Question from One of my Students:

Dear James,

I am new to the bartending scene…very new, I just finished bartending school and have not secured a job yet. I really do not want to work in a bar, club or restaurant, I would much rather do private parties, weddings, etc; however I am very nervous about starting out alone. I think that starting with a company that specializes in bartending for private events might be a good avenue for me to pursue. The question is how do I get a company to give me chance to prove myself with a even though there will be a little bit of a learning curve?  So what would your best advice be about how to get your foot in the door without having experience?

Sincerely,

Roni

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James’ Answer:

Hey Roni!

Welcome to the Bartending Catch 22: Managers are looking for bartenders with experience…so how do you get some?!

Listen, if you want my advice, just do private parties on your own! But here is ONE way you get over your fear…

BRING someone with you!

If you know anyone who has been in the service industry for sometime, even if they are just a server, having a second person there will help you tremendously!  Promise them you will split all the money 50-50 and they will be very willing to help!

Another trick with mobile bartending is that you will tell the host exactly what to provide so YOU will know what drink options are available.  If some guest throws a curve-ball drink at you that you have no idea how to make, simple say, “Oh sorry, I dont have the proper ingredients back here to make that.”  Simple!

ALSO, when you arrive early and get all set up, the guests will usually start to “trickle” in.  SO you quickly get acclimated to the process of mobile bartending.  In other words, you get to practice on a few guests before the real party begins!

Once you do your first event, you will actually laugh at the fact that you were ever nervous!  All of the bartenders and staff I train have NEVER bartended before…YOU have actually gone to bartending school so you are light-years beyond the rest!  You are going to KILL it, just go out there and get that first gig under your belt!

Take care!

HUNGOVER JACK:

Ingredients:

½ oz Coffee Liqueur
1 oz Dark Rum
1 oz Rum
1 ½ oz Whiskey
2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
Fill: Coca-Cola

Isn’t it great when you don’t have to do ANYTHING, and people call you and give you money?! Well, that is the point where I am at my business. I turn down leads that are too far away, not lucrative enough, etc because I get soo much business (even in this economy!) And one way I do that is through leveraging other vendors…

Very early on in my mobile bartending career, I knew it was very important to be contacting other established vendors and build synergistic relationships with them. That means DJ’s, caterers, wedding planners, etc are all your biggest allies.

Today I get calls based on referals from caterers or third-party venues, etc and I don’t have to do any work! They book me on the spot…EASY!!

You Must Give In Order to Recieve!

So here is how I was able to do this, even when I was BRAND NEW! Here is my step-by-step procedure:

1. I created a list of vendors in my area who looked LEGIT & established

2. I created a “Preferred Vendors” page on mh website and added them

3. I then called each of them up and showed them their link on my site. I told them I was looking for good “synergistic relationships.” And asked if they would make a good fit for MY customers. (They always say YES!)

4. The Law of Reciprocity immediatly sets in and they are more than willing to do the same.

5. I also email them an email with all of my business information.

6. I then MAIL them that same information along with a stack of my business cards!

Now…who is gonna say no to THAT!

Can’t you do the same thing?! It’s easy right!! NOW, you have a ton of caterers, DJ’s, etc and they all have customers who ask, “So, you know any good bartenders?” hmmm…..YES!

You also need to build up relationships with 3rd party venues! but that is another topic for another time…

For more information on The Bartend-4-Profit System, click here: http://www.BartenderforProfit.com

Dance Monkey! DANCE!

I don’t know what it is, but when people put money in your tip jar, they WANT to know that they put money in! They NEED that recognition! It makes sense right?! Well…give it to them! I always give a big smile, thanks, wink, or other gratious gesture when money gets thrown into my jar, so you should too!

At the “right event,” you can do a little dance, make some noise, sing a song, ring a bell, or even moisten the money and slap it on your head! You want to encourage others to tip too! Make it fun!