YES! This is my favorite time of year! As a kid I had Haunted Houses in my garage. Today, I still think of the BEST possible costumes I can come up with!! But as a bartender with a Mobile Bartending Business…Expect a lot of Halloween Parties!

Below is a small list of great tips for all my fellow Mobile Bartenders that you can implement during Halloween!

Halloween Bartending Tips:

1. Dress Up! If you are NOT dressing up for Halloween parties…you’re CRAZY! Not only is it fun (and more casual, but your clients/guests will LOVE it. (Just make sure you ask if you can dress up first) Try something related to bartending or your task behind the bar. This year I am going to be a Mad Scientist mixing up some crazy concoctions! (Yes, you may steal my costume idea!)

2. Add Dry Ice: This is awesome! Every martini I make, I put in a REAL glass and add a small coin-sized piece of Dry Ice. The effect is amazing! Your guests will love it and it will keep your cocktails a bit colder!

3. Charge More: It’s basic Supply & Demand here people! When you have more party requests…up your rates. You can only be at one place at one time, bless only the highest bidder with your presence.

4. Unique Tip Jar: I love to decorate my bar with cobwebs, an ugly rat or snake, and a unique tip jar. Try something like a witch’s cauldron or one of those cheesy candy bowls with the motion-sensor hands. Let people have FUN while they give you money (yay!)

5. Include Halloween Inspired Recipes: I have include a great website that has a huge list of Halloween Drink Recipes. Click Here to check those out now: http://www.drinknation.com/theme/Halloween

6. Include a Menu: Put those fancy drink recipes on a menu of some sort and display proudly on your bar. Find one of Grandma’s ancient/gaudy picture frames, print out your recipes, and add some cob-webs to the frame. BOOM!

7. Bring a Camera: Chances are, your party will be a dress-up Halloween Party. Well, here is the BEST way to capture leads for your business: Take group pictures of guests as they approach the bar. For them to get the pictures, they must e-mail you…so make a list of their names and e-mails…and now you can promote to them! Oh, and you can also add these pictures to your website!

Got any more Tips?

Have any costume ideas, tip jar suggestions, or anything else that could help the other bartenders out there? Post a comment and let me now? Also, did my tips help, or do they suck?! Let me know your thoughts! Other than that, I hope you have all booked a lot of events for this October (and yes Nov. 1st for those Saturday party-planners)

Cheers,

James Wedmore
Mobile Mixologist

Also, the video is very informative in terms of how to create your professional bartending business logo!

Enjoy!

Why are Logos so Important?

Your logo brands you! You put it on your business card, your website, promotional material, and much more…so it says a LOT about you and your business. As you can see with Bill’s logo, it is very professional and positions his company with refined elegance and class. The sense of “traveling” connotates cosmopolitan, worldly, and sophisticated. These are great characteristics that your clients will highly appreciate.

What do you think?

This is still a “rough draft” for Bill’s logo and a business that he is quickly building! What do you think of his logo? Do you like the name? the colors? GIVE ME YOUR THOUGHTS! Post in the comment section below!

THIS IS A CONTEST:

I will pick one commenter at RANDOM and they will get a free business name consultation and my graphic design team will build them a LOGO for FREEEE! That’s right, one lucky winner is going to get a FREE Business name and Logo. I WILL ANNOUNCE A WINNER ON OCTOBER 6th!

ADD YOUR COMMENTS BELOW TO WIN!!

…but the strangest thing happened while on this hiatus of mine…

On September 18th, I loaded a VIDEO to Metacafe of me fooling around doing some “flair” and magic (NO! I am neither a flair bartender nor a magician!) anyway, I hadn’t checked it until Today(Sept 24th), and guess what…

…I had OVER 19,000 views!

Think about that for a second, in less than 6 days, I had close to 3,200 people A DAY watch my 36 second little video!! Crazy huh?

How did this happen?!

I have really have NO IDEA how this many people could have seen my video soo quickly!! I am so stoked right now! So…I might as well keep that number growing, right? You can click the link below, or watch the video on this page:

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1756105/learn_flair_bar_magic_increse_your_tips/

Learn Flair & Bar Magic Increse Your Tips! – Watch the top videos of the week here

Frankly, I think this video shows that I simply have TOO MUCH time on my hands! (Haha!)

Help Me Out!

So, I would LOVE to see this video hit 25,000 hits, that would kick ass! If you click he link above, it will take you to Metacafe to view the video. PLEASE help me out and do so!! You know what would be even better, throwing in a comment (like how I have funny facial expressions whenever I toss a bottle) or BOOKMARK the page on Digg (DIGG IT!)

Thank you so much for the support I really, REALLY appreciate it! You guys rock!

