable through the years?

Have you ever watched Rowan Atkinson as Mr. Bean? His childlike innocence combined with character witty problem solving skills makes me cry laughing.

Michael “Coco” Polacovs is living proof that once you get ‘it’ you never loose ‘it’. In his 80’s he walks on to a stage a stage and after a half a decade of performing he still manages to mesmerize an audience with his lovable stage persona.

Become a Student of Character

Take time to observe and study those performers that touch your heart when they walk on stage. Become a student and learn from the character they created. Try to discern what is it that makes that performer unique.

Make notes and consider how you can make your own character as unique and likable as that of your heroes. And remember, it’s okay to change. In fact, you should keep on changing and trying new things until it feel right to YOU. If you are consistent on your quest of self discovery, you will one day be rewarded with a true understanding of your own unique clown character.

Don’t Take Yourself Too Seriously

Have fun in everything you do and do it with enthusiasm! Take time to love yourself and to do what you like. Take time to nourish the relationships in your life and to give to others. Get in touch with your Higher Power. Each of these things have nothing to do with, and yet, everything to do with clowning. They will help you become the best that you can be in and out of make-up.

Finally, be patient with yourself. Don’t forget to pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Remember, It’s not the destination but the journey that counts!

I have just taken two honesty pills and washed them down with a cold Mountain Dew. I am ready to bear my soul and be realistic with five questions that need to be addressed.

Question #1 “How Do We Handle Late-Paying Customers?”

I recently overheard a clown on the telephone who was booking a show. I heard him say to the customer, “You must meet me at the front gate with a check paid in full before I come into the picnic area. If you have no check then I am not coming in.” During a grand opening I heard another entertainer become agitated with the store manager because they didn’t have his check on the day he worked. He turned to the manager and said, “I am a busy man too. so where in the ^&*% is my check?!”

Now folks if you are anything like me, and I know I am, I think these entertainers are way out of line. Is the customer always right? No. But they are always the customer. We need to remember that. Bobbi Staten, a friend of mine in the speaking business, says she would be mortified to have a customer mad at her because she hounded them for a check. When we do pester the client I believe it gives them the impression that we are unsuccessful entertainers and we need every dollar as quickly as possible.

Do yourself and your business a favor, do not harass the client for money. I suggest you ask for 50% for the money up-front or even 100% of money up-front. Here’s what we do in our office: One week before the deposit is due we call the client and ask if they have any questions before sending in the agreement. If you are working for a government organization, keep in mind they were probably meteorologist at some time and when they tell you the check will be ready in 30 days. Count on it to be 60 or 90.

Question #2 “What do I do if I am double-booked?”

Perhaps this has happened to you. You get booked for the $100 birthday party and then a call comes in from a long-time client and they’ve got a $2000 job for you that will cover several days. What to do? Remember that I told you that I just took two honesty pills so here it goes. Recently I had a $195 library program booked when I received a call for an $800 performance. I called the library and told them I was very excited about being there as they were a new library customer. I informed the librarian I had received a call for a performance from long-time client and asked if she would she mind if I sent a substitute in my place.

If she was kind enough to do that I would pay half to the substitute or if she really wanted to have “Salty” there I would give her a comp show the following summer. Either way I would be ahead of the game. I did tell her my first obligation to her and I had intentions of honoring that. She felt that since advertising went out we need to stay with plan. So I did the library and I gave the $800 to a friend and kept 25% commission. Well, I did have to make some money from it didn’t I? I would never suggest that you call in to customer that you are sick and not able to do the program or that you had some other excuse not to be there. Be honest in your dealings with the clients and your reputation will grow.

Question #3 “How do I deal with being late?”

Of course, as a professional entertainer I know you have a cell phone and you have the cell phone and home number of your clients. Plan ahead so you never have to tell clients that you overslept, can’t find props, or some other excuse. Really, the only acceptable excuse is if you were delayed in traffic. And consider this, if there was no one else driving you would be there a lot faster!

Every person who has driven an automobile has had a delay due to traffic but not many will tolerate being late for any other reason. Let the folks know that you would like them to prepare the area of the performance and that they have the children ready so as soon as you come in you can begin. And in a show of professional courtesy you may knock off $25 from the performance. The birthday mom or dad may turn it down and you may get a tip at the completion of your performance or show.

