The QBN business volume also teaches you about income statements, balance sheets, how to price your jobs and make money (and know you are making money).
"Business is business." Not getting a non-refundable deposit and not getting paid because of the weather is not business.
I also think that because it's in the contract, clients won't even ask to cancel unless it's an absolute emergency. Then it's up to my discretion, if I want to return the deposit or not. Generally it's no, but I will allow them to hold the deposit towards another event or date. It has happened so seldomly to me, maybe 3 times in the last 10 years, that the 50% deposit works great.
I also don't allow clients to change what's on the contract (with the exception of the # of TC). Sometime's they run out of money at the end of planning an event and want to start canceling pieces. I won't let them. They always come up with the money somewhere.
Hope I don't sound hard. I choose my words in these conversations very carefully. I am always professional. Sometimes it's a tough call.
"REFUND POLICY: The first $200.00 (two hundred dollars) of your initial payment is a non-refundable retainer fee which reserves your event's date and time on our calendar and guarantees our company will be available to decorate for your event. The remainder of your initial payment and any other payments you make between now and your event date, is refundable on a percentage scale based upon the date of written notification of cancellation. The percentage scale is as follows: 6 months or more before your event.......100%, 3-6 months before your event....50%, 1-3 months before your event...25%, and Less than 1 month before your event...0%."
"Balloons are, by nature, temporary items: Although B'LOONS BROS. uses only the finest quality balloons, some balloons will occasionally deflate sooner than expected and will also be adversely affected by wind, rain, rough handling, sunlight and other uncontrollable factors."
" Due to the unexpected circumstances that can occur with any event, we reserve the right to make changes only in the best interest of our clients. If the facility is not available or set up at the promised time, decor may be left in the nearest acceptable location. Additional time required (if available) to complete the job will be billed at $25/hour."
Because of this warning, we DO lose an outdoor job once in awhile, but we have always gained the respect of our client(s),they ALWAYS thank us for our honesty, and have all come back to us at later dates for even bigger and better INDOOR jobs.
Personally, we would rather avoid, at almost any cost, doing outdoor decorating jobs because we know it is very difficult to show our product at its best. However, if our client is well aware of the risks he is taking, and still wants us to do the job......far be it from us to turn down his $$$$ <giggle>. We always include the weather clause as well as the "no guarantee out-of-doors" clause on all our contracts.
Additional Material
The Raincheck is good for the same performance or equivalent event within one year, that can be worked into the performers schedule. The Raincheck cannot be used unless the performer is available.
Agent Contract
_______________ company [Agent]
_______________ Address
_______________ City
_______________ Telephone
Type of Entertainment: ________________
Date of Performance: __________________
Time: _______________
Length of Performance : _______________
Location: _____________________________
Telephone: ___________________________
Contact: ______________________________
Fee due to performer: $_____________ (X hours at $X per hour)
Other information:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Terms
This contract is non-cancelable by any of the parties hereto.
performer agrees to entertain at function as detailed above, and
agrees to exercise reasonable, professional, judgment in the
conduct and content of his/her performance. Performer assumes all
responsibility for their actions.
_________ company [agent] assumes no responsibility for the
actions
of the client or their gusts. Performer agrees to this engagement
as an independent entity and may not hold _________ company
[agent] liable for any acts, losses or damages. Additionally,
_________ company [agent] cannot be held liable for injury
sustained
in relation to this engagement.
It is understood by all parties involved that _________ company
[agent] is the sole booking organization for the performer for all
of its engagements with this specific purchaser and shall be
entitled to a commission for any future engagements resultant from
this function.
Performer must distribute promotional material provided by
_________ company [agent]. Failure to do so will result in the
forfeiture of any future engagements.
Should _________ company [agent] learn that the entertainer has
distributed his/her own materials, said performer will not be
entitled to the total fee due.
Failure to comply with the terms, conditions, and specifics of this
agreement shall result in the forfeiture of all moneys owed to the
performer and may entitle _________ company [agent] to damages.
Signature below constitutes agreement to the above.
_____________________________
___________________________
agent performer
Client Contract
Business Contract [underlined]
_______________ Your company [agent]
_______________ Address
_______________ City
_______________ Phone
Date of Performance: ____________________
Time: _________________
Length of performance: __________________
Location: _______________________________
Type of function: ________________________
Fee: ___________________
Service requested by (or contact point): ___________________
Entertainer: ___________________ [by name..."Go-Go the
Clown"]
Type of entertainment: ______________ [be specific, balloons,
magic, face painting, etc.]