Dedicated to Getting ya drunk,

James Wedmore
Bloggin’ Bartender

P.S. Check the video out here: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1756105/learn_flair_bar_magic_increse_your_tips/

]]> http://www.bartenderconfessions.com/bartenderanomaly/feed/ 0 http://www.bartenderconfessions.com/bartending8020rule/ http://www.bartenderconfessions.com/bartending8020rule/#comments Tue, 16 Sep 2008 19:25:27 +0000 admin http://www.bartenderconfessions.com/?p=111 Have you ever heard of the 80/20 Rule? Also known as Pareto Principle, or the Law of a Vital Few, it states that 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes. This simple, yet powerful Rule can apply to almost every aspect of your life. Today we are going to apply it to Bartending.

80/20 Bartending

This takes me back to last Saturday night’s bartending gig at a clients home. The event was actually a charity auction that took place on their tennis court. (Yes, they had a tennis court and a HUGE home!) Over 200 guests showed up to get drunk and bid on some ridiculous stuff-one LIVE auction item included Mike Eisner’s old Mighty Ducks Box seats and another was an Andy Warhol original.

I had a tip jar out and I was working my butt of to keep these thirsty guests happy. I was “in the zone” as I like to call it. Just as you finish pouring those last cocktails, another guest has given you a big order. You just have enough time to wipe your brow, clean your shaker and keep moving! The music is blasting behind you and everyone gathers to watch your hands move like lightening. I love it!

The tips were coming in pretty steady, but nothing to be too excited about. I would say every other guest put in a dollar or two guaranteeing me a $100-200 for the night (not bad, right!) Well…then something happened!

80% of Your Income comes from 20% of your Clients

The 80/20 was in Full Effect! A gentleman came to the bar who I had been serving all night. This was his 4th glass of Chardonnay for the evening and he opened up his wallet to dig for a tip.

“Looks like this is your lucky night,” the patron said as he dropped a Fat Hundy ($100 dollar Bill) into my bar! Lucky night, indeed!! I was stoked!

But wait, it gets better…

Two minutes later another gentleman comes up to the bar. He actually asked, “How you doing on tips tonight?” as he peered into my jar. That’s when his eyes caught sight of the $100 bill! “100! Mike (name’s have been changed) gave you this, didn’t he?!”

“Yep!” I said.

“Well, I can’t let Mike show me up like that.” This guy whipped out his wallet and threw in another hundred dollar bill!! WOOHOO! $200 in less than 5 minutes!

The Lesson Here:

So Why am I telling you this? If you think it’s to brag about how much money I make…you are Dead Wrong!! It is the 80/20 Rule. 80% of my tips came from 20% of my customers (or just 2 guests!) Every other guest there didn’t tip over a dollar or two, but these two guys happened to give me a combined total of $200! The 80/20 Rule is all around you in every aspect of your life, you just need to be aware of it!

So…next time you are bartending, keep in mind, there are a few potential guests out there who will make the different between an “average night” and a fantastically-successfull evening!” Keep an eye out for these individuals. They are your VIP’s!

VIP Hunting: Finding that 20%

VIPS are extroverted, wealthy drinkers. They usually are males with loud, tacky shirts (this is just from my personal experience). They frequent the bar often and want to know your name. The VIP of the party is THAT guy who would be the FIRST one to jump in behind the bar if you were to suddenly vanish or something. The VIP of the party is an ALPHA MALE. Treat him so.

If you want to get on the good side of a VIP, treat him (or her-sometimes) like royalty! Make their drink EXACTLY how they want it with plenty of liquor. They are the life of the party, help propel them even more so! Use their name often, point them out in the crowd, and become their best friend!

One Final Thing…

I first learned of the 80/20 Rule in Tim Ferris’ book The 4-Hour WorkWeek. I LOVE that book and have read it 3 times! I highly, recommend you pick up a copy and read through it. I only bartend a few gigs a week, so I have the 12 hour work week, not four…but I’m working on it!

Cheryl Charming
(aka: The “Martha Stewart” of Modern cocktail Culture)
Experience: 28 Years in the Food & Bev. Industry
Books (9 Total): including, Miss Charming’s Guide for Hip Bartenders and Wayout Wannabes, & The Everything Bartender’s Book
Coming Soon: Knack Bartending Basics: More than 400 Classic & Contemporary Drinks for any Occasion
Websites: www.MissCharming.com / www.CharmingResumes.com

A Great Interview:

You can imagine that 28 years of experience behind the bar can make you an expert in your field. Miss Charming is no exception. In just a short hour, we discussed some great topics ranging from How to Get the Bartending Job of Your Dreams, Great Stories, Lucrative & Popular Bar Tricks, and how to become a Successful Bartender and so much more!

It was such an honor to speak with her and in such a short time, she shared so much valuable information that I know will make me a better bartender, and I hope it will make my listeners better bartenders as well!

James, How can I listen to this Interview?

