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Top 10 Insurance Mistakes

posted October 17, 2018

Top 10 Insurance Mistakes for Food Trailers and Trucks
By Joel Paprocki for insuremyfood.com

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Let's run through the most common mistakes mobile food business owners make when they purchase insurance – as well as tips on how to avoid them.

  1. Buying The Lowest Price Policy You Can Find

Choosing low-cost insurance can – ironically – end up costing you a lot of money. Many low-cost policies have a very small list of claims they cover. 

image via william krause

Since insurance companies are continually pressured to lower prices, they're also forced to reduce plan benefits. This hurts the relationship between insured and insurer, especially when claims are filed that aren't covered by the plan. Don't just jump at the lowest price – jump at the plan and agency that fits you best.

  1. Paying Extra For Additional Insurance Certificates

Commissary kitchens, landlords, event managers, and city health departments often require that you present them with additional insurance certificates. 

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Shift Your Event Into Overdrive

posted September 20, 2018

Shift Your Event Into Overdrive by becoming a Featured Event!
Julie Cochrane for FestivalNet.com

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We love that it's free for promoters to add events to our database! It's what allows us to offer the largest resource for North American events, anywhere.

image via matthew miner

To take full advantage of ALL of our 1.3 million + monthly visitors, we offer another event status that lets you reach more of our visitors and more of our members. You can't afford to not take advantage of this, because well, it's MAD-affordable!

Allow me to deliver the lowdown: On our homepage is a map of our great country. Click on your state & you will see all the FEATURED events in your area. EVERYONE has access to these events, not just our members.

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How To Make YouTube Work For You

posted September 20, 2018

YouTube – How To Make It Work For You
NationWide Source

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First, the bad news: You won't make any livable wage monetizing YouTube videos until you start raking in views in the hundreds of millions. So that's the bummer. But, the good news is that you don't have to rely solely on monetization to make YouTube work for you. There are lots of examples of bands and artists who have used streaming video to get their names out there and launch their careers onto other more lucrative platforms. Here are a few ways to yield desirable results from YouTube.


Make no mistake. Gathering subscribers is important. Create your channel, make delightful viewing material and call your viewers to action by encouraging them to subscribe. (Just don't expect to make noticeable amounts of money directly from YouTube doing this.) You have to say the words too. Here's why: In most cases, people hear about a great video. They go watch the video. They move on with their day. The end. Don't let this be your viewers. At the end of your video, thank them for watching and then say, "subscribe!" It's that simple. You could add a please for good measure. Or confetti. Just make sure to say the words!

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How to Get Comfortable Talking About Your Art at Art Fairs

posted September 19, 2018   category » Artist Resources

Being prepared before presenting your art to the public is what makes art shows mangeable and fun to attend. I've got some tips to help you prepare for exhibiting and talking about your art at a show. Grab a notepad and let's dig in!


1. Prepare for common questions

Grab a beverage and write (writing vs typing helps you retain information) brief, friendly answers in your notepad to questions that might be asked.

image via eddie howell

• How did you make this?
• Is there a story behind this painting?
• How long did it take you to paint this?
• Can I get this with a different frame?
• What's the difference between printmaking and a print I'd buy at Target?
• Do you have a website where I can look at more, or buy something online?

 
Often, folks are just being conversational and friendly, so answer the question with an economy of words, and then ask something back. Volley the chit-chat.
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Know Your Audience

posted September 19, 2018   category » Festival Food Vendors

Food Concession Menus - Know Your Market
Barb Fitzgerald of FoodBooth.net

 

In the food concession business, when it comes to menus, it can be a challenge to identify and pin down your market. Because your market is, literally, a moving target.

In one day your customers might be attendees of a farmers market in the morning, and Harley Davidson riders, enjoying a swap meet, in the afternoon. The following weekend you might have your concession at an art and wine show. Then, two days later, you find yourself setting up at a five day county fair.

image via shari sirotnak

I don't know any menu that can maximize sales at every event. Cotton candy is for kids, and fajitas are preferred by adults. Event goers admiring art while tasting wine are not likely to buy a corn dog. But, they might buy chocolate dipped strawberries or oysters. The reverse is true for people attending a motocross race.