Other considerations:
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
Terms
This contract is non-cancelable by any of the parties hereto.
performer agrees to provide entertainer at functions, as detailed
above.
Entertainer is retained as an independent contractor, therefore,
_________ company [agent] cannot be held liable for damages
sustained in relation to this engagement.
*A non-refundable deposit is required prior to performance date.
This deposit shall be forfeited should the event be canceled or
postponed due to weather conditions or other circumstances. The
fee indicated herein shall not be decreased, under any
circumstances whatsoever, including decreasing the length of the
performance.
Total payment for services must be received on date of performance.
_________________________
________________________
Agent Name...contact point
Authorized Agent of Function
(If due to time constraints, a deposit is not feasible and the
entertainment be canceled, a fee of one third of the total fee
listed above is due.)
[The above contract can be faxed to and from Authorized agent of
function.]
Information Sheet
PRIVATE PARTY INFORMATION SHEET Thank you for choosing ****Your Name**** The Balloon Artist to entertain at your private party. Your entertainment package includes up to 1 hour of balloon entertainment by ****Your Name**** The Balloon Artist, complete with top hat and bow tie, and all of the balloons he uses. Please examine the following information for accuracy and return a signed copy, with your non-refundable deposit, to the address below. Your party time and date will not be reserved until this information sheet and the non-refundable deposit are received at the ****Your Company****. Full payment must be made immediately after the show. Make checks payable to ****Your Company****. CUSTOMER Name: [Customer Name] Address: [Customer Address] Home Phone: [Customer H Phone] Work Phone: [Customer W Phone] PARTY LOCATION Location: [Location Name] Address: [Location Address] Phone: [Location Phone] Time & Date: [Time & Date] Directions: [Directions] PRICES Package Travel Total Price Deposit Due $ $ $ $[Deposit] [Customer Name] Party responsible for payment
Liability Release
****Your Company**** Liability Terms You the customer, by signing the release portion of this document, give your permission for ****Your Company*** /***Your Name**** to work and entertain under the following conditions. You agree to accept all responsibility for all personal and real property, and persons at the event's location. Upon signing this release you are releasing ****Your Name**** and ****Your Company**** from all liability and responsibility for property, persons, and pets at the event's location, before, during and after the event. As a result of signing this release, ****Your Company**** and ****Your Name**** are free of any liability, and you the signing person will accept full liability and responsibility for persons and property at the location. Release Agreement for: ____________________________ Event, at ____________________________ Location, for ____________________________ Date/time I agree to the terms listed and accept the terms of liability. I accept full responsibility and liability for all property and persons at this location and release ****Your Name**** and ****Your Company**** from all responsibility and liability. I under stand that there are dangers to children and pets if balloons or parts of balloons are swallowed. Customer(Print Name) _____________________________________ Signature ________________________________________________ Date ______________________ Phone ________________________ Address _________________________________________________ City, State __________________________________ Zip __________
Deco and Twister Contract
INDEPENDENT ENTERTAINER/CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT This agreement is hereby entered into by and between ( name, address, and phone number of individual negotiating contract) representing (name, address, and phone number of business for whom service is to be provided) hereinafter referred to as _____________________, and ****Your Full Name*****, an independent entertainer and contractor, representing ****Your Company****, Your Company Address, Phone number (XXX) XXX- XXXX, hereinafter referred to as ****Your Name****. Wherein ________________ desires (A broad statement of the products and services requested, the time, date, and location where products and services are to be delivered) and has requested that ****YOUR NAME**** provide such entertainment and/or decorating service, ****YOUR NAME**** hereby agrees to provide the following: (A complete item by item description of products and services agreed upon). ________________ agrees to provide ( detailed list of all items to be provided by client such as parking, meals, ladders, lift, extension cords, and etc.) The fee agreed upon between ________________ and ****YOUR NAME**** in exchange for said entertainment and/or decorating service is ($______), to be paid to ****YOUR NAME**** as follows: a deposit of ($______), which is non-refundable unless the contract is canceled more than 30 days prior to the date the entertainment and/or decorating service covered by this agreement is to be provided, is to be paid to ****YOUR NAME**** upon acceptance of this agreement. The balance of ($ ___________) is to be paid to ****YOUR NAME**** no later than _____________________ unless a later date is agreed upon in writing prior to the date of the entertainment and/or decorating service. If said balance is not paid to ****YOUR NAME**** as herein required, _______________ agrees to pay to ****YOUR NAME**** an administrative charge of ten percent (10%) of said balance and to pay all reasonable costs including court costs and attorney's