1. GOOGLE: "after-dinner entertainment", you either click top google or scroll past the ADs. Hit that top google, remember every agency and entertainer will be using these keywords. This isn't a bad thing how on earth would you find us without using keywords, this, however, could lead to a mind field and of course most agencies will want you to book Dynamo as the commission will be good for them. Still, maybe they won't be right for you, yes he has a name but will he tailor his show for you of course not, he's Dynamo.
   
2. TESTIMONIALS: So you've googled and had a shortlist, you've read the testimonials on the website "BRILLIANT COMEDY! BRILLIANT MAGICIAN!" HRH Harry... Wow, that's a testimonial! But wouldn't you want to read, real-life reviews "TripAdvisor" is the worlds leading review site and trusted by millions, these reviews 99.9% are real from real customers. So when looking at the testimonials go a little deeper, you are booking an entertainer for your boss, friends, colleagues make sure you do your research.
   
3. COMMUNICATION: So you've sent an enquiry to your shortlist of entertainers, how do you want to be contacted, a phone call straight away? As we live in a world where everything is instant, AMAZON can deliver the same day! Having a professional entertainer will want to know more about your upcoming event they will take the time to make sure they are right for your event, some entertainer won't know they will just want to fill their diary, a professional wants to connect with you. So be careful about entertainers and agencies who are just filling the books or quotas.
   
4. PRICING: The entertainer will ask a critical question, what is your budget? Many entertainers will quote per booking this could include travel, flights, hotel, time away from other bookings, number of guests. Will the event have additional entertainment, this could be a DJ, live band many things will affect the price. Here are some handy tips. Let us say your event is 100 guests work out your budget to per person, for example, you've booked a 10 piece band that could be £45+ per person for the band, that's just the band, so plan your budget.
   
5. CHARITY: Great you're raising money for a fantastic cause, this is brilliant, and you have target of money you want to give your nominated charity, now you want to make sure your guests are entertained. Now, of course, a walkaround entertainer or after dinner entertainment would be fantastic, so you do the same Google, Testimonials, Communicate and look at Pricing. But of course, your budget doesn't stretch that far. The hotel is charging you for a 3-course dinner at £25pp, and £8pp for the reception and the function room hire could be £1000. So before your charity event has even started you need to raise those funds before entertainment, now, of course, you opt for the free show with the offer of free marketing for the entertainer. But how did you find the entertainer through Google? If you did then you'll probably find that this entertainer is paying for marketing costs to make sure they are at the top, you of course like this entertainer and want them to show your guests a great time. Of course, entertainers can offer a free service, but this will be an individual choice, and the charity might be close to their heart. So when looking to help a charity by raising funds, always set your budget to include an entertainer. To do this look back at the pricing information, if for example, you have a 100 seats to sell to cover the cost of hotel/function room costs £4300 that's £43 per person so I would guess you would sell tickets at £65 per person. If you want to add an entertainer for walkaround magic add £5 per person. 
   

Booking an entertainer is a hard choice so make sure you contact a professional, Mark Bennett - The Stand Up Magician will make sure your event is talked about months after. So don't be Barbara, contact me now to obtain a quote.