From: getrichkwik@webtv.net (ED Cherney)
Date: Wed, 12 Apr 2000 21:24:13 -0400 (EDT)
To: Balloon@balloonhq.com
Subject: New Balloon Artist - Agent - Revisited

Hi Laura...you wrote...
 
===>Ed, thanks for pointing out EXACTLY what I was pointing out. Please
read my e-mail again. I said when I'm working a gig for an agent I pass
out HER cards, not mine, because it would be unethical to pass out mine.
I have had several people ask me to do a job without including her and I
absolutely would never do that. 
I have my own business totally separate from hers (which I had before I
signed with her by the way) and I am not under an exclusive contract, so
if I want to get my own work on my OWN time, not her time, and do my own
marketing, that's just fine. Please read me carefully next time as we
agree and you just read my e-mail incorrectly. 

You wrote: 

"The proper way for a Professional Entertainer to handle a
situation...when working a Date...when someone asks you if you'll book a
show for their party, or whatever...is to smile courtiously as you hand
them...Your Agent's Business Card...and say..."Sure...I'll be glad
to...please Call My Agent".<===
**********************************************
Why the defensive attitude?

I had read your posting three times prior to responding to it.

You reminded of it above...and also made my case above.

A Professional is a Full Time Professional.
One either is or is not. It can be argued that getting paid for a
service makes one a 'Professional'...yet...many amateurs in any category
of life...not necessarily Balloon Twisting...not being paid for their
services...would put many "professionals" to shame by comparison of
talent, skills, whatever. Dollars enter come into it.

There are many individuals who take a strong interest in a subject...get
carried away in enthusiasm...have bvusiness cards printed and call
themself a Professional to inflate their ego (we've all been there at
that early beginning...but doesn't necessarily make it right)...whereas
they don't even qualify as amateurs in their neophite experience.

I am not saying this of any particular individuals...so don't take it
personal and start self-defensive shouting again...I'm not trying to
steal your balloob...hah.

Just because a backyard hobbyist has a bigger box of metric
wrenches...does not mean he's qualified to be a Mechanic.

A Certified Hypnotherapist is no more qualified to practice medicine
without a licence...any more than a Medicval Doctor is qualified to
practice Hypnotherapy without Certified Training and experience. (not my
words...but those of a Medical Doctor trained in Hypnotherapy in his
leading book on the subject).

Just as a newly licensed 16 year old auto driver is no more a
professional as a race car driver on Daytona Speedway Track.

Point is...a Professional is a Professional and abides by Professional
Standards in their chosen field of work.

Carrying an Agent's Business Cards means Agent Representation. Carrying
one's own business cards in competition with that Agent is a
Professional No-No...long before you and I were born...and I'm twice
your age with over thirty years full time Professional Practice ...with
twenty more years of experience prior to that...and as A Professional
Stage Entertainer.

Anyone interested in booking The Amazing Mister "C'  for Entertainment
in their venue is referred to the Agent...because that's the way it's
done...Professionally.

Professionals' business cards are printed with the Entertainer's name
and specialty listed...followed by the Name, address and phone number
contact of his/her Agent as reference.

But...when does qualify in that respect...as a Professional...one either
is or is not...there's no hair splitting involved...a
part-time-brain-surgeon, for example.

And all Professionals in every Profession...abide by Professional
Ethical Standards of their chosen field...and in Entertainment...one is
either a lousy card shuffler pretending to be what he is not...a
Professional Magician...or a skilled Professional Magician who paid his
dues to reach that point the hard way.

When a booking Agent takes on a Entertainer as a Talent...the
Entertainer abides by Agent-Talent standards of Ethics in every
Professional way.

I wont mention Big Name International Reputation Professional colleagues
here to embarass them...but they'd chew and spit this out with a
laugh....because they know where their bread and butter comes from.

And there's one huge Booking Agent who I know...would just love to lay
it on the line as far as what's involved in booking Talent for their
Clients...in a very vehemint way...as if taking on the devil himsel.

There's nothing wrong with anyone having two different Seperate
Non-Conflicting businesses...the seperate one to promote themself.

The problem arrises from having two seperate business cards for the same
business when representewd by a Booking Agent as a Professional.

Now...if your Agent is Non-Professional...that's a whole different ball
of wax...hah.

Sure, we can agree to disagree...no problem...just understand what one
is erroneously disagreeing about...is the optimum word.

In closing...I'll quote World renown Superstar Actor...Charles
Bronson...
"Anyone who makes a decision before knowing what its all about is a damn
fool".

Please don't look for a rebuttle, rebuttle...because there wont be one.

In the Art of Professional Salesmanship and Marketing...once the
presentation and closing is made...the first one to speak afterward,
loses.

Best of success in whatever you do...Take care...

ETCC