7 Key Tips for Hiring Corporate Event Entertainment

7 Key Tips for Hiring Corporate Event Entertainment

Corporate events entertainers can make or break your next event. If the entertainment isn’t up to par, your attendees will be less engaged- at best.  At worst? — They’ll think your event isn’t worth their time and walk away. You definitely do not want to be left alone in a room full of wasted decor and food simply because you chose the wrong performers! That said, how can you win the hearts of your guests and have them talking about your event long after it is finished? And along with it get the best value for your money? Here are the top 7 key tips for hiring corporate event entertainment.

1. Have a Plan in Place

Benjamin Franklin once said: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” Whether you are planning for business investments, family planning, school timetables, study planners, events, name it! As such, even if it’s a rudimentary one, you must have a plan for your event. After all, how will you know whether it was a success if you don’t know how to quantify it later? 

Some of the basic information that can help you plan include:

• Date & Time
• Timelines
• Venue
• Theme: Dressing code (if any), Decor, Color choices e.t.c 
• Notes and Special Needs if any
• Approximate budget. Remember not to be too conservative with your budget. Once you start buying, you can always cut back. Be careful not to over budget, especially if you’re being sponsored by another party. 

2. Look For Entertainment Options Early Enough

Most people think that they can get away with a last-minute call to their favourite entertainer. They couldn’t be more wrong. Make sure you look for your options early enough. This is because it helps notify your entertainer beforehand to ensure that they are available.

If you’re considering booking a well-known band, for example, checking early helps to make sure they’re available. It’s no secret that special events and corporate entertainment are a band’s favourite gigs to play, and they’ll do everything they can to make them happen. However, any band worth their salt will be booking a year in advance, so check their schedule early. 

3. Level of Interaction With The Guest

What kind of performer are you looking for? Do you want one who incorporates each attendee into the show or do you want background entertainment? Note that interactivity between entertainers and attendees personalises an event. Sydney based corporate entertainers, Series of Events, have created unique shows to make your event one to remember. “We offer acts to include and engage your audience as well as add to the ambience and excitement of the event,” says Sam Gosper.

However, don’t be so quick to jump on this option. Will the guess connect with the audience or forget that interaction within seconds? If you’re not sure about it, not interacting would be the safer option. 

4. Always Have a Backup Plan

If there’s one thing we’ve all experienced before, it is the disappointment of entertainers failing to show up. As such, have a backup plan. The band you prefer could be unavailable on your date, and you may ask them for a recommendation. Sydney entertainers Series of Events, are top-tier entertainers that we know will uphold a good reputation while also ensuring that your party is in extremely capable hands.

5. References and Testimonials

If you have no idea who to pick as your entertainers, talk to other organisations. You could even have people in mind but you may be unsure about their quality of work. Most organisations will gladly provide references and testimonials on their behalf.

Such companies will be delighted to connect their partners and clients with people they’ve worked with before. You can even go digital and perform a Google search on an entertainer to see if there are any further favourable or negative comments. Business owner, Jordan Blackhall utilises Google’s Business listing to gather client reviews. Jordan says, “people don’t feel like they’re taking a risk when they can read genuine client experiences online before booking our services. I think it’s a really great tool to encourage businesses to do a good job too.” 

Reading through the list of former clients and events on your potential group’s website can also give you a good idea of their degree of experience.

6. Are They Appropriate for Your Crowd?

Not everyone can stand the same type of music, and not everyone wants to watch an unskilled or uncomfortable performer struggle on stage. Early in the booking process, discuss your company’s accepted policies with your artists. Make sure they know what is expected and who they are performing for. Choose particularly family-friendly entertainers. 

Plumber, Paul Jennings, throws a big Christmas party for his employees and their families every year, he says “any company functions are family occasions, and the last thing you want is, for example, your kids to pick up new terminology.” Furthermore, no one wants their guests to tell their friends how unpleasant or dull the band was, which can be avoided with some research and effective communication. 

7. The Golden Rule

Ask, talk, Communicate: Make everything Clear! Ask as many questions as possible while meeting with your entertainer or during early negotiations. Don’t be afraid to make explicit requests! The group you select will be the face of your company or organisation to your guests. It’s a red flag if you get the impression they don’t care about or respect you or your event. Continue looking until you discover someone with whom you feel at ease and confident.

With that in mind, there are a plethora of corporate event entertainers available. If you know what traits you’re looking for in your event entertainment ahead of time, finding and scheduling one will be much easier. You can easily narrow it down to people who are passionate about what they do and those that will connect with your guests. Following that, with these 7 tips, you are then guaranteed success!