Birthday Party Clown

Have you ever been in a situation where you wound up having to take care of something serious while in full clown make-up? Like go to a hospital, bank, etc?

Asked by mellie about 14 years ago

Hi, Mellie. Once, I had to stand in a long bank line while dressed as a clown. A pair of young boys waiting for their mother taught me a game called 007, a modern variation of Rock, Paper, Scissors. We played it together and had a good time. Banks are not as dour as they used to be; they regularly hire Rosie the Clown for their customer appreciation days, which are hoots. When I use Instant Teller machines, folks smile at the incongruity of a clown doing banking. I've been lucky enough not to need a sudden trip to the hospital in full clown regalia. Like you, I can only ponder what would go through people’s minds to see it. Doing errands in costume is not my favourite pastime, but I make the most of it. If a situation arises that’s serious enough for a costume to be inappropriate, my kit contains a change of clothes. A clown’s motto is like a Girl Guide’s: Be Prepared.

How long does it take you to do all your make-up and suit up, start to finish?

Asked by jasmine about 14 years ago

Hello, Jasmine. It takes 15 minutes to transform myself from an ordinary person into Rosie the Clown, start to finish. It used to take half an hour, but I’ve become faster with repetition.

How would you suggest a young man like myself (I'm 20) break into the party clown scene? For those of us not fortunate enough to have a local clown shop. =oP haha

Asked by Jdoub1111 about 13 years ago

Hello, Jdoub. Congratulations on beginning the fun and rewarding adventure of clowning. The very best of luck to you. Here are some tips for you to get started and prosper. If this seems like a long list, it's the difference between being a hobby clown and having a profitable business.

Half a Dozen Steps to Clowning Success

1. Seek out colleagues
2. Hone your skills
3. Develop your persona
4. Set up your office procedures
5. Make an online storefront
6. Market your services

1. Seek Out Colleagues

Is there a local Clown Alley? If your area doesn't have a clown shop, there may not be a local association for performers, either. No worries, you can connect online. LinkedIn has several great groups where performers discuss the ins-and-outs of the business and offer mutual help.

2. Hone Your Skills

• Develop your skills to the point that people talk to their friends about their great experience with you. Word-of-mouth will be one of your main client funnels
• YouTube tutorials abound on every topic, providing an extreme advantage to modern-day clowns who want to develop their skills
• Learn to communicate well with children
• Practice, practice, practice

3. Develop Your Persona

Who are you? What's your clown name? What's your look? A memorable outfit is great branding. What's your clown personality? Develop a persona that works for both your custimer base and you. If you're unsure which direction to go on this, start by exaggerating your biggest handicaps.

4. Set Up Your Office Procedures

Good office procedures will make everything you do easier, smoother and more rewarding.

• They will prevent disasters, such as double-booking and lost contact info
• They'll cement your client base, because people who are planning parties really appreciate good communication
• Pleasant office manners and effective organization will brand you as a professional
• It's an easy way to outshine the bulk of your competition

5. Make an Online Storefront

Online is where people find most services these days. 

• Make a website that's easy to read and navigate, that's clear about what you do, that has videos of you in action (best) or pictures, and that has your phone number in big type at the top
• Make sure it works well on mobile; half of all local searches are mobile
• Sign up for a free Google+ Place Page, to boost your presence in local search results
• Pick one big social media avenue (Facebook, Google+) and one little one (Twitter, Pinterest) to start

6. Market Your Services

There are more ways to market your services than there are clowns in a minicar. Pick a couple that work for you. From pay-per-click ads to mail drops to social media to volunteering for charity events, the faster you get your message out, the sooner the clients roll in.

• Know your target market
• Know your competition
• Establish a good fee
• Look for compensation other than money, such as wide exposure at large gatherings or earned media from special events

 

I am going to Africa and want to learn balloon animal making ASAP I don't know the best balloons to buy or what pump. I here U tube has good videos what do you think?

Asked by Pookie over 12 years ago

Hello, Pookie. Congratulations on your upcoming trip to Africa!

Yes, YouTube has many great videos on balloon twisting. It's an awesome source of free lessons.

Opinions differ about the best balloons to use. The two front-runners are Qualatex and Betallatex. Definitely use quality balloons if you want things to go well.

Hand pumps break constantly, so get two or three. The expensive ones aren't any better than the cheap ones. Toys R Us has a red-and-yellow hand pump that's cheap, works well and is fairly durable. Make sure that yours blows air on both the push and the pull.

I use a 3-foot-tall pump from TMyers.com (Texas), and it's the best thing ever, as it's light to carry and inflates a balloon in one stroke. You might not want to cart it around Africa, though.

Here are some resources for you.

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=balloon%20twisting&sm=3

Other Balloon Tutorials:

http://www.balloonhq.com/faq/

http://www.misterballoons.com.au/learntobe.html

http://balloon-art.wonderhowto.com/how-to/

Linked In Twisters Group:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Balloon-Twisters-112392

Clown Forum:

http://www.clown-forum.com

Good luck, and have fun! 

hey how much is your payment to malaysia for a birthday party?

Asked by Yue wen about 13 years ago

Hell, Yue wen. For a birthday party in Malaysia, Rosie the Clown asks no fee, just travel expenses from Toronto to Kuala Lumpur and back. 

Is whether to be a "talking clown" vs. one who doesn't talk a big distinction? Or is it just a personal choice, and it's really all just about whether you can make a kid smile?

Asked by Rosaria about 13 years ago

Hello, Rosaria. What an interesting question. Whether to be a talking or a silent clown is mostly a matter of choice for the performer. I love conversing with people as a clown, and I wouldn't want to lose that part of it. 

On the other hand, Rosie the Clown often entertains people who don't speak English, so she has lots of routines without words. I enjoy these non-verbal amusements very much indeed. 

As you suggest, it's all about the kids' smiles. Whatever way they come is good.

I am doing a project for college and would like to know what items go into each performance and how much they would cost roughly. Any help you can offer would be GREATLY appreciated.

Asked by D. Ravenstone about 13 years ago

Hello, D,

Thank you for your question. For detailed information such as you request, please contact me for an interview. Contact details are on my website, RosieTheClown.ca. 

Props generally cost between $20 and $200 and are good for years. Some of the most fun, most imaginative interactions, though, are done without any props at all.

Good luck with your project!