Question #4 “The customer is unhappy with a substitute that you assigned to the performance.”

In our business we have the good habit of calling the customer after one of our performers has completed their program. I ask them to give me a score from 1-10. I also ask if the performer was on time and stayed the entire length of the program.

We often send out evaluations and we take this opportunity to ask about their next event. Wink wink. If we discovered that someone was totally unhappy with the subcontractor we offer them a gift certificate for another program from another entertainer. We also require the performer, after being counseled, to send a letter of apology to the customer. Susie Klein, aka Pancakes, has a 100% guarantee on the performance. She is willing to do whatever it takes to make it right, including a free performance. What we do want is another chance with this client, and not leave them with bad feelings. I would rather do a second show at a reduced rate and make them happy with our company than to turn away from the issue. Unresolved problems often return with a vengeance at a future date.

Question #5 “What do we do if we miss a program?”

This question I think is covered by common sense. We must do everything we can to provide substitute entertainer at any coast. If that means you have to pay more than what the job pays than you must do it. That is the price you pay for being a reputable entertainment agency. In the past I have lost thousands of dollars of work due to family illness and death and somehow I have managed to find substitutes for job and the customers, of course, have been very understanding. If personal illness is the issue and it’s too late to get another performer than I offer a free program at earliest convenience of client.

It may be more work, and sometimes more money, to keep your clients happy but in the long run it’s worth it to maintain your professional reputation.

Choosing the right volunteer to have as an assistant or helper on stage is critical to the success of the performance. The right child on stage can make a show, the wrong one can leave you wishing you had stayed home.

Here are a few ideas that help insure you get just the right person so your presentation goes well.

Enlist the Help of the Parents

Since I am always at the show site at least one hour in advance, I have time ask the person in charge for a few names of adults or children that would be good on stage. The boss really likes the opportunity to involve their friends or to reward a child by participating. They will also know which kids that should NOT be on stage due to behavior or physical abilities issues.

Setting the Stage with Your Audience

During the opening of your show, introduce yourself to the audience and inform the children that from time to time you will be inviting some of them to help me right from their chairs and that some of them will have the chance to come up on stage as well. Then say, “However, I only choose children that are sitting up nice and straight and that have very big brains!” This is very important so you don’t want to embarrass anyone. Then follow with, “Raise your hand only when I ask you to and remember, you must have a giant big brain!”

Of course, my job there is to have fun with the children and give them an entertaining and educational experience. I am not there to embarrass them. If they do answer incorrectly, I will guide them to the correct answer.

Don’t Make this Critical Mistake

A performer should also be mindful of race when selecting volunteers. People will notice and remember if the performer selected only children during of one race during the show. When selecting volunteers, mix it up! Choose a mixture of volunteers according to race, gender and even size.

Handle Volunteers with Care

If you are using a hand held microphone and ask a child their name, then bend down and let the child answer in the microphone or at least repeat the name of child several times during the routine. This technique will validate not only their name but them as a person.

When inviting volunteers on a stage, please have an escort ready to assist them up the stairs. If the performance is at a theater, then an escort needs to take the children up on stage to you through the wings and back to the seating area again.

While the child is on stage, do NOT handle them roughly by forcing them to bow, smile or turn their head a certain way. It is always better to whisper a request into the child’s ear. This is what a gentle entertainer does. You never know, the child you pick for the stage may someday hire you for their child’s birthday party!

Here’s a controversial statement: Not every show we do should revolve around balloon art, face painting and magic. Too many times we, as clowns, put too much stock into the “old stand bys”. The result, many performers have shows that look a lot like those of other entertainers in their market. Yes, I know a lot of time and money has gone into face paints, balloons and magic props, however, I think that in order to be competitive in today ‘s market you must be more than a “face painting magical balloon maker”.

The only balloons in my Fun Time Show are the six inch ones stuffed into a pair of “long john underwear” and the eleven inch ones that must be blown up and then burst by sitting on them. And guess what, no face painting or magic in the show. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that there is anything wrong with face painting and magic. What I am saying is that with a little thought, you can add routines to your show that will make it stand out in a market where many performers’ shows look strikingly similar.

