As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to keep families and friends in quarantine and social distancing, life events still occur. Although most states have issued stay-at-home orders, the moments that are important to us all continue. Kids still celebrate birthdays, couples are still planning to be married, and we all know online meetings could use more flair.
Many event planners from pros to soccer moms have shifted to seeking talent and entertainment for virtual events that are hosted on online platforms. Want a singing telegram? Skype them in. Need a caricature drawn? Set up a Zoom call and email the file. Technology allows us to continue to connect and celebrate all of life’s milestones.
Before you jump into offering virtual services to bring in those new gigs, take some time to ensure that you’re properly set up.
1. Get the right equipment
Take inventory of what you have on hand to see what will work for your virtual performances. While it may be difficult to spend money right now, we still wanted to offer a few suggestions for upgrading your equipment. Three essential pieces you’ll need for virtual services include:
- Good lighting. Check out this well-reviewed ring light for under $30.
- HD Webcam. A word of wisdom, the webcam on your laptop is not ideal. Techradar put together a helpful article on choosing a great webcam and where you can buy them.
- Great microphone. Sound quality is where to invest. If you’re using your laptop for virtual performances or webcasting, Blue Microphones offer useful USB solutions.
2. Learn to use online meeting platforms
When you talk about online meetings, there are three companies that stand above the rest: Zoom, Webex, and Skype. Each of them has different options and features, so take time to investigate each of them and be available to use all of them as the client needs. You can even record the event and send to the client afterward. While those may be the most popular, PCMag put together a list of the top 10 video conferencing software. You may be able to offer a better option to your clients by exploring other programs.
3. Check your internet speed
Nothing can ruin a virtual event quicker than buffered or choppy video feeds. Test your home internet speed to ensure that it can handle streaming demands and when at all possible, connect directly to your modem or router with an ethernet cable rather than using wi-fi. If things aren’t running as fast as you need, try these ideas for improving your internet speed. You can also figure out the best wi-fi channel for your router with these tips.
Once you’ve got everything set, be sure to do a few practice-rounds with your gear, software, and connection to make sure the show is running smoothly.
4. Update your GigSalad profile
Our GigSalad members and event planners alike have begun asking for virtual services, so we’re making changes to help facilitate that. You can now opt-in for virtual services and display our new Virtual Services banner on your profile. We’ve also designed a nifty badge that you can add to your personal website.
After you’ve opted in, take a few moments to update your profile so it’s clear that you’re ready to help with virtual events.
- Edit your bio and overview and make some adjustments to reflect your new services.
- Upload new media that showcases your virtual ability.
- Clear out fuzzy photos and grainy videos.
5. Market your new services
This advice is nothing new, but with most of the planet glued to their screens, there’s no better time to leverage social media and get your business out there. Do Instagram Live sessions, Facebook Live shows, YouTube tutorials, and TikTok videos. On each one, let your audience know they can book you for virtual events! Check out a few more tips on social media marketing for entertainers.
While this time in our society is difficult, you can still be innovative and entrepreneurial to move your business forward. When you shift to offer virtual services, you can continue helping your clients to create unforgettable moments.
Loves music, reading, and binge-watching TV and eating pizza with his wife. Has three amazing kids. Believes that life is about questions, not answers.
Who calls who during a virtual performance? Does the host of the party call the entertainer to initiate, or does the entertainer call in? Are there advantages/disadvantages to either?
Hi Jed, great questions! Sounds like we need to explore a follow-up article to address things like that! Who calls who would probably vary by situation. For example, if a character is hired for a children’s party, it may make more sense for the performer to call in. But if it’s a corporate event, the host would likely take the reins and loop in the performer. A good rule of thumb may be to treat it as if it’s a live event – would you be introduced by the host first? Do you come in as a surprise? We’d suggest talking things over with your client to determine the best method. And a practice run probably wouldn’t hurt since technology is involved! I hope this helps and please reach out to help@gigsalad.com if we can help with anything else.
Hi Jed, I just wanted to let you know we’ve published a new article that’s more in-depth and will hopefully answer more of your questions! https://www.gigsalad.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-offering-virtual-services/
We hope this is helpful to you.
“Virtual services” are you kidding? I provide intimate entertainment for weddings, birthday parties, corporate cocktail events. I will not get back to work until we can resume close contact activity. I hope that time comes before it is time for renewal of my account. At this time I receive zero value for my investment.
Hi Joseph, we understand that virtual services may not work for everyone. We are seeing an increase in the creativity of event planners and their desire to book vendors to offer services like this (or other modifications to keep in line with current social distancing recommendations). Because of that, we wanted to pivot our services to help both our members and our event planners. If you feel that your membership isn’t working for you right now, please reach out so we can freeze it for you, and you can resume it when things settle down. We’re here to help so please email us at help@gigsalad.com. Thanks, Joseph!
I love that you are willing to freeze a platform for a paying performer! Great business etiquette!
Petra
My biggest concern with doing any type of “virtual” gig is that it could be recorded & re-used, without my knowledge, for example performing 15 mins of Prelude music for a wedding plus Pachelbel Canon, and the client could digitally save my work (intended for single use) and then others could also use it (without me receiving compensation).
In what way could a performer preserve their virtual performance and ensure that it is not being re-sold or shared with others (who may re-sell it)?
Hi Misty, thanks for your question! I don’t believe this issue resides solely with virtual performances. Any performer may run the risk of being filmed or recorded and it being used elsewhere. It may be a good idea to include a clause in your booking agreement that clarifies that your performance is not to be recorded or re-used so you have some leverage if it does happen. That being said, we don’t imagine that many event planners would maliciously book a performer in order to use their video again for another event. But if you’re concerned, we’d absolutely encourage you to address that in your conversations and booking agreement with your client, or consult a lawyer for more information on how to handle those situations.
Would like to see added to Virtual Events a tool or tab that we can launch in house to use for interested customers seeking this option vs Live Performance. Instead of going to a 3rd party’s website that’s offsite. Easier and friendlier to keep all in one place for both parties. Perhaps you guys can kick this idea around if not already. Circle back with your thoughts when free-
Thanks👐
Hi Brock, that sounds like an awesome idea! We aren’t ready to commit to changing our platform or business model in that way just yet, though. We’re giving it a bit of time to see if these trends are permanent or if things get back to “normal” in a few months. We will continue to do all we can to encourage virtual event bookings while those are in demand, but we’ll leave the video platforms up to others who are already doing it well (for now). Thanks for reaching out – we appreciate the idea and the feedback!