OK, I titled it such to get your attention. Now is the time you can get as negative as you want - no need to worry about about feelings, as long as you mean what you say. I promise I will take to heart everything everyone says, and if I don't follow some advice, it isn't because I did not seriously consider it.

I have my new website nearly finished and I would like your NEGATIVE reactions. I have a big ego, but you are not going to hurt it.

First I would like to explain things I know could be better. I have taken a 3 year hiatus, but I am excited about getting back in the biz again. Because of this, and the fact I have developed a new character, I do not have a lot of pics up yet. That should change soon, so no need to remark on that.

Second, I know you have to scroll sideways if you view it on a 800x600. My clients are at least middle class, and they will have the screen to handle it.

Third, I know I have a HUGE amount of pages, which require scrolling down. I subscribe to more of a Dave Dee approach in that the longer they stay on my site, the more chance they will book me. I know it works for me. I also want it to demonstrate that I can deliver for the price I am charging. Also, I have a lot of downloadable stuff; some, like my invitations, are very cool, and I want clients to go through each link. Some won't, but many will, I know from previous experience.

Forth, I know I do not have a link page - YET. If anyone wishes to cross link to me, just email me from my site. I will get back to you!

Fifth, I know I don't have the beloved testimonials page. Since these are easily faked, I am gathering them via MP3, and I am waiting till I have enough to fill a page and the time to put them up.

My market audience for this site is predominantly birthday parties for wealthy people, and I have a lot of advertising coming out with this website on it. I also will be targeting schools and day-cares, with an occasional adult show, but predominantly B-Days.

I currently am not in Raleigh, but will be there soon. When I lived there before I was averaging 9 parties a week. I want to push that higher. I was the busiest, and I plan to be there again QUICKLY.

There are a few other notable children’s magical entertainers in Raleigh now. Skip Way and The Great Tate both have lots of experience, and they both post here and are great guys & entertainers. There are a few new guys I have yet to know. In the past, I pushed the upper boundary of fees, and I am sure I had something to do with rising fees in Raleigh. I hope to do that again and we all can benefit from that and make more money doing what we love.

I have heard from one “anti-parrot” “magician”. No need to comment on my parrot as such, please. I can assure you she is treated very well and loves to party with the kids. She is nearly as big a ham as I am.

So please, get your knives out! Really, blast it!

Since I may not want my webside posted forever here, my website is listed on my profile.

One last thing, I am sure there are two things everyone will find interesting on this website. I am NOT known for following the herd, and I am always playing with new ideas. I am sure some of you will not like it, and others will be PMing me on how to start their own! If you can't find TWO very new ideas for childrens entertainers, then by the stars of Raleigh, you should sleep with the mermaids!

Thanks in advance!

Could you post a link? Before I could get to the site address reading your post I was overcome with an urge to kill myself and had to stop. I look forward to seeing how how your site looks.
Steve V

No. It is a long post for a reason - to keep the casual out. To those that take the time, I promise I will give them food for thought.

Had the wife read through the babble so here are my thoughts.

First off I like the parchment (I'm surprised someone doesn't own the name Captain Kid(d)). Your picture is kind of odd, looks like you are wearing a wool cap, not very pirate in appearance and the bird pulling on one of Arafats old head scarfs.

You have text over running text and also a line that is the same color as the text. Can't read it.

The word 'pirattitude', granted it is made up, by its nature changed the pronunciation to pi-rat-attude, losing the word pirate in the mix. It cannot be pronounced, in a manner that can salvage the word pirate. The same goes for se'en seas. Another thing, one 'sailed the seven seas', one does not 'cross the seven seas'. They are located in various parts of the world thus at no point would one cross them all from point A to point B.

I see you think that pirates would drop v's... why? Never have I seen such a thing, dropping v's? Your links have some info that is good and some that makes me wonder why, besides following Dave Dee's ideas that he borrowed from another guy, of give 'em so much info they give in.

You say you offer a stress free party then explain how you will put together a pretty nice package. You then provide enough additional stuff to choke a horse. I did find a larger photo of you and can make out the tri cap you have on, not real clear. The kids pictures are pretty good though. Lastly signing with an X is another thing I found odd. Did you assume that pirates were all illiterate?

