I am working on an article about entrepreneurs and the creative arts.  I would appreciate some feedback from this group.

1. What area are you involved in (puppet maker, performer, etc.)?

2. What advertising seems to work best for you (web site, facebook, etsy, twitter, paid spots on the web, paper catalog, email, mailing list, or ...)?

3. Has the economy caused a noticeable decrease in your business, or has it increased in the past 1-2 years?

4. If you are a puppet maker, where do you sell your items (stores, individuals, from a web site, corporate clients...)?

5. If you are a performer, where do you perform and who are your audiences (puppet theater, corporate events, libraries/schools, etc...)?

Thanks for your input.

I would love to help you with this article!
1- I am a ventriloquist, so I am a performer. I have made a few puppets and teach children how to make simple puppets, but my main focus is performance.
2-I do have a website and I get a lot of my business through that but also through word-of-mouth from current and former clients. I do send out postcards to schools and libraries and that has brought in new clients for me. I do use Gig Masters and Gig Salad as well.
3- I would say that the economy has not caused a noticeable decrease in my business. In fact things are looking very good for me already this year and my bookings for the summer are up.
4- Not a puppet maker.
5- I perform in libraries, schools, churches and I do birthday parties. I usually do a few community and corporate events during the year as well.
Feel free to PM me with any other questions.

Not to hijack the thread but I wanted to add in reference links to the two services that LJ mentioned.

GigMasters
Gig Salad

Maybe it is not hijacking since it is relevant. I realize you had a list of questions but it would be interesting to know if such services are worth it.  There are also agents and representatives (booking agents) for those in the creative arts. I wonder if anyone ever use them.

I'd be happy to help from what I do here in Singapore.  I hope that it can help others.  I'm so glad that we have this forum to talk to like minded people and help each other in our business.

1. What area are you involved in (puppet maker, performer, etc.)?
     I make my own puppets, stages, and sets but also perform solely.  I duplicate the illustrations of popular children's books by creating 3D puppets and scenes that look like they popped right out of the book.  I get special permission/rights from the authors/publishers.

2. What advertising seems to work best for you (web site, facebook, etsy, twitter, paid spots on the web, paper catalog, email, mailing list, or ...)?
     So far, word of mouth and the trusty old business card works really well for me.  I have a web site and facebook fan page.  The website is the business side of my theater and the facebook fan page is where I show the progress of my work and talk to my "fans."   I have not chosen to use paid advertising at this time since I am still in the beginning stages of legalizing my business.  However, my plan is to visit each of the international schools and give a few free introductory in class performances as a sample of my work.  I have done a few of these so far and with each have gained new regular clients.  I also benefit with trying out new shows on different age groups and test it out.

3. Has the economy caused a noticeable decrease in your business, or has it increased in the past 1-2 years?
     Fortunately, Singapore is not affected by the economy.  I am lucky to be living in a flourishing country that is starving for creative performances.

4. If you are a puppet maker, where do you sell your items (stores, individuals, from a web site, corporate clients...)?
     I do not sell my puppets.  I have in the past on Etsy and local craft fairs when I was living in the US.  I find that I make more money in performances.  I do make my own puppets, stages, and scenes.  Shipping is ridiculously expensive here in Singapore so I do not visit Etsy anymore.

5. If you are a performer, where do you perform and who are your audiences (puppet theater, corporate events, libraries/schools, etc...)?
    I strictly perform in schools, libraries, and book stores.  I get asked daily if I do birthday parties and although that part of the business is lucritive, I do not enjoy doing them.  For me, it feels as though I become a clown instead of an artist.  I think those that can do birthday parties are admirable but for me it comes off as chaotic.  It definitely depends on the person and I am not a birthday performer.  I enjoy entering eager classrooms that are well prepared for my performances.  The children are prepared days in advance of me showing up.  There is ample guidance of teachers on hand to help out with the children.  Bookstore events can be challenging if there is no staff on hand to assist with the audience.  One way of getting staff eagerly involved is by staging a table with many copies of the book that I am performing so that sales can increase after the show.  Bookstore owners jump at that.  Libraries are the easiest I find because there is always ample staff on hand to help out and they are very eager to have performers.  They also do all the wonderful marketing since the government is usually footing the bill and has money set aside in the budget for events such as this.  You just have to get out there and ask to be sourced out.  Many schools perform logistically in the same fashion that they have ample money set aside for outside performers/story tellers.  I have found that the teachers source out (word of mouth, internet searching, etc.) performers and once they find something that they like, they approach the school which will then pay for services.  The moral of the story that I have found to help me is go straight to the teachers, bookstore owners, and your trusty librarian.  Everyone loves a free sample show but of course don't give away too much.


I hope that I helped in some way.
xoxo,
N