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DaiBato Veteran user 310 Posts |
Besides Ed Harris' work, what are other good sources for clip and premade advertising art for magicians?
Dai Bato |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Hey Dai Bato,
I wasn't going to say anything because I don't want to come off as self-serving, but no one has yet stepped up to share, and I am kind of passionate about 'effective success solutions' and marketing that WORKS, and get real RESULTS for you and your business growth, so I will offer a few thoughts for you to consider. Do with them as you like… just some sharing here. Sure, there are 'other' magic clip-art and even licensed art solutions! (I offer a killer one too... that is why I wasn't going to share on this in the first place, and so do a couple others...) That being said, my experience and recommendation is NOT TO USE PRE-MADE CLIP-ART, flyers, templates, etc. in the first place! Certainly, depending on what you want to accomplish “clip-art” may be just fine, but YOU asked about "pre-made advertising art". I'm not exactly sure what you want or mean, but maybe, and I'm guessing, what you are asking us about is that completed "Your Name Here" type posters and flyers that Ed Harris used to do, (which ARE still available through Eric Paul) and NOT just a simple coloring page or clip-art for your web... etc. right? I am, for the sake of this reply, going to work on that premise. That you really want and are asking us about a "completed, full flyer, poster or ad-type promo art blank templates to just fill in your name, contact and maybe picture. - - (If I'm wrong about what you are looking for, I am sorry) Short answer... DON'T DO IT! Ok, maybe, just maybe, it's quick, down, dirty and cheap... maybe! Too, it may be TOO EXPENSIVE, and the COST IS TOO GREAT when you figure in the advent of computers and 12 year-old computer wiz-kids (kidding... kind-of) there really is no reason not to have something that is "absolutely YOU" and custom created and made JUST FOR YOU to make you and your business look really awesome instead of just another magic ‘clip-art’ flyer type thing! A local artist, certainly the internet and RIGHT HERE (I'm thinking, of course of KYLE) who can custom design a beautiful piece of collateral and marketing material that is not only "YOU", but delivers a much higher "EFFECTIVE Marketing" solutions for you and your business, and thus, more business success for YOU! – Woo Hoo! It can now speak to YOUR UNIQUE offerings, benefits and outcomes, show packages, etc... no more of that "Magic For ALL Occasions" crap like the rest of the pack! - - No one else in your market will have your unique look, feel, and custom-designed solution, and you will not have to worry about being confused with the magic guy down the street because they are using the exact same template blank as you... Ahhhhhh! - - NO! - - HELP! It 'might be' more of an investment... maybe, maybe not, but THINK of the long term ROI (Return On Investment) and the additional "closed" (Signed, sealed and deliverd paid contrats in YOUR bank account!) business you will get with a totally custom marketing piece that you can be proud of. It makes YOU look great and does its "effective job" of marketing specifically YOU and your solutions in your area... never to be confused with 'Butthead The Clown' just down the street. (Ok… kidding about the clown name thing… I don’t know any “Butthead The Clown” – Hehehehe!) Sometimes "opportunity costs" are too great to save a stinkin’ dollar or two now for all the lost business you will never get in the future for being “just another magic guy” type clip-art flyer. Who knows, it may not be all that expensive anyway... I have not found it to be, and the returns are phenomenal! If you are, in fact, looking for a quick marketing piece, then I would, in fact recommend having one custom made, JUST FOR YOU and YOUR UNIQUE Business Solutions in your market. If I am wrong about your original question, and you really want something more complex like “an entire coloring, magic and activity book”, then I apologize for the confusion... THAT may be too huge of an investment to have done custom! (Cost me TONS!) And there are, as stated, a few options that a couple of us here can help you with... but my "guess" is you do indeed want a "Marketing and Advertising Piece" to hand and mail out selling your service and NOT some back-of-room sales product solution to make extra money at your shows, right? You really want a marketing piece that SELLS YOUR SHOW, am I right? I "hope" that helps... I hope Kyle jumps in and makes some suggestions and recommendations as that is what he does for a living and he can help you out! If it's the other... let me know, and I will give you some links for other options that are available, OK? I am at your service and In HIS Service, Dean <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Not to diminish what Dean said, but depending upon what you are looking for, this link might also be a solution for you:
- Steve Husting's MagicClips As Dean said, the only weakness with using this artwork or Ed Harris artwork (which I do use myself, but sparingly) is that you tend to look like others who use the same clip art, and don't come across as unique and professional. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Yep... I have that one too. It's good stuff as well!