Final thoughts. You really need to clean up the over laying of text, makes it too hard to read. You are struggling to put a lot of crap in there. The info on what you offer is fine, I'd fine tune it a bit. I actually like the effort you made to provide arts and craft ideas. There is no way in heck you'll ever get rid of the word 'pirattitude' because you clearly came up with it and are awful proud of it, too bad it can't be pronounced the right way. The lack of V thing is just misguided. I also found the anti-clown comments to be odd. You that scared of clowns taking your business?

Good luck.
Steve V

What concerns me the most is the "over laying of text" exactly what do you mean? it is done in CSS, and I think that may be the problem because it looks fine on my Mac and PC. Does the test actually go into places it should not be?

Yes, the hat looks funky, I know. I did everything possibly to clean it up. It is a real leather tricorn - just doesn't photograph well.

While I have no problem pronouncing "Pirattitude" I did not make it up. I got it off "TalkLikeAPirate.com, and liked it, but if I get more people saying I should loose it - it will be gone. I thought it was fun.

I actually have been a captain, and I am aware of the seven seas. As for dropping the "V"s, how pirates speak is largely due to the movies, and yes, in some the "v" is dropped - some times. I would not take it personal Steve "V" *G* It is probably too much for the website and should be dropped.

As for the "X" of course not all pirates were illiterate. A lot of people were, and for sake of character development and my "Reading" program for schools, this one is illiterate.

As for the clown thing, your right it is gone. No, I am not worried about clowns, although we have some good ones. We just got back from the circus and my kid was terrified of them.

Thanks, I appreciate the look see. If I can ever do a favor for you, just ask!

Posted: Apr 16, 2006 4:40am
Ok, I THINK I fixed what you called "over laying of text". Boy CSS looks diferent in different browsers! I had checked it in 5, but never looked at in in IE - stupid me- and IE did not display it well.

Thanks

Hi,
On my computer there is still overlapping text sometimes in the big red box.

I do actually like "Pirattitude" and I even think you can play a lot with the prononciation of the word. (but it I not a major concern I guess).
I didn't get the fallen "v"'s, but I guess that might be because I am not anative English speaker.

I think there is a lot of information and text on the website. I mention it even 'though you explained why, because really I would try to make it a bit easier to find the most important information for people who do not like to read to much. But maybe it gets more appealing when there will be more photos on the site and the ratio text/photos will be different. Personally for me it is too much too read all. I might want to read it all if I had decided to book you, but not on my first visit. If I had already booked I like very much the extra info and thing like the pirate's treasure maps etc. It is really like something extra, which I think is always aprreciated.
(But also on my screen I have to scroll a lot which isn't helping).

One more thing is that there is a lot of "don't do this because it is a big distraction of the show". I agree with you on what you mention and also that it helps a lot to emntion it on forehand as a lot of the parents are just not aware of it etc, but I would try to say it a bit in a different way. Instead of telling the potential client what he CANNOT do tell what would be APPROPRIOTE to do. Like instead of "you cannot leave the toddlers walking around because this is disturbing" (which it is!!!) "You are welcome to watch the show with your toddler, so he can sit with you and won't go walking around stage".
Or "The parents are welcome to watch the show with the kids. However if the wish to talk to each other instead it would be nice to do so in a seperate room"
For me in that way it does sounds less like a lecture or like "there is a lot of rules..."

Overall I think the website looks really nice and welcoming. I think even more when there will be more photos as you said there will be coming later on.

Golly you're workin' HARD to take care of every detail!

Congrats on a good start (really much more than a start)!

Sorry I wasn't really coherent when we spoke on the phone last week - my wake/sleep cycle is all off and I'd been napping half the day, and it takes me a good 90 minutes to wake up when that happens. Feel free to call again and catch me when I haven't "zombied out".

The website:

About half of that stuff in the navigation column should go in a separate "The Capn's Pirate Fun" section and a "Party Tips" section - too many topics for hurried minds to absorb ... whip it into some kind of hierarchy and let people focus either on your facts HERE or your embellishments THERE.

"Stress Free Magical Birthday in Raleigh"... I'm so glad that you stress free magical birthdays, how can I get a free magical birthday? That should be "Stress-free".

