Thursday, December 15, 2016

How to Get Bookings

This article is for new callers. A future article will explore bookings for experienced callers.
Be Empathetic
When we call, we must think like a caller. When we seek bookings, we must think like a "caller-booker" (person or committee who hires callers).
Be Findable
The caller-booker must to be able to easily contact you!  Each caller-booker has favorite method(s) of contact. Make business cards which list all your methods of contact (email, phone, facebook, fax, twitter, website, snail-mail, etc.).
Be Effective
Some callers leave business cards on the check-in or flyer table, hoping that a caller-booker will pick up a card. Some callers hand a business card to a club member with the request, "please give this to your caller-booker". To maximize your chances, use the personal touch: personally give your business card directly to the caller-booker.
Be Persistent
If you don't know who a club's caller-booker is, ask someone. If the person you ask doesn't know, ask the club president. After you find out who the caller-booker is, approach him/her with a genuine smile and offer your business card. You can even mention who pointed you in the right direction: "Hi, your club president told me to speak with you!".
Be Memorable
Try to make the interaction sincere yet memorable. If humor fits your style, use it to make yourself memorable. For
example:
- "If you need a Good Dance done Cheap ... and you're flexible about it being a "Good Dance", then let's talk!".
- "The next time you book callers, you can save yourself a ton of time and effort by calling me first. I'm brand-new, therefore I surely have the date available!".
- "This is a great opportunity to book Tomorrow's Caller at Today's Price!".
If your style is more serious, develop a few reasons why the caller-booker should book you. Example:
- "Future square dancers need experienced callers. The only way to have experienced callers in the future is to book them for dances today. Let's build a better future together."
Be Appreciative
Caller-bookers are volunteers. Their work can be difficult and thankless. Make sure to thank the caller-booker for his/her volunteer service. You can mention the great job the caller-booker has done, i.e. you always enjoy the callers at this club. Make it clear that even if the caller-booker does NOT book you, you still appreciate his/her volunteer effort.
Be Musical
You knew the ad was hiding somewhere in here, right? :) Before you get all these new bookings, you'll surely want some great Chinook music to please your adoring fans. Just think: you could actually become the first caller to own every song in the entire catalog. :) At ChinookRecords.com, you get easy and secure checkout, instant download of MP3s, and the lowest price anywhere. We're two dollars cheaper than some sites! Use the savings to get snazzy business cards for yourself. :) Even if you don't buy a thing, visit the site anyway, where you can listen to hundreds of sample audio clips for free. You might even pick up new ideas to use at your next booking.
Be Helpful
It can be awkward to ask for a booking. You may want to offer a favor in return, such as "If you ever have a last-minute cancellation and you need to find a substitute caller in a hurry, please contact me, even on short notice. I'm eager to help!".
Be a Closer
Ask for the booking. If you find it difficult to ask for the sale, just get over it. :) One effective closing technique is to assume that you will be booked, so let's iron out the details. For example, ask, "How do you usually contact callers for bookings? By Email? Phone? Facebook?". When the caller-booker replies, enthusiastically express that you'll be waiting for that call / email / tweet / PM, etc. You can even ask, "Would it make your life easier if I contact you? When's a good time for you?".
Be Realistic
A 100% success rate is improbable. But you will definitely have some kind of success rate. The more bookings you try to get, the more you'll get. Sometimes it takes repeated attempts, over time, to finally get the booking.
Be Danceable
A guest tip is a great opportunity to get hired. Dancers sometimes find it difficult to dance to a new voice or a different calling style. In addition, new callers generally try to "prove" their skill by using choreo which is too difficult. Keep them dancing! A guest tip where people actually dance is far more impressive than a tip where everyone stands around perplexed.
Be Repeatable
Getting hired is wonderful. Getting hired back (for a repeat engagement) is fabulous! Sometimes the caller-booker will hire you back while the event is still happening. If nobody brings up the topic of a repeat booking during the dance, make sure that you bring it up. A great time is when a club officer says that you "did a great job". You can then suggest that it's a dandy idea to set up a future date.
Be Easy To Book
Caller-bookers have a hard job. They need to figure out (today) which caller dancers will enjoy (months or years from now). Think like a caller-booker, make their job easier, and enjoy more bookings.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Microphone Technique

Today we start an occasional (quarterly? monthly?) newsletter for square dance callers. Each message will explore a different topic. Please feel free to share with other callers.

Microphone Technique

Your microphone converts sound (air) pressure into electric signals. To get the best signal, place your mike to get the best sound pressure.

Most handheld microphones respond directionally. You get the best response when your microphone is held two inches from your mouth, and positioned midway between your mouth and nose. Even a slight move away from that "sweet spot" causes power to drop off rapidly, based on the Law of Inverse Squares. Double the distance and you get one-fourth the power. Triple the distance (i.e. 6 inches away from your mouth instead of 2 inches) and your power is suddenly reduced to one-ninth!

Hints for better microphone technique

Symptom: Reduced power
     Cause: Microphone is too far away
  Solution: Hold your mike two inches from your mouth. You can hold it even closer (but if you hear distortion, it's too close).


Symptom: Flat sound, reduced richness
     Cause: No nasal sounds. Microphone is too low ("chinning the mike")
  Solution: Hold your mike high enough to "hear" your nose as well as your mouth


Symptom: Thin, tinny sound
     Cause: Talking sideways across the microphone ("Sidewinder Style") rather than straight into it
  Solution: Hold your microphone so you can talk straight into it, along the long axis.


When you practice good microphone technique, you increase your vocal power and clarity. Your dancers will hear (and thus dance) better. Your calling will require less effort (and thus be more fun and effective).

"Keep It in the Sweet Spot!"

Now that you've suddenly gained nine times more power in your voice :), you will surely want to treat yourself with a new song from Chinook Records website.  ( www.ChinookRecords.com ) Listen for free, buy for less, delight yourself and your dancers. Have you heard the latest releases?

 "According to My Heart" (CK 230) - a Jim Reeves hit to channel your inner honky-tonk piano

 "Honeysuckle Rose" (CK 234) - Willie Nelson recorded the most famous version, but that's only because people have not yet heard YOUR rendition :)

At Chinook Records, you always enjoy safe, secure checkout and instant download of your MP3s!

Keep your voice, calls, tonal quality, dancers' smiles and square dancing STRONG, by keeping your microphone in the Sweet Spot!

Happy calling!

Your Chinook Records Team