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michaelrice Loyal user Ireland 257 Posts |
Last week I performed for the Mayor of my town and an Irish pop star winner. I think it would be great to have a reference from them and from other people I perform for. How do you go about asking for a reference/testimonial?
Thanks, Mike |
London Special user U.S.A. 769 Posts |
I would just be totally honest and tell them you are trying to build your business and it would help to have a few words from someone such as them to add to your material and also you would appreciate just knowing how they felt about the performance. It only has to be a couple of lines. No long letter is needed. And know days it is even easier if they send it via email. Not everone will send it even if they say they will but I always ask. Good luck,
THOUGHTfully, London
THOUGHTfully,
LONDON |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
London is right. The answer liesin the power of simply ASKING. You would be so surprised at how just asking for something can really make a difference. In most cases, simply asking will get you what you seek.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
michaelrice Loyal user Ireland 257 Posts |
Well I was thinking if I said ''Would you mind giving me a reference/comment on what you thought of my magic'' that they wouldn't really understand what I was asking for.
Mike |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
You just have to be clear in what you ask of them and you can often times help them out and make giving a reference letter easier. I do this though my "Thank You Kit" that I give to the client following the said performance.
The kit is comprised of: 1) a simple but effective thank you letter that also tells them the importance of knowing how well you did so that you can evaluate each show and make sure you are always providing the top solutions for each client 2) An evaluation form that is about 8-9 multiple choice questions that really steers the client into giving me more hand written comments and steers them into writing more of a reference letter for me. The multiple choise makes it as easy for them as I can but also encourages them to write in additonal comments to me 3) A SASE 4) a few business cards 5) a very simple little gift This kit does wonders for me and is a great way for me to not only extend my marketing to them after the event is over, but encourages them to give me feedback I want and can use. I get about 85% of them returned to me and I get a lot of great quotes and reference letters from the evaluation form that I use. I hope this may give you but one way in which to get the information you are seeking from your clients. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Sometimes the word "testimonial" will have more meaning than "reference".
I once asked a daycare for a reference letter, and she declined, saying that she didn't know me and want to endorse me. I had just done a show for her! I think the problem in her mind was she equated the word "reference" with a work reference letter, as opposed to a "testimonial" about how you liked a product or service. I use the two words more interchangably now, to clearly convey the meaning of my request. Now, this is just one incident. I had received many letters before I asked her, and many since then. I have hundreds of letters on file. (I don't use the evaluation form method.) - Donald P.S. If you are able to tell them, in a letter or verbally, how such a letter would help you (reasons for them to write a letter), you have a higher chance of getting a letter written. Sometimes people like to have the feeling of "helping others", as it gives them a feeling of importance.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
Kyle,
I really like the follow up package idea. I've been sending a thank you letter and a short survey form after my shows, but I like the idea of giving them a gift for booking you. Including a few business cards is a no-brainer, but that doesn't mean I didn't miss it! It amazes me how I can sometimes overlook something so obvious. Do you include a line in your letter about passing the business cards on to their friends? As far as asking for a referal goes, I think it is very important what words you use to ask. Most people resent being given an "assignment" to do something. Even though a good reference can be very important to your business, it should not come across as something that will take the client much time or effort to produce. It was either Jay Abraham or Joe Vitale who said they asked for a reference by saying, "Could you just jot down a quick note about what you thought of the service or would you mind just leaving a brief message on my answering machine?" In my mind, someone simply saying, "You were great!" is much better than them saying, "I'll be happy to send you a letter in a couple of days that you could use." BTW: Most people in high-profile businesses like the Mayor or the singer understand completely the importance of a good reference. I've found that if they liked you, they are happy to help you out. Thanks, Richard (Let us know what they say . . . ) |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
When you get the letter, be sure to send a thank you!
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
One thing not really touched on. Even though a package given after the show where they can send you a letter is great, one should also consider, physically picking up the reference letter in person if you can. Nothing can say it better than you shaking that person's hand and saying thank-you while looking into their eyes and smiling. It'll be an honest moment that can't be achieved as well otherwise. It also shows that you are very greatful for their business and you have the chance to sell yourself some more by talking a bit with the person. You may trigger something else that they can help you with. You never know.
