How to Be Dance Company Touring Merchandiser - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 21, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The Dance Company Touring Merchandiser is a key role in the promotion of any dance troupes success. By creating and managing merchandise sales, the Touring Merchandiser helps to generate revenue and increase brand awareness. This can have a positive impact on ticket sales, as well as media and audience engagement.

Furthermore, merchandising is not only beneficial for a dance troupes financial gain, but also for the morale and enthusiasm of its performers. The Touring Merchandiser has the ability to create special designs, exclusive items, and unique products that will help to motivate and energize the dancers. With these resources, the Dance Company Touring Merchandiser can ensure that the troupes success is long-lasting.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or equivalent. This is generally a requirement to become a Dance Company Touring Merchandiser.
Obtain experience in the retail industry. Working in retail will give you the knowledge and understanding of how to effectively promote and sell merchandise.
Acquire knowledge of the dance industry. This will help you understand the culture and trends of the dance industry and how to market your merchandise accordingly.
Develop strong customer service skills. As a merchandiser for a dance company, you will be interacting with customers and need to be able to communicate effectively and provide a positive customer experience.
Get certified in merchandising or obtain a degree in business or marketing, if possible. Having a formal education or certification in merchandising will give you an edge in the field and make you more attractive to potential employers.
Look for internships or entry-level jobs with dance companies. This will give you experience working with the company and allow you to learn more about their merchandise offerings.
Network with other merchandisers in the dance industry. This will give you valuable contacts and allow you to stay up-to-date on trends and new products.
Research available touring opportunities with the dance company you are working with. This will help you determine which events might be best suited for your merchandise and how to most effectively promote it.
Create an effective merchandising plan for the tour you are working on. This should outline your strategy for selling the merchandise, pricing, and any other considerations for the tour.
Execute your merchandising plan during the tour. Manage the merchandise inventory, set up promotional materials, and engage customers.
Monitor sales and adjust your plan accordingly. Make any changes necessary to ensure that your merchandise is selling as well as possible.

Touring merchandisers for a dance company need to be efficient and organized to ensure success on the road. An ideal merchandiser will have an understanding of the companys target audience, the best marketing and promotional strategies, and the ability to efficiently manage inventory and budgets. Merchandisers should also have a good knowledge of the local market, keeping up with trends and changes in order to maximize revenue.

Having an organized system for tracking orders, tracking inventory, and managing finances is essential to ensure successful tours. Furthermore, merchandisers should have strong communication skills to liaise with local venues, vendors, and other stakeholders. By being organized, knowledgeable, and communicative, touring merchandisers can ensure that their dance companys tour is both successful and profitable.

You may want to check Dance Company Touring Stage Manager, Dance Studio Manager, and Dance Company Touring Lighting Designer for alternative.

Job Description

Develop and execute touring merchandise sales strategies
Create and manage merchandise inventory
Manage online and offline retail platforms
Coordinate merchandise orders and shipments
Monitor budget for merchandise sales
Track and analyze sales data
Develop and maintain relationships with vendors
Ensure quality control of products
Create promotional materials and campaigns
Handle customer service inquiries related to merchandise

Skills and Competencies to Have

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
High level of organizational and time management skills
Knowledge of merchandise production and promotion
Knowledge of standard retail/tour merchandising practices
Ability to develop creative merchandise solutions
Knowledge of customer service principles and practices
Ability to manage multiple projects at once
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Strong attention to detail
Knowledge of tour accounting procedures
Ability to travel for extended periods

Having good organizational and communication skills is essential for a successful Dance Company Touring Merchandiser. This is because they need to be able to effectively plan, coordinate and communicate with the various personnel involved in the tour, such as the dancers, production staff, costume designers and marketing personnel. They must also be able to prioritize tasks, be highly organized and have excellent problem-solving skills.

Being able to coordinate and manage multiple tasks can help the Touring Merchandiser ensure that the tour runs smoothly and that all merchandise is available for sale in the most efficient manner. Furthermore, having knowledge of the details of the tour, such as the venues, dates, and merchandise types, will help them better serve their clients. Finally, having a good understanding of the companys branding and promotional strategies helps the Touring Merchandiser create the best possible merchandising plans.

