The Outside In Storytelling Boot Camp:
"Think that being a starving artist makes you more noble? Knock it off."
Random FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
This is a frequently updated document. Please forgive typos as we move along.
Last Update 08/25/2008. Updated items are marked with: 
Q: What do past attendees say about this experience?
A: Click here now to read their comments.
Click here for the link to listen to some comments.
Q: How many people will be at this event?
A: No more than 20 students! That's it. Not hundreds, just a small group of 20 students plus our staff and speakers. Try getting that at any other training experience of this caliber. We will have a small group with 10:1 focus from your presenters! A place where everybody knows your name? Probably. Sorry, no hiding in the back of the room on this one.
Q: Who should attend this "Outside In Storytelling Boot Camp?"
A: We're not just limited to storytellers. Any performance artist who is trying to move to part-time or full-time status in their work will benefit from the OISBCamp. This is not an introductory event to teach essentials of storytelling, so we'll assume that you have some experience OR that you already have a good grip in what you do in your art form.
The event is directed towards storytellers, but those who use dance, puppetry, music performance, public speaking and other fine arts will benefit from our time together.
Q:Will there be another camp like this in the future?
A:We believe that there will be. However, this Marketing Boot Camp is very expensive project for us, so we make the decision one camp at a time. So, if you are interested, do everything you can to attend this
session if this topic is of interest and need for you.
Q: I am an "artiste!" I hope we will be talking endlessly about philosophy, motivations, transcendent issues. Isn't that what it's all about?
We're probably not the right event for you if you want to talk about your metaphysical reasons to be an artiste. This is about the nuts and bolts of making money as an artist. As artists ourselves, we know that there is a time and
a place for all the "how does your storytelling make you feel" discussions, but this "Outside In Storytelling Boot Camp" will not be the place. This is an event to help you learn the skills and attitude needed to succeed as a performing artist. Maybe you can change the world with your Storytelling, but you won't change anyone if they don't know about you in order to book you or if you are so financially broke that you are flipping hamburgers for a living instead of being a working artist.
Q:What do you mean by "camp?" Where will this be held?
A; The "camp" is a focused training session across three days that will help you LASER IN on the experiences, skills, knowledge and talents you need
to be a paid performing artist. Your instructors are working professionals who have taken the time out of their calendars
to help you learn about the business of being a performing artist and answer your questions.
The amount of coaching you'll be getting is normally priced at $295+ per private hour.
You'll be participating in more than 9 hours of focused sessions plus shared meals with the staff. We won't run away and hide during the meals.
This is a professional training event. The February 2009 event will be held at a professional hotel/conference venue in the West Valley of the Greater Phoenix (Arizona) area.
If you are coming from out of state, then you will want to fly into the Phoenix Sky-Harbor airport (PHX).
Your meals (most are included) will be available right at the hotel.
We don't lose time for long meal breaks. You are welcome to stay at the hotel for the discounted rate we will secure for you or make
whatever accommodation arrangements you wish.
Why not enroll right now in the OISBCamp? Click Here!
Q: What's included in my registration?
A:For your $595 fee, you'll get links to mp3 audio files containing two homework sessions to get you started.
At the event, we include the session notebook, leadership by working professional storytellers, copies of the conference-content on audio CD(s),
a few surprise goodies and most meals.
Included Meals: You'll start on Thursday with a great buffet dinner. We'll provide breakfast, lunch and snacks for Friday. On Saturday, we'll have
breakfast in the morning and boxed lunches as we continue through our "working lunch."
You are responsible for your transportation to and from the hotel location, dinner on Friday (tons of choices in the area!)
and, if you are staying overnight, paying your own hotel room costs.
Q: Isn't the fee a lot of money?
A: No, it's not. It's inexpensive. Go on, do some research into what professional training costs.
Check out the director's blog at this link for more thoughts about the value of this workshop. Quick, register now before we start charging what OISBCamp is really worth.
To get this content with Sean (or any coach of his level) privately, you would pay $2700. One (maybe two) of your gigs should pay for this workshop. If your gigs don't, then YOU REALLY need to learn what we are going to teach.
In addition, we believe that the accountant session alone could save you several thousand dollars per year for the rest of your career. Our fee is nothing compared to what
you will end up saving!
Q:Can I make several payments?
A: Yes. We can make payment arrangements on anything but the Early-Bird price. A non-refundable 50% deposit is required to hold your registration.
(We'll refund your money if we fill your spot, but we don't guarantee it.) All payments must be in full no later than 30 days before the event.
There are no refunds of any fees within 30 days however you may transfer your registration to another person.
Q: Will you help me find a roommate?
A: We'll put out your request to others who are attending. Then, it is up to you to connect with anyone who responds. We take no responsibilities for
any arrangements that you may or may not make.
