Nov 21, 2014

I was browsing through notes my editor, Donna DeMaria, made in my How to Add Zing to Your Party, Convention, Meeting or Event A Handbook for Company, Association and Group Party Planners and found a note she left on The IT Factor.

That got me wondering, what is The IT Factor and how can you tell if an entertainer has it?

Well, I think a lot of people have it, but to varying degrees. Maybe the difference in degree is also the difference between an entertainer being a huge star and one who has a cult following. Maybe some of what goes into The IT Factor are things like grace, poise and loquaciousness but at the same time confidence, "every man appeal" and even a small dab of braggadocio. And possibly, the mix and appeal of those qualities (plus other qualities I may not have mentioned) is different for different observers.

So how does one tell if the entertainer they are about to hire has The IT Factor?

I'd say meet them in person first if possible. A face to face meeting would probably give a clue. (But maybe not, how many times has HR been "fooled" by new hires?)

Another way would be to watch a video of the performer in action. Pay particular attention to the crowd reaction. If the crowd is attentive and engaged, the entertainer probably has some mass appeal and some degree of IT Factor.

Another thing I'd check is testimonials. If the entertainer did have The IT Factor it will probably be obvious in the testimonials.

I realize this post was a bit ambiguous, just as The It Factor is. But I hoped it helped, even if just a little.

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