S8E1: Annie Banannie - Balloon Storytelling
In this interview,\xa0Annie Banannie takes us into her career as a balloon storyteller. She talks about working with children, satisfying clients, and ultimately making a difference in the kids lives.
\nAnnie is a children\u2019s book author who doesn\u2019t just write and sell her books, but also creates \u201cballoon theater\u201d where she uses balloons to tell stories. Her shows are tailored for elementary schools, public libraries, preschools, and family events, and her mission is to help children realize that they have amazing creative ability hidden within themselves.
\nWith her, every balloon has a story.
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\nKris' Recommendation of the Week\nI just finished listening to the audio version of Steve Martin's book Born Standing Up\xa0and\xa0I get something new out of it every time! If you haven't read it, you should definitely check it out.
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\nInterview with Annie Banannie: Success\xa0Mantra\nShip! \u2014 Seth Godin If you wait until everything is perfect, you\u2019ll never do it. \xa0
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\nBalloon Theater and Working with Children\n\u2022 What is balloon theater?
\n\u2022 With kids, laughs per minute isn\u2019t as important as interaction with the humor.
\n\u2022 Never be afraid of straying from your plan.
\n\u2022 Making you volunteer have more fun on stage than anyone else in the audience.
\n\u2022 Working with special needs kids on stage.
\n\u2022 Making a difference on kids lives.
\n\u2022 Having a special needs kid up on stage being successful isn\u2019t only for that kid, but all the other kids in the audience as well, breaking down the barrier between the common kids and the special needs kids.
\n\u2022 Working with the client (teacher, parent, principal, etc.) to achieve their goals.
\n\u2022 Working within the school\u2019s schedule.
\n\u2022 Being reliable.
\n\u2022 Librarians talk about who they hire for entertainment and are brutally honest on how they liked or didn\u2019t like them.
\n\u2022 Pitching your show and educating your prospects \xa0
\n\xa0\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022 Not waiting until things are perfect.
\n\u2022 Selling your product before you make it.
\n\u2022 The importance having a coach and always learning. \xa0
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\nFailure Moment\nTells how she botched a silent act in Japan where she wasn\u2019t prepared enough in front of 2,000 people. \xa0
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\nFavorite Success\nTalks about how out of necessity of not having her props. she blew up a bunch of balloons and did a \u201ccreate your own story\u201d for the audience which turned out being a huge success! \xa0
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\nParting Advice\nPlay. Have fun. \xa0
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\nRecommended books and resources:\nNote: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we\xa0earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our\xa0podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our\xa0affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! \xa0
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\nResources: Podcasts and audiobooks. \xa0
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\nBooks:
\nPurple Cow and The Icarus Deception\xa0by Seth Godin
\nThe War of Art by Steven Pressfield
\n\xa0\nWhere can we find Annie Banannie?\n\nthesecretlifeofyourlibrary.com
\nfacebook.com/balloonstoryteller
\nDr. Electric Takes Over the World on Amazon
\nballoon-animals.com - Buster\u2019s Site
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