Q: Will we be getting one-on-one time with the presenters?
A: As currenlty scheduled, one or more participants will be chosen by drawing to have their marketing programs examined by the entire group. You'll get a chance to learn by watching another student
in the "hot seat" be coached and guided through marketing possibilities by an experienced coach. Sunday afternoon coaching sessions can be arranged with Sean for an additional discounted fee. These sessions
quickly filled at our last event.
Q: Will this camp help me become a star on the storytelling festival circuit?
It might, but don't bet on it. We'll bluntly tell you the silly, challenging realities and secrets about the Festival industry you don't already know.
Rather, let us teach you how to get hundreds of other sponsors to pay attention to your work! And, you'll get paid better by these sponsors, too.
Q: Are you giving us legal or tax advice?
No, not at this price. You can't hold even the IRS to what they say, so we're way out on that one. We're performers with decades of experience in the business of
being artists, but your "mileage will vary" in your own situations. We usually do have a real, live accountant come and spend a chunk of the first morning
with us but you must always consult your own attorney or tax pro if you have questions. We'll give you guidelines as we understand them. Your presenters are not lawyers.
Your presenters are not CPAs.
Q: May I bring guests?
A: We are currently revising our guest policy to help you in bringing with you another significant decision maker at a special "register two." This person will be limited to
a spouse or partner, business partner or family member. Other non-releated artists will not be included in this special arrangment. Please stand by for more information.
Q: What is the schedule?
A: A more detailed schedule will follow. For your planning needs, here is our basic schedule.
Our first session and dinner begins at 5:00PM on Thursday. Friday runs from 8:00AM to 6:00PM with your evening free for dinner on your own or with some new friends.
Friday will be 8:00AM to 3:00PM. If you are flying out of the Phoenix airport, we suggest not taking a flight out before 6:00PM. Times are subject to change.
Q: What are the sessions about?
This is all subject to change, but here are some of the high-content sessions:
Session : Mini Concerts and Mind Shifting
Session : Mastering the Press
Session : Defining Your Audience and Yourself
Session : Marketing Madness: Print, Promotional, Postcards
Session : Marketing Madness: All Things Internet
Session : Making a CD and Other Recordings
Session : Open Questions and Answers
Why not enroll right now in the OISBCamp? Click Here!
Q:Who are the instructors?
What can you learn from someone who doesn't have a "day job?" EVERYTHING.
Please see this website under PRESENTERS for more information.
Q: What am I going to learn? Do you have examples?
A:See if this whets your appetite. Some samples of what you might learn
include:
What is the difference between marketing and advertising?
What are the different markets for storytellers and artists?
Where should your focus be as a working artist?
What phrase gets your envelopes opened?
What do more than 50% of your clients look forward to doing each day?
What are the three circles of "Outside In" artistry?
How do you avoid the big three artist traps of narcissism, irrelevance and intimidation?
How can you protect your income?
The difference between the client funnel and client bucket?
What is the one must do thing you need to do before you'll succeed?
What your friends won't tell you about your storytelling?
What must you always be ready to do?
Where are you probably wasting marketing potential?
What is your real business?
Why you need to be honest with yourself?
What must your CD include?
What one thing must you do to your mailing list?
Why your "cheap fees" are killing you and your art form?
How should you dress as an artist?
Why gate-keepers aren't your problem.
How can $6 a year bring you $100's?
What should be in your marketing kit?
What taxes do you have to pay?
Why must you always have a microphone?
What your press release must include?
What's the difference between exposure and being exposed?
How to say no to charities and still be a nice person?
What battles do you choose?
Why your emotions might not be helping you?
Are you an owner or a CEO? Why you must make know the difference.
Q: Will there be any fun?
A: This is a focused training event but there will be some chances for fun and artistic expression. You will get an intimate mini-concert by our staff on Wednesday night. There's plenty of evening time for informal sharing in the comfortable lobby and patio of the hotel.
You'll be treating each other to "Quick Command Performances" throughout the sessions. Also, our presenters tend to be funny on purpose and more often by accident. Well, all the presenters but the accountant. He's pretty serious. Serious or funny, you will learn from your presenters.
Q: I demand SWAG! What's in Your Bag?
A: For those of you who can't survive a convention without this we will have some free, actually useful, swag. The food will be pretty darn good, too.
Why not enroll right now in the OISBCamp? Click Here!
Q: I don't have a business plan yet. May I still attend?
Yes. And take heart in that you are already ahead of the curve! We find that most artists would respond by saying, "Business Plan? What's that?"
Q: Will you bring this workshop to my city?
A: You can book Sean to present this workshop in your city with you or your organization handling all the arrangements for meals, location, registration, etc. Please contact
us for more information.
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