Do I have a story for you! It's about a guy who traveled the Midwest meeting hundreds of people, having loads of fun, and making money in the process. Sound like a fairy tale? Well, it's true. You could lead such a charmed life, too. Moreover, it's easier than you might think.
With all the electronic gadgets and technological entertainment available to children today, it is a strange but true fact that storytellers are more in demand than ever. Librarians, teachers, and parents everywhere are desperate to convince kids that reading really can be fun. Professional storytellers are just the people for the job.
Denny Dey has been a professional storyteller for over twenty years. He has performed over 2,500 times in thirteen states for audiences ranging from one to one thousand. The secret to his success is choosing stories that suit his unique style, practicing his act, and fostering word-of-mouth advertising.
If you would like to pursue professional story telling, first build a base of several stories to perform. Choose books that can appeal to a wide range of ages and that vary in length. This way you can mix and match to fit the needs of your audience. Listening to children's books on tape, can give you ideas on how to, or how not to, present certain tales. Practice will perfect your delivery.
Obtaining books will be your biggest up front expense, but you will quickly make that money back. To set fees, check around to see what other performers charge. Stay in the same range. Don't forget to include travel expenses if you are going out of town. In addition, if the client requests specific tales not already in your repertoire, you can up the price.
Now, drum up some clients. In the beginning, you will probably need to meet librarians, teachers, or church and scout leaders in person to promote your business. After you are established, word of mouth is your best bet for advertising. Yellow pages ads, listings in local family fun guides, and business cards will also help people find you.
To set yourself apart from other tale spinners, come up with a unique shtick. Use features such as props, puppets, or costumes. Even simple magic tricks or yo-yo tricks can add a unique quality that will keep children entertained and parents paying.
Denny Dey's life is full of far-off lands, magical characters, and enchanting language. The beautiful thing is he prospers in his specialty right from his own home. In twenty years, his repertoire has changed, but his act has pretty much stayed the same, and kids still love it! Because even though children grow old, the need for good stories never does.
Resources:
http://www.workersonwheels.com/working/storytelling.html
http://www.storyteller.net/articles/81
http://www.creativekeys.net/StorytellingPower/article1024.html
http://www.eldrbarry.net/roos/art.htm
March 26, 2009
