Book review The Birthday Party Business, Bruce Fife

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The Birthday Party Business : How to Make a Living As a Children’s Entertainer by Bruce Fife (Editor)

Paperback (July 1998)

Editorial Reviews of The Birthday Party Business

The publisher, Piccadilly Books , November 28, 1998
Balloons, fun, games, magic, and more—they’re all here. From entertaining and food to marketing and promotion, this book features comprehensive and detailed guidance on how to succeed in the birthday party business. At the heart of the birthday party business is the entertainment. In this book you will find detailed information on the art of entertaining children of all ages. You will learn how to work with children, what they like, what they don’t like, how to make them laugh, and how to control them. You will learn the secrets of entertaining kids using magic, clowning, puppetry, storytelling, ballooning, and face painting, as well as gain valuable information on catering, party games, and creating enchanting theme parties. This book has everything you need to get started in the birthday party business; included are samples of advertisements, sales letters, thank you notes, news releases, contracts, party planning guides, flyers, business cards, stationary, and promotional giveaways, as well as dozens of comedy skits and party routines. You can succeed as a birthday party entertainer and enjoy the benefits of owning your own profitable home-based business. Whether you are looking for a full-time profession that allows you to play for pay or are simply looking for a fun part-time avenue to make extra cash, this book, written by seven professional birthday party entertainers, will guide you every step of the way.

Reviewer: Review from The Linking Ring
The introduction includes: In this book you will learn everything you need to know to share in the joy of operating a successful birthday party business ... You don’t need to be a polished magician or seasoned entertainer..." In addition to chapters on getting started, working with kids, business basics, direct marketing and publicity/advertising/materials/ agencies, there are separate discussions of magic, clowning, storytelling, puppetry, face painting, catering and special theme parties and party games. The authors (seven in all) are experienced birthday party entertainers. Hal Diamond, a full-time Washington area magician who wrote a monthly column in Laugh Makers magazine for many years, largely was responsible for the pages on magic. Steve Kissel, who sponsors annual Comedy College conventions, contributed to the balloon figures chapter. They advised on getting the business various marketing strategies while Diamond covered direct marketing. You get a wealth of solid information: a sample telephone conversation with a prospective client, why you shouldn’t arrive ahead of your stated time, what to do during the party and how to get paid, including a sample contract. There are instructions for constructing some props. Children’s entertainers, as well as those who aspire to enter the field, will benefit from the business and performing suggestions. Highly recommended.