10 Ways a Delegate Use Live-Tweet at Events

Live tweets increases your chance for new contacts and a good back-channel resource for delegates. It enlarges your online networking, offers viral following and interactive walls including reconnecting new and old acquaintances.

Prior event engagement

Although twitter has been around a while not many people understand the power of a tweet. Tweeting offers event organizers to engage with companies and individuals. It offer personal insight for bonding, meeting and interactive opportunities.

Know the hashtag

To avoid getting overwhelmed at the event or conference be prepared. Delegates in attendance should make sure they get the hashtag of the event.

Search for twitter handles of speakers, event hashtag through online research. Visit websites, blogs, online entertainment magazines, twitter.

Live-tweets offer top level insights

Live tweets capture the essence of a conversation. There is an air of razzmatazz, excitement and frequent updates.

The audience should be paramount while sending a live-tweet. The on the spot tweet will enrich your wide audience while offering valuable insight for onsite participants.

Keep the conversation flowing?

Learn how to keep the conversation flowing by providing an insight or agreeing with a tweeted statement. You need to develop the skill and find mutually interesting aspect of the event.

Get visual

Compelling conversations can carry so far however adding visuals will increase atmosphere. Use your smartphone or camera to take visual pictures of speakers or important participants.

Use special apps to increase the definition of the images and photographs. Use pictures to create ambiance such as buffet table, popular guests or take selfies with guests.

Connect with delegates

Tweeting live significantly increases your follower. Leverage on the event hashtag to appear in the live stream. This will effectively increase your social footprint and following. To create new connections it is important to follow some of the new followers.

Quote speakers accurately

Quote speakers correctly and add their name when sending a tweet. This is to avoid confusion as to who is speaking at the time.

Always attribute authorship and twitter handles to the right speakers. It is very important to get twitter handles of speakers in advance. Find out if speakers are on twitter then get their handle.

Tweet after the event

Some delegates stop tweeting immediately after the event. This is a wrong strategy because there are lots of after event things to do.

Use the events hashtag to send summaries, photo albums or after event analytics. You can comment on popular blogs, websites or entertainment magazines.
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How to Become an Actor: Step by Step Guide to Starting an Acting Career

Actors portray characters to educate and entertain audience. The job requires natural talent, good interpersonal skills, ability to memorize and interpret roles.

It requires practice, passion, stamina and loads of confidence in your ability. Today more than ever acting is very lucrative and there are many platforms to express your talent.

The job is very challenging and competitive because of huge number of people seeking fame. You could earn regular income as an actor however only a selected few become stars.

To learn the craft you need appropriate training, certification and determination. Here is a step to step guide on how to become an actor.

Step by Step Guide on How to Become an Actor

Different Types of Performing Art

The performing art is very broad and has different aspects. Common types are choreography, singing, dancing and acting. More are stage recitals, voice over and singing.

Acting Techniques and Methodology

An actor should develop his craft to succeed. There are different acting techniques such as Stanislavski system, lee Strasberg’s method and Stella Adlers technique.

Other notable techniques are Meisner, Practical Aesthetics, Uta Hagem method, Viola Spolin approach and Michael Chekhov method. 

How to Start an Acting Workshop

Where to Act

An actor portrays characters in television productions, movies and plays. They also lend their voice to commercials and children cartoons.

Actors are seen on stage plays, documentaries, home videos, movies and television productions. They work in music videos, YouTube videos, voiceover and different entertainment medium. You find actors on podcasts, local plays and commercials.

• children cartoons
• stage plays
• documentaries
•  home videos
• Movies
• television productions
• music videos
• YouTube videos
• Voiceover
• Podcasts
• commercials.

The Career Basics

The career basics include memorizing scripts, auditions and characterization. You work both live and on prerecorded acts such as movies.

You need to pass an audition to become one of the casts. Most time the actor works as extras, supporting roles before headlining or becoming a leading character.

Acting Skills

There are certain skills you need to perform credibly. You should be creative, have the ability to memorize scripts with excellent communication skill. You need passion, determination, persistence and physical stamina.

