Singing telegram booking service

Customers booking surprises for birthdays, anniversaries and retirements, plus offices, event planners and venues.

You charge the customer a flat fee per booking and pay each performer a share, keeping the difference. Add-ons like costumes, video and extra songs raise the average booking.

• Organizing schedules and people
• Marketing and customer service
• Finding and managing reliable performers
• Performing experience is a plus

• Check whether performers should be treated as independent contractors or employees under your state's rules, and get advice before hiring
• General liability insurance, and check whether workers' compensation applies once you have employees
• Check with your city or county about a business license, and register with your state for sales tax if it applies to your services
• Clear cancellation and no-show policies, since a missed performer hurts your reputation
• Copyright and music licensing for any songs or backing tracks used in paid performances

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your website, phone line, marketing and insurance. It is an estimate, so get quotes for your own setup.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on how many bookings you take and how many performers you can schedule. The estimate assumes roughly 8 hours a week at minimum.

Check whether performers should be independent contractors or employees under your state's rules, and get advice before hiring. Also check general liability and workers' compensation, city or county licensing, state sales tax registration, and music licensing.