fees incurred by ****YOUR NAME**** in the collection thereof. It is agreed and understood between the parties that any and all persons providing entertainment and/or decorating service as provided herein are independent contractors, represented by ****YOUR NAME****, and that no employer/employee relationship exists between such persons and _________________*. ****YOUR NAME****, for and in consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, hereby agrees to indemnify, save, and hold harmless __________________ and the legal and beneficial owner(s) of the real property and improvements commonly referred to as ___________________________, and their respective partners, affiliates, agents, related entities, attorneys, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, successors, and assigns, from and against any and all claims, demands, causes of actions, suits, proceedings, costs, expenses, and damages arising out of or relating to this agreement or the services to be performed pursuant hereto. _______________________ ___________________________ Signed: Date: _______________________ ___________________________ Signed: Date:
13 Point Contract
****Your Name****, Inc. Services Agreement This agreement is entered into this [today's date] by and between [Artist Name] for [Artists Stage Name], herein referred to as the "Artist" and [Signer For Buyer] for [Buyers Name], herein referred to as the "Purchaser", with the assistance of ****Agency Name if one is used**** for ****Your Name****, Inc., herein referred to as "Agency", for the following services. 1. Purchaser hereby engages the Artist, subject to the terms and conditions 2. as follows: Event: [Event Name] Date: [Event Date(s)] Location: [Event Location] Time: (Detailed in Attachment No. 1) Cost: $ [Total Cost] Attachments: One 2. It is agreed that as full compensation for services provided by the Artist as above set forth, the Purchaser will pay to the Artist the sum of $ [Total Cost]. A $[deposit amount] non-refundable deposit will be issued with the signing of this contract. The balance of payment is to be made in full, on the day of the event, to the leader of the artist group in cash, company check, certified check, or money order. Any deviation from the specific terms of this paragraph by the Purchaser shall constitute a breach of this entire Agreement. 3. All outdoor performances must be conducted in a safe manner and there must be an indoor rain contingency plan. In the event of cancellation without such contingency, the Purchaser must pay the contract in full. 4. Purchaser is responsible for providing all permits, licenses and legal papers needed for any foreign events outside the United States, in a timely manner. Such documents must be provided to the Artist by the Purchaser no later than two weeks prior to the performance. Purchaser is liable for any costs and expenses related to said permits, licenses and papers. Any delay or non-compliance to this paragraph will be considered a breach on the part of the Purchaser. 5. The recording, reproduction, filming or transmission of the Artist's performances are prohibited without the written consent of the Artist. The Purchaser shall be responsible for the strict enforcement of this paragraph. 6. The Purchaser will make available two complimentary tickets per Artist member for any public events. 7. The Artist agrees that the Purchaser shall have the right to use the Artist's name, approved pictures, and other likenesses in connection with the advertising and publicizing of the engagement hereunder, but such use shall not be as an endorsement of any product or service, or for the sale of any merchandise, except with the Artist's written permission. It is also agreed that all advertising, promotion, etc. referring to the Artist will refer to him as [Artists Stage Name]. 8. The Agency is acknowledged to have performed its obligations upon the commencement of this engagement. The Agency shall not be liable for any breach, default, or failure to perform by either the Purchaser or the Artist. No changes in this Agreement affecting the Agency's commission of its payment shall be made without the written consent of the Agency. 9. Purchaser agrees to be responsible for the actions of the Purchaser's employees and patrons, and to reimburse the Artist for any damages suffered due to the actions of the Purchaser's employees or patrons, including harm to Artist's equipment while such equipment is at the place of the performance. 10. The Purchaser agrees that the services as outlined in Attachment #1 shall not be canceled or modified, except by mutual, written consent of both the Purchaser and the Artist. The attempt by one party to cancel this Agreement without the permission of the other party shall be a breach of this Agreement. 11. Should either party to this Agreement fail to carry out their obligations under the terms of this Agreement, the other party may bring legal proceedings to enforce the terms of this Agreement. Interest shall be payable to the non- breaching party on the amount of damages suffered, calculation at the rate of 12% per year (or the maximum legal rate, if such rate is lower that 12% per year). Such interest shall begin to accrue as of the date of discovery or notice of the breach of this Agreement by the non-breaching party. Should either party find it necessary to commence legal action in the case of breach, or to otherwise enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to an award of court costs, expenses and attorney's fees incurred in such legal action, in addition to any damages or other legal relief awarded. The parties agree that venue for any legal action by either party shall be in ****Your**** County, ****STATE****. Both the Seller and the Purchaser agree to be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of ****Your**** County, ****STATE**** for purposes of any legal action. 