• Creative
• ability to memorize scripts
• excellent communication skill
• passion
• determination
• persistence
• Physical stamina.

Tools of the Profession

Tools of the profession are stage lighting, digital cameras and microphones. Others are motion picture software, costumes and scripts.

• stage lighting
• digital cameras
• microphones
• motion picture software
• costumes
• Scripts.

Actor Remunerations

Actor’s salaries and remunerations depend on many factors. They need to sign contractual agreements based on the amount agreed by both parties.

Some include the geographical location, type of production and expertise of the practitioner. Hollywood stars earn six figure incomes based on popularity, job description and brand.

They are able to attract such huge earns because they add lots of economic value to the production. A new actor in America could earn $20 per hour based on the producers.

Make Money with Voice Over

Steps to Become an Actor

So your dream is to become a successful actor, enjoy your craft and earn good pay. The step to become one differs with each individual.

High School Theater

A good place to start developing your skill is high school. Early training accounts for many actors and musicians success.

High School Theater is full of drama, plays, recitals and stage plays. Such classes introduce student to the performing arts and is guided by a trained thespian.

The student learns different acting technique, speech and dramatization. They also learn script writing, editing, stage lighting and production.

The students build confidence and have a foreknowledge of what acting entails. There are also acting groups and associations. Many actors have leveraged on the early couching to launch acting careers.

Join a Play House

Popular television, stage and movie stars launched their careers by joining a play house. A play house focuses on stage drama presentations.

They have directors, producers, script writers and actors. Find one in your locality and apply to join.

You could start with stage decorations, equipment handling, lights and small roles. Try auditioning for acting roles in such establishments.

Get Educated

Many actors go through university and obtain degrees. You could study for a bachelors and masters degree.

Enroll in an acting school to obtain a theater degree. The schools provide professional tutors in different aspects of performing art.  

Different Training Institutions

There are different training institutions that offer acting. They are Commercial acting schools, performing art school, community college and university education.

Associate Degree in Theater and Acting

You could get an associate degree in acting and theater. The courses include basic costuming, history of cinema, acting fundamentals and entertainment.

Bachelors Degree in Acting and Theater

Many universities offer degree program in theater arts. The programs usually run for 4 years with an award of bachelor’s degree in theater arts.

Course offered by such institutions are dramatic techniques, audition workshops, performing projects and Shakespearean/cultural performances.

You might decide to further the education by acquiring a master’s degree in acting and theater. Courses to expect are practicable business of stage, dramatic interpretations, script interpretation and traditional history.

If you are so inclined further the education and obtain a PHD.

Acting Institutions

• Play House
• High school
• Private Couching
• Universities
• Performing Art Schools
• Acting Schools

Potential Career Choices

Bagging a degree in theater and performing art opens many career choices. Apart from a career as an actor you could offer different services.

Top choices include becoming an acting coach or opening an acting studio. Others are producing, directing, acting, and set designing. 

Related career choices are film/video editing, camera operations, and animation. More are announcer, multimedia artist or explore you music and singing.

Acting Career Choices

• acting coach
• opening an acting studio
• producing
• directing
• acting
• set designing
• film and video editing
• camera operations
• animation
• announcer
• multimedia artist
• Singing.

Build a Resume

A good resume should accommodate all your productions. Make sure it covers stage productions, commercials, short dramas, and stage work.

Hire an Agent

Every actor needs an agent to find credible work. An agent offers huge network of possible clients, productions and auditions. It is not compulsory to have an agent however working with one could provide lots of opportunities.

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Start a Night Club Business

Although the night club business is very lucrative it is also high risk. The night life attracts different elements, people and lifestyle. You accommodate unsavory characters and the police authority.

The business has a very short lifespan and most clubs go out of business within five years. This is because of new trends and the need for patrons to experience new things.  

The business caters to young adults, tourists and professional in different fields. To establish a club you need huge capital, security and popular location. Others are good management team, marketing and reliable staff.

The business is tough and not for the fainthearted. If you thing you have what it takes here are a few suggestions.

