Before I was a tarot card reader, I was part of a puppetry guild. One meeting someone presented a talk about being a circus clown. “The Circus always had its first show of the season on the first of May, every year. New performers were called 5th of Mays. Especially the clowns.”
Clowning around
He went on to say that if you were quiet and watched the more experienced clowns closely, you could learn a lot. “After a while, if you were respectful to the older clowns, they would offer you tips to help you get better.”
Starting out
When I started at the Psychic Fair at the very beginning of my professional career the other readers took their time getting to know me. When they realized I was not going to compete with them for their best clients, they began to give me tips to be a better reader. I told a friend I felt like a 5th of May.
I still remember some of these tips. Be respectful. Dress professionally. They critiqued my flyers (we had to make our own flyers to advertise ourselves at the Fairs. They talked to me about how to read better. I listened and I learned. I am still grateful for their advice, support and friendship.
Stay humble
This is still the way of the world, I believe. I started working as an Entertainment Reader and found the same thing to be true. Be respectful of the other readers, help them if you can and they will pass on tips that will help you. They taught me how to set up a contract. How to talk to a client. I found It is not rude to talk about pricing.
Do not see the other entertainers as the enemy. Sure you are the competition, but there is never a need to be rude or pushy. Just be yourself and stay humble and you will go far. Network where you can. Sure you are the competition, but other readers are sometimes looking for readers to join them on gigs where the client wants 2 or more readers. I have gotten more business that way.
I have been in business for 35 years now. I still believe a little courtesy and respect makes all the difference. No matter what you do for a living.