Nobody's going to email you, though a clickable link might not be amiss ... get that phone number out there big and bold!

That "secret sign" photo is only 11k - you could do an animated gif with a wink and still be a reasonable file size.

Drop the DJ link, a client wants a specialist in what the client came there for. By the way, check out http://start.prodj.com - esp. the forums

Why do you need your address in there - and why twice? Expecting them to show up at your door, or write?

"Stress Free Raleigh Party" ... NO! Doesn't adequately describe the link. "What I Provide (and it's a LOT!)" or something like that

"Survival Tips" - Pretty good, but too many NOTs - Change the phrasing to "Try to finish the meal before I arrive" or "Toddlers welcome but they should be supervised by a parent" instead of "Toddlers are a MAJOR distraction with all their crying and on and on" - think positive!

"Old Fogey Pirates" - "Adult Shows (for the old fogeys!)"

Great idea, the party store listing - maybe you could arrange a "10% off" or "$5 off a purchase of $x.XX or more" deal with one or more stores if they bring in a coupon you send them ???

-------------------------

Great going!

-------------------------

PS - "Where's the Capn's buccaneers?" - "Under his buckin' hat!" (and a tip of the ol' pirate hat to Robert Newton - Arrrrr!)

I would simplify the nav bar.

I would tone down the colors. The red and yellow writing was a bit too hard on the eyes for extended viewing.

I would get rid of the scrolling writing.

Have an advertising person go over your copy a bit. It gets muddled and hard to figure out what you're selling, what I get, how much it might cost and such. Most folks decide weather to keep reading your site after they glance at the nav bar and read two paragraphs. You get about 60 seconds if the overall look doesn't scare them away- TOPS! So, clarify your sales message at the start. I also think I would separate out the adult parties to a different site.

You asked for the negatives- but it's not my style to skip saying that over all I enjoyed it!

Sometimes less is more.

If you're catering to wealthy families, they got that way by not wasting any time. They won't stick around long enough to read what you wrote, so you have to get their attention FAST

Trim all the pages down for minimal scrolling. You can use variable width tables to help scale the pages to fit any screen. Demote some of the lesser topics to their own sub-topic, thus minimizing the links on the front page. The front page has that annoying look of an automated link aggregator site.

Condense your "Pirate Signs" page by making the images clickable links instead of spelling out the URLs.

Get the book "Don't make me think!" for more helpful ideas.

Far too many links/buttons on the homepage... needs more focus.

What is the 'Buy Now' button for on the homepage? What exactly are they buying and for how much?

So far MOST of the advice is right on. I disagree with very little. I have done MOST of the things and the page looks COMPLETELY different. I will be working on the rest as time allows. I will thank each person personally, but I have serious sleep deprevation due to making corrections! Thank You! please feel free to continue to comment!

I like the parchment background much better than the red/yellow stuff. The header is centered, but the rest of the page is left justified. If you could frame it all in a table and then center the table itself, things would balance out nicer with the title staying above the center column instead of shifting like it does now.

This site is an assault on the senses that just makes me want to find a toll free number on it. Too much. Now I visit hobbyist sites that have five times as much on a page but that's an obsessive hobby and not a talent search.

The site reminds me of a seafood restaurant I visited a couple of months ago. Before heading out to the Island, I visited the site and found that much info. on the page. I was aggravated by information I didn't want and eventually just searched for a phone number. All I wanted was the menu for the week of my upcoming visit.

Now a frustrated client who ends up calling you could be a good thing if you know how to handle the frustrated potential over the phone.

I got a hold of the restaurant for reservations and they were quick to mention and wanting to send me to the site for some discount or another. I told them that I would get any and all applicable discounts without going to that information bottomless pit of a website as I DIDN'T HAVE TIME FOR IT!

The only thing I liked about the site and I don't even have children was this:


"Take Some Time

Make your girl or boy feel special - Get Pirattitude!
This is a time when you can have a HUGE influence on your child's life both now and later. It is a time to instill self-confidence that can carry on throughout your child's life. Make your child's party the best it can be. It can help your child develop relationships that can carry on into adulthood. Take time; don't rush through things - this will only happen once. Have a video camera and a still camera ready for LOTS of pictures. In 10 years it will be hard to believe your child was so small and dependent upon you. "


In that statement you are clearly speaking to the check writer about the special little person in their life.

