Ventriloquist Central Blog

Here is an article that ventriloquist Bob Abdou sent in to us back in 2007. It is so good, I thought I would share it with everyone again.

Front Page News

There are many opinions about getting more work, mine is “the more you work the more you get work”. However performing soooo cheap so that everybody hires you is NOT the answer. Having a good show, having a good appearance and having a competitive price is one way to go. Once you have established yourself as a “PRO”, the calls will come…eventually. Some months will be great one year and the next…not so great. Some performers say that the month of January is usually slow, my past January’s have always been good. So there is no real pattern when work will be slow or busy. Just remember the work will come….eventually.

One sure way to get more work is to alert the media. Some newspapers will pass on you and then some will eat you up like juicy fried chicken. I was performing in the deep south part of Texas last week when I made my annual coke and potato chip run before a show at a gas station. ( this is a bad habit but it is a ritual for me ). I am usually early to every show and that gives me time to read the local paper just to see what’s up with the rest of the world. To my surprise I saw a photo on the front section of the paper with my face on it!!

“Hey that’s Me!!” I told the attendant. She smiled and asked why my photo was there. I explained that I was performing for the local libraries in the area and this was a way to promote the show. She was interested and called her family about coming to the library and seeing the show. So promoting works.

Some insight about newspaper stories. When they interview you make sure that your name is spelled correctly. Why??? If anyone wants to “Google” you for future work they won’t be able to find you. If they can write your website in the article, that is just icing on the cake.

With the last name “Abdou” you can imagine how many times that has been misspelled. I go by the stage name “Mr.Puppet” and this just fine with me cause I am easily found by that stage name. Always make sure that they know the right time, day and date of your performance. Most small town newspapers are printed once a week, so get your story in early. Having these town papers promote your show also lets the school, library or whatever you are doing for them see that you really want to get folks to these places.

In today’s world where there are too many other activities to do besides a “puppet show”, we have to make our show “exciting, fun, colorful and different” so that you stir up interest.
Having a story in the paper is just one way to have a great show with a great audience.

Remember a show without an audience is…….a rehearsal!!

Bob Abdou
Mr. Puppet since 1996
www.mrpuppet.com

Dan
www.ventriloquistcentral.com

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Dan Willinger is a ventriloquism enthusiast and ventriloquist figure collector. He has been collecting for over 25 years. He created the Ventriloquist Central Collection. It now has over 100 ventriloquist figures and over 50 of them are Frank Marshall figures. Because of his love for the art of ventriloquism, Mr. Willinger created the website Ventriloquist Central. For more information about the website, go to: http://www.ventriloquistcentral.com

Copyright 2010 by Dan Willinger

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