"HOW TO MAKE MORE MONEY AS AN IMPERSONATOR," the theme of the 2006 convention in Florida…the words caught my eye and I have been thinking about them since reading a full section in the Las Vegas Review Journal about the state of employment in Las Vegas, a city where the unemployment rate is less than 4% and the cost of living is one of the highest in the nation. The article asked, "Sure you can get a job here, but can you earn a living?"

With all the people surveyed, in a city where entertainment is one of the main jobs, it was strange that entertainers were not polled as to what their earnings were…nor were the high-ranking people who work in the many Hotel-Casinos in Las Vegas. However, some of the annual wages for hotel jobs surveyed were: Housekeeper at the Mirage $28, 893, Food Server at the Tropicana $33,379, Bell Captain at the Paris $39,582 and a Room Service Waiter at the Treasure Island earns $57,920; including working overtime and at part-time jobs to pay the bills.

The experts suggested budgets:
 

Don't you just love budgets?!!! Those above do not include clothing, education or books, insurances, child care, a hair cut, religious services, computer Internet costs and supplies, entertainment and television cable, charity and gifts, etc., etc. as well as gambling losses (please don't say you always win), a family vacation, dinner or lunch out…or a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

For a Celebrity Impersonator add: costumes, wigs & makeup, promo packages and mailing, music, continuous training/conventions, etc., the annual dues to the Network and, possibly, a little bit of plastic surgery…

"HOW TO MAKE MORE MONEY AS AN IMPERSONATOR" is an important topic of interest for tribute artists and every impersonator should attend the convention to find out how. Everyone take notes. If the instructors wrote a book, it would be a "Best Seller."

What do impersonators earn?
I hate the interviews where an impersonator states to the press that he is earning a half million every year. A half million what? Dollars? Is the IRS aware of this? What you earn is the business of the IRS and a lender if you are applying for a loan…and certainly not the business of the press and all of their readers…unless you are on the Forbes List of the highest earning millionaires.

Think Smart!! The real celebrities get very upset if their impersonators are making money emulating them…and really upset if they read that you are making more money than they are. Be quiet regarding your earnings…their lawyers are listening as well as the IRS.

The facts are that an Impersonator who is an exact image of the celebrity; one who looks exactly like, who has the same expressions and mannerisms, who, if the star sings and dances, does so exactly as the star, who pays attention to every detail and has the training and experience, can make a lot of money as an impersonator in and out of the showroom. But, seriously, folks…if you don't have the qualifications, be content to perform for low-budget events or do something you are qualified for.

Besides the talent agents and showroom producers, the Network list includes modeling agents, television producers and casting agents as well as a few film agents and producers. Do they know who you are?

To be the best you can be as a tribute artist is one thing…but to be the most you can be takes a lot of planning and a lot of work and, unless you have an experienced manager and/or publicist, you are the one elected to do it if you want to be really successful as an impersonator.

Possibly the one question you should ask yourself is "Am I content with my income?"

Have you stayed away from the conventions because there is nothing more you can learn about your industry to benefit your career? Does the camaraderie with your peers make you uncomfortable? Does it not benefit you to meet more agents and producers, who attend these events for the purpose of meeting the talent who showcases, than you know now?

A publicist once said, "If you know where there will be a group of agents and producers, make sure to do everything possible to put yourself there." There is nothing more difficult, expensive and time-wasting than a one-to-one audition.

"Pessimism, like the flu, is spread by casual contact…and more contagious than optimism," is a Billy Riggs quote. www.TheAttitudeDude.com It is difficult to be optimistic if you are staving to death but you must constantly train yourself to be optimistic as you search for the next opportunity that comes along…and be prepared to accept it.

How to make more money as an impersonator? Do all the right things required of you and don't sit by the phone, waiting for it to ring. Make up your mind to succeed and if you are not content with your income, learn what it takes to make more money doing what you do best. DO something…and do it NOW.