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Powerful Social Media Tools for Event Planners

posted August 22, 2018

Powerful Social Media Tools for Event Planners
Jose Gallegos for bizzabo.com

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You're probably already tapping into a couple of social media tools before, during, and after your event, but have you dug much deeper than sending out a few Tweets or setting up a Facebook event? With the huge glut of tools available out there, it can be overwhelming trying to find the ones that won't break the bank and will actually help make your event more engaging.
 

To guide you in the right direction, we've put together a list of the most powerful social media tools that can do all sorts of awesome things for your event, like encourage interaction and increase ticket sales.

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Does Your Art Business Need a Media Kit?

posted August 20, 2018

Does Your Art Business Need a Media Kit?
Leslie Kell for ArtsySharky

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Have you ever been in a situation that you wish you had been better prepared for? When these opportunities arise, it takes more than luck to be prepared. As an artist and business owner, you are your own best representative. This means an important component of your artistic practice is marketing. Self-promotion makes many of us squirm a bit; but if your path is mapped, it's an easier one to travel.

media kit

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Presenting yourself in a way that potential relationships can be forged often means creating marketing collateral that reflects your practice as a whole and is readily available to share with publications, galleries, collectors, and other connections.

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Health Inspector Checklist

posted August 17, 2018

TOP 5 THINGS HEALTH INSPECTORS CHECK
Ben Wilson, Founder of hotdogcartstore.com

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I get calls from vendors who get worried before an inspection (even when they know exactly when it will be.)

My advice:

1. Remember, inspectors are real people – not gods or devils. Although some have egos which are directly related the to that "authority" they wield, most don't.

2. And again, inspectors are real people (just like us)! They put their pants on one leg at a time. Except for inspector Bob – he's superhuman and can do both at the same time.

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Beef Up Your Web Presence

posted July 19, 2018

5 Ways to Beef-up a Wimpy Web Presence
Marisa Morgan

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Listing your event with FestivalNet is a great first step. We receive over 1,000,000 monthly visitors and over 50 million page views. Now, that's a lot of exposure. But wait, there’s more!


Your Profile
For exposure beyond your listing, be sure to complete your FestivalNet Community profile. It's great for your website's SEO and allows our members (and visitors) to learn more about your business. You can also include your profile in our Festival Biz Directory. You'll need to opt-in to this. Go to Modify Profile to get started.

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Tips To Travel Light

posted July 18, 2018

On The Road: 5 Tips To Help Your Band Travel Light When On Tour
Emma Sturgis for musicthinktank.com

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Getting your band's name out there is not simple. One thing you might have to do is plan tours and commit to being on the road. One of the hardest things about being on the road is carrying a heavy load but you actually do not have to. The following are five tips for traveling light.

Light on Clothes

One thing you can do is stop traveling with all those outfits. All you really need is a pair of pants and a few shirts. You just have to make sure you wash your items every so often to make sure your clothes are clean by the time you are on stage again.

Localize Needs

Some people travel with shampoos or grooming devices to achieve the look they want. You do not have to since most hotels already come with shampoos and soaps. You can also buy these in local stores if needed. Those with grooming needs should simply visit a barber from time to time.

Use Movers

Part of what makes traveling as a band hard is all your equipment, which can be pretty heavy. The good news is that you do not have to lug these things around if you hire professional movers. These guys should handle your stuff carefully, and you can even insure your equipment just in case. Those with multiple stops can create a moving plan to get your stuff where it needs to be on time.

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How to Get Website Traffic

posted June 20, 2018

How to Get Traffic to Your Artist Website
Clint Watson for Artsyshark.com

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First off, while it's commonly phrased this way, I hate using the word "traffic" in conjunction with marketing art.

It's so impersonal and doesn't, as a concept, capture what you actually need. You don't need tons of "traffic" to sell art. You need the right, targeted potential buyers.

How to Get Traffic to Your Artist Website

Many artists have the idea that "setting up a new website" is pretty much all they need to do to "market their art." They think that potential customers will magically appear at their website once it's online. Or, perhaps they think that somehow their web host will be doing the bulk of their marketing for them.

That's simply not the case, and it's a recipe for disappointment.Some artists do understand that they need to entice people to their websites. But, they think that getting their site listed in Google will bring them buyers. That's not true either. It's perfectly possible to have your site indexed by Google and never have anyone search for you. Search engines don't create new demand. Search engines harvest existing demand. Guess who has to create demand for your art – you do!

