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The following is a list of the 10 MOST effective ways that I am using to attract new clients and how YOU can quickly do the same without spending a lot of money at all so that you are booking bartending gigs quicker than ever before.

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7 Ways to Book Bartending Gigs NOW:
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1.  Vendor Directories
Get your phone number and website listed in Online Vendor Directories.  This is important because these big sites will have better SEO (search engine optimization) than your website. When someone searches “Dallas Bartender” and the directory pops us, you want people to find YOUR business information. The largest directory is www.PartyPop.com-make sure you are on it.  There are a ton of other directotories for party planners and weddings out there as well. You can also add your business to Google AND Yellowpages’ directories.  But here is my ONE RULE: Don’t PAY to have your website/business listed.  It is NOT worth it!!  If you an get a F.R.E.E. listing, GREAT, if not, don’t do it!

2.  Craigslist.org
Here is a big SECRET for you: I have put WEEKLY listings in my local Craigslist and the listing itself would rank HIGHER in Google than my website!  Pretty Cool!  I have a GREAT Craigslist script for you to use on my website. http://www.bartenderforprofit.com/bbbstep6.html

3. Website & SEO
If you don’t have a website/blog, than no one will take you seriously! Your “web presence” is your virtual storefront where people can “check you out” and learn more about you and your company.  EVERYONE is using the Internet to search online now, are they going to find YOU or your competitor?  I highly recommend just getting a Wordpress Blog and using a blog theme that looks like a standard website. With Wordpress, you don’t need an expensive website designer!  Once you have a website up, people searching Google (70% of Search Engine Traffic) can find YOU on the first page for your keywords (if you are performing the proper Search Engine Optimization techniques), and THAT is free advertising!

4.  Google Adwords
Without SEO, you can actually pay Google money on a “per-click” basis to get on the first page of Google’s search engine results page.  This is a GREAT way to get started when you are brand new with your business because the minute your website is live you can INSTANTLY drive traffice to your site  and start getting phone calls.  If you get TOO MUCH business, you can simply turn off the ads whenever you like…pretty cool!

5.  Preferred Vendor Lists
This is a POWERFUL Step!  Whenever I hear my students complaining about not get any business, I suggest this step right here!  You must keep this in mind: you are starting/running a business, that is no easy job, it takes a little work!  So let’s do some work!  Let’s hustle a bit!  Start calling caterers, party-planners, DJ’s, etc and get them to REFER you business.  When I’m calling up another party-vendor, I tell them a ton of my clients are looking for a DJ, and I have no one to recommend, can I recommend YOU?  The DJ always says YES, and automatically returns the favor and starts to give me business!  Create these powerful synergistic relationships now! ALSO, you want to get on the Perferred Vendor lists for any 3rd-Party Venues in your area…so stop making excuses and start calling them up!

6. During-Event Promotions
Don’t forget! Your biggest way to promote your busines is DURING your event! Simply having IMPECCABLE service is enough to spread the “word of mouth!” BUT pass out your business cards, collect contact information and mingle with
the crowd.  The better you do at your existing event, the more gigs you will book in the future because of that one party!

7.  Social Media
Social Media has taken us by storm in the past two years and as we go into 2010, I am MAKING all of my students use it!  (Don’t worry, I will be posting plenty of future articles on how to use Social Media for your business soon!)  For now, get on Twitter, Facebook & Linkedin and start connecting with other business professionals, past cleints, friends/family etc.  Spend 10 minutes using Social Media a day and see what comes of it!  At the very least, Social Networking sites are very SEO friendly and you can be found in the FIRST few results on Google’s search pages…not bad!

I hope you enjoyed these quick strategies for Client-Getting!  For some, I know these simply serve as a reminder for stuff you already know.  for others who are new and less experienced, hopefully you will take at least one of these techniques and implement it RIGHT NOW in your Bartending Business!  Make the effort, take the action and see the change!  Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, please email me or send me your comments!

I also stress that increasing our PROFESSIONALISM in our business should be simple and easy and NOT cost us a large investment!  Well, here is another Professionalism Tip…

I found a GREAT resource that I want you to check out called GRASSHOPPER!

What is GRASSHOPPER?

Essentially it is a digital phone service that turns your operation into a BIG company by offering a call center feel for just $10 a month!

Imagine showing off an 800 number on your website & business cards that takes customers to a professional voice greeting instead of going to your cell phone where you pick up and simply ask, “hello?”

