Making a living as a storyteller, Part 6

Here are a few more chunks of my white paper on making a living as a storyteller:

Don’t be a luddite! Online marketing is your friend.

· Have a website. If you can’t afford a full website, get a page on Storyteller.net and be sure to keep it updated. Already have a website? Get a basic page there anyway.

· Get listed everywhere. Get an entry in the National Storytelling Directory, list your business on your local convention and visitor’s bureau, look for community and arts websites in your area. Nobody will beat a path to your door if they don’t know who you are.

· Don’t spam! If you send out mass e-mailings, you must include an opt-out line (“If you don’t want to receive these messages, please reply with Unsubscribe in the title line.”).

· If you do send out mass e-mail messages, you run the risk of being put on spam blacklists, or at the very least many of your messages won't get through regular spam filters.

· If you do send out mass e-mail messages, always use BCC so the addresses of everybody on your list are hidden.

· Consider having a blog, so your fans can listen in to your thoughts.

Miscellaneous

· Apply to be on your state arts commission roster. Learn how the commission underwrites performances. To make this easier for the agencies booking you, learn how to do the paperwork yourself and offer to help fill it out.

· Pay your quarterly estimated taxes—and remember that when you have to pay taxes, it means you made money in the year. Good on you!

· Take the long view. If a gig doesn’t work out this time, maybe it will in a year or five.

· Have fun!

Making a living as a storyteller, Part 5

I'm going to start to lump more sections together. Here's part 5 in my white paper on making a living as a storyteller:

Know that everything you do is marketing.

· Need to get a temp job to tide you over? Tell the people you work for that you’re a storyteller—though it has been years since I’ve had to do temp work, I built my mailing list with names of folks with whom I worked.

· Remember that your listeners are everywhere. That kid with his mother in the coffeeshop might be a fan, the person cutting you off in traffic might love your stories, the cashier at the supermarket might have a granddaughter just the right age to listen to you. Be polite and friendly.

Ask for referrals.

The person who has just raved about your work may not think to tell others about it, so ask for the names of others who might be interested in your work.

· Ask in person after the gig.

· Ask in a thank-you note. You always send these, right?!

· Ask in a separate mailing.

Here’s a phrase I use: “Most of my work comes by word-of-mouth. If you enjoyed my storytelling, please pass my name on to principals at other schools.”

Try direct mail.

· Consider sending postcards instead of full mailings.

· Don’t send one mailing and expect to get lots of work. It takes time for potential clients to pay attention. “I’ve had your postcard in my file for a few years and only now have the grant money to bring you in,” one principal said to me.

· Keep in mind that if you get even one gig, you’ll pay for much of the cost of a mailing.

· Never use glitter in your marketing materials. It just annoys people.

To be continued...

Making a living as a storyteller, Part 4

Part 4 of my white paper on making a living as a storyteller:

Learn about running a small business.

· Visit the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) for free advice on running a business. They can help you write a business plan and set goals.

· Learn from other storytellers. Sean Buvala offers an intensive on the business of storytelling, as do other tellers, such as Doug Lipman and John McLaughlin.

· Pay attention to other people’s successful marketing endeavors. Always be ready to learn.

To be continued...

Making a living as a storyteller, Part 3

Part 3 in my white paper on making a living as a storyteller:

Connect with other storytellers whose work you respect
• If you get requests for bookings in your area that you can’t fill, refer other storytellers.
• Be an uplifter; encourage other storytellers. Remember that a rising tide lifts all boats.
• Find story buddies for mutual coaching.

To be continued...