THANKS Donald! I am at your service and In HIS Service, Deano <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
ralphdean Loyal user Northern Ca 300 Posts |
Hey Dean,
How about posting an email address for Kyle, in case he is shy? |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Kyle Peron, shy? Ha!
He has made over 6200 posts on the Café in less than 3 years! (And not too many are short ones, either!) - Donald P.S. Ralph, in case you don't know who he is, Kyle is Magic4u02. You've probably interacted with him many times, not knowing he was one and the same.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Me shy? hehehehehe Oh man that is certainly one thing I have never been accused of. In fact my wife wishes I would just shut up from time to time. hehe.
All kidding aside, I would love to help anyone who may need some help or would like some advice in regards to their own marketing materials and how best they can be done to work effectively for you and your marketplace. My e-mail address is magic4u02@aol.com. If anyone would like to talk with me via e-mail or would like some help, see some samples etc, please just send me an e-mail. I would be happy to help in any way that I can. My pleasure. Dean is right on the money with this. Sure you can use Ed Harris clip art or others on the market. I know and respect Ed's work. However, I would always steer someone away from using clip art of any kind. The reason is that clip art is just that, art that is so common place that it can and is used by other magicians alike. If everyone else is using it, how does it really make you stand out and show the unique qualities that only you can provide to your clients in the markets that you work? It doesn't. Every magician is unique in what he or she does and presents to his or her clients. We strive and spend money to make sure our outfits are top notch, our act and props are the best, our act and show is as good as it can be. It is just sad to see that many entertainers stop there when it comes to promotional materials. For some reason people feel their promo materials are not as important and that anything, both clip art or home made, will get the job done. What I always tell folks I design for is that always remember that often times it is your promotional materials you send out that is the very first impression your are making on any suspect or prospect. If this is the first impression you make, wouldn't you want that impression to be one of uniqness and quality? I know I would. Sure you may pay more up front to have a logo designed or materials designed professionally. But then again, wouldn't you pay good money if you knew that a trick or a costume would add so much value to your show? Of course I think we all would. You have to consider your promotional materials to be an investment and money well spent. A properly designed logo or promotional material will be one that is designed with you and your unique USP (unique selling propisition) always kept in mind. You and what you offer is very unique and your materials will and should be designed with that in mind. The end result is a piece of promotional material that will be high in quality and very unique to what you offer. If done right, it will also serve you well. In many cases, the money you invest into your promo materials will pay itself off easily simply due to the increase in potential gigs you receive from materials that due their job the right way. So you may consider the money invested to be a huge ROI (return on investment) for you. I hope this is of help to some of you. if anyone has any questions I might be able to answer, please post them so that I can elaborate on them. it would be my pleasure to do so. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Frank Simpson Special user SW Montana 883 Posts |
Some very good advice here. I have been a graphic designer professionally for 15 years now, and my current job is as marketing director for a manufaturing company. Part of my job is designing all the packaging, catalogs and advertising for our products world-wide.
Hiring someone with the skills of Kyle or myself is really a very good idea... for the same reasons it is a good idea to hire a professional magician, and not just someone who has been dabbling with it as a hobby for a time. There's nothing wrong with being a hobbyist magician or graphic designer but if you hire one, you will get results commensurate with the experience. The first thing that I do when asked to design a logo, etc. for someone is to sit down with the client and discuss their wants and their needs. (These are very often VERY different things.) If at that time I feel that I have something to offer them, I show them samples of my work. I have to make sure that my ego does not get in the way of effective and approproiate design. If I am the wrong designer for the job, I'd rather refer them to someone else early on. Just like Criss Angel is not going to be the right magician for every venue or function, I am not always the right designer. But when I am the right designer I go for it all the way. I have done things for members here at the Café ranging from avatars to show posters, and part of the reason for this is that I understand three extremely important things very well: magic, theatre, and graphic design. From that standpoint, if you can get someone like Kyle or myself or any other graphic designer/magicians here at the Café (anyone else out there???) to help you with design, you're likely to get some pretty great results. But really any competent designer should be able to get you going with something unique and professional-looking. |
ralphdean Loyal user Northern Ca 300 Posts |
Alright, I recognize your picture now Kyle. Sorry for calling you shy.
