Party Planning Ideas, Activities and Entertainment for Birthday Parties and Special Events in Tampa, Florida

Party Planning Ideas, Activities and Entertainment for Birthday Parties and Special Events around Tampa, Florida

 

Your Total Entertainment provides Balloon Artists, Face Painters, Magicians, Jugglers, Mermaids, Glitter Tattoos, and much, much more for birthday parties and special events around Tampa, Florida.

 

Unlike some small family run businesses that send out their spouses and children as “entertainers,” Your Total Entertainment sends out true professional entertainers that know what they are doing. Our Balloon Artists are balloon artists and our Face Painters are face painters. So, when you hire an entertainer for your birthday parties and special events, you can know that Your Total Entertainment will provide the absolute best in professional entertainment.

 

Because we work as a close knit group of professional entertainers, Your Total Entertainment is able to...

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Balloon Animal Puppy Dog Twisted by Your Total Entertainment

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How to Have a Great Birthday Party!

Get Bookings:
Before you can have a great party, you’ve got to have a great client. On another day, I’ll write some about advertising, lead generation, and database maintenance. For today, however, I’m just going to say that you’ve got to make sure you get your name out well enough to get the event in the first place.

Intel:
Make sure when you book the event that you get plenty of facts and information pertaining to the event. The more you know, the more you have to work with. On the same note, be sure not to ask too many questions or you may scare away an otherwise great potential client.

Directions:
It is always a good idea to map out your route to your event ahead of time. By doing so, you are well aware of the estimated time of travel and can allow yourself plenty of time for accidents and traffic delays along the way.

Giving 110%:
This section pertains to how you use your intel that you gathered to give your client more than they expect. For instance, if you find out that Birthday boy Sammy likes Batman, you can learn ahead of time how to make a great batman lootle. You can then go to the event prepared to awe and astound the crowds with an amazing sculpture you planned to make ahead of time.

Get there:
Get there early or on time. You do not want to have the party mom stress out over when you’ll be there. Know that she’s plenty stressed about the party already. She doesn’t need your help making her hair fall out.

Get Going:
I start with the birthday child and usually make the figure I planned out on the way there. If it is a boy, I’m usually making a super hero or a crazy costume. If it’s a girl, I make a full princess outfit with crown, dress, wand, and ear rings.

Nip it in the Bud:
Stop any and all problems before it gets too big to handle. If you notice a child is acting up as soon as you get there, make note of it and draw extra attention to them. Sometimes you’ll find that if you set the right tone in the very beginning, things will work out really great for the rest of the party. This section could be a whole book by itself (In fact, there are MANY books on it.), so I won’t be spending time on it other than letting you know it should be dealt with appropriately.

Heading Out:
When you leave, be sure to thank your client for their hospitality. Many times they are going out of their way to invite you into their homes. They are inviting some of their closest friends over and honoring you by presenting you to them as an entertainer and sometimes even a family friend. Do not take advantage of it; and, certainly you should be grateful.

Get Out:
This last point has been added to emphasize the importance of leaving on time. Your client has planned their event around the times you were scheduled to be there. Be sure not to get in their way by staying too late.

Last Notes:
Okay, so I know these weren’t complete notes on how to perform at a party or even how to get a party or go through with an event, but I hope that you’ve at least seen an outline for what I do and how I go about doing it. If you have any specific questions or you would like for me to expand on a certain section above, let me know and I’ll be more than glad to do what I can.

It's all about the entertainment!

Hey sports fans! It's Keri again!

I just wanted to stop by and mention why entertaining is such a big part of twisting. I'd even go so far as to say it's the biggest part of twisting. Not that the actual twisting isn't important! I don't care if you're Carrot Top - a balloon dog must look like a balloon dog!

But I digress. Slightly.

Tonight I worked at Fuddruckers, in Las Vegas. I work there every Friday and most Saturdays if I don't have other parties or what-not. I was going along, doing my thing, making average money, whatever, when I approached a table. They had been giving me "the eye" but had yet to flag me down. So I snuck over, very James Bond-like, and said in a loud whisper, "Do you guys like balloons? Cause I can totally get you some." Then I looked around like I was being followed and as I looked back at the table gave a great big stage wink. You know, the totally obvious one that involves your whole face.



This is just how I am in a restaurant. I didn't think it was all that great... but they did! I ended up making some fairly simple balloons for the kids. I think it was an monkey and a flower or something... I really don't remember because I have short term memory when it comes to that kind of thing, and I didn't take pictures. But the whole time I was doing what I do, namely, talking to the kids about they're names and relating the names to things or people I know, asking about their ages and showing them how huge their brains must be based on the size of the hat I'm making. All while being very upbeat and interactive. I entertained them. I made sure they were having fun.

And I got a $100 bill as a tip.

I am totally not kidding. I almost passed out. Well ok not really, but my mouth totally dropped open like a fool. I even asked the gentleman (he was the grampa) if he was sure he knew what he gave me. My exact words were, "Um... uh, uh, uh... er... um... I would, uh, just like to, um, verify... uh that you are aware of, uh, what you just gave me..."

According to Gramma (again, NOT kidding): "Actually we were thinking we might have short-changed you."

I *probably* could have handled the situation better, but because I am who I am (and you'd have to meet me to understand!) I could tell that they loved me and everything was great. I'm not full of myself, I'm just trying to explain the situation.

Anyway, the whole point of the story is that the balloons I made weren't woven or complicated or even required any special twists. But because everyone had fun, (including the adults), I received the biggest tip I've ever gotten to date. And it totally made my night.

Well... it kinda made my entire year...

Basic Guidelines for the Restaurant Entertainment Professional

The following are the basic guidelines I use and teach to those interested in restaurant entertainment.

1) Appearance – Show up clean cut and well groomed in professional attire. Dress pants, closed toed dress shoes, and a button up shirt is the norm. I do not dress as a clown and do not suggest that others do it because of the high number of people that are terrified of clowns.
2) Timeliness – Always show up on time or early. It is also good to try and leave on time as well. If you do happen to stay late, be sure to let the manager know you are staying late as a courtesy
3) Priorities – Patrons are at the restaurant to eat first and to be entertained second. The best time to approach the table is after the food has been ordered, but before the food has arrived. If a server or one of the staff come to the table, do your best to get out of their way completely.
4) Safety First – Balloons are a choking hazard for all children under the age of three. Due to the nature of latex, it becomes very dangerous if swallowed.
5) Manager Clause – Everything in the manual is to be followed as written unless otherwise stated by a manager. If you are told to do something by management, assuming it does not endanger yourself or others, please comply. This only applies to the manager, not the wait staff.
6) Marketing – You are in the restaurant to help build business for the restaurant. Always talk positively about the restaurant you are in and encourage guests to come again. Not only does it increase possible tips you may receive, but it also maintains a positive relationship between the restaurant and yourself.
7) Staffing – You are not a part of the restaurant staff. If there is a problem, find out who can help and notify them immediately.
8) Humility – Know your place. You are an added bonus, an extra, something special that the restaurant added for their customers. You are never going to be chosen over that of a member of a wait staff. They always have priority. If you show them all the respect and kindness that you can, many of them will return the favor.
9) Understand No – A no is a no. Do not pressure the guests into anything. There are creative ways to entertain and amuse people that would not otherwise be amused, but do not push your limits too far.
10) Have Fun – If you are not having fun, then no one else is. Smile, enjoy yourself, and make sure everyone it happy. If you can do that, then you will do well.


This is on the first page of my restaurant training program. They are the 10 principles that I use while in a restaurant. I hope they will at the very least encourage you to come up with a list things to guide you throughout your business walk as well.