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Don't Let Trendy Ingredients Rule

posted June 20, 2018

Don't Let Trendy Ingredients Rule Your Menu
Richard Myrick for Mobile-cuisine.com

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You know what I and many other food concession diners don't want to see any more? Salted Caramel. We will even toss in Sriracha for that matter. Don't get me wrong, both of these are great ingredients that I enjoy tasting in dishes. But the constant food media overhyping of these ingredients has weakened their appeal for many. Which begs the question: What is the point of saturation for trendy ingredients and when do they begin to lose their market appeal?

On the other side of the argument, when does an ingredient have enough pull to attract curious consumers to your food service window?

Food Vendor News

When To Use Trendy Ingredients

Adding the latest trendy ingredients to your menu before your competitors can give you the edge to stand out from the crowd. Not only will you win the business of trend following customers, but you'll also be able to charge higher premium prices.

So what are the items we've seen on food concession menus that we wish more would include? Which ingredients and menu items do we want more accessible across the country? And which ingredients don't we want to see as part of a differentiation statement; even if we don't mind them showing up on menus?

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Beautifully Designed Event Websites

posted June 20, 2018

9 Principles for Building a Beautiful Event Websites
Siobhan Becker for Bizzaboo.com

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You just know when you see a good event website, it’s attractive, easy to navigate and displays properly across all platforms. You may not have been born to design websites, but that doesn’t mean you can’t! Here are some basics for creating a compelling event website.

1. Know your audience
Identifying your audience may actually be the easy part - the people visiting your website are there to find out more about your event. Your job is to put yourself in their shoes. What kind of information would you be looking for if you were attending the event? How would you like it presented to you?

2. Keep your branding front and...left.


You want people to recognize your brand just by looking at your homepage. Uniformity is the key. Use your company’s colors and fonts. And, several studies show people first look at the top left of a screen and read in a horizontal "F" shape movement from there. So, your logo should go in the top left corner.

3. Keep it simple
You may be eager to show off your event, but busy images and dense text can be overwhelming. Give visitors the information they need without putting everything they need to know on the first page. Instead, create dedicated pages for the venue, vendor info & apps, schedule, sponsors, ticket prices, etc.

Read more!

12 Ways to Get More Facebook Likes

posted June 19, 2018

12 Ways To Get More Facebook Likes (and Engagement) For Your Musician Page
Ari for Ari's Take

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Everyone knows Likes can be bought and you look foolish if your engagement is well below the number of Likes you have. But more importantly, buying Likes will reduce your actual organic reach. Here are 12 quick and simple ways to drastically improve your Facebooking.

1) Upload Videos To Facebook

Facebook now has 4 billion video views A DAY. FB prioritizes a Facebook-uploaded video over a YouTube embedded video (not to mention that Facebook videos automatically play in the newsfeed). And, now that Facebook is starting to roll out video monetization at the same payment rate YouTube offers (55%), you can start making some moola on your viral videos.


2) Post Photos of YOU, Often

The reason Instagram has exploded is not because of their video feature. It's because of the high quality photo offerings. Feel free to link your Instagram to your Facebook Page. Because Facebook owns Instagram they make this sharing seamless. (Do NOT, however, link your Twitter to Facebook or vice versa.) Definitely post photos giving your fans a peek 'behind the scenes', but make sure YOU are in the photo.

3) Feature A Video

One of the most underutilized features is the FB Featured Video. Once you have videos uploaded you can select one to feature. It will then show up on your profile on the left hand side directly below About. It will be the first thing people see when visiting your Page. And most people will click this first - so feature a music video, live performance video or your EPK. Watching a high quality video is the easiest way for someone to be introduced to your music. So, make sure you have high quality videos made!

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How to Get Booked

posted May 23, 2018

How to Get Booked at Music Festivals
D Cumming for Music Think Tank

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Do your homework

Before sending an app or bio to a music promoter, find out what the festival is all about. Secondly, know who it is you're sending your submission to. Irrespective of how talented your rock band is, sending your bio or submission to perform at a jazz festival will be a waste of your and the promoters time. Also, research the number of performers the festival accommodates. Equally important is knowing your fan base vis-à-vis the festival's target audience. If your fan base is comprised mainly of young adults, then it is wise to look for a festival whose target audience is young adults.


Start small/local

Big music festivals are extremely competitive. As an up and coming musician, it is very likely that your submission will be rejected in favor of a more established artist. So, it's wise to start with local festivals where you have a higher chance of getting accepted. And, starting small will help you prepare for the large events. Sure there is a possibility that you will not be paid for your first performance, however, performing at small festivals gives you exposure. This exposure will be instrumental in catapulting you from small festivals to the glamor of large music events.

