Thread: Convincing new venues to hire...

Hi all,

Well, I am feeling discouraged. I have tried hotels and restaurants, coffee shops, you name it. Every time I either get a bewildered 'no', or with the hotel, when I had followed the proper protocol (sent the promo packet, said I'd call in a week, etc)...when I called, I basically choked. She started out saying she wasn't interested because they'd never received a request like that before. I didn't know what to say. It seems like 'no' comes out of their mouths before they've even thought about it.

What does one do in a totally bare town? This place is a medium-sized city and whenever there are bellydance shows here they sell out or are packed! Still, no one seems interested in the concept of having regular performances. In reference to the chamber of commerce/getting business sense thread, that was a different story. This is more of an issue with getting a town totally unaccustomed to the idea and surprised when it's brought up at all to warm up and get the local dancers somewhere to perform.

I can't really think of anywhere else to ask. Are we here doomed to be party/event dancers only? Or are the only regular dancers in town who get paid going to be the strippers?

when you asked for regular performances did you ask for weekly? maybe you should try monthly? just to get started? or a special occasion performance like on a holiday? so it's more of an event? that may help break the ice

I wasn't specific...I was trying to suggest the idea 'gently' so to speak. This feels worse than telemarketing!

Hi Brea,

"Asking" for something immediately puts the person on the defensive. It's almost a knee-jerk reaction to just say "No" rather than risk making the wrong decision.

Then again, saying you'd like to "share some information about ..." makes you sound like a salesman or door-to-door evangelist.

The best way is to meet the person casually, and start a conversation about something else entirely. Let them tell you all about their restaurant or their business, ask them questions and really listen. Eventually, there will be an opening where you say something like ...

"Yeah, I love live performances. Movies just leave me wanting more interaction. Concerts are great, but dance--oh, the colors and the movement always make for a great show! For instance, did you know there was a live belly dance performance here about a month ago and it sold out completely? Yeah, people loved it! There was even a review in the paper....
You've got a decent sized open area here, have you ever thought of having dance performances here? I've seen a talented dancer really pack a restaurant full of paying customers before--week after week. And no one else in town is doing anything like that....you'd be the first, totally unique. People in this town are just dying for something exciting and different."

Okay, maybe that sounds a bit contrived, but the point is you position the idea in a way that makes it all about *them*. What does that person care about? Getting more customers and making money...how can a belly dance performance help him reach that goal? Don't make it sound like you're asking him to do something for you...make him see how hiring you is a no-brainer for his business.

Hope that helps.
Mira

Good advice, I should take this idea cause I tend to be the aggressive type ;) LOL

Thanks for all the advice! I will have to try these approaches next time.

Any ideas on where I might try? We have no Middle Eastern restaurants here, and the two Indian ones have unpaid performers (when they have any).

When I was with a troupe, we did a few gigs at a local coffee house. We made flyers, and put them around town (in musci stores, the art gallery, and other artsy places) and we did about a 40 minute show. We did a few group improv pieces "meet and greet" and we all did individual solos...since the place didn't have a full stage.

We PACKED THE HOUSE. They sold more coffee and smoothies that night then they probably did in 3 days.

Originally Posted by BreaMorgiane

Thanks for all the advice! I will have to try these approaches next time.

Any ideas on where I might try? We have no Middle Eastern restaurants here, and the two Indian ones have unpaid performers (when they have any).

One of the places I dance at is an Italian restaurant that does a once-a-month Greek night. It's in a really small town and is always packed for that evening. The owner does a sit-down five course meal with me as entertainment. It's always so much fun!

Another idea for getting hotels and such interested in booking you is to bring them hard data numbers for belly dance shows. Bring a sheet with multiple dates of shows that did well; show him the number of available seats, how many sold, and how much money the venue made. Money always talks.

