Promoting yourself - MY do's and donts

[MermaidShannon]

Hi everyone! So I know there are a thousand different threads and resources on how to get yourself out there but here is what has worked personally for me.

DO find your niche first. Are you a birthday party mermaid? Are you corporate events? Are you a tank performer? Finding your niche makes you unique to the industry. Yes this is an industry now and you need your own special brand.

DONT approach a professional organization without digging your fins in for some research. For example: aquariums
Do they have mermaids? Do they have opportunities for you to pay to swim? Youll need to pay to swim first and get tank experience before you can sell yourself as a tank performer.

DONT approach professional organizations without some marketing materials and a price sheet. These are professionals and so are you. Similarly if you are a party mermaid you should have info with pricing up front so the moms and dads can make sure to make you a priority on the budget.

DO volunteer your time. I suggest contacting your favorite charities local chapter and volunteering a mermaid makeover / swim package for a silent auction at their next gala. Send them a nice mermaid photo and some business cards to present at their gala. Make a nice certificate for the winner and never ask what the winning bid was that's tacky. It doesn't matter-- you are volunteering. Work with the winner and make it a great experience. You BOTH gave to charity and that's what brought you together

DONT Give away the farm. your time is valuable so make sure you're not always volunteering for free parties. A few are ok. You could burn out.

DO Learn how to write a press release. There are templates online. If you're ready to reach the press you need to be able to handle the attention gracefully as well as the indifference or rejection. A press release is basically an announcement of your upcoming events and availability. For example, my last one went out saying that I'm available with tips on how your family can go green just in time for earth day and I'm accepting interviews. Send your press release to assignment editors at your local network affiliates. Assignment desk is where it all starts. The reporters just do what they're assigned.

DO absolutely get cards and a profile on every social media platform. vista print is el cheapo. You can do this but you have to set yourself up as a pro before you can go pro. Don't even think about it until then which is why I'm putting this last. If you only remember one thing let it be this ^



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[shimmygoddess]

Great advice!!!!

[Mermaid Kassandra]

Wow that's great!
Thank you very much I'm sure this will help a lot the new mers approaching the professional careers 😊

[MermaidShannon]

Of course! I'm not an expert but these areas are where I found I could really focus and find success


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shimmygoddess]

I have a couple of don'ts I would like to add. Feel free to remove them if you like, but this is only because I have experienced this already. (sadly)

DONT show up at someone else's gig promoting yourself.
DONT walk in front of the hired mermaids tent handing out postcards promoting your own event
DONT undercut other performers just to get the gig.
DONT be unethical

[Mermaid Harmony]

Dude shimmy goddess. Yes. I never understood people who advertise at other people's events. I know that at least here in Hawaii there is some variety in pricing, but you also get different experiences with each one, some mermaids are more laid back, others swim a lot, some do glitter tattoos, so it's all different, but yeah pricing and being kind to everyone, and give out cards and info like a madfish, and get the info back.

[MermaidShannon]

What the f that happens???



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[shimmygoddess]

I can totally understand pricing differences, I have been a professional bellydancer for over 7 years now. There is a standard price and most stay around that price but it can fluctuate which is expected. It is the ones that will say 'oh sure I will do it for $50, because I just love being a ____, (insert whatever hobby there) and just want to share my love of it.' I have had clients contact me for pricing (why I don't know because it has my pricing listed) then they say its too much so they will look for someone cheaper. LOL. And yes Shannon, unfortunately that happens. I have personally experienced this in our local community here and it sucks! Some people don't care. I actually spoke about this last year regarding the Festival I did.

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