I think that should be displayed more prominantely as it's the LAST link on the top row of buttons.

Dave VanVranken
Thanks for your input. I am not sure if I like the parchment or not. If so, I will probably put "torn" edges on it. I am just not sure if it works for a children's site. the ideas of putting graphics instead of links - It will be done! thanks again for your support.

RandyStewart
I am glad you found something you like. I will take it under advisement. This was originally posted under "Little Darlings" for children's performers to view - not that other magicians do not have excellent advise, but the magicians who work in a simular market have more experience with my client base.

Overlooking your bio, I believe our personalities a very different (This is not a value judgment, if we were all the same the world would be a pretty boring place!). We also live in different areas. My clients are always happy to have a lot of information, and the way I have it organized *now*, thanks to previous comments, it should be easy for them to find what they need. The toll free number is prominently displayed 7 times on most of the pages. If you wish to use it, feel free, I would be happy to talk to you. Not considering anything but websites, mine stands out compared to my compition - which is a good thing. I want it to be remambered, and to be thought of as a resource for those that want a birthday party, not just to hire me. that will come.

I am SURE I do lose clients over this, but I can't please everyone. My clients are wealthy, and the moms have lots of free time (something you probably don't have). They want the best for their children, not only because of their love for their children, but the "Keep up with the Jones" attitude. They have the time, most of the moms do not need to work, and I rarely get called by a busy dad. In my area there are other performers that do a good job that are much less expensive. I give their contact info out all the time to people who cannot afford myself, or are looking for something different. I just got booked this morning for $995 for a 13 y/o's party. This is the fifth time this family has booked me in the last 2 years. Having a lot of information is a plus for some. I am also a DJ, and I get paid $250/hr for my services, which is far more than most in my area. One reason is I have a TON of information on my DJ site as well. I know this, because I am told it by my clients ALL the time. They are frustrated by sites taht look like a phone book ad with too little information. They are on line to do research. Many of my clients have made up their mind just by looking at my web site and not even meeting me. One last reason is the bigger the site, the better it is for search engines. This site IS NOT optimized yet, but it will be. This "mass of information" really does sell, obviously not to all, but to enough to take care of my family. I don't want every job.

Everyone, Thank you so much for your comments! I have tried to implement most already, and there are some I will be doing soon. The few suggestions that I am not doing, please do not take personally, I just don't agree. I could well be wrong, and perhaps I will see the err in my ways at a future date. All of you, I REALLY appreciate it and will be thanking you all personally later. I & my family owe you a debt of gratitude, since I am sure your advice will be helping me put the food on the table! Thank you again!

I would REALLY like to hear the thoughts on the parchment background! Now, there is no school today, so I am taking my family to the zoo! Thanks again, and anyone, feel free to call - just remember I am on the east coast of the US.

Well CaptainKid you have some very good viewpoints on this. You seem to know the audience visiting your site or seeking your service. Only a Pro knows this and has tapped into it.

I like this:

"My clients are wealthy, and the moms have lots of free time (something you probably don't have). They want the best for their children, not only because of their love for their children, but the "Keep up with the Jones" attitude. "

Oh man! Ain't that the truth and nothing but the truth! Are you sure you're not talking about my own sister!?!? Hehehe.

Well, you old seadog...I heard rumors about you coming back to Andy Johnson's hometown. Well met and welcome still! Plenty of work for all of us hereabouts. Everyone's already caught the good stuff. I think your site is chawin' on the anchor, Cap'n. She's ready t' fly!

You also know this market and nothing much has changed since you've been gone. Pirates are always in demand. As for email...I receive about half as many email inquiries from my site as I do telephone calls...and I'm booking right at 94% of email inquiries and 77% of telephone inquiries. Keep the email. The upper income N. Raleigh and Preston neighborhoods are especially into the emails.

Looking forward to seeing you at the IBM and KIDabra gatherings. It'll also be nice to have another true pro in the area to refer these pesky overflow bookings towards. Let us know when ye dock n' drop yer plank, Cap'n!

