Agenda

School4Santas  Two-Day Agenda
The History of Santa Claus - In the interest of time, and before attending the 'live' school, all students are asked to watch  "The History of Santa Claus," a special video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UaTsHXJFtSs  
This special video tells how Santa Claus evolved from Stories, Legends and Cultures.  From a humble beginning in the third century, we follow St. Nicholas as his stories and legends travel throughout the world and his evolution as he becomes Santa Claus.  This was originally presented as part of the 'live' school.  

Day One – I usually arrive at the meeting room at 7:00 a.m. to set up and start registration and check-in. The course begins at 8:00 a.m. with most of the day dedicated to The Basics of being Santa – plus, how to work with photo companies, malls, and event producers. We finish between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m. An evening dinner is usually at 6:30 p.m. for all students and any other Santas in the region. You do not need to attend school to attend the dinner. (Separate checks please.)

  • The Basics of being Santa – The Image and  Character of Santa and Mrs. Claus –  What you should know about the children/families- Making the visit memorable – Positive Guest Service – Who do you Work For?
  • Santa Goes to Work – Santa’s Arrival and Welcoming the Children – How Mrs. Claus works with Santa – Santa’s Greeting, Your Ho, Ho, Ho’s – Making the Grand Entrance – Welcoming the Children – The Five Second Rule
  • Seating and Photo Set-Ups – Before the Photos are taken– Handling Babies – Pre-cautions in Handling Toddlers and Children Photo Set-Ups with older children. – Photo set-ups with Adults – Know your best angles and Set-Ups – Arranging Photos with Groups
  • Posing for the Photos – Poses and Facial expressions –   What the Camera Sees – Traditional & Basic Poses – Facial Expressions – Hands in the Photo – Posing with Babies, Toddlers and Young children – The “YEAH” Technique – Posing with Teens, Tweeners & Adults – Posing with Mrs. Claus – Working with Special Needs Children and Adults
  • More than just Photos – Trainingyour helpers – Inconsiderate Parents – Theme Days and working with Pets – Working with the Media – Handy Hints for Sitting in the Chair
  • Talking with Children– Asking questions, listening, and answering – How to ask the right questions – What do you wish for? –  Encouraging Good Behavior – Never Promise/Never Deny anything – Children Who Challenge Santa – Answering Difficult Questions
  • To Those Who Do Not Believe – What to Say to Non-Believers – My Friends told me there is no Santa” – “Our Family Does Not Believe in Santa Claus” – When Someone Challenges You – “Merry Christmas” vs “Seasons Greetings.”
  • 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 – Santa’s Magic Suit and accessories.

The day will close with a special presentation of the Santa Claus Oath. All Santas and Mrs. Claus from the region are invited to attend. You do not need to attend the school to participate in the Oath ceremony.

Everyone is invited to join for dinner at 6:30 p.m. Again, this is for all Santas and Mrs. Claus in the region. (Separate checks please!)

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Day Two –     Again, I arrive around 7:00 a.m., and at 7:30 a.m., if those in attendance wish to do so, I can host a small non-denominational prayer meeting. School begins at 8:00 a.m. and the day covers finding work; 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. I will try to finish at 4:30 and begin graduation and presentation of Diplomas at that time. We will finish between 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

  • Working for a Mall or Photo Company – What does a Mall Position pay? – Santa Teams – Who’s in charge – Efficiency, it’s a team effort – Working with and training your helpers – Paws with Claus – Special Mall Duties – Handling problems – When the media calls, protocol for handling the media – Working away from home – What a mall or photo company should supply – Contacting Major Photo Companies.
  • Working for Yourself – Enhancing your image – Entertainment agencies –   Gig Salad – Becoming an Actor or Model – You need an Agent – Types of Agents – Searching for an Agent – Central Casting and Casting Services.
  • Santa as a Business – Part I – Getting Started – There is more to being Santa than just sitting in a Mall – Working for yourself – What is required to Start – Marketing your new business – Managing your business – Expanding your services – Santa’s Business Wardrobe – Steps to building a good, workable wardrobe. Care and maintenance of your wardrobe.
  • Santa as a Business – Part II –Finding New Business – Adding more to your visit as Santa – The Special Event Santa and Mrs. Claus – Company or Corporate Parties – Adult parties – Media or marketing events – Conventions and major dinners -. Making the Grand Entrance – Handling large Crowds – Parades and Tree lightings – Charitable and non-profit events – Increasing your revenue from events – Mrs. Claus – Working with and without Santa – Santas Helper/s How they help Santa.
  • Santa as a Business – Virtual Visits – Adding Virtual Visits – Using ZOOM, Facetime or SKYPE – Setting up your own home studio.
  • Santa as a Business –The Entertaining Santa – Adding Storytelling, Singing, Magic, Balloon Art, etc. – Children’s Parties & Home visits – Off-season events – The Year-round Santa, 24/7/365, and Mrs. Claus – What to do the other ten months of the year. Summer promotions – Off-season events – Modeling, Advertising and Commercial work – Can Santa or Mrs. Claus be someone else?
  • Santa as a Business – Adding Other Services– –  Offering additional or special services that you are paid for: Storytelling, Cookie Decorating, Face Painting, Arts & Crafts –  Adding Mrs. Claus and Helpers – Other activities – How to add a Santa Chair, Sleigh, Reindeer, Snow making and other services to your booking –  Other Entertainers and music — Games, Crafts, Storytelling and other activities – Equipment and Sets, Sleigh, Reindeer, real and theatrical snow
  • Santa as a Business  – Marketing– How to Market yourself Santa’s business cards, flyers & hand-outs – Getting Good Professional Photos – Free professional photos – Sales Calls – Web Sites –  Facebook  – Gig Salad,  Networking, How to get others to promote you – Working with and using the Media – Promoting Mrs. Claus separately from Santa, the Solo Mrs. Claus.
  • Starting a Santa Business – Business Start-Up – The difference between a business and an expensive hobby – Your appointment Book or Calendar – Other Calendars – Add Appointments for Yourself – A reliable phone number – A budget and good recordkeeping – Setting your fees.
  • Starting a Santa Business – Contracts, Rates, – The booking agreement/contract – Setting your rates – Marketing and rate surveys – Santa Insurance –Why Background Checks – Getting your background check – Getting help and assistance
  • Be Prepared, Be Organized – Get a Head Start on the Holidays – Planning and scheduling your time so you will have more time for yourself and reduce stress. – Physical Preparedness – Material Preparedness – Your Dressing area- When sitting for a larger group – Santa’s Utility box and Utility bag – 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.
  • What Qualities do Great Santa’s Possess – Protecting the Image of Santa Claus – Changes in the Santa Society – Unifying the Santa Community – The Santa Claus Oath – The Mrs. Santa Claus Pledge – The Knights of St. Nicholas – Santa Emeritus.
  • Graduation – Presentation of Diplomas