NAME
provides a number of benefits to members
and to the industry as a whole. The
Endorsed Professional Entertainer
(or EPE) program is a benefit available
to both members and non-members. The
goal of the program is to provide
a visible level of certificate of
accreditation to those companies that
meet the guidelines for operating
a professional entertainment company.
In this issue we’ll be looking
at why a company would want to be
endorsed, what the requirements for
endorsement are, and how the public
will be introduced to the endorsement
program.
Why would
a DJ or Company want to be Endorsed?
Receiving an EPE Certificate is similar
in effect to achieving a Better Business
Bureau or Chamber of Commerce seal.
It will provide your clients with
a measure of comfort knowing that
your business practices have been
reviewed and approved by the National
Association of Mobile Entertainers.
This comfort level will allow you
to move more quickly through your
sales process so you can focus on
building value and forming a consultative
relationship with your client.
Companies
that are in competition with un-professional
entertainment services can also use
this program as an un-attainable comparison
point. Equipment, Music Library, even
Insurance can all be obtained, upgraded,
or purchased at a moments notice however
an Endorsement by the largest National
Association of Mobile Entertainers
is something that must be earned.
This is one of the few defining tools
that a company can use to set itself
visibly apart from the un-professional
aspects of the industry.
What
are the requirements for Endorsement?
Professional Business Paperwork and
Marketing Material – The marketing
material and paperwork for a business
must clearly set the appropriate expectations
for a client. This marketing material
must be submitted for review to the
Association in order to determine
the requirements for endorsement.
Professional
Equipment and Music Library –
Based on the marketing material provided,
equipment must be of a professional
level capable of providing the services
described. A photograph of equipment
as setup for event is required for
most companies. Proof of ownership
must be provided for music libraries
in the form of photograph of CD collection,
receipts, or membership to music subscription
service.
Professional
Business Etiquette (Phone, Fax, Website
and Email) – All methods of
customer communication must be consistently
answered in a professional and businesslike
manner and in a timely fashion.
References
– A NAME representative must
be able to make contact with no less
than 5 professional references such
as local group members, equipment
or music suppliers, chamber of commerce
or Better Business Bureau and no less
than 5 client or customer references.
Appropriate reference types will depend
upon company structure but no less
than 10 total references are required.
Insurance,
Licensing, and Business status –
The company must retain insurance,
licensing and business registration
status as appropriate for the business
model. This includes but is not limited
to proper documentation and structure
for companies that choose to be incorporated,
appropriate DBA certification, and
applicable licensing (there is no
current standard for DJ licensing,
but event planners and those using
copyright items must have appropriate
documentation as determined by state
and regional law).
Ethics
and Standards – The Company
must agree to follow the Ethics and
Standards guidelines as set forth
in the EPE kit. Key features of these
guidelines include: Commitment to
Quality Service, Full Disclosure to
Clients, Fair and Reasonable Rate
Structure, Information Confidentiality
for Clients, Truth in Advertising,
and Adherence to Laws and Standards
of Business Conduct.
All of
the above requirements must be met
and current documents on file with
a completed application before a Certificate
of Endorsement will be issued.
How will
the public be introduced to the EPE
Program?
Much
like any other program the EPE certification
will need public awareness to be effective.
Part of this is built into the program,
each application NAME receives will
educate no less than 10 people (5
professional, 5 consumer) about the
program directly. In June, after a
5 month preparation period designed
to give companies a chance to earn
the endorsement certificate, NAME
will begin marketing the EPE program
actively to the public. Targeted announcements
and informational advertisements are
set for placement in high exposure
wedding and party guides and magazines,
the newly designed NAME website will
feature an in-depth explanation of
what the EPE status means to clients,
and finally local groups, chapters
and individual companies will be provided
with marketing materials to distribute
to individual consumers.
To introduce
the program directly to a client DJs
and Entertainers that have earned
EPE status will be provided with a
Certificate of Endorsement, a Personalized
EPE Digital Logo, a Personal Webpage
on NAME’s site with an EPE Certified
Seal, and access to additional EPE
Certification Materials. Endorsed
Entertainers are welcome and encouraged
to refer clients or interested parties
to NAME’s Website, Email, or
Toll-Free Phone service for additional
information on the Endorsement Program
and for confirmation of the Entertainer’s
achievement. Endorsed Professional
Entertainers are also eligible to
be featured in the National Entertainer
Magazine, and are encouraged to submit
profiles, press releases, and editorials
for publication.
The Endorsed
Professional Entertainer program will
provide a highly marketable competitive
advantage and sales tool to qualified
companies, and provide a medium to
educate consumers about the features
that make an entertainer “professional.”
The program is open to all mobile
entertainers regardless of association
membership status or affiliation and
participation is encouraged for all.
There is a one-time $89 application
fee with discounts available to members
of Endorsed Groups (see page xxx).
Endorsement is a lifetime status but
must be maintained by providing updated
information no less than every 3 years.
For more
information about the Endorsed Professional
Entertainer Program, and to request
an application kit please contact.
National
Association of Mobile Entertainers
NAME@NAMEentertainers.com
800-434-8274
Or
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