Let me give you an example from my show. I have two contestants put on “long john underwear” and then have each pick a partner. The partner stuffs as many balloons as they can into the underwear one at a time. The team that has stuffed the most balloons is the winner. I count the balloons by breaking them, with a pin, while they remain in the underwear and on the contestant. Here’s another example. When doing the “balloon Bust” routine where the participants pop a balloon by sitting on the it, I have each contestant wear a Halloween mask and blow the balloon up through the mouth of the mask.

Need some more ideas? How about a bubble gum blowing contest? The bubble gum is placed on a plate and covered with whip cream. The contestants, who are wearing “baby cheeks/fun cheeks”, have to get the gum in their mouth without touching the gum with their hands and be the first to blow a bubble. I first saw this done by Mama Clown. Messy but fun!

Another favorite routine from my shows is the “Boxer Contest”. I put boxing gloves on two contestants. They must then put on “Boxer Shorts” while wearing the boxing gloves. I usually have to repeat this event two or three times because almost everyone wants to give it a try.

These are only a few ideas from my “Fun Time Show”. Add these ideas to your show and have some good ole fashion fun. Are these events new? No! They are just some of the things we have forgotten about. Why have they been forgotten? Because we have been too busy trying to be magicians, balloonist and face painters instead of “funsters and pranksters”

Yes, I do magic and balloons but they are only part of what I am as a clown. The simple message: Be all you can be not what everyone else is.

Almost everyone uses an answering machine or service. Consider adding a little humor to your message. For example, “If I am unable to answer the phone it is because I am either saving the world from crime, solving the global hunger problem, or taking a nap. At the sound of the tone, leave a message, and I will call you back when I wake up.“

Get more ideas on spicing up your answering machine message by clicking here. | via Clown-Ministry.com

In last week’s installment of this series, I discussed the need to develop a trademark action or saying that our audiences will permanently associate with us and thus, remember us. For example, the hundreds of cannibal jokes that “Cannibal Cannon” used more than three decades ago that still ring in my memory today.

This final chapter of the article will focus on two more qualities we can infuse in our characters and performances that will help create lasting memories with our audiences.

Click here to read part 1:Create a Memory and Stay Ahead of the Competition.
Click here to read part 2: How to Become a More Memorable Performer.

The first quality is what I will call an approachable persona. It is the quality of being vulnerable or lovable. This is somewhat hard to describe; however, we are easily able to identify the opposite qualities. The opposite of this attitude is the wisecracking, smart-alecky entertainer. Consider Groucho Marx and Harpo Marx. Most of us would feel safe around Harpo while we would be somewhat fearful around Groucho. Why? Because we would be on edge waiting to be the brunt of one of his jokes or the recipient of one of his sharp retorts.

Who receives the punch lines of your routines? Our jokes are much funnier when they are on us. In fact, when things go wrong for us, it creates a certain empathy for us with our audience. Consider something as simple as a wilting flower. Typically we smell the flower with no problem. When our helper smells or blows on the flower it wilts. Consider how this makes the child feel. He is embarrassed and his friends may even tease him. We can easily reverse the routine so the flower wilts when we smell it. Then our helper can be the hero and cause the flower to be repaired. Now how does the helper feel? He is the hero and caused everything to turn out okay. Who would you rather have for a friend? Who would you ask to come to your birthday party?

The third and final quality I’ll mention for this series is the ability to entertain children and adults at the same time. Sure, adults will enjoy seeing children having a great time, but this only lasts for a short time. What are adults doing at your performances? Do you have their full attention or are they disrupting the show by talking and carrying on side conversations? The solution is to provide enough material geared toward adult level humor. By this I don’t mean off color material, but rather material that only adults will understand and appreciate. A great example is the Three Little Pigs routine made popular by Dave Risley. If you are familiar with the routine, you know that the material has kids howling, yet there are enough adult lines to hold the attention of the older crowd. One instance is when he says the pigs were watching their favorite movie on the VCR. . . Silence of the Hams! Kids will laugh at the idea of three pigs watching a VCR. Adults react to the title of the movie. (One that we hope most six year olds know nothing about!)

Well, there you have it, three relatively simple things you can do to create positive, long lasting memories with your audiences. By creating a trademark saying or action, making yourself the brunt of negative punch lines, and entertaining the adults as well as children you’ll go a long way toward creating memorable performances . . . performances that will cause people to remember you for years to come.

Click here to read part 1:Create a Memory and Stay Ahead of the Competition.
Click here to read part 2: How to Become a More Memorable Performer.