12. This Agreement cannot be assigned or transferred without the written consent of both parties. The waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a continuing waiver. This Agreement contains the complete agreement between the parties. No modification, or change to this Agreement shall be valid unless made in writing, dated,, and signed by both parties, The validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State Of ****????****, regardless of the place of performance by the Artist. The terms Artist and Purchaser as used in this Agreement shall include and apply to the singular and the plural, and to all genders. 13. The person signing this Agreement on behalf of [Buyers Name] hereby warrants and guarantees that he or she has the authority to sign this Agreement and bind [Buyers Name] to the terms of this Agreement, whether [Buyers Name] is an individual, partnership, corporation or some other entity. All copies of this Agreement must be signed and returned to ****YOUR COMPANY**** with the above mentioned deposit, within 14 calendar days of [today's date]. One counter signed copy will be returned to [Buyers Name] at the address below. This contract must be returned by the Purchaser to the Agent. One countersigned copy will be returned to the Purchaser's address below. Accepted and Agreed to by: _________________________ _________________________ [Artist Name] for [Signer For Buyer] for [Artists Stage Name] [Buyers Name] [Artists Address] [Buyers Address] ****************************************************** ******** Attachment No. 1 Services are to include; [Hours of Roving Per Day] Hours of roving entertainment per day by [Artists Stage Name]. [No. of Stage Shows] Stage performance(s) by [Artists Stage Name]. All supplies used by [Artists Stage Name]. Times of performances will be as follows:
****YOUR COMPANY**** SERVICE CONTRACT ****Your Company**** contractually agrees to have _____ Entertainers at ____________________________ on ________________ from _________ to __________ to entertain children and/or adults attending _______________________________________________. In exchange, __________________________________ agrees to pay ****Your Company**** $_______ per hour (_____ total hours, ______ total amount) for the above time, and $______ per each 15 minute section exceeding the above time, if desired upon the end of the period. In the event of a cancellation, ________________________ agrees to notify ****Your Company**** at least 72 hours in advance or forfeit the deposit previously paid or agreed upon ($______). **Package includes: Strolling creation of balloon animals and crazy balloon hats, all balloon supplies, travel expenses, and fun costumes ** Make check payable to: ****Your Company**** ________________________________________ _________________ Client Date ________________________________________ _________________ Date Please sign above and mail to: ****Your Company**** Address of your company
What you are thinking about is going into business for yourself. If you ask a hobbyist to write down his expenses you get a shorter list than someone twisting to make a living. The hobbyist is not likely to include medical, dental, life and auto insurance, retirement plan, kids education, social security, taxes, bookkeeping etc. For a full time twister to make enough to raise a family is difficult and risky. He has to put in more hours and/or get paid more per hour than other twisters. If the buyer thinks he is just buying balloons, the full timer's job is at risk to less expensive hobbyists. It seems to me the advantage goes to the twister who has a regular job and twists for fun and extra income. He can pick the ripe fruit off the tree of jobs. He is not desperate for a weekday work but happy for a weekend of profitable activity. Everyone has a level of ambition and there is nothing wrong with being a part time twister. There are lots of part time, good pay jobs out there and it's fun. An ambitious balloon twister will find there are very few full time, high paying jobs in his field. If you don't have the skills for an above minimum wage job, I'd suggest you work at whatever you can, twist when you can and use the money for more education or training for a better paying job.
How Much Preparation Do You Want To Do? Different work situations call for different styles. You have to look at each situation and make decisions about which figures to offer, whether to sell figures or work for tips, whether to do a show or set up a line. As a part time twister, I look for situations that will require the least time in preparation and make me the most money per hour. I don't mind working hard and I enjoy talking to the kids and being in front of a crowd. The $250 to $350 I can make in a day working for tips at a well attended art fair is satisfying but not necessary for my survival. That I am not doing this for a living makes the whole experience less stressful. If it rains or the crowd is stingy, it is not so bad. The preparation consists of getting permission, tossing my pump, balloons, menu poster and tip basket into the car, driving to the fair, carrying everything in one load to the work site and going to work. My main money limitation is the number of balloons I can twist in a day. If I wanted to make more money in the 'sea of heads' type art fair, here are some things I'd try.
1. Investigate selling twisted balloons in your state. Some states are easy and some states are hard with sales tax, business license, and insurance requirements. In a large crowd, once the balloons are out there and a demand is established, you'll make more by charging a set price. It is chancy, sometimes a set price will scare customers away.