Skip

RandyStewart

Well, as Skip can attest, I have been around the block and learned a few tricks. I have been a full time pro magician for the majority of the last 15 years, and started entertaining professionally regularly in or around '72 (If you saw me you wouldn't believe I was a dancer*G*)- so I am an old fart. I also have learned the hard way, doing 4-5 restaurants a week and busking. I imagine I will get a marketing pro to work on my website a bit in the future, just looking for the right one. ********If anyone has had GREAT success with anyone in the CHILDREN'S market for marketing, I would love some contact information!**********

Hey Skip!

At last we connect! I have a couple interesting proposals for you, which is why I left the message earlier. One is I am thinking of starting a children's show on local cable, but it is too much for myself to handle alone. A great way for leads, visibility and raising prices - as well as ego padding. The other is the StarsofRaleigh.com website. I would like you on it. Give me a call when you are free. I don't know about IBM, they were always on Saturdays. I did see you were heading up a Kidabra chapter (when I was at Jon's), & I will certainly join. Can you believe I have never been to any magic convention, nor was I a member of IBM? (I am on their local list, but never joined nationally). That is going to change

I am glad things are going well, those stats are impressive! I don't know what you are charging now, but stats like that say you are popular enough to raise your prices! Make them wince a little! You certainly have the talent, and I know you are not sandbagging so even if you are higher than everyone else (and I don't know your fees), I would raise them. I am planning to come in at $295 for an hour birthday. You are well established, you have a nice website, you have the talent, you should be getting at least that if you want it. 94% of email - wow, that is superb! You can bet I am keeping my email. I got a ton of business from it before. I think Ross is just in a different market.

I plan to do one restaurant this time. I got pretty burned out before. I am not sure why doing restaurant work was so hard, but I don't want to do that again. I would like to keep it fun. I was told the average children's magician's party is going for maybe $200 now. Is that true? I hear things from others, but I can not be sure it is true. N. Raleigh, Persona and Cary were the best areas before, and I doubt things have changed. I never could figure out why Chapel Hill never really produced much . . . Lot's of money but they didn't like to spend it. I do see a quite few new names of magicians, I hope they are good. Anyway, I'll be moving in on the 25th of this month, and we can have lunch - but please call before!

As for overflow, I'd love to take it. I hope I can return the favor soon - but it sounds like you are staying Laney busy. I seem to remember you being pretty busy before. I have spent a lot on advertising - hopefully wisely. . .

Posted: Apr 17, 2006 10:32pm
Ok, hopefully the LAST major work on the site for a while. Now, A totally new look. I tried to compromise between the bright colors of before and the more sedate of the parchment.

Steve V
1)
-Ok, I think what I have now is better, but far from perfect.

2)
-FIXED

3)
-I didn’t create it, but I do like it!

4)
- I understand what you are saying, but I don’t claim to cross them all at one time. Any way, I don’t see this as a big deal - do you?

[5)
-Just got rid of all that section. It was too much for the show I do.

6)
-No, just the good Captain Kid. It is a factor in his “reading” show

7)
-THANKS

8)
_ well, I can pronounce it, but it is there because it is fun. Who said pirates had great pronunciation? *G* thanks to you, I now have a new bit trying to pronounce it. The kids thought it was funny. Thanks.

9)
-Gone.

Good luck.
Steve V


esther_scheffer
1)
-Fixed (again) thanks!

2)
-thanks, so do I! Who said pirates had great pronunciation? *G*

3)
-Doesn’t matter, they are gone.

4)
- I don’t expect people to read it all, even if they book me. Some will. I have tried to redesign it for people who wish to skim due to your comment and the others that have said simular things.

5)
-Thanks! Still working on eliminating scrolling . . .

6)
- So true. I rewrote it. Thanks!

7)
-Thanks, I am working on the latter.

rossmacrae

-Thanks!

1)

- No problem, I am sure I caught you off guard too. Will call later.

The website:

2)
-Fixed

3)
- Fixed

4)
-The number is out there, but I know this market, and many do email. Got one a few minitues ago.

5)
-WILL DO. It is high on my list, and a VERY good idea.

