International University of Santa Claus (IUSC)

 

"School 4 Santas"

 

"Behind the Red Suit - The Business of Santa" 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Presented  by Santa Tim Connaghan,  RealSantas.com

"Behind the Red Suit -
The Business of Santa"
 

The #1 Guide to becoming Santa & Mrs. Claus

Your official course book covers all the following:

Workshops are Saturday  and Sunday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with one hour for lunch (not included)

Day One  -  The Basics of being Santa and Mrs. Claus  - plus, how to work with photo companies, malls and event producers.

  • The History of Santa Claus -  How he evolved from Stories, Legends and Cultures. 17 Centuries in 45 minutes!

  • The Basics of being Santa or Mrs. Claus - What a Santa and Mrs. Claus should know before starting - Making the visit memorable - Positive Guest Service  - your entrance or arrival - Your Ho-Ho-Ho's -  Who's in charge  -  Who do your work for? -  What your Bosses require of you.  - Customer/Guest Satisfaction.

  • Working in a Photo Set - The ABC's of a Photo Session - Posing and your Facial Features - Santa's Arrival - Welcoming the Children - The first 5 seconds - Seating Children, Safety & Procedures - Special Techniques babies, children and adults -Working with Special Needs Children & Adults -  Working with Mrs. Claus and/or your helpers -  How Mrs. Claus and/or Helpers can help you - Theme Days, Pets & Special Groups - Handling problems - When the Media Calls - The do's and don'ts of sitting in the chair - What your employer or host should supply.

  • Posing Techniques -  Today's Santa needs to do more than just say "Cheese!"  A review of techniques and tricks to get great photos.  Students will be asked to demonstrate their personal posing techniques with discussions and comments from their fellow Santas and Mrs. Claus.

  • Talking with Children - Asking, listening and answering - How to ask the right questions - Secrets of how Santa knows all - How to answer children's questions -  Answering difficult questions - Talking with teens and pre-teens - Knowing the current and most popular toys - Answering those who don't believe in Santa or Christmas - and many other questions children ask - "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays", What to do? - Changes in our society & how they affect us.

  • Special Event Santa - Making the Grand Entrance.  Handling large Crowds, Getting more training - Working with and using the Media. Adding Business income with Mrs. Claus and/or Helpers

  • Your Image as Santa - What children, parents and others see and think of you - 24/7/365? -  Background Checks - Grooming and Appearance - Your health and Personal Hygiene -

  • Enhancing your Image as Santa - Suggestions for improving your appearance and presentation as Santa.  Styling your beard or moustache.  Walking and Strolling - Acting like Royalty! - Actual demonstrations on how to enhance your image

  • Be Prepared - Be Organized - Being prepared for the job - Checklists of supplies and equipment - Checklists for work - The dressing area - What a client should supply - What you should have for entertainment and public appearances.

  • Get a Head Start on the Holidays - Planning and Scheduling your time so you can also enjoy your work, have time for family and reduce stress.

The Santa Claus Oath -  At 5:00 p.ml on Saturday Afternoon, by special arrangement with the Santa Claus Oath Foundation, there will be a Santa Claus Oath presentation.  All Santas and Mrs. Claus living in the region are invited to join with the students attending School4Santas to watch a short presentation and recite the Oath.  Following the presentation, they will be allowed to sign the Oath and receive a commemorative certificate, suitable for framing.  You do not need to attend the School in order to visit and take the Oath.

 

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Day Two -  The elements of being a special event or private party Santa including: Types and sources of business; Basic business set up; Elements of marketing and promotion; Additional sources of income

  • There is more than just sitting in a Mall -  Children's Parties & Home visits - Company and adult parties - Corporations and associations - Charitable and non-profit events - Media or marketing events -  - Parades - Tree lightings - Conventions and major dinners - Off-season events - Santa 24/7/365.

  • The Entertaining Santa or Mrs. Claus - Adding Storytelling, Singing, Magic, Balloon Art, etc. to your resume.

  • Mrs. Claus -  Working with and without Santa  - s How she helps Santa. -  Offering a special services that you are paid for: Storytelling, Cookie Decorating, Face Painting, Arts & Crafts - Work venues for Mrs. Claus, both with Santa and Solo -  Marketing the Solo Mrs. Claus.  

  • Adding more to your visit as Santa - Increasing your revenue from events.  Mrs. Claus and Helpers - Other activities - How to add a Santa Chair, Sleigh, Reindeer, Snow making and other services to your booking.  etc.

  • The Year-round Santa - What to do the other ten months of the year.  Summer promotions  - Modeling, Advertising and Commercial work  -  Can Santa be someone else?

  • Santa as a Business - Starting and managing your own business - The difference between a business and an expensive hobby -  Building a home based business - What you need to get started  - Getting free help and assistance - Setting your rates - Marketing and rate surveys - Insurance - permits and licensing - Background Checks - Bookkeeping - IRS.

  • Marketing & Promotion - How to Market yourself - Getting Good Photos - How to get free professional photos - Business Cards and handouts - Web pages and web sites - How to get others to promote you - Networking  - Promoting Mrs. Claus seperately from Santa.

  • Santa's Magic Suit -  Different types of Suits, robes and Santa attire.  Guidelines for Mrs. Claus wardrobe - Suggestions on special wigs for Mrs. Claus. Simple steps to building a good, workable wardrobe.  Care and maintenance of your wardrobe.  Santa "Show-and-Tell" a chance to view each others Suits, and comment on what is good and what is poor.

  • A Santa of Character

  • Presentation of Diplomas -  Family members and Friends are are welcome to visit the School at 4:30 on Sunday Afternoon as we present diplomas to all who attended the School.  Bring your cameras!

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

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Material for the International University of Santa Claus has evolved from the experiences of many Santa's and has been compiled by Real Santa, Tim Connaghan.  This information and additional materials are contained in his book, "Behind the Red Suit -The Business of Santa."

 

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This page was last edited April 11, 2013

 

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