Professionalism increased 100%!!

To check out this AWESOME resource that I myself am implementing in my business, click the link below:

http://grasshopper.com/save25

It is just $9.95 a month, AND that link I give you waves the $25 activation fee. I do NOT get any referral fee for sending you this link, I just think you NEED t be using this service!

So, go click the link, sign up and come back here for some quick, practical advice on how to set up your new virtual phone system

Your NEW Phone System (Tips!)

Here is a simple script to use for your Welcome Message.  When people call your new number, this is the message they should read:

“Hello and thank you for calling Pour Service Bartenders, Orange County’s PREMIER Bartending Service.  If you know your party’s extention, you may dial it at any time. For booking your next event or inquiring about our services, Press 1.  If you have already booked an event with us, and you are calling with questions about your upcoming party, please press 2.  All other questions and concerns, please press 3.  Thank you very much, and have a great day!”

Simple, right?!

Here is the best part, you can then decide which phone those extentions are forwarded on to.  AND, you can also receive FAXES through your new phone number!

IN CONLUSION…

I truly hope you enjoy this resource and that you implement it into your business immediately!  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask!  Thank you & have a great day!

The Craziest Night of The Year:

Welcome to New Year’s Eve!  It is no question that more people party of New Year’s Eve than on any night of the year…AND the party harder than ever before!  What does this mean for you as a Mobile Bartender?  Well, if you play your cards right: more work & more money!

As Demand Increases, So Does Our Rate:

Remember High School Econ’s Supply & Demand Curve?  The MORE people want a product or service(demand), the more the market is willing to pay for it (the price increases!).  That means good news for YOU!  New Year’s Eve is the one night of the year where you can double-or triple your bartending rates and people will easily pay them!  WHY?! Two Reasons:

1. People want the BEST Party ever & are willing to pay for the best help!
2. It is NOT easy to find a bartender who is willing to work on New Year’s Eve!

How Much Will You Charge?

You probably became a bartender because you love the nightlife!  That means it may be hard for you to pull yourself away from the biggest party night of the year so you can “work.” (Like this is actually work, right?!)  Well, putting that into the equation, that should make it easier for you to charge $250-450.00 JUST to show up for five hours!  Because what’s the worst that could happen?  You DON’T book a gig and you end up having a great time with family & friends!

Bottom Line: Do NOT be afraid to charge double/triple your standard rate for New Year’s eve!

A Tip on Tips:

If your host is shoveling out +$300 just to have you pour a few drinks, they might get a little stingy on a tip at the end of the night (uh-oh…problem!)  So…I always REQUIRE a tip jar on the bar for my New Year’s parties! If the client says no, you have two options:  a) Say goodbye; b) Pass it off to another bartender

What About Extra Bartenders?!

Whether or not your business has grown to accommodate additional bartenders, THIS is the night to start thinking about additional bartenders…because you will have more than one client calling you for this night!  And remember, we can’t be in two places at once (duh!) And we don’t want to just trade time for dollars, right?!  What if we could get paid an extra $100 just for booking one of your friends?!  Now multiply that a few times and New Year’s is starting to look pretty good, yes?!

Attracting High-Paying Clients:

A lot of my New Year’s parties come from past clients and referrals which is great.  If you have been private party bartending at LEAST 6 months, you will start to see the “Word-of-Mouth” take effect.  BUT I also get clients from my advertising efforts.  How do I advertise?!  Well…I have a few secrets, but GOOGLE is the big one!  Your client will type in “Los Angeles Bartender” and click the first result they find in Google!  Is that result you?!  It should be!  Do you even have a website?!  You better, it’s a MUST!

When clients call, I always let them no we are in high demand for New Year’s, if they try and hang up to “think about it,” you have lost them!  Let them know the spot will probably be filled because you get several calls a day or week for bartenders!  Get them to say “YES!” now, before you are SOLD OUT!

A Final Thought:

Yes, you have the potential to make a TON of cash on New Year’s if you play your cards right!  But what any bartender will tell you is this: don’t worry about the money/tips while you are actually bartending…focus on giving excellent service!  People are at this party to have the most incredible night of their lives…GIVE IT TO THEM!  (…they may just compensate ya for that!)

Be safe, make some money & have fun this New Year’s eve!

Cheers,

James Wedmore