My PS was very well liked in our previous home town. We very rarely wanted for bookings and often repeat customers would rearrange their scheduled parties in order to be sure my PS would be the entertainment. I think the most surprising was an entire town's tree lighting was moved in order to have my PS be the one to light the tree! The same town did not want to hear that a blizzard would prevent him from attending the festivities - they sent their fire chief over to our house to drive him over the treacherous roads to light their tree. Could make for an inflated ego, but we are just amazed and humbled.This year, the same town insisted that we drive the three hours to have my PS light their tree again. So we called some of our repeat customers and asked if they would like to have a Santa visit that weekend as well. While we might have driven that distance for the one booking, it is better to combine trips, save gas, and allow some people who were disappointed with our moving away an opportunity to have a Santa visit. It is amazing to me, but almost all said 'yes' and we have a full weekend of bookings. In addition, a good friend is letting us stay in her guest room - her feeling is that it is a tradition that we stay with her one weekend over each Christmas season. So that worked out.
We are still working on building the reputation in our new home area. This involves the same concepts as any new business - advertising, networking, offering reduced prices, etc. A surprise booking came through a local restaurant - entertaining at the annual dinner for the organization that my PS is a part of during the 'off-season. ' With the current economy, my PS probably picked a bad time to be a realtor, but the association is having a holiday party and my PS is the featured entertainment. And no, they did not realize he is a Professional Santa - good thing, or they might expect him to entertain for free! The whole thing is kinda funny, but it can be considered networking. Or, at least a gig on a Wednesday night.