How to Start a Night Club Business

Why Start a Night Club

In Africa there is huge migration to urban cities because of unemployment. There is also the lack of job opportunities in the villages.

Nigeria has a large population of young adults accounting for over 50% of the population. This demography is the labor force of the economy and financially buoyant.

They also need recreational fun activities to unwind after a hard days work. This is where the night club comes into the picture.  Successful night clubs are veritable money making machine.

• Make lots of money
• large population of young adults
• recreational fun activities

You need a Clear Business Concept

To run a night club you need a clear business concept. All clubs a conceptualized in certain ways. They focus on type of clientele, services, dress code and prices. The location could determine the type of club and clientele.

Business Concept

• Theme
• type of clientele
• services
• dress code
• prices
• location

How Night Clubs Make Money

 Night club makes money form admission fees, membership fees and exclusivity fees. They earn from selling hard liquor like Champaign, wine and beer. They also organize special shows events and some have paid chalets.

What you need to start a Night Club

Write Business Plan

Get an expert to write a night club business plan. This is important because of the different aspects of the business. Make sure the plan covers every angle from financing, management, supplies, location and staffing.

• Financing
• Management
• Supplies
• Location
• staffing

The location

The location could make or break the club. It should be in a popular area with lots of human traffic.

The location could be high-end, middle class or local population. The location invariable determines the clientele you want to attract. Bad locations are residential areas, religious establishments or beside a shopping mall.

Stock a verity of Drinks

To run a night club you need to stock different drinks. The more drink choices the higher your profit margin. You can stock both cheap and expensive drinks depending on your business strategy.

Try to stock only popular brands that are trending in your demography. The price of the drinks is determined by your business strategy. Avoid over pricing the drinks to remain competitive.

Provide Entertainment

Club patrons are looking for entertainment. You can hire popular DJs, television personalities or musical artists. Use comedians, live bands and organize performances. You can add games such as snooker, pinball, video games and darts.

Night Club Entertainment

• Live music
• Drinks
• hire popular DJs
• television personalities
• musical artists
• comedians
• live bands
• organize performances
• snooker
• pinball
• video games
• darts

Interior and Exterior Decoration

Night clubs are differentiated by the interior and exterior decorations. The decorations include lighting, mirrors, images and woodwork.

Others include dance hall, seating arrangement and sound system. You need to hire an expert in night club interiors to create the ambiance you want.

Clubbers carve new experiences so regularly update your interior to create different themes. Make sure the layout can accommodate the maximum number of people per square inch.

Hire good Management Team

The management of a night club requires close attention to detail. It also involves good accountability and financial management. The business is capital intensive and you need lots of working capital.

Services

What differentiates most night clubs is the service. Offer your patron’s exceptional service and quality food. You can give free appetizers or added values services.

Safety and Health

There are some safety and health issues in night club business. The safety issues are fire and security related for clubbers.

Hire bouncers, security guards get police protection. Yu need security for the packed vehicles and staff. There are also state guidelines on health and first aid.

• Hire bouncers
• security guards
• get police protection
• follow state guidelines on health and first aid
• party rentals business plan 
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• open non alcoholic nightclub

Offer Discounts

Offer your customers discounts and promotional prices. This will bring in much needed crowd. You can have 'buy two get one free' or free ladies night.

Promote the Club

Focus your promotions on the type of clientele you need. Use radio and television advertisement to create public awareness. Other ways are through social media channels, posters, banners and billboards. Try to distribute flyers and organize periodical shows.

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How to Become an Aerobic Instructor

There are different ways to become an aerobics instructor. You need certification, work experience, training. Other requirements include fitness training, technical workshops, and seminars.

An instructor could teach private, public schools or individual clients. The person could open a fitness studio, work part time or full time.

Opening a fitness studio comes with its own set of challenges such as finance, good location, equipment and licensing. Another way to get into the business is to work for a fitness studio. Here are some ideas on how to become an aerobics instructor.

Learn the Trade

To join the industry you need to get formal training. You need higher school diploma or bachelors degree. The courses of study are physical education, fitness training.

