Did I do something wrong?

[Alison]

Did I do something wrong here?  Or is it just, well, sometimes they don't want us?

Here's what happened.  I just happened to stop in at a local MacDonalds for a snack - the Tuesday before Halloween.  It turned out that they were having what they call their weekely "Kid's Night".  Special Kid's prices on food or something.  All they had was a big screen with a Cartoon playing to entertain the kids.  I asked to see the Manager - offered my services.  He said that the Supervisor who's in charge of this stuff wouldn't be in until 3:00 the next day.  I left my contact information, asked him to tell his Supervisor that I'd be calling the next day.

I called the next day.  This Supervisor told me to come in Monday because he couldn't understand what I had in mind.

I met with this Supervisor.  He said that they do plan something special for the kids about once a month - and they already made their plans for Halloween.  

Well, I said that they could also have my work too.  This Halloween if we could get it together in time, or any time - I'd like to come each week.  And this Supervisor said that he would discuss it with 'his' Supervisor.  Okay, so I called again the next day.  Nothing.

Then, this past week, I checked out the place on a Tuesday again.  Sure enough, lots of kids running around with nothing special to do.  So I looked up MacDonalds on line.  I found a phone number and spoke to one of their operators (or was that a customer service specialist? I don't know).  Anyway, the operator said that he would follow up directly with the franchise owner who would get back to me if interested. I left him with my snailmail address, email address, phone number, website, and blog.

I still haven't heard from anybody.  

Is this what we do to find a weekly 'place'?  And perhaps this one place that did look lucrative for me - just wasn't interested?  But plenty of other places would be?  Or is my approach wrong?  Should I be doing something differently?  Perhaps only sending out a letter first?

[Sherry]

I don't think you did anything wrong.  You're a lot braver than me!  I've heard of plenty of people meeting in person and landing a restaurant gig.  I sent out mass mailings and waited for them to contact me, but that's because I'm rather introverted.  I think, if you're comfortable meeting in person, that you should talk to and leave your card at many restaurants.  Around here, I've seen children's performers at many different types of places.  Some examples, McDonalds, Chick Fil A, Gators Dockside(a bar and grill), Perkins, Buffet Restaurants.  Maybe you can shop around a bit.  This particular McDonalds just might not be interested at the moment.

If you do end up sending out letters, I would follow up with this McDonalds as well, just in case the operator didn't give the franchise owner your information.  You never know.

[Shannon Fennell]

I think you are looking at this from the wrong angle.  Think about the TYPE of place this is... they are all about the "In and Out" traffic... not people lingering for hours taking up space waiting for face painting, lining up, blocking access to tables, etc.

Don't take it personally, and don't spend a lot of time trying to get in there as I think you are probably flogging a dead horse.  If they haven't responded after all you've already done - drop it.  You are now becoming a "pushy salesperson!"

Some fast food places like the idea and jump on it (I've painted at Tim Horton's a couple of times for their Camp Day fundraising) but others see it as something that will not add to their bottom line.

Think about it... if there are tons of kids there now, why would they need to attract even more?

Typical restuarant painting is in "family restuarants"... sit down restaurants that offer kids' menu or activities that want to bring in family groups to sit down AND linger and order more drinks while they wait for the kids to get painted... THAT is where you need to spend your marketing efforts!  Pitch to those types of restuarants about how you will ATTRACT families with kids into their store that will spend time there purchasing meals and desserts... etc.!

You HAVE to sell the benefits to THEM... not what you can get out of it.

[Alison]

Thank you.  These responses make me feel empowered to continue with this venture.
It's amazing how little marketing I've done - considering that I've been working
in this field for over 10 years.  Work just falls in my lap - from the moment that
I started making my business cards (and got hired by the woman at the Office
Supply Store before the business cards even came in).  

I just want to take more charge now.  To find out how I can make things happen.
Because I've always felt compelled to take whatever came my way - even if I didn't
like the time or place.