I will ocassionally video tape my show for quality control reasons. I just received an email from a client asking if she could purchase a copy of the recording from me. Is anyone selling video recordings of their shows? If so, what are you charging? Is there any reason why I wouldn't want to do this? At this particular party, the client seemed to be making their own video tape, I'm almost tempted to trade copies and ask for permission to use highlights on my website.

If you have the capability, you might consider offering a video/DVD service with your party shows- you don't allow anyone else to tape your show, but if the client wishes, YOU will make a tape of the show and sell them a DVD/VHS and as many copies as the client wants to give to other parents whose children attended the show. As a rule, you should make this a private thing between you and just the people (or parents of the people) who are attending the show, so you don't have to get written permissions. The DVD/VHS contains your edited footage of the show, plus some footage showing how to make a balloon animal or how to do a simple trick, and naturally it contains a commercial with your contact info for any parents who see it who might want to hire you.

Begin by charging just your expenses until you learn how to make a reasonably professional looking product and by then you will know what the market will bear.

Those are some great suggestions--thanks a lot Spellbinder!