6)
-I do combo shows fairly regularly, and they often pay nearly a grand, so I am going to keep the link. I have been on ProDJ, but not in a while. I imagine I will be there again.

7)
-Well, the first reason is for search engines. Second, I ALWAYS require a 50% deposit, and sometimes the client wants a contract, so yes, they do write. Also, should they want to write a thank you note (which many do) I want the address easy to find.

8)
-Fixed

9)
-Fixed


-Yep

10)
-Good idea, I did this with restaurants I worked before. I will do it later. Thanks.

11)

*L* Yes there are a lot of very funny jokes I wanted to include in the Joke section, but I felt some may feel they are inappropriate!

BTW, Your DVD is DEFINITELY worth while. I say this with 15 years of children’s experience behind me. Any one reading this should check it out. http://goodmagic.com/websales/index.htm


leapinglizards
1)
-Fixed

2)
-Fixed

3)
- I assume you are speaking of the “marque” Ok, I like this, but I will keep it under advisement.

4)
-I am looking for one that has experience with children’s entertainers. Not easy. Any suggestions?

6)
- For the most part I have done this already. I wanted some there so the parents would know that the show would be interesting for them too.

7)
-Thanks, I have put a lot of work into it. Your comments have definitely made it better!


Dave VanVranken
Sometimes less is more.

1) I know you liked the parchment, but it just didn’t say “KID” to me. I agree the bright colors were too much too. I have tried to find someplace in-between, and I think I have.

2)
-I do agree that I have to get their attention FAST, but the ones I deal with 95% of the time is the mom, and she generally has the time, or will make it for her child. Still, I do have to catch her eye. I realize that most website are scanned through rather quickly. Hopefully that will also be done with mine. Sometimes the do stop and read everything. I know this because I am told so all the time by my clients of my DJ business. Even If they don’t go through everything, they feel comforted by the fact that the “mass of information” is there. I think I have changed it to fit your idea much better. Thanks

BTW, one thing I do find that helps is to have my toll free number on the top bar of the website. When people are scrolling through the search engine, some will call without even visiting the site.

3)
- Ok, I know you don’t like all the links, but I did redesign it so it would minimize the scrolling, and I arranged the links better. I want the mothers to realize I offer much more than my competition

4)
- Thanks again. I have done that, thanks to you, and will do more later.

5)
- I am going to order it in the next few days. I looked over the site, and I am sure there is information that will help me.


NeoMagic
1)
-Ok, I did not reduce the links, but I did rearrange them and lesson their presence.

2)
-My services! This way I can accept Credit Cards via PayPal. I did change it to “Pay Here”.

Here's an interesting study on web reading patterns:

http://www.useit.com/alertbox/reading_pattern.html

I just found this, and I am now starting to use it for my business and my wife's business. You might be interested. It does offer an affiliate program, and yes, I am an affiliate.

http://members.audiogenerator.com/specialinfo.asp?x=563240

Captain Kid,

I had my sister visit your site. You made me realize that I'm NOT the target audience for your service. My sister has three daughters and all are very involved in activities (ballet,piano,cheerleading) and heavy on the live entertainment. Their last $25 tickets were to see 'Dora The Explorer' interactive theater show - thank God I didn't have to take them to that. What ever happened to the $1 matinee and kids like me who were grateful for it? Well that apparently is a thing of the past. Baloney. Hey but it's great for the performer's business and the p***y mom who has to have the best at the child's party. Works out I guess.

And the birthdays always have something live including the music. Anyway, I asked her to visit your site and tell me what she thought eventhough she might not be looking for a pirate themed event. I asked her to look at it as a mother and decision maker regarding entertainment at her children's party.

Verdict: "I like him!"....

Just thought I'd put that up and foremost as that's what she initially said. She also (this is a woman we're talking about so she used the word "feel" a lot) said she "felt" you really knew how to handle and entertain the tykes. Next, she said she liked the photos but would of liked to see more. And final and overall impression if I recall her words, "he's got it covered".

I asked her if she were looking for that type of party entertainment, would she hire you? She said without a doubt you'd be the man...errr...pirate.

Well it's only one more opinion but she is a mother of three and you sold her. So it went and there ya have it from another one of those moms.