I participated in a workshop over a year ago, from Master Storyteller, Elizabeth Ellis. She explained that as storytellers we wear three different kinds of hats. As a storyteller I am an artist, craftsperson, and businessperson. Here are the notes that I wrote at her workshop:
Artist: Researches, writes, new work, how does this part go with that. Does deep thought. What does my work need to meet the needs of the audience; wants to make a connection; what it means to their life.
Craftsperson: Teller: detail oriented; Chooses the stories to tell. Concerned about audience’s reaction and logistics of storytelling situation
Businessperson: Decision maker, marketing – process what is acceptable and accessible to this audience. How are we going to get invited back; Oversees tasks to be done, requires others to do them. Responsible for public relations.
Her point in telling us this was that all of the hats we wear must be equally balanced. That is not to say that we don’t do all three equally all of the time, but over time that it should balance out.
The difficulty arises when you don’t get the gigs you want or you are a starting out as a storyteller, you need to focus on the businessperson part to the detriment of the other two.
The businessperson in me is where I have been focusing for the past three weeks by sending out letters and brochures to schools and districts in Suffolk County. I plan on following up those letters with phone calls either this week or next. I’ve updated my website to include references that people can download (though I still need to set that up so it doesn’t take so long). Getting established as a storyteller is a long-term process; so say all of the storytellers I’ve talked to and have heard on radio interviews. I’m patient so I can accept that though it is a bit frustrating. Everywhere I have performed I’ve had enthusiastic audiences. Part of the difficulty in getting reviews from the organizers that book me, is that so far the organizers are seldom at the performances. This has been especially true for some of the libraries that have hired me. Those where people have stayed to see me, have re-booked me.
Elizabeth suggested that I farm out some of the business work to others. She suggested hiring a high school student part time. It is something to consider. One of the things I need to add to my offerings is a promo DVD. My wife suggested that I offer a free concert to a local school if they would videotape my performance which I then could use for promotional purposes. I have made the offer to a school that I’ve worked in, now I just have to see if it plays out. Time will tell.
I really would like to spend more time on the artist and craftsperson part of my profession. I want to be able to find more stories to tell. Develop more programs and definitely write more songs to fit with those programs that I’ve developed. All this means having the time to do it. For the time being, since I’ve sent out all those letters, and am waiting for some responses, I have the time to work on those facets of storytelling that need to keep me and my three hats in balance.
