Available Now!
Several years ago there was an act that arrived on the scene that I could not tell you much about, but I do remember the guys name. I don’t know if he is still on the scene or not, but I still remember his name. In the case of the vent world we must also have a real act to back up the name, but it is important that your name is known in your community.
The act (such as it was) was simple. You heard a voice (could be one of your characters) say “What is your name”. The man responded with “Raymond Jay Johnson, but you can call me Ray, or you can call me Jay or you can just call me Johnson, but you don’t have to call me Raymond Jay Johnson” He would take this same thought in circles three or four more times, but even though that has been about 35 years ago, I still have no doubt that his name was Raymond Jay Johnson.
That name is stuck in my mind for all these years. Even though it was a silly bit, it rocketed Raymond Jay Johnson into national prominence for several years.
Yes there is much more to vent than just name recognition, but that being said, name recognition is a very important factor in your success. Take a page from a successful book and think of ways to make your audience KNOW who you are. Then follow it up with an act that will have them rolling in the aisles and bookings will be coming your way.
Along the same line, I remember the first time we were at Vent Haven Ventriloquist ConVENTion in 2007, there was a guy there that I had not yet heard of. His name was Jeff Dunham. He was using a puppet named Peanut who was mocking his name. DunHAM, DUNHAM, DUNHAM and on and on for a while. Of course I still know who Jeff is to this day. Just another example of how to get your name out there.
Thats all for now.
Steve and JET