Ever have trouble face painting because the child was wiggling around? Almost everyone does! Here’s a simple tip that can make a big difference when you are trying to get that makeup just right on a squirmy little princess or Spiderman.

Try having the child look in a small mirror so she can watch while you apply the face paint. You’d be surprised how much this will help.

Have some other ideas? Add them to the comments below!

As entertainers, we should honor our craft by always looking our best and by giving our audience our best performance. Unfortunately, you don’t have to look far to see performers who create a bad impression. For example, I frequently see balloon and restaurant entertainers with dirty hands and fingernails. And you don’t have to look far to find clowns who forget how a magic trick works.

An Example from the Speaking World

Recently, while working as a speaker at a large convention in South Dakota, I had an early morning appointment the meeting planner to check out the venue. Now, although professional speaking is a little like being a clown with a tie on, I always try to look professional. For this meeting I wore business casual to create a good impression on the boss.

As we were chatting, I happened to glance up to see the other presenter, who oddly enough had been hired to speak on making ‘Fantastic First Impressions,’ approaching us. This fellow had “bed head” and pillow lint stuck to his unshaven face. He was dressed in a t-shirt and blue jeans. I can assure you that my first impression of this gentleman was anything but fantastic.

Tips for Creating a Fantastic First Impression

The first step is to lay out all of the costume material, makeup and wardrobe needed for the event. I check carefully to see that all items are clean and in good repair. After a fresh shower and shave, I then get into makeup and costume paying particular attention to little details in my makeup. Of course, I also carry some touch up makeup and wipes for emergencies.

In addition to looking my best, I want to be at my highest performing level. To help me do my best, I make sure to drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. Remember, when you are thirsty, your body is already deprived. Performers who are lacking water will tire faster and therefore not able to do the best job possible for their show.

Little Routines can Make a Big Difference

One final way I seek to honor our craft is to shine my shoes for each and every program. It may seem unnecessary to you, but it gives me the sense of pride that I am preparing adequately for the presentation.

And of course, I take extra care to make sure the back of my shoes are the shiniest. After all, the backs are the last thing your audience will see as I am walking away.

So remember, always strive look your best and do your best and you’ll make a fantastic first impression on your audience!

Now it’s your turn. Be sure to share your wardrobe and makeup tips in the comments below.

Standing Ovations are a wonderful sight to behold. Ovations are the audiences way of letting us know we did a great job! Standing O’s gives us a sense of accomplishment and give us that feeling that we are doing what we are meant to do in life. So, exactly how do you get a standing ovation? Some performers ask for them, but that seems to cheapen the reward at the end. Here are some techniques that work well for me.

A Heart Tugging Quote Can Be an Effective Close

The most effective technique that I have discovered for getting a standing ovation is a close with a heart tugging quote and a slight bow of the head. If you use this technique, remember that it’s important to pause immediately after the quote. Here are some of the quotes I’ve used in the past:

• It is said that when you were born people that care about you cried, when you pass on, people who care about you will cry… it is up to you as to how much they will laugh while you are alive. Thank you for sharing your time with me.
• In the words of that greatest clown of all Red Skelton, talents are gifts from God and when we use those talents, they are gifts to God.

The Red Skelton quote is especially effective to use with other entertainers.

Get Them On Their Feet

Another effective technique for getting a standing ovation is to ask the audience to gather their belongings and please stand. With that you can thank them for a standing ovation! This technique is a little bit of a smart-aleckish. but most people take it in the spirit of fun.

Try This Only If You Did a Good Job

One final idea for eliciting a great response from your audience is to inform the them that you have made an unconditional guarantee to the person who hired you that you would not accept payment unless there was an “unsolicited” standing ovation. Pause, then repeat the statement. If the audience liked you then they will laugh, stand and clap for you. However, if they did not like you or were not entertained, they will most likely camp out there so that you will not be paid!

And here’s a tip: I have discovered that an audience needs to be taught to clap for a funny line or routine, but not in a way that is condescending. You can cue the audience to clap with a pause and a slight bow. After a powerful routine. The audience will clap for the effect 50% of the time. However, with a pause and a slight bow of the head, the audience will clap 100% of the time.

Remember, the audience will reward a humble and entertaining performer more than any other. So that’s it folks, thanks for sharing your time with me (my head is slightly bowed now and I am pausing…)