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Beat the Heat this Summer

posted May 22, 2018

10 Ways Food Truck or Trailer Owners Can Beat The Summer Heat
by Mobile-cuisine.com

 

Protecting Yourself

Timing is key. Whether you're negotiating a new stop or planning a special event, always try to limit activities during the hottest part of the day. Since lunch is typically the busiest time for food trucks, you may not be able to avoid the summer heat. Make slight adjustments to your start time and the length of your shift. This can make a big difference when temperatures begin to soar.

Park strategically. Be sure to discuss the parking location with property owners and event planners beforehand. If you are given the opportunity, select a location where you will not be parking in direct sunlight, and make sure that there are shaded areas nearby where you and your customers can eat and rest.

Dress appropriately. It may be tempting to break out the tanks, shorts, and flip-flops. But, if your equipment has pilot lights or open flames or if you're working near hot liquids, choose clothing which protects your body from heat, splatters, and spills. Ideally, it should be light-colored and made from breathable, lightweight fabrics, such as cotton and other natural fibers, to keep cool. Loose-fitting attire is not recommended when working near open flames, nor are items made from synthetic fabrics, as they can stifle air circulation and have a tendency to be more flammable. Closed-toe shoes with skid-resistant soles are suggested to protect again these and other hazards, such as slips, trips, and falls. Don't forget the sunblock!

Food Vendor News
Important

Stay hydrated. In order to avoid heat stress, it is important to take preventive measures to hydrate your body during the hours leading up to your shift and replenish lost fluids by drinking approximately 1 cup of water every 15 minutes. Since the heat may cause changes in your metabolism, be sure to consult with your doctor before consuming sports drinks or energy drinks which may contain sugars, caffeine, and other stimulants. Some of these may actually cause a rise in body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, or changes in blood sugar that may pose risks to your health.

Take a break. Whenever possible, take intermittent breaks to cool off in the shade or find shelter nearby. When sweating and replenishing with cold fluids isn't enough to cool you down, you may begin to experience weakness, headaches, dizziness, confusion, fainting, or you may even begin to vomit. All of these are signs of heat exhaustion, which may lead to heat stroke or death if you do not take immediate action to remove yourself from the situation. If you suspect that your or a member of your crew may be suffering from heat-related illness, call 911 immediately.

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Impression, Impact, Interest!

posted April 19, 2018

Impression, Impact, Interest!
By FestivalNet's Dynamic Duo Marisa & Julie

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That's what we want to help you create with someone's very first look at your listing! While it may be trite, it's also true: you never get a second chance to make a first impression. And, your event listing reaches thousands of your potential audience every day with 1,000,000+ views of FestivalNet each month!


So, we're sprucing things up with an exciting website improvement. The size of every single event image, everywhere on the site will be increased next week. If you've already uploaded an event photo, great! It will have even more impact now.

Events with no photo will be assigned a default image. We've spent hours handpicking good shots for this project, but a great photo from your specific event would be even better! While your event logo is fine, a picture of activities, performers, artists, crafters, vendors or attendees enjoying your festival has a greater impact.


Some tips for getting great shots, even if you're a beginner:
  • Shoot non-stop from set-up to pack-up and even what was left behind. Capture entertainers and their audience's reactions. Shoot the parades, the crowds, the landscape. Consider how the mood changes from day to night and get some evening shots.

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Before Committing to the Show

posted April 18, 2018

5 Aspects to Consider Before Signing on to an Art Festival
Niki Hilsabeck in Art Business Advice

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While sharing your art with festival-goers can bring great rewards, it's also an investment of time, money, and energy. Here is a list of factors to consider before signing on to an upcoming festival.

1. Cost

The first thing I look at when signing up for a festival is cost. In addition to the fee to participate, I know that I'm going to be spending money on gas, food, frames, and any other packaging and display items to bring to the event.

Some events will offer perks for artists, such as a meal, snacks, or drinks, which helps. And, keep in mind that if your artwork isn't priced appropriately for high-end festivals, the cost to attend the festival might mean that you're going to lose money.

Likewise, if your artwork is priced too high for a low-end festival, you may have trouble finding customers and will end up wasting money to attend (and, more importantly, time which also translates to money for many of us).

