Singing telegram agency

Customers arranging birthdays, anniversaries, hen parties and retirements, plus companies and event planners wanting entertainment.

The customer pays per booking and you pay the performer a share, keeping the difference for marketing, admin and running the agency.

• Organising diaries and bookings
• Marketing and local networking
• Judging performers and matching them to jobs
• Customer service

• Check whether performers are self-employed or could be treated as employees, and take advice if unsure
• Public liability insurance for the business and check what performers need to carry themselves
• Music licensing for backing tracks and performances, for example PPL PRS
• Clear contracts and cancellation terms so you are not left paying for no-shows
• Data protection: you will hold customers' names, addresses and event details, so check your obligations with the ICO

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £300 to £2,000, depending on your website, marketing, insurance and any costumes or equipment you provide for your performers.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,500, depending on how many bookings you win and the size of your roster. The estimate starts from about 10 hours a week, before paying performers and other costs.

Check whether performers are self-employed or could be treated as employees, and take advice if unsure. Also check music licensing such as PPL PRS, public liability insurance, your contracts and cancellation terms, and your data protection obligations with the ICO.