Hiring a Hypnotist for Your Post-Prom
It's that time of year again. Time for Post-Prom and After-Prom committees to start searching for entertainment for their functions in March, April & May. That's right...schools DO start booking talent this far in advance.
When hiring a hypnotist, there are some important questions that you should be asking.
1. Is the hypnotist appropriate for a teen audience? Many hypnotists work comedy clubs and bars where it's commonplace to be dirty and offensive. We've heard horror stories where hypnotists have routines that compel students to act like exotic dancers or use foul language. We always recommend Jeff Quinn as our hypnotist. He's clean, funny and non-offensive. If Jeff is already booked on your date, we can recommend other hypnotists that we are comfortable with and sure they will give you an appropriate show.
2. Does the hypnotist carry liability insurance? A hypnosis show is unpredictable. Accidents can happen. People can fall off of chairs and hurt themselves or trip on steps. It's important that your hypnotist carry insurance "just in case."
3. Know who you're getting. Many times if you are using an agency, they'll pick someone from their roster. That person may be great or they may be awful. You have no way of knowing. We know of an agency who booked a post prom, but didn't have a hypnotist available so two weeks before the show they hired someone and taught them the basics of hypnosis and sent them out to do the show. We value our reputation and would never do anything like that. We put you in direct contact with the hypnotist so you can personally ask them all the questions you want. Also, don't be afraid to ask for references.
4. Does the hypnotist provide their own sound system? Many times if you hire a hypnotist (especially through an agency) they'll have to fly in from another part of the country. Bringing a sound system with them can be difficult, if not impossible. You may be required to provide a sound system for them. Most of the time they can use a d.j. sound system, but make sure you clear that with your d.j. first. We specialize in Midwest Post-Proms and most of the hypnotists we can recommend provide their own sound systems. It's just one less thing for you to worry about.
5. Make sure you have the dates right. So many times we get e-mails from schools who say they want a hypnotist "at 2 a.m. on Saturday, April 8th", when in fact they mean 2 a.m. the morning of Sunday, April 9th. When you're dealing with an overnight activity like this, it's easy to get the dates mixed up. We make sure we get the date correct. Most Post-Proms are on Sunday mornings, but it's not unheard of to have a Prom on Friday and the Post-Prom on Saturday morning.
6. What else do you need to provide? It's pretty much a given that you'll be required to provide chairs for the hypnotist. We've already discussed the possibility of providing a sound system. But is the hypnotist also going to charge you for travel expenses? What about a room for the night? Make sure you get everything agreed to up front. Also, make sure you ask about deposits.
7. What are the policies on video recording the show. Different hypnotists have different rules when it comes to recording their shows. Some absolutely won't allow it. Others will record their show and then give your students the option to purchase DVDs of the show. Still others have no problem with you recording the show on your own. Again, our best advice to you is to ask.
8. Ask about multiple school discounts. If a hypnotist can do two Post-Proms in the same area on the same morning, he may be able to reduce his price by hundreds of dollars for each school. If you know a school in your area that's having a Post-Prom on the same night, it may be beneficial to both of you to partner together to hire a hypnotist.
If you have any other questions about hiring a qualified hypnotist for your Post-Prom or After-Prom, call or e-mail us.