If you have any media print (with pictures, if possible), from previous peformances that could possibly carry a bit of weight during Cold-Calls. Maybe clips of several of your routines. Possibly include more than one style, show diversity and fab costuming. Also, if you have performed for Senior Care Facilites, Special Needs facilities, schools or other similiar venues it would probably be a plus to include that info. Almost everyone is touched by someone with special needs, attending school, elderly, etc. That could 'touch' someone in a way the all business format might leave them a bit cold/cool or even stand-offish due to lack of understanding. A nice promo packet with a DVD and a bit of MED education info cannot do anything but show professionalism and a willingness to work hard.
Several years ago I was eating lunch in a sandwich shop and was pleasantly surprised to see a lovely MED routine. Seems the owner or manager kept giving the dancer a rough time re when she could start. She pushed him for a time so he finally said something about dropping by during lunch. She did - in full costume with a boom-box and performed in a simple but audience-pleasing coin bedlah with layered full skirts. She was an appealing dancer and was very well-received. (I did not know her, cannot recall ever seeing her before.) During a shimmy I did a money shower. A few others did the same. She was beaming. She restarted the music and danced again, shy children dropped bills and coins in the money on the floor. People were quite pleased. The dancer wrapped her veil around an elderly lady and dropped it. The lady stood and swished the veil a bit then tried a few arm moves. It was so sweet!
The owner hired the dancer on the spot. She danced there at least twice a month for a while then expanded to weekly. It wasn't every dancer's dream venue but it enabled her to polish her skills and educate the general public.

Thanks for the tips! I'd love to try that.

Unfortunately locally just about everyone performs for free, or for beer. I'm not sure how to overcome that, as it means that there's a million other people lined up waiting to give out a dance performance for free anywhere and everywhere.

Could you convince a coffeehouse or art gallery to let you do a showcase?

Are you still teaching? Could you put something together with your students?

Or what about a pub or bar?

In Santa Clara or San Jose there is a monthly showcase at a pizza place. It's really cool!

We were usually more successful with venues that were not part of a chain. No-one had to check with headquarters regarding policy and procedures. Plus if you offer to bring students for an occasional show that would certainly increase the venue's sales, that would appeal to almost everyone.

Originally Posted by txchic

We were usually more successful with venues that were not part of a chain. No-one had to check with headquarters regarding policy and procedures. Plus if you offer to bring students for an occasional show that would certainly increase the venue's sales, that would appeal to almost everyone.

Excellent advice. The one-location coffeehouse is a good option.

I tried once at a coffeehouse and they turned me down (and it was an arty coffeehouse too). I am still teaching and hoping to form a troupe here within a few months. I have some very talented dancers already. One local tribal lady had a band that played every weekend at a dive bar and she danced there, but it shut down now.

My hope or wish is to find a place that could be a venue for ALL local dancers, and make it more 'normal' in this area. The main problem is that everywhere here everyone performs for free. I think the only time I've seen bellydance shows bring in money is when it's planned by the teacher as a show in and of itself.

Ask yourself a few of the following valuable questions:

~What do I have to offer that's different from what the other dancers in the area are pitching? (It may be a different costume style, a specialty such as tribal, a knack for bachelorette parties....whatever. Size up your competition in the most non-judgmental, yet critical way)

~What good things do I have going on that could potentially sway a prospective client's misconceptions about bellydance?

~What are the most popular restaurants, clubs or attractions in my area? Why do people like to go there? How would I fit in?

~Am I posing a solution to a prospective client's needs?

~Am I filling a hole in the market?

~Why should they hire ME?

No need to answer any of the above questions here on this thread, but this should be enough fodder to get your juices flowing. I've personally done very well recently by marketing a total package that's slick, high-fashion, and well received by upscale restaurants and nightclubs. In essence, I feel I've debunked a popular stereotype that we're kitchy and decidedly "retro" and opened up new possibilities for younger, hipper crowds. But I'm not suggesting that everybody do this, as every dancer and every market is a unique situation. Be individual!