Five qualities

A Clown Heart: If your heart is not in it, people, especially children, will see through you. Have a genuine adoration for children and a strong desire to make people happy. Having a Clown Heart is most important and with it, everything else will fall into place, when your Clown Heart is ready.

Ethics: It goes way beyond manners. It's above-average common sense. Every clown should have outstanding morals and follow a code of ethics covering behavior, appearance, safety and judgment. In clowning, there is no place for bad habits or anger.

Education: Clowning (done right) requires training and knowledge. There are clown schools, camps, conventions and local workshops all across the U.S. and the rest of the world

Skill set: Sometimes it is a natural talent. Other skills can be acquired through education and practice, practice, practice. Balloon-twisting, face painting, juggling, magic, storytelling and theatre performance are just a few of the skills, you could use. The ability to make things funny is the most important of the skills.

Authenticity: Developing a unique clown character takes time, but it is required for the professional clown. It makes you unique and unforgettable. To a young child, a clown is a cartoon character that has come to life. Having a distinct character makes you more believable.