Others include kinesiology, exercise science and aerobics. The basic requires to become an instructor is high school diploma. You can take associate degree programs on nutrition, anatomy, physiology.

Other course of study are business management, accounting. Obtaining a bachelors degree in related fields will offer job advancement opportunities. It is essential the individual has good physical fitness and regular exercise practice.

• higher school diploma
• bachelors degree
• associate degree programs

Certification

In the United States of America you need certification. Top bodies are the Aerobics and Fitness association and American Council on Exercise. You can also join the International Fitness Professional Association.

Some states, private institutions offer examinations or certifications. There are also fields of study on first aid techniques in case of emergency.

If you wish to open a fitness studio your outfit needs certification. The studio should have safety equipment, insurance cover. The operator should register the business as a limited liability company and have a tax identification number.

Work Experience

It is important to gain work related experience. Secure employment as an instructor in aerobics studio, recreational center or gym. You need good interpersonal skill, basic knowledge of business management and accounting. You can gain experience from seminars, workshops or internship programs.

Experience

• seminars
• workshops
• internship programs
• apprentice
• start a successful home based business

Things to Consider Before Opening a Studio

To open a studio you need to define a clear picture. Who are your customer’s and what are the cost implications.

First write a studio business plan then carry out a feasibility study. Make sure the plan has an executive summary, future projections and finance information.

Estimate your financial requirements, credit and expected income. Secure funding through personal savings or bank loans.

Other funding sources are through partnership, angel investors or crowdfunding. More considerations are studio demography, operational costs, lease, pre-sales marketing. You need good advertisement plan to attract patronage.

• write a studio business plan
• carry out a feasibility study
• estimate your financial requirements
• secure funding
• studio demography
• lease
• pre-sales marketing
• advertisement plan 
• become dance instructor

Conclusion

To become an aerobic instructor you need formal training and experience. Business owners require additional skill in management and accounting. An instructor could join an established gym or provide private practice.

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How to Open a Cinema Hall

The Nigerian movie industry is a huge revenue earner. The average citizen loves both foreign and local productions.

They spend millions of naira each year consuming thousand of films and home videos. An investor can leverage on the popularity to establish a cinema. The business is profitable and moderately competitive.

How to Start a Cinema

There are three ways to start the business. You can buy into an existing on, join a franchise or start from scratch.

Starting from scratch requires huge startup capital for fixed assets. Buying into a cinema could be through private placement, ordinary shares/rights.

Franchise

The franchise format leverages on an existing brand. The franchisee gets full support from the principle through training and technical support. The benefits of franchising include leveraging on a popular brand and easy access to marketers, producers and distributors.

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Write a Business Plan

Write a cinema business plan and carry out a feasibility study. Conduct a survey to understand customer needs and find a good location. The business plan should focus on location, infrastructure, equipment, supply and staffing. You need huge funds to setup a moderate outfit.

Finance

The amount of startup depends on many factors. You need money to purchase land, build a structure, install equipment and obtain permits.

You could also rent space in a popular shopping mall and establish a small entertainment center. To get funds approach a commercial or merchant bank for loans.

Make sure the loan is long termed with low interest rate. You could also approach venture capitalists, find a core investor or try franchising.

Location

The location is very important to the success of the enterprise. Find a location in a popular area with heavy human or vehicular traffic. The location would impact on the amount you charge per ticket. Make sure it is easily accessible, attractive and secure.

Learn the Trade

To successfully run a cinema you need job experience. Learn through formal training, workshops and seminars.

Hire an expert in the trade for coaching and recommendations. You can seek employment in a cinema to learn the trade. Other ways are through online courses, books and video tutorials.

• job experience
• formal training
• workshops
• seminars
• coaching
• online courses
• books
• video tutorials

Register the Company

To become a limited liability company you need registration. Go to the Corporate Affairs Commission and register the business.

The next step is to apply for get a permit from the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board. The NFVCB have the statutory duty to regulate the Nigerian movie industry. You need liability insurance cover and tax identification number (TIN).

To show foreign films there are strict provisions to follow. There are also contractual agreements with local movie producers. You need full compliance with copyright provisions on public screening of movies.