Well…great question! I did record the entire interview and I am including it FREE as a Bonus to my NEWEST product: Tip Attraction: The Definitive Resource for Increasing your Tips and Becoming the Life of the Party which is LAUNCHING in just a few short days!! Check it out at www.TipAttraction.com.

Visit www.TipAttraction.com for more info!

For those of you who sign up and submit your e-mail address, you will get your copy of Tip Attraction at 50% off with ALL THE BONUSES! (yay!) And don’t worry, I will send everyone an e-mail letting them know when Tip Attraction is finally available to the public!

I will have TONS more to report in just a few short days so check back soon!

Cheers,

James Wedmore
www.Bartend4Profit.com

I am getting ready for a night out in San Diego right now, and then I have a few bartending gigs to work the rest of the weekend!

But I just had to get this quick post out:

For those of you who don’t already know, our newest product: TIP ATTRACTION, is nearing its launch date!

We are getting really excited about it, because we have a ton of great stuff to offer our bartenders, but the main goal is this: Show you how to increase your tips behind the bar!!

Visit www.TipAttraction.com and get on our mailing list. Everyone who does will receive their copy at a DISCOUNTED PRICE when Tip Attraction is launched!!

So…What Is Tip Attration?

You’ll just have to stay tuned for more info!

Thanks Guys!

Cheers,

James Wedmore
Bartend4Profit.com

P.S. Here is the most random picture I could find today…

One of my subscribers, Kathy, sent me an e-mail detailing the events of her first bartending gig. I get these all the time from clients who are just so excited, and hooked on Mobile Bartending! Unfortunately, this e-mail was a bit different…ok a whole lot different. In my opinion, Kathy’s first event was a bit of a disaster.

I have attached her e-mail along with my response in this blog. Why? So we can learn from other’s Mobile Bartending Mistakes so we can all become better bartenders and make more money (yay!).

From Kathy:

Hey Kathy!!

What a nightmare! But I guess we can chalk it up to a great learning experience here!!

So, here is EVERYTHING you can do as a mobile bartender to make sure that NEVER happens again!

Get a Mobile Bar or Have an Alternative:

• If you don’t have YOUR own bar, you need to get one ASAP.
• Until then, try finding a suitable substitute. (A portable table, etc.)
• Or, Rent one and charge your clients (plus interest)Most Importantly: Have the bar arrangement settled BEFORE you arrive at the event. Don’t try and solve the problem when you arrive.

Know The Drink Menu:

• If the host is going to throw a “curve ball” at you, with unique recipes and a menu that no one has ever heard of, make sure you get the names and recipes BEFORE the event.
• While booking, ask “What types of drinks would you like me to serve?” This way, you can look everything over and get an idea for how to make the drinks
• If necessary, make a 1 page cheat sheet and keep behind the bar

Let There Be Light!

• ALWAYS check BEFORE the party starts and make sure you have enough light. My host always asks, “Do you have everything, James?” BEFORE the guests arrive, make sure you have an adequate light source. Don’t wait until it’s dark.
• At the worst case scenario, a BUNCH of candles at the bar will do.

Bring Your Own Back Bar:

• Take more control of your bar area, provide your own mobile back bar table.
• Bring a small portable table of your own for the back bar!
• And yes, bring a stool if you must.

Charge More $$$!

I know you are just starting out in Mobile Bartending, but I would be offended if that is all I made in an evening. Change your pricing strategy.

• Charge $147 as your BASE rate
• DONT CHARGE HOURLY
• If your host is tipping you, it should be a MINIMUM of $2 per guest. I think $250 sounds a lot better to you than $100, right?
• Wait until I show you how you can make $500-600 a night.

Kathy, I hope this info helps you on your path to Mobile Bartending Success. But let me tell you…you are making all of the mistakes I made when I first started, I am actually getting “angry” and “fired up” for YOU. I feel like the host totally screwed you big time, and your biggest problem is that you are not taking control and showing him the confidence and knowledge that you have. If you want to continue learning from every bad situation, it is going to be a long and painfully bumpy road.

***************

Well, I hope everyone else can learn something from this situation. I have dealt with problems like Kathy’s before, but not anymore! The Bartend-4-Profit System is your roadmap to success as a Mobile Bartender, check it out at www.Bartend4Profit.com.

Thanks Guys!

Cheers,

James Wedmore

Whether you may or may not know, 1 week ago today I asked a list of a couple thousand bartenders all over the country, that burning question:

What do you do when a customer does not tip you?

The answers I got were incredible!

Well, I have compiled that list into a short report that I feel is worth reading…if you want to make more money that is!

The FREE Report is located at:

http://www.TipAttraction.com

Just click on the above link, and scroll down to the bottom of the page to download your copy today!

Check it out!

Dedicated to your Bartending Success,

James Wedmore
www.BartenderConfessions.com

P.S. What is Tip Attraction? Find out August 29th.