Thinking about hiring a clown or other entertainer for your child's party? Here are a few tips for having a successful party; some may seem obvious, but these are all things I have experienced (most more than once) as a clown.

Do your research! Some clowns are great face painters, some are incredible magicians, and some put on hilarious shows. Make sure you know what you want at your event and that your clown can provide what you want. I focus mainly on face painting and balloon animals. I can do a couple of magic tricks, lead games and entertain children, but I do not have a funny act. Ask your friends what kind of entertainers they've hired, what they did and if they liked them.

Do not wait until the last minute to book your clown. You will have difficulty finding a clown available the week before your event, much less the day before. I would recommend booking a clown (or any other entertainer for that matter) at least two weeks prior to the event. If you do not hear from your entertainer in the few days before your event, call or email to confirm.

Do make sure your child knows what a clown is and is not afraid of clowns. I have arrived at a handful of parties at which the birthday girl or boy had never actually seen a clown and spent most of the party crying, screaming or hiding out of fear of clowns. You don't have to shell out the cash to take your kid to a circus prior to a birthday party, just look up some pictures or videos or clowns Online. Most clowns have pictures of their Web sites, so your child can see the clown that will come over. If he or she does feel appear nervous or frightened by clowns, see if there is another option. I have come to parties in normal clothes to do face painting and balloon art in addition to dressing to fit party themes.

Do let other parents know that you've hired a clown, so that they can prepare their children and make sure they are not afraid.

Do not schedule a clown to show up at the very start of your event. Tell your clown to show up half an hour to an hour after the party has begun so that all attendees will have arrived. It will make everything run much smoother and ensure that all attendees get the full experience.

Do not confuse "clown" with "babysitter". Please do not expect your entertainer to be able to paint faces, keep an eye on kids in line, make sure all the kids are accounted for, break up fights and comfort upset children. You are responsible for keeping your children in line, both figuratively and literally. Your entertainer is there to entertain.

Do make sure you have discussed payment prior to the event. Make sure you know what forms of payment are accepted. If you are paying in cash, make sure you already have the correct amount and do not need to make change. If you are paying with a check, make sure you know to whom the check should be written. Know which parent will be in charge of payment and let your entertainer know. Through my Web site, you can use a credit card to pay. If you do this, make sure it is a few days before the event, so that I know the payment has gone through.

Do take lots of pictures and have a great time!

Party hat picture from Kaboose, balloon sword fight picture from 3CuteKids

So, how did you become a clown?

When people find out that I am a clown, they usually ask how this happened. I didn't spend my childhood dreaming of joining the circus. I didn't seek it out. I didn't go to clown school. The opportunity was offered to me.

My mom worked with a woman who was a part time clown; her name was Sheila. After her partner moved away, Sheila asked my mom if I would be interested in helping her out with the workload. Like most people, the idea of being a clown had never crossed my mind before. Once offered, though, it didn't take me long to decide.

As a 15 year-old, opportunities for work are usually limited to babysitting or mowing lawns, and unless you are extremely lucky, neither of those pay very well. Not that clown apprentices roll in the dough either, but it's better than a few bucks and a pizza. And more fun. Much more fun.

My training began with practicing balloon animals (the hardest part was getting over the fear of popping the balloon! after that, learning to tie them.) and watching Sheila face paint at her Kid's Night at Picadilly. I got a basic face paint kit and practiced on my friends and family until I felt comfortable helping out at Kid's Night.

Assisting, mostly at Kid's Nights & a few festivals, was my only clown job until I went out on my own 3 years later. I'm happy to say that both Holly (regular me) and Lil' Miss Rainbow (clown me) have worked for private parties, corporate events, festivals such as SkaterAid, Relay for Life, Atlanta Heart Walk, The March of Dimes and much, much more.