• Register as limited liability company
• permit from the Nigerian Film and Video Censors Board
• liability insurance cover
• tax identification number (TIN)
• contractual agreements
• full compliance with copyright laws

Sell Snacks

As an entertainment center, leisure activities are usually accompanied by food. Sell a verity of snacks to your audience.

Setup a snack stand and sell meat pie, popcorn, cakes and sausage. Add an assortment of soft drinks, carbonated water, fruit juice and ice creams.

The snack section only requires a small oven at the back office, high chairs, sales stand and display boxes. The area should encourage temporary lounging between film presentations.

Buy Cinema Equipment

The quality of the equipment is very important. You need state of the art sound system, lightening, projectors and screen. Make sure the screening room is comfortable and secure. Provide adequate entry/exit points including fire safety equipment.

• sound system
• lightening
• projectors
• screen
• chairs

Employee Staff

You need staff to operate the key areas of the entertainment center. Common staffs are snack bar attendant, sales, manager, accountant and cleaners.

Others are projector operator, sound supervisor and security guards. Offer your staff periodical retraining for better efficiency.

Network with Distributors and Producers

You need to network with film producers and distributors. Make sure the films you stock are highest quality productions.

There are many top distributor channels for both foreign and local films. Insist on high definition picture and good sound quality. Before you can show any film there are copyright laws and contractual agreements with film producers. 

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Pricing and Earnings

The cinema predominantly makes money from snacks and ticket sales. The amount of ticket sales depends on the popularity of the film and audience.

The producers usually earn a predetermined percentage of your ticket sales for the viewing. The percentage is determined based on the number of times the film is shown, number of audience and other parameters. 

Producer can make good money from a popular presentation. What directly impacts on earnings are location, cinema crowd and price of the ticket.

The price of a ticket in Nigeria ranges from N500 to N2000 per film. Supplementary income is made from the sale of popcorn and snacks. Cinema business is highly lucrative and the operator can make millions of naira annually.

Marketing

To attract patronage you need to have a good marketing strategy. Advertise in local newspapers, entertainment magazines and popular blogs.

Use social media marketing, television advertisement and radio. Print flyers, posters, banners and billboards. Offer regulars, discounts, free tickets and promotional. Feature blockbusters and popular films to attract patronage.
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Guide to Starting a Radio Station

Starting a radio station is moderately challenging and lucrative. You need good transmission equipment, qualified staff and operational license.

You need to determine the type of broadcasting, frequency and content. Other challenges include finding an ideal location, government restrictions and funding.

Depending on the type of broadcast you need a minimum of N 20 million (naira) to setup a small station. This includes fess, levies, operational license, and equipment.

How to Start a Radio Station

Choose the Type of Broadcast

Before setting up your radio station you need to choose the broadcast format. We have satellite TV, Satellite radio, and terrestrial radio. Others are direct to home format, cable, government and local radios. Once you have determined the type of broadcast you need content.

• satellite TV
• Satellite radio
• terrestrial radio
• terrestrial TV
• direct to home format
• cable
• government
• local radios

Content

There are stipulated rules to content delivery. A licensee is required to broadcast 60% local content for open television and 80% for radio. Cable should broadcast minimum 20% local content. The station is also mandated to promote national interest, cohesion and unity.

Incorporate the Company

You need to incorporate the business with the corporate affairs commission. Register the business as a limited liability company.

The company is required to have a minimum N1 million naira shareholders. You need to define the type of broadcasting and content in your article of association.

Lease Office Space

The location of the station is very important. This is because broadcasting license is location based. Make sure the office has the appropriate equipment, good transmission room and broadcast studio.

Staff

Hire competent staff with experience in broadcasting. The staff should have a minimum of bachelor’s degree or good technical knowledge.

You need broadcast staff, technicians, journalist, location drivers and management staff. Others are secretary, cleaners, accounts officer and content creators.

• on air broadcast staff
• technicians
• journalist
• location drivers
• management staff
• account officer
• advert department staff
• secretary
• cleaners
• content creators

Frequency

Every broadcasting station is allotted a frequency. The frequency is where the transmission reaches its audience.