2. Run a crew of twisters. This requires a large crowd and setting up the situation.
3. Make a supply of Angel or Feather sticks (see True Inflations #21). They can be made in front of the TV and they can speed up the point of sale. Other add on sales like Yo-yo balloons or Tattoos can work well with help from non twister employees.
4. Be willing to travel to more fairs.
Each of these ideas increases the preparation time, effort and expense but they can all pay off. The More You Work, The More You Work Besides fairs, twisters often find work in restaurants, company picnics, trade shows, business promotions, etc. By working in public, business cards and word of mouth will naturally bring opportunities to work. It's The More You Work, The More You Work. It's like a natural law. The situation you want to set up is to have them ask if you are available. If someone asks you to work for them, the negotiating power is on your side. If you are asking someone for a job, the power is on their side. How are your sales/negotiating skills? What about your bookkeeping skills? The more you rely on working for yourself the more non-twisting skills you need to have. You have to convince potential buyers of the benefits they will experience by hiring you to twist balloons. If they have no experience with balloon twisters, few buyers have the imagination to understand or believe these benefits. Promotion by anything but a personal demonstration is difficult at best. Two things you should find out before you quit your day job:
1. If your market can support a full time twister.
2. If you have the skills to make it work.
Try looking at twisting as a second job with the goal of working everyday. Keep good records and save your twisting money. After a year, see where you stand. Could you live on that? If you quit your day job how much more twisting work would be available to you? By trying for a year, you will have some idea of your business skills, the possibilities and difficulties in your market and hopefully a nest egg in savings. I know this sounds discouraging. It is so easy to have a big weekend that full time is a temptation. Full time twisting is not impossible but it is far from easy. I just want you to see where you are stepping.
The Up Side It's fun. Fun to learn, fun to create, fun to do for people. Most people, especially kids want what you have made. You experience being the center of attention in a group of people. The ability to be at ease in front of a group is a valuable asset in nearly any field. Getting past your own fear allows your expertise and preparation to shine through. When you twist in front of people you are on stage. The more time you spend in the on-stage mode the less intimidating it is. As you get bored with worrying about yourself you can pay more attention to how they respond to what you do and say. You get to know and shape your character. You get to experiment with timing and reaction, something that's hard to do without an audience. You will be faced with business questions when you twist for pay. You'll have to negotiate with the buyer and be responsible. You will have to have your supplies and yourself in order. It's an opportunity to make money without too much hassle. Extra income generally makes life easier. Twisting can be a family activity that is more valuable than money.
Beyond Twisting OK, you're going into this full time no matter what I say. Expand your services to include balloon decorating, bouquet sales and delivery and entertainment. Bouquet sales and delivery is probably the easiest to add immediately. Check the article in True Inflations # 22. There is a whole world of balloon decorators out there. Start by offering to work for them. You wont get paid well as a crew member but you can learn a lot. The decorator may have use for your twisting skills. As you learn enough to sell a decorating job, you can end up subcontracting each other. Learning to be an entertainer is serious work but everyone has to start somewhere. You have a start by being comfortable in front of an audience. Join the clown or magic club in your area and go from there. Offering more than twisting gives you a better chance at making a sale. Each of these skills can enhance the others. These skills can be developed part time and turn into a major part of your business. It depends on what you are good at and the needs of your market.
You talk about how hard it is to make a living as a full time twister. Have you ever thought about how hard it is to make a living as a full time *anything*? I have a bachelors degree in computer science and a masters in elementary education. Getting a job isn't a problem. In fact, I've been offered some fairly high paying jobs. But that only makes sense. I dedicated 4 years of my life to learning about computers, and 2 years learning about teaching. During that time I had computer jobs, and I had minor teaching jobs that barely paid the bills. Does that mean that I should have been happy as a hobbiest computer teacher and flipped burgers for a living? Only after you know you've become an "expert" in your field are you in a position to make a serious living.
You suggest that anyone stuck flipping burgers spend whatever extra money they make on education to better themselves. Why does that education have to be academic? If I spent 6 years after high school and $20,000 a year on magic and balloons, where would I be now? I've heard people say about some magicians, "he's only a big name in magic because he was able to spend the money on stage illusions." I've never heard anyone say, "he's only got a $60,000 a year engineering job because he went to school for 8 years to learn the field."