Dance Company Wardrobe Supervisor, Dance Studio Floor Manager, and Dance Company Touring Artist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have with merchandising for dance company tours?
Describe a creative solution you have implemented to increase sales of merchandise on tour.
How do you ensure the merchandise you select is appropriate for the tour audience?
What have you done in the past to promote merchandise at events?
How do you develop and maintain relationships with vendors and suppliers?
How do you handle customer complaints or returns?
How do you stay up-to-date with trends in the dance apparel industry?
What strategies do you use to ensure efficient inventory management?
How do you plan ahead and anticipate needs for the tour?
What do you consider to be the most important qualities of a successful dance company touring merchandiser?

Common Tools in Industry

Point of Sale System . A system used to process sales, track customer data, and manage inventory. (eg: Square POS)
Inventory Management Software . Software used to track and monitor inventory levels in real time. (eg: Fishbowl Inventory)
Product Display Solutions . Solutions that offer a variety of ways to showcase and present merchandise on tour. (eg: POP Displays)
Digital Marketing Platform . Platforms used to manage digital advertising campaigns and reach target audiences. (eg: Hootsuite)
Social Media Management Software . Software used to manage multiple social media accounts in one place. (eg: Sprout Social)
Tour Management Software . Software used to manage tour dates, venues, and logistics. (eg: Gigwell Touring Software)
Merchandise Ordering System . A system used to process orders and manage payment transactions. (eg: Shopify)
Accounting Software . Software used to track financial data and manage tax information. (eg: QuickBooks)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Dance Education Organization (NDEO)
International Council of Kinetography Laban (ICKL)
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD)
Dance/USA
International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS)
World Dance Alliance (WDA)
Dance Critics Association (DCA)
International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD)
Dance/USA Emerging Leaders Program
Dance/NYC Task Force

We also have Dance Performance Technician, Dance Company Tour Manager, and Dance Programmer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Tour Manager. A tour manager is a professional who coordinates the logistics and operations of a band or dance companys tour. They are responsible for overseeing the travel, accommodations, and budget for the tour, as well as providing support and guidance to the performers.
Promoter. A promoter is a person or company who books a performer or group for a performance or series of performances. They are responsible for booking venues, managing ticket sales, and ensuring that all necessary contracts and agreements are in place.
Merchandise Vendor. A merchandise vendor is a business or individual who provides merchandise related to a band or performance. This includes t-shirts, posters, CDs, mugs, and other souvenirs.
Public Relations Firm. A public relations firm is an organization that works to increase public awareness of a particular artist or company by creating press releases, managing media appearances, and other promotional activities.
Tour Bookings Agent. A tour bookings agent is a professional who specializes in booking performances for bands and dance companies. They are responsible for securing venues, negotiating contracts, and managing the entire process of booking tours for their clients.
Artist Manager. An artist manager is a professional who works with an artist or group to further their career. They handle the business side of things such as managing contracts, budgets, and marketing campaigns.
Tour Bus Driver. A tour bus driver transports performers and equipment to and from performances. They are responsible for ensuring that all equipment is safely loaded and transported, as well as keeping the bus in good working order.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary responsibility of a Dance Company Touring Merchandiser?

The primary responsibility of a Dance Company Touring Merchandiser is to manage the merchandising operations of a dance company that is on tour, including setting up merchandise displays, stocking and organizing merchandise, packing and shipping merchandise, and handling customer sales.

What qualifications are necessary to become a Dance Company Touring Merchandiser?

To become a Dance Company Touring Merchandiser, one must have strong organizational and customer service skills, experience with merchandising and inventory, and the ability to work independently. A college degree in business or related field is preferred but not required.

What kind of hours do Dance Company Touring Merchandisers typically work?

Dance Company Touring Merchandisers typically work a combination of daytime and evening hours depending on the tour schedule of the dance company they are working with. They may also be required to travel to different venues.

How much do Dance Company Touring Merchandisers typically earn?

The amount earned by a Dance Company Touring Merchandiser typically depends on the size and scope of the tour and the experience of the individual. Salaries can range from $20,000 to $45,000 annually.

What is the best way to find job opportunities as a Dance Company Touring Merchandiser?

The best way to find job opportunities as a Dance Company Touring Merchandiser is to contact dance companies that are currently touring, as well as large venues that host events for dance companies. Additionally, one can search for job postings online or through professional networks such as LinkedIn.