Once you are allotted a frequency you need to test out your broadcasting. Testing a frequency is only permitted once the operational license and permit is granted.

Radio Station Equipment

The primary equipment in a radio station is the audio Console. A panel controller operates the audio console control that transmits the broadcast.

There are basic equipments you find in a radio station. Common equipment is phone talkback system, button panel, level meters, and audio console.

Others are microphone, payouts/automated software, headphone. More include on air light, talent panel, studio monitor speakers, cd players, microprocessors and DAT machines.

• audio console
• phone talkback system
• button panel
• level meters
• microphone
• payouts/automated software
• headphone
• on air light
• talent panel
• studio monitor speakers
• cd players
• microprocessors
• DAT machines

Rank Room Equipment

Rank room equipments are studio hub, audio/O Node, mix engine. More are computer, KVM Extender, network router, broadcast audio processor and satellite receiver.

• studio hub
• audio/O Node
• mix engine
• computer
• KVM Extender
• network router
• broadcast audio processor
• satellite receiver

Transmitter Equipment

You need good transmitter equipment. Common ones are FM exciter, FM stereo generator, composite switcher, studio transmitter link.

More are antenna cabiner, transmitter remote control and antenna array. Office equipment includes stationeries, standby generator, and furniture.

• FM exciter
• FM stereo generator
• composite switcher
• studio transmitter link
• antenna cabiner
• transmitter remote control
• antenna array

Procedure for Obtain a Broadcasting License

The License is obtained for community radio, free to air terrestrial TV. Others are FM Radios, Satellite broadcasting, Direct to Home and Direct Satellite broadcast.

The applicant should be a Limited Liability Company with minimum share capital of N1 million. Other documentation include certificate of incorporation, memorandum and Articles of Association.

More documents are feasibility study, letter of bank guarantee and payment of license fee. FM Radio is city based and religious or political organizations are prohibited.

• Limited Liability Company
• minimum share capital of N1 million
• certificate of incorporation
• memorandum and Articles of Association
• feasibility study
• letter of bank guarantee
• payment of license fee

Licensing Application Form

In pursuance of an application for broadcasting in Nigeria a set form fee is paid. The commission certifies that the applicant is a registered corporate body under the Companies and Allied Act. They must ascertain that they are not applying for any foreign interest.

Licensing Fee

The schedule of licensing fee is paid for an initial term not exceeding five years and subject to renewal. There are ten categories covered by the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission.

The categories are locations in port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja Category A, Category B Any other locations. Others are cable satellite television, government stations and direct home DTH. Fees cover direct broadcasting satellite, wholesale importers/dealers.

The direct to home fees are N25 million for five years, N5 million renewals. Cable fees are N5 million for five years Lagos Abuja Port Harcourt.  Other locations attract 4 Million naira.

Category A Radio N20 million, Terrestrial TV N15 million, Cable N10 million(Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt). Other locations Radio N15 million, Terrestrial 12.5 million, cable N7.5 million.

Categories

• Category A locations in port Harcourt, Lagos and Abuja
• Category B Any other locations
• cable satellite television
• government stations
• direct home DTH
• wholesale importers/dealers

How do Radio Stations Make Money

Since radio stations don’t charge listeners how do they make money? There are several ways the make money especially from popular shows. Popular shows attract corporate sponsors in the form of advertisement.

On air advertisement is the primary revenue earner for radio stations. The cost of the ad is predicted on the length and time of broadcast. Pick periods attract higher advertisement costs and attracts huge audience.

Other revenue generating sources are through special events, syndication of popular shows and selling newscasts. Independent producer’s can purchase air time for their programs.

Radio Earning Sources

• on-air advertising
• online advertising
• charging callers
• sponsored content
• selling newscasts
• sponsored events
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Renewal of License

The procedure for renewal of license is clear outstanding financial obligations to NBC. The application should include original application form for expired license and a report of compliance.

The broadcasting station could be subjected to inspection by NBC and transmission logbook made available. The application for is submitted to the director General NBC through the zonal director.

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