What Circus Category Are You? Sign-Up FAQ’s Answered by Circus Talk
You have seen Circus Talk news articles on your feeds. You have seen job listings and new member announcements popping up. Circus Talk is inviting the local and international circus community to join the first online casting tool and community-driven social marketplace for circus. But perhaps you are wondering who uses Circus Talk, and is there room for you and what you do on there? Is it just for circus artists? Is it just for professionals? Happily, it turns out that Circus Talk is for the whole circus family, from the beginning student or circus fan, to the costume designer, the director and every imaginable category in-between, including ones you might never have thought of, such as physical therapists and ticket suppliers.
Because of the diversity of roles in the circus world, there are quite a few categories listed which will help make your profile easier to find in the database searches other members will use. When you register on CircusTalk (it’s free) you will be prompted to identify if you are an individual or representing an institution. Within these two categories, you will also find further options. This initial identification serves as the backbone for our database of the international circus community. Our goal is that CircusTalk will have the most comprehensive directory of circus performers, companies, suppliers, festivals and more.
It may seem tricky to know which category to chose, since circus professionals often wear many hats. You could be a third year circus school student who just started her own circus collective and who makes income on the side by designing circus costumes. In this case, you may be wondering what category your service or skill set fills–but read on and you will get the help you need to create the profile/s that will serve your needs best. The good news is, once you get set up, you will have a place to sell your costumes, a place to market your show and even a place to network with other performers.
Individual
Individuals can range from a student to a director or designer (the list of individual options is comprehensive), but also an individual can be a member who wants their own personal account in addition to the account they set up for their organization or company. In the latter case, you will have two logins for two separate accounts. Once you have both accounts registered, you can join those accounts in settings and you can conveniently switch between accounts on your CircusTalk page. Then, as a performer, you can create an act or a show page.
Agency
The agency category is for companies that represent artists. Broaden your company database by joining Circus Talk’s and you will have access to new acts you didn’t even know existed. If you have a new audition or job to fill, you can post it directly on Circus Talk Job Board to reach your audience more effectively.
Company
The company category is for circus companies that perform and produce circus shows. Some circus companies are one or two members, student companies, a collective, or a co-op. Other companies are well established in the touring circuit or a big circus venue. There is a list of subcategories that you can choose, such as aerial dance, burlesque, clown theatre, contemporary circus, cruise line, dinner theater, entertainment and event provider, equestrian, hotel, ice entertainment, production company, theme park, traditional circus, television shows, variety, winter circus, and youth circus. As a company, you can create a show page. Our show database serves as a useful tool for programmers and presenters.
Festival
This category is for circus festivals, competitions, conferences, and conventions. It’s a great way to market your festival to the international community–and to share calls for submissions.
School/Training Space / Social and Youth Circus
This category is open to all places that have people rehearsing or learning circus–recreational, training spaces, studios, social and youth circus clubs, professional, and pre-professional programs. Schools can publish their class or workshop info, application deadlines, or post job positions for circus educators. Another useful tool for schools and students is the EDUCATION section.
Venue / Presenting Organization
Performing arts presenters can be from educational institutions, or theaters and performing arts centers , as well as producers who organize events. Circus Talk’s show and act pages is an especially valuable tool for presenters who need to sift through many performance options when scheduling their annual performance calendar.
Supplier
The supplier list encompasses many categories. Here is a sampling: Equipment, memorabilia, props, costumes, insurance, juggling supplier, lighting, magic supplier, make-up supplier, marketing/business consulting, physical therapy, special effects, rigging supplier, sound, tent supplier, ticketing service and videography.
Organization
Some groups mistakenly sign up their circus school or circus company under this listing, but the organization category is only for organizations that work with the circus community to connect communities and companies such as associations, federations, advocacy organizations, government-funded agencies and/or organizations, information providers, development agencies, networks and all types of umbrella organizations. For example, current members include FEDEC (European Federation of Professional Circus Schools) and AYCO (American Youth Circus Organization) listed under organizations.
Publication
Both print and digital publications such as blogs, magazines, podcasts, and television are welcome to register here–this category is open to all circus related media. Reach out to the Circus Talk community to broaden your audience base and keep your fans updated on new media.
Museum
All museums that have circus content (online or brick and mortar) are welcome to use this category and to touch base with your fan base.
Completing Your Profile
Once you have chosen the correct category to register under, the sign-up process will guide you through a series of simple prompts to get the information filled in on your profile so the circus world can learn more about you and what you have to offer. The information in each profile page is custom-tailored to the specific profile. Identifying yourself in the right profile is very important because your Circus Talk registration also creates a searchable database of the circus industry.
The average profile creation time is less than 10 minutes, and a well-done profile that includes photos, videos, contact information, links and a compelling About section can make all the difference and gain you many followers.
Visit Often
Visiting daily or several times a week can be beneficial. First, it helps your profile gain more followers who learn more about your work.
You can gain these followers in two ways:
1. Post away! Keep adding relevant content. What are you working on? What are you excited about? There are many ways to add content that engages your followers, such as adding photos, video progress reports, survey questions, links to things you appreciate and posting jobs and auditions. Remember, circus is a visual art form, so include as much visual content as possible and people will visit your page often.
2. Visit other member profiles and make connections. Look for ways to collaborate. Follow the companies, individuals and organizations who you work with regularly and seek out new connections. Leave feedback and respond to auditions and job offerings.
If you become active on your account, you will not only help Circus Talk grow as a tool for all members, but you will also be increasing the exposure to your ventures and increasing your business.
Contact Circus Talk
If you don’t see who you are represented or what you do for circus in any of those above categories, reach out and a Circus Talk representative will help you sign up! If you have something you want to see more of–news articles on certain topics or features for users, send a suggestion. Circus Talk is rapidly growing and committed to serving the international circus community and that includes you and your ideas!
Share
Help reach all the circus people by sharing what works about Circus Talk–and you will be helping grow the community and connecting with every corner of the globe! Follow us on social media at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Instagram for bonus material and up to the minute news and you will always be connected to circus.
Do you have a story to share? Submit your news story, article or press release.