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DaiBato Veteran user 310 Posts |
Thanks, one and all, for the excellent responses. I definitely hear what you are all saying, and I'm sure that you are all correct.
But, just starting out, I have never run into any competition for magicians here in the San Fernando Valley. Maybe they're here, but certainly not in any great number. I think that I will go the clip art route, FOR NOW. But if I run into competitors or customers who point at my clip-art-laden promo materials and laugh, well, then I certainly can't say that I wasn't warned by all of you. Dai Bato |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Ralph. Not a problem at all. It's all good, brother. =)
Just keep in mind that it really is not always about the competition and about your stuff looking better then theirs. It is more important that you have quality materials that are unique to what you offer and that communicate a professional brand image in the mind of your prospects and people you send your materials out to. You want your materials to give the prospect a very good first impression and make them take action upon what they see. Just my 2 cents worth. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
George Ledo Magic Café Columnist SF Bay Area 3042 Posts |
I think Kyle put this whole thing in perspective in a couple of sentences... unfortunately, they were buried and easy to skip over:
Advertising is not an expense: it's an investment in your show. For a lot of potential customers, it's the first impression you'll make. And in this world, we only get one chance to make a first impression. I run into this in my field (theatrical design) all the time with smaller companies, the "let's save money" mentality. What a lot of these people don't realize is that the audience sees what's on stage as an integral part of the show, not as a cost-saving measure. And the funny part of it is that it's so easy to create a simple but effective setting for a show, instead of borrowing, renting, and jury-rigging a bunch of scenery just to fill up the stage. I think my biggest problem with clip art is that it looks like just that: clip art. It's generic, and it's so hard to make it look like it was created for the piece.
That's our departed buddy Burt, aka The Great Burtini, doing his famous Cups and Mice routine
www.georgefledo.net Latest column: "Sorry about the photos in my posts here" |
John LeBlanc Special user Houston, TX 524 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-04-24 09:55, George Ledo wrote: Not to put too fine a point on this, it's good to keep in mind why impressions are so important. Every form of marketing affects a client's expectations, and that can either be good or bad. If your product or service is better by far than anyone else's, but your marketing forms in the clients' minds the expectation of less-than-stellar quality, it really doesn't matter how good you are. (The advertising literature for a BMW is not produced on an old photocopy machine.) The other side of that coin is if your product or service is...well, let's say your marketing is far better than your product or service. Your client has an unreasonable expectation of what they are going to get. That's actually worse than scenario one above. We see this every day on web sites that are mini-motion picture productions advertising a magician who is barely able to walk across a stage without tripping, let alone perform a professional level act. It's a rare individual who has the clarity of mind to accurately and appropriately create marketing materials that fairly set up a client's expectations. Most people need outside help in the form of a consultant, and they are worth their weight in gold. John |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Well, I'm certainly glad this all worked out as it did in the "response" department! - Nicely done gang!
…and to Kyle, George and John I say... AMEN! In marketing success, often you don’t have to outrun the bear, all you have to do is outrun the others being chased by the bear to survive! Certainly you want to do better the just “survive”, right? That said, depending on your target audience (and NOT the "Magic For ALL Occasions" things...) you want to, as John said, be appropriately aligned in quality with your viewers expectations if you hope to be successful as you can be. Also, just a 'quick reminder', that sometimes the impression of "SAVING MONEY" up front will COST YOU more than if you did it right the first time. You are NOT marketing against your competition, (Whether they exist or not... and In the San Fernando Valley, they exist. Hehehehe) you are marketing TO you customers and THEIR Expectations. Hope all this helped some. I am, as always, at your service and In HIS Service, Deano <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thanks guys for the kind words. I think there has been a lot of great information shared here. I hope people will read it and take some of it to heart or at least start thinking about it.
It comes down to the fact that your marketing materials are an investment well made. If done right, your ROI will be huge and your materials will be working for you the way that they should be working. It is the first impression you often will ever give to a suspect or prospect and your materials can say a lot. They can say that you are a professional who is unique and delivers powerful solutions to meet their needs. Or it could say that you are cheap, unprofessional and no different then anyone else. People who see your materials are getting impressions from it long before they meet or even talk to you. Your materials need to brand you well in your marketplace and they need to be of professional quality to get prospects to take the next step in the booking process. If you spend so much on your show, props, illusions etc., why would you not want to spend the money to have your materials be up to par with the rest of your show? Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
AMEN!
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
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