Ask yourself this... What makes you happier? Sending a cheque to a charity, or helping directly with the people that the charity helps? Too often (and the Café is a good example too), we are separated from physical/tactile interaction with other people. |
rtgreen Inner circle Portland, Oregon 1322 Posts |
Excellent point!
Richard |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
I ask straight out for a testimonial and then if they don't have he time just for some comments I can use to help grow my business.
and then a week later I call them up if they havn't replied ask again on phone----the testimonials really help in sales so If I am sure I did a great show I'll push for one---if I feel I didn't do the best show in the world- I'll try once and move on. |
JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
It's a little touchy, but if he said anything positive to you about your work. I believe you are legaly allowed to quote him.
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MrHyde Special user 810 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-05-24 09:49, Donald Dunphy wrote: Donald This is an excellent point. Most people you deal with that are in business have exactly the same challenges as us. They rely on feed back , testimonials and word of mouth referals for their own business growth and development. Point this similarity out and most people will go out of their way to help out. Timothy |
Tony Brent Regular user Orlando, Florida 156 Posts |
My letter to the client after the show reads sort of like this:
Dear Bob, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to entertain your group last weekend. Your planning and preparation made the event a success for everyone in attendance. I hope that your guests had as much fun participating in the show as I had in performing it! As with all my clients, I'd like to take this opportunity to ask you for a letter of recommendation. This can be a short one paragraph note on your company letterhead stating how you felt about my performance..... That is the gist of the letter. Note that I first compliment the client and thank them. Then I also mention words like "fun". I also state that "as with all my clients" to give them the feeling that everyone does this for me. I ask for a "letter of recommendation" instead of a testimonial because I feel in the corporate world they understand it better. Reference letter probably works fine as well. I also make sure to say that it can be short so that they won't feel it's going to be a hassle to take the time to write the letter. Also make sure to mention for them to write it on letterhead, that way in case you want to copy the actual letter and send it to people. I know this works, I've used it for years and have more letters of recommendation than you can shake a wand at. Best, Tony Brent Outta Control Magic Show Orlando, Florida |
BobMillerMAGIC! Regular user MN 103 Posts |
I suggest not using your 'Thank-you note' as a place to ask for a testimonial. It could be percieved as you're just saying thanks so they'll say thanks.
I send a Thank-you immediately after the show. Then I also send a Referral Response form. The response form can give multiple ways to respond: either a hand-written note on the form, or a Testimonial letter with the company letterhead. BTW, I really like Richard's idea of just having them leave a message on the answering machine. I use MagicBase to automatically print out all the paperwork that I need when I book the show: Info Card, Contract, Envelopes, Thank-you card, and Testimonial request. It's all printed with the click of one button. I like to do all the paper work as soon as the show is booked. Then I have the Thank-you ready to send after the show. Then post these great responses on your website!
PreDate: The NoMem Calendar Trick
http://www.BobMillerMagic.biz |
drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
Great stuff here!
I referred a client to another magician here, who did a great job and made the client very happy. The magician sent me a thank-you note for the referral and included a scratch-off instant lottery ticket, an idea from David Dee. I didn't win, but he sure did! He told me that he does this all the time, and one of his clients won $2,000. Since then, he has booked six shows from that client. To get to the question of testimonials, I ask for them after a show, and send a follow-up email. When I ask via email, I direct them to the testimonials on my web site, so they can see what I'm doing with the testimonials. I agree that the thank-you note is an entirely separate matter, in which you shouldn't ask for anything. Yours, Paul |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I think having a referral reward system set in place is a wonderful way to not only land gigs, but can also be a great way to get reference letters as well as comments and quotes you cn use.
I have a referral reward system set in place and I use it all the time. however, the idea is tio reward ANYONE who refers someone to you regardless of whther or not you land that gig or not. This encourages them to continue to refer work your way and is a wonderful way of saying thank you and that you appreciate what they are doing for you. It helps build relationships with these folks. In regards to getting testemonials, sometime the simple art of asking is all it takes. Asking is a very powerful thing and you would be amazed at just how much you can gain simply from the art and willingness to ask. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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