1. WORK SAMPLES.

2. ARTISTIC CREDENTIALS.

3. SPEED.

4. PERFORMANCE CREDENTIALS.

5. PROFESSIONAL RECORD, REFERENCES OR TESTIMONIALS.

Back to "HOW TO HIRE" INTRO

How can you determine the level of professionalism of the artist? Are they serious about their role as a caricature performance artist? Or is it some sideline which they are merely an amateur at? This is something best determined by a combination of direct, personal contact when you talk with them by phone, and by their website, brochures, resume or other business communication pieces.
It is important to keep in mind that any performing artist worth their salt will NOT be sitting at their phone, or even able to answer a cel phone most of the time, during an average 40-hour, 9-to-5 business day schedule! Artists perform at all hours of the day and night, even in the middle of the night during high school graduation "lock-in" parties. If in the middle of an engagement, any professional artist will devote their full attention to the performance, they will NOT be stopping to answer a cel phone!!! So the best artists will NOT be able to snap up your phone call, more often than not! (If they did hire someone to do it for them, their rates would have to be through the roof, OR it would be an indicator that they make up for lack of artistic talent with marketing efforts.) Be patient. Leave a message. Take your time. Allow yourself at least a couple of days to check out the various artists who are available in your market.