Getting and Keeping employees for sporadic Contract Work

In the beginning I found this a challenge. The type of contract work I do is dependant on when a client wants my service (and in the entertainment business, you never know when). So, at least in the beginning, I need to get a general idea of an employees availability. This gives me an idea if I can perform at a birthday party on a certain date.
First, understand, I just started my business in Aug `05 and that I have built up a small list of satisfied customers. This is key because employees must have something to look forward to. Right now I am in negotiations with a school and various library branches. So my goal is to get steady work which will motivate employees to stay with me. And, of course, they must be paid well. That`s my philosophy. I can make my money through scaling my extended product line.
In the meantime, with contract few and far jobs , what do I do? Well what I did was get lucky & got a great Creative Assistant. I want to keep my best employee, so I pay her generally more than the other employees & use her more frequently than the others. I am a small company with little funds now & to ensure the service of one happy employee is the best that I can do.
As most business owners know, getting employees can be an expensive by using newspapers, radio or TV. I have found 3 very most effective methods. One is My Space. After a week, You can post an ad to find employees FOR FREE..and it works. Second, the chamber of commerce recommended a periodical here in Miami. $30.00 for 1 week. That works too. Third in interns. Some educational schools provide interns to businesses in the community - and some interns just work for credits. Big advantage! However, all this is based on my negotiating skills as an employer; and I have only been an employer for a few months now.
Here is what has happened in the past. A teacher asks, can you entertain 100 students - I was shocked and said no! But it strikes a good point. With a great service (such as my business, "Native American Puppet Theater" www.nativepuppets.com</A> ) demand for large numbers is very possible and can make the business much money; How can I fulfill that demand with the proper number of employees ready and eager?
I need input on this subject so bad.
Thanks,
David Coronel
First, understand, I just started my business in Aug `05 and that I have built up a small list of satisfied customers. This is key because employees must have something to look forward to. Right now I am in negotiations with a school and various library branches. So my goal is to get steady work which will motivate employees to stay with me. And, of course, they must be paid well. That`s my philosophy. I can make my money through scaling my extended product line.
In the meantime, with contract few and far jobs , what do I do? Well what I did was get lucky & got a great Creative Assistant. I want to keep my best employee, so I pay her generally more than the other employees & use her more frequently than the others. I am a small company with little funds now & to ensure the service of one happy employee is the best that I can do.
As most business owners know, getting employees can be an expensive by using newspapers, radio or TV. I have found 3 very most effective methods. One is My Space. After a week, You can post an ad to find employees FOR FREE..and it works. Second, the chamber of commerce recommended a periodical here in Miami. $30.00 for 1 week. That works too. Third in interns. Some educational schools provide interns to businesses in the community - and some interns just work for credits. Big advantage! However, all this is based on my negotiating skills as an employer; and I have only been an employer for a few months now.
Here is what has happened in the past. A teacher asks, can you entertain 100 students - I was shocked and said no! But it strikes a good point. With a great service (such as my business, "Native American Puppet Theater" www.nativepuppets.com</A> ) demand for large numbers is very possible and can make the business much money; How can I fulfill that demand with the proper number of employees ready and eager?
I need input on this subject so bad.
Thanks,
David Coronel
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Comments
As for colleges, I`ll try the, again.
thanks