I agree with you that nobody is going to be an overnight success in the twisting business. I also agree that most people won't be able to spend $120,000 to get their balloon career started. I don't know of anyone that offers scholarships for it. I do believe whole-heartedly that anyone that has the dedication, and the time to put into it can succeed as an entertainer every bit as well as a programmer. In fact, an artist creates the need for his own job. Once the artist is good enough, he can work anywhere. A specialized field may require your talents in only a few places.
I put myself through school as an entertainer. It was only after I did that successfully that I realized how happy I was and how I should do that for a living. It's not easy, and I have a long time to go before I'm making what I would make as a programmer. I don't care. I enjoy what I do.
Of course, my full-time twisting business has been difficult to create, and difficult to maintain. But like with any self-made business, I am terribly proud that I created it all on my own (with a little help from my friends and family). I especially love that feeling I get when I am entertaining clean adult crowds in fancy places, and everybody is having a great time. I was on cloud nine early on in my business when I entertained at the Fairmont Hotel! Going places twisting can only come about by hard work. Besides creating this all by myself, what's wonderful about having my own business has been that I am in control of my own destiny. Of course I have to please my customers, but I am my own boss. The only unrealistic expectations going on in my business are mine, and those can be dealt with. Tom, you mentioned, "An ambitious balloon twister will find there are very few full-time, high paying jobs in his field." What's great is that I've found it. I live in a choice area that has given me enough gigs, and enough to go around for all the other types of entertainers. I did a few hundred gigs last year. I think that the only way to make sufficient cash on balloons has been what I have done - - lived and breathed balloons day and night, until my friends were sick of hearing me talk about them. I don't see myself as being much different from the local full time magicians and clowns - they are making a living, have families, own homes, and are sane. Granted, I'll need a good dose of stamina to get there. Funny thing, I've only been able to afford my master's degree in counseling because of the Almighty latex balloon. Balloons have been my only dollar for three years, and has been full time. . My ballooning will be what carries in me into what I'd really like to do in the future- - -balloon therapy- - no, I mean balloons and therapy. Ballooning has supported me and will get me to the place where I will enjoy each of these professions equally. That will still probably mean at least a few gigs a week. And crazy as it has been, these two professions of mine grew (inflated) simultaneously and proportionately. Amazingly, the business skills that I have been learning from running a balloon business will transfer to any job in the future AND my counseling business. As advanced therapists tell me, it will be the dual careerists that will survive in the awful world of managed health care. Personally, it surprises me, Tom, that you're cutting the profession that you've been building for several years in the national community. I think it's wonderful you've given a wholesome look at full-time twisting. You're right, there is a lot to consider. But your whole business revolves around those items that enables others to increase in their twisting. I believe that everyone on the balloon HQ list would agree and desire that the world's twisters be **MORE PROFESSIONAL**. Don't you cringe when you seen a clown in bad makeup doing terrible balloons? Getting part-time twisters to be more professional will be difficult if they cannot model after full-timers. If anything, part-timers need to be as well-seasoned as possible. But, how would you like a part-timer to set fine adjustments on your car brakes or take pictures at your wedding? In many cases, it's the full-time professionals that provide the utmost quality work. The balloon decorating community and Qualatex is beginning to recognize twisting professionals a lot more. IBAC is the best example of this. It was primarily the full-timers that spent time there. With the increased participation, communication, and visibility of twisters, Qualatex begins to grant new products, new colors, and provide more visibility to our product, the 260Q. Products such as the gray 260Q and the imprinted 260 would have never occurred if twisters didn't have a voice. Hobbyists and part-timers usually only provide a minimal voice in these issues, and other long-range concerns of the twisting community.
If you just do what everyone else does, you will not make it in the entertainment business. You have to find something unique about yourself that separates you from the rest. It might be the balloons that you make, or your personality, or your looks or who you know. It's your uniqueness that separates you from the pack.
If you wait at home for the phone to ring you will never make it in this business. Every day I am making calls, mailing out fliers, thinking up places to contact, etc. 75% of the entertainment business is done offstage. This is a BUSINESS. If you notice, all of us have other things that we do just in case. T has a balloon mail order business, I am a magician, radio talk show host, dinner theatre producer, and manufacturer of my own magic creations.
If you are single, willing to travel, have no ties, you may make it as a twister exclusively. Keep plugging away!
I am a magician and a balloon twister. (I like that one too!) My cards say Magic, but I always verbally add ballooning, and often hand out cards when ballooning. When I book a show it's for either magic, ballooning, or both. (Usually both.) I have, in the distant past, done clowning, but I charge more for that and since I do so much clowning around in my show they haven't sprung for it for years.