Advertisement
I live in a small town. there are a lot of (good!) dancers and no regular gigs anywhere. I was all set to start aggressively marketing & approaching restaurant owners, hotels with reputable lounges, etc when I found out I am pregnant. again. I'm at 18 weeks now, so starting to show, and I know (from my previous pregnancies) how unpredictable pregnancies can be. I plan on dancing at dance community events & teaching all the way through, but I don't dare enter into a contract at this point! I am 32, so I am starting to feel a time crunch as far as having any kind of professional dance career outside of teaching. Is there anything I can do while pregnant to try to develop venues, or do I need to wait to get my body 'back'? I know first impressions count for so much when trying to open up venues.
While we're at it, any other tips for convincing *anyone* that hiring a dancer would benefit their business? I've got photos, press kits, rate sheets, sample contracts etc, but I don't really know what I'm doing when approaching potential venues (as opposed to promoting an existing show)
While we're at it, any other tips for convincing *anyone* that hiring a dancer would benefit their business? I've got photos, press kits, rate sheets, sample contracts etc, but I don't really know what I'm doing when approaching potential venues (as opposed to promoting an existing show)
posted by:
|
Alaska
|
Advertisement
Advertisement
-
Re: pro strategies while pregnant?
Sun, July 19, 2009 - 3:25 PMI would hold off on trying to set up gigs until after baby is born. With a recent pregnancy myself and in my 30's I thought about teaching a pregnancy bellydance class and market heavily at birth centers, but never got around to it. Don't worry about time. Take care of your self and you will have a very long dance career :0)
Oh and while recovering the waistline I have worn haggala dresses for dancing.
-
Re: pro strategies while pregnant?
Sun, July 19, 2009 - 10:42 PMI recommend waiting.... as we both know once the baby arrives you'll be soooo busy you will not want the pressure of a regular weekend gig while trying to change diapers..... Wait until you can have some regular practice time and time to talk to the owners and you will be o.k. with leaving your tiny little one. Do not worry about time bellydancers are like a Fine wine... We only get better w/ age!
As for talking to owners.... take your time, truly talk to the owners think about different options of shows, consider what you want to be paid, convince them belydancing will bring in more costimers...... restaurant owners want to make $$ let them know how a show will bring them and you $$.... -
-
Re: pro strategies while pregnant?
Mon, July 20, 2009 - 11:39 AMIndigo- what is the best way to tactfully let the owners know that a dancer will bring in more business? I am trying to figure out how to let them know without being too pushy. Any keywords I need to be putting in my press kit? -
-
Re: pro strategies while pregnant?
Tue, July 21, 2009 - 11:56 PMIf you teach in the area you can mention your students will come in. As for keywords.... in my press kit I put in a quote by a friend of mine whom has seen me perform. I have heard if you invite restaurant owners to a performance they can get a idea of what is going on. They may be interested in trying one time and seeing if a bellydancer can bring in more customers. When you do get the gig mention it to Everyone you know and work to help get people into the restaurants. take time remember striking up friendships with people is worth a lot.....
Good Luck with the Baby... Like you I love performing but barely have any time to practice now.....
-
-
-
Re: pro strategies while pregnant?
Mon, July 20, 2009 - 2:34 AMI agree with everyone here. Take your time - I'm 34 weeks pregnant with number 2 and I can tell you from experience that you will be so wrapped up in the new baby that marketing will be the last thing from your tired, sleep deprived, love sick brain.
However, now would be a good time just to visit all the places that you are considering sending press kits to. Visit restaurants, see other dancers, etc. You can even talk to owners and strike up a "who do I send a press kit to once the baby's born" conversation. Just be casual while showing research initiative. Who knows, they may remember you... -
-
Re: pro strategies while pregnant?
Mon, July 20, 2009 - 11:37 AM"However, now would be a good time just to visit all the places that you are considering sending press kits to. Visit restaurants, see other dancers, etc. You can even talk to owners and strike up a "who do I send a press kit to once the baby's born" conversation. Just be casual while showing research initiative."
This is the stage I am in anyway, and more what I was thinking of doing at this point- not for getting gigs immediately, but more towards Feb.
This is my 4th child & while I know every pregnancy is different (especially as we get older!) I am pretty confident that I will be dancing pretty quickly after the birth.
unfortunately, watching other dancers dance will not get me any closer to restaurants, etc. since NO ONE in this town has a regular gig- just occasional parties & haflas. definitely winging it here!
thanks -
-
Re: pro strategies while pregnant?
Mon, July 20, 2009 - 5:31 PMHonestly, with the last I was up and dancing within the first day after the baby was born. It was the only way to keep him happy, I swear! By the time he was two weeks old we were packed up and moving to Texas and even while being in a hotel before we got our household goods and were moved into our new home, I was already starting with the marketing. Granted, it was low key in comparison to what I'm doing now, but I was able to move, have a new baby, and still have time for marketing. I think for every baby, every person, and every situation, it's different. In my experience, it was also much different between my first and second child.
I agree, even if you're not planning to start getting gigs immediately, it doesn't hurt to lay plans for the future. Get some info, talk it up a bit, if you get the chance, and check out what others suggest on business strategies. It's also a good time to work on your press kit, see if there's anything else you can include that would be helpful.
I'm in the same boat with the lack of local performances to watch. We don't even really have local haflas! There's one local monthly show that I happen to be a part of, so I can watch the ladies I work with there, but that's about it. If you look around, there are some restaurant sets posted on YouTube. Perhaps those will give you some inspiration. It's not as good as seeing a live show, but it will definitely give you something.
-
-
