Thread: Letter to open new gig opportunities

Hello -

I am going to start approaching some new restaurants in the area that do not have dancers. I have chatted with several dancers in the area and no one has approached them yet so they are "free for the taking".

I am putting together a packet to send to them (as a start) but am struggling with one piece.

The intro letter.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what to put in the "I wanna be your dancer and this is why you should have dancers" letter?

Thank you...

Aisha

I don't have specific advice, but short and sweet. Restaurant owners are busy and they don't generally sort through mail. I would suggest delivering in person.

I agree. If you hand it off in person, you can skip the intro letter. Go in person and hand them an attractive folder with your materials in it, along with a separate business card.

A picture is worth a thousand words, a video must be worth 10,000, but seeing you in person, looking glam-professional and showing your engaging personality is priceless.

so - should I call and find out when the owner is there? In the past, I have always been taught to "mail a packet" and "follow-up" in a few days in person.

Since this is my first time stepping out and establishing a new gig - still learning. :-)

Originally Posted by bellydancechic

so - should I call and find out when the owner is there? In the past, I have always been taught to "mail a packet" and "follow-up" in a few days in person.

Since this is my first time stepping out and establishing a new gig - still learning. :-)

It's certainly not wrong to mail first and follow up later. It's traditional in most sales areas -- I'm just thinking that when the 'product' is yourself, and since you're having trouble with an introductory letter, it might be the simplest solution.

Delivering the packet can eliminate the letter, and give you something to say when you get to talk to the manager/owner ("I wanted to bring you this information..")

I'd probably call and just tell whoever answers the phone that I'm hoping to talk with the owner/manager for just a few minutes, what's a good time to catch him/her in and not busy, and what's his/her name (if you don't already know)?

If you prefer to mail and really want to include a letter, I'd keep it short and simple.

Dear [name, spelled correctly!]:

My name is Lauren and I'm a professional bellydancer. I started performing eight years ago with Sahara Sand Productions here in St. Louis and I've been dancing ever since. I danced regularly at the Red Sea restaurant in U City for a few years, and I've been at Aya Sofia on Chippewa since December of 2007.

I'd like to talk to you about adding the energy and excitement of live entertainment at [name of restaurant]. I hope you don't mind if I stop by next week to meet you.

Sincerely,

Lauren

I suppose there are ways to sound more exciting, but I come from a business background.

wow - this is awesome and I so understand where you are coming from.

Maybe I will try the "in person" approach first. If I cannot seem to find the time to meet with a manager - I will do the letter "mail" approach.

Thank you.

I have a sheet that I give to owners saying something to the effect of "Congratulations on Choosing the Daniela Dance company to provide entertainment for your establishment"

and then I list what they can expect from us (professional, experienced dancers who arrive on time, in professional costume and put on a family friendly show, etc).

I give this to them in person, though.