Make or Break: Mascot Appearances

Mascots play a critical role for teams acting as community ambassadors and connection points. While their role in-game may be more visible, it's this community role that is likely more important. With that, teams and mascots must devote the time and effort to maximize these appearances. This effort will make the appearances more interesting and entertaining for guests, valuable for event organizers and enhance the stature of the team and the character in their community. With that in mind, I have identified 3 ways to make your mascot appearances great and 3 ways to ruin them as a guide to improving this important team inventory.

This effort should also extend across the organization, not just the mascot performer. Both have a vested interest in making appearances the best they can be. For the team, this is often the best way to inject your brand into community. Cost efficient, flexible and reliable. Teams often build in appearances to their mascot contact if the performer is full time, and if they are paid per appearance, the hard costs rarely extend beyond a couple hundred dollars. If positioned properly, this is a small price to pay for the chance to promote your brand in your community.

Mascots are also an incredibly flexible tool, a good mascot can work a crowd of adults as easily as a crowd of kids. They are right at home riding in a parade, greeting customers at a grocery store or entertaining at a community festival. Often they are the most identifiable member of your staff as well.

Finally, your mascot is reliable (or should be). Top level athletes sometimes don't treat appearances as their highest priority and they often have more challenges scheduling due to game, training, practices and travel. With a full-time mascot program, appearances are a top level priority and thus are easier to book, schedule and administer.

For the performer, incentives to make appearances great are different, yet just as strong. Many mascots make a significant part of their income from appearances. Being in demand can be the difference between a hobby and a well-earning job. Also being the centerpiece of a well-conceived appearance plan makes appearances more enjoyable and interesting, and will bring out the best in your performer.

PREMIUM CONTENT: Get the rest of the story on how to Make or Break your mascot appearances in the full essay from a professional mascot with over 20 years experience, including insights on why banks used to give away toasters (and why they no longer do)...don't worry, it will all make sense when you read it.

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