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Help and Advice When Booking Live Entertainment For Your Event

1. Establish a budget to spend on live entertainment
2. Consult us in the early stages
3. Size of venue
4. Think about your audience and the reasons for your event
5. Insurance
6. Agents & Contracts
7. Other considerations for event planning that are often overlooked

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Establish a budget to spend on live entertainment (top)

It is much easier for us to suggest suitable entertainment for your event when we know how much you wish to spend. We have a wide spectrum of performers from which to choose. They are all extremely professional and prices range from £500 to £50,000+ (plus VAT) for named artistes. By establishing a budget, we can suggest artistes that will be relevant for you, at a price that you can afford.

*The prices reflect the fact that Showbizworks only has top calibre artistes on our site, all by invitation only."

 

Consult us in the early stages (top)

We are here to offer professional help in organising your live entertainment and creating the best experience possible for guests attending your event. We have a reputation for creative thinking and for doing things differently. Every event should be unique, not a repeat of the previous year! So as soon as you are at the earliest planning stage, let us know and we will provide you with several ideas for you to consider.

It is much easier for us to create a bespoke package for you rather than add to an itinerary that has already been set. Quite often we can suggest that special something that will turn an ordinary event into a spectacular one, and not necessarily at huge expense!

 

Size of Venue(top)

Be practical! Think about the size of the venue and consider:

• Do you need to erect a stage so that your guests can see the artistes performing?

• Do you need extra lighting for the stage?

• Do you need to include a dance floor?

• What kind of sound equipment will you need for the size of room? (Bear in mind all our performers come self-contained with their own sound system, however if it is a large venue then you will need to hire extra equipment). All our artistes are used to working with professional, external production companies. If you need help with this we can recommend reliable production companies,

• Where will the artistes change?

• If you are considering hiring a band, is there enough room for musicians, sound equipment and vocalists?

• Where will the performers unload their equipment?

 

Think about your audience and the reasons for your Event (top)

Don’t book a particular style of performer just because you like them. Consider your audience and the objectives of the event. Your choice of performer should reflect those considerations.

• Is there a particular age range or do you have to provide entertainment that will appeal to all ages?

• Is it a male or female dominated audience or is it a balanced mix?

• Will your audience be dancing or would you prefer your guests to watch a show or listen to a speaker rather than dance?

• How do you want your guests to feel having attended the event? Inspired? Motivated? Rewarded? Happy at the chance to let their hair down?

 

Insurance(top)

All our artistes are covered by their own public liability insurance. However, we advise that you take out your own insurance policy against cancellation of your event, accidents involving your guests and other unforeseen circumstances.

 

Agents & Contracts(top)

Whilst you may consider booking live entertainment direct with the artiste, there are a number of benefits for you the client by booking through Showbizworks and professional agents. We have seen the artistes perform and are better placed to ascertain their suitability for your event. We have a national and international network of contacts and unprofessional conduct by artistes is reported to all members of the Agents Association. We are made aware of unreliable performers and unprofessional conduct and this in turn allows us to protect you the client. By paying a small commission, we, acting as your Agent, legally contracts the artiste on your behalf, we negotiate the fee, fully brief the performers about your event, organise sound check times, travel and accommodation where relevant, and you can rest assured that artistes will be professionally contracted and you the client will also receive a contract confirming your booking. The operators of Showbizworks are
members of the Agents Association and operate under the standards demanded of the Association.

 

Other considerations for event planning that are often overlooked (top)

Ensure that there is no intrusive noise during your entertainment. For instance, plate clearing or glass collecting whilst a speaker is talking, music in an adjoining room that clashes with the entertainment in your room etc

• Who will introduce your entertainment? Do you need a compere to announce the performers and thank them as they leave the stage? If so you will also need a microphone.

• If you are planning an award ceremony, how long will your guests be forced to sit down at the table? Do you need to think about some kind of entertainment that allows them to stretch their legs? How will they wish to celebrate winning an award? Do you need to allow ‘celebration time’ after the presentation?

• If you want artistes to learn new songs or a comedian to introduce a bespoke routine relevant to your event, allow plenty of time for the artiste to have music or script written, as well as rehearsal time. This will more often than not involve extra cost.

• Don’t forget to feed the entertainers! The performers will usually need feeding either a couple of hours prior to their performance or straight after as no artistes perform on a full stomach. This needs to be arranged with your caterers in advance. Whilst they have been booked to perform for a limited amount of time, they will arrive prior to your event for a sound check and they may not be performing until late in the evening…so their fee includes their time from the moment they arrive at the venue until after their live performance.

• Some contracts include riders (additional request from the artiste or their management). These can be anything from water on stage during their performance to no video cameras during their performance to Krystal Champagne in the dressing room, (usually with more famous artistes). Always check the rider and ask at the time of enquiring if there are any unusual riders associated with booking a particular artiste.

• Showbizworks can provide testimonials for all artistes featured on the site on request.