Before signing up to an event, take out your calculator and tally up your costs (don't forget to leave a cushion for money you might end up spending on small emergencies that often happen en route to or during the event).

With those costs in mind, determine how much art you would need to sell to recover your costs, and decide whether or not you feel comfortable spending the money to attend.

Art Fair

2. Setup stress

A festival that provides a smooth setup process (especially with event helpers to get you quickly unloaded) and reasonably close parking can make a big difference in your event experience. Beware of events where you're expected to maneuver your own way through roadblocks to get to your booth, or expected to park far away from the event itself.

Festivals located in the middle of a busy eating or shopping district can be appealing, but if the local business owners do not want vendors parking anywhere near the event, you might find yourself facing a long trek to and from your vehicle when setup is over and breakdown time arrives.

Whatever you do, don't be tempted to park illegally. I was at a recent festival where an artist had her car towed, leaving her and her toddler stranded at the event because the car seat was in the car. If you haven't attended or participated in a particular festival that interests you, inquire ahead of time about setup and parking.

3. Weather

This may sound funny coming from a Southern Californian, but weather can make or break a festival for me. I know there are hardier festival exhibitors than I who brave storms and gale-force winds with their displays, but I don't have that kind of stamina, so if a festival is in an area known for wind gusts, I'm usually out.
Oppressive heat is another consideration, although out here, people tend to expect the heat. If you're looking at the requirements for a festival and extreme weather is mentioned, be sure you have the appropriate gear to secure your display (and insurance on your work, to cover losses if they happen).

Read more!

Buzz-Worthy Press Kits

posted April 17, 2018

EPK Essentials: What You Need to Create a Buzz-Worthy Press Kit
NationWide Source

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If you are a musician trying to get booked, or get featured in a publication or blog, chances are you will need an Electronic Press Kit. We've outlined the things you must have in your EPK, as well as, some common hosting options to consider.

Music

Your music should be featured prominently in your EPK. Venues and talent buyers will need to hear your music to make sure it will fit with the sound they are looking for, and writers won’t be able to write about your music unless they can hear it!

It's standard to have your music available to stream first, and then an option to download. Most people in the music industry don’t have time to wait for your file to download, and might be wary to download an attachment from a person they don’t know. So make it easy for them to stream your music, and then give them the option to download it if they really want to.

Soundcloud is a great platform for this. It's easy (and free) to upload your tracks, and you can even make them available for download. They also have a player that is embeddable in most websites, so you can place your music on whatever hosting option you choose.

Video

A great way to show off what you've got as a musician is through video. Featuring a great live performance video or a really well done music video can make the difference between an EPK that gets passed over and one that stands out to promoters and press.


Biography

You probably already have a bio for your band. But your EPK should have at least 2 versions of that bio. A shorter version (a paragraph) that is featured prominently in your EPK, and an expanded version (4+ paragraphs) that is available by clicking through to expand the bio (or to a different page) and/or available for download.

Photos

Every EPK needs to feature some high quality, professional band photos. You should have them displayed on the site, as well as easily available for download.

Press

What would an electronic press kit be without some actual press? Pick a few quotes from any write-ups you've gotten. Choose quotes that have lots of descriptive language, or that come from a reputable source. If you don’t have press yet, don't sweat it. That's what this EPK is for!

Contact Information

You need to make sure that your EPK makes it very easy to get in touch with you. Make it very clear exactly who should be contacted for booking, press, or more general inquiries.

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Freshen Up Your Menu

posted April 17, 2018

Have You Prepared for this Year's Festival Circuit?
Robert Berman for Mobile Catering Business

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For many of us Spring is the time to dust off and freshen up our concession trailers and food carts in preparation to, once again, head out on the festival circuit.

A coat of paint, some axle grease and air in the tires may be all that are needed to ensure a safe and prosperous journey on the open road. However, now is also the time to consider freshening up your menu.

Food Vendor News

New methods of fast freezing and storing food coupled with our ethnic diversities have brought a multitude of new and exciting offerings to food concessionaires. Although the fast food industry is always under pressure from health advocates, it has improved dramatically over the years. The use of oil containing trans fats is all but history in the food industry.

But, food concessionaires and vending cart operators have to be careful when considering diversifying their menus. In general, the more items on a menu, the greater the amount of food that will not be sold and will need to be disposed of. It also usually means a longer service time for each customer. Combined, these two items can prove to be an economic disaster for the operator.

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fair or festival