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DaveVegas New user Leicester,England 89 Posts |
So tell me, what's your approach when asking for letters of recommendation....how do you do it, when; how do you get them from your clients?
Thanks for your help. Dave |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
I tend to subtly as for them in my thank you letters that I send out after every performance. Something along the lines of "as you probabably realise a lot of my work comes from word of mouth and recomendations and as you all seemed to really enjoy my performace at ********* I was wondering if you could do me a great favour and put your thoughts about my show in writing. These letters are really useful to others who have not seen the show and need the comfort of some other views of my performaces before they book me." Be sure and put a Sae in too make it easy for them Phillip |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
I ask them, after I'm done performing but still at the event, if they could put their comments on letterhead paper. I remind them of their promise at a later date, usually 2-4 business days, via email or by mail. I stress, in the message, how much I appreciate it and that any comments can help me to improve the show. I even think that it's proper to give a small discount if the client puts comments on letterhead paper, as long as they can include negative comments; the discount is a way of reimbursing the company for the cost of preparing the letter.
Lately, for those who understand the cost of preparing a letter, I get a recommendation via email. Isn't as nice looking for the promo pack, but I can use it on the comments page. Web pages can't carry the letters, cost effectively, so it is best to quote the client. Bill Goldman has the big cheese write the comments in his portfolio, sign it and write the company name and their title. He gets these comments at the gig, so that the comments are quite glowing. |
Jim Davis Special user What is....? Utah 945 Posts |
Discount?!?! You have got to be kidding!!
Ok.. I do it too... I offer a discounted rate (via rebate) if they will send me a letter of recomendation.. I also only ask selected groups or companys to participate. Big names in your community will carry more weight than uncle Harry and aunt Sally.. and yes they met care of Billy Crystal!
Diamond Jim Davis "The Cardslinger" ~~~ Magic from the '80's....................the 1880's!
<BR><BR> <BR><BR>Don't just be a magician, be a human interest! <BR><BR> <BR><BR>[url]www.periodplayers.com[/ur |
dynamiteassasin Inner circle Naval Air Facility, Atsugi, Japan 1158 Posts |
Write a formal letter stating your request. That's it, then they'll make it.
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Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
There's an old saying in sales - You have to A S K to G E T.
Always ask for one and give them a self addressed, stamped envelope for that purpose. Also ask for referrals, people who might be able to use your services and send them a letter and your brochure, using the name of the person who recommended you to them in the cover. That gets you more work. I also use a customer satisfaction survey, asking them specifics about the show. Those are always good for comments and ratings. My gig for WCKG Radio, with Doc Zodiac, got 10's across the board and several subsequent bookings from those referrals and recommendations. Lee Darrow, C.H.
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
People LOVE to help if you ask properly.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
Lee is right, if you don't ask you'll never get!
fter the show (usually I write the very same night so I don't forget) I send off a letter to the client thanking them for their service. I have my letter templated, so their are all similar, but I try to vary each one. I make a reference to the show, somethign specific and individual like - "your cousin johnny really enjoyed it when I stole his watch without him knowing!" a simple sentance like that can make the client feel taht you have not just ran off another copy of a computer stored letter. then in the main bulk of the letter I say "I hope your night went as smoothly as possible, and wish that the event was a memorable one. Would it be any trouble if I asked you for a written reference? Due to the amount of work I have coming in, many of the larger companies are now asking for references and recent performances. It would please me if I could have a written record of this week’s performance, as it was a successful one for me, and hopefully for you to." my approach is just sticking my neck out and asking straight up for it. it has worked up until now, now EVERYONE provides a refernece, but enough people do to keep me happy. I am welcome to any comments and suggestions. |
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