Everything is set up for your employee appreciation or customer appreciation event. The entertainment is provided by the CEO. Slowly, however, the event comes to an abrupt halt. Instead of the applause and laughter you expected, you hear heavy sighs and silence. You thought the talent was the perfect corporate entertainer, but instead, he panics and begins insulting your audience. Slowly, you slink into your chair to check if your resume has been updated.
Maya Angelou once stated, “People will forget your words and forget what they did. But, they will never forget how it made them feel.” The food and decor may look great, but these things will quickly be forgotten. Your group will never forget how unhappy they felt when the entertainment provider you hired added “fun” to their event. It is odd that an events manager can spend months planning the event’s details – such as food and decorations – but not wait until the last minute to book corporate entertainment.
These are some ideas for corporate entertainment that can help you choose the right corporate entertainer to perform at your next meeting.
1) Do Your Homework. Stop relying on an entertainment agency or speaker’s agency to book your talent. Agents are not necessary for many top corporate entertainers. This can mean that you could miss out on great talent. Agents can be a great source of talent, but they are not the only option. Agents don’t have to be able to prove that they have worked with corporate entertainers. If you are willing to “broaden” your options, Google search terms such as funny motivational speaker and entertaining motivational speaker. You will find many corporate entertainers who can add that “WOW” factor for your event.
2) Watch the Demos – After you have selected a few entertainers, take the time to watch their demo to see if they are a good fit. This is the best way to find out if the entertainer you choose will work well for you. It also saves time as you can quickly switch to another candidate if you are not satisfied with the demo. Take a look at the demo to see if similar talent has been employed. Pay attention to the demographics of each group. Is the video showing crowd reactions? Are the crowd reactions real or fake? Is the video a compilation of performances or one? Is the corporate entertainer able to receive multiple standing ovations, or one?
3) Survey the Site. If you enjoy the demo, take a look at the talent’s website to find out what kind of corporate entertainment they offer. You should also check to see if there are many program options for the corporate entertainer. Also, take a look at testimonials from companies where the talent has worked. Corporate entertainers often display logos of companies on websites. However, if you check for testimonials from these companies, they may not be there. A talent who displays a logo of a company assumes that they have worked with them. Therefore, logically, a testimonial should be provided. What should you do if they don’t?
4) Testimonials Are Tops – Video testimonials are replacing referrals. A video testimonial is a better alternative to calling someone for a referral. You should pay attention to the person who gave the testimonial as well as what they said. For corporate entertainment, the testimonial should come from the person who booked the talent. While testimonials from audience members are acceptable, it is better to hear directly from the person who booked the talent. The written testimonials of corporate entertainers who have been doing this job for a while will be more valuable than those recorded on video. But, you should have enough video testimonials that you are able to get solid information about the quality of service the entertainer can provide.
5) Talk to the Talent. Once you’ve identified that a corporate entertainer might be the perfect fit for your client appreciation or employee appreciation event, contact the talent directly. Talking to the talent over the phone can help you see how they will work with your group. Flexibility is key, as with all events. You may have to find another job if your talent has too many needs or demands. You are responsible for meeting the needs of your team and your executives. A “needy” entertainer is not necessary. Talk to us about fees and staging requirements, as well as how we can help you bring the WOW factor to your event.