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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
How many of you have experienced clients becoming friends over the years? I just received an email from a resort owner. There were 4 paragraphs about family and finally -- almost casually -- she listed the performance dates she wants to book this summer (our 16th season wtih them!) I have a hypnosis customer who only hires me once a year, but it's been something like 12 years running! The conversations and booking procedure becomes extremely casual.
I find there are advantages as well as disadvantages to this kind of situation. The advantages are obvious: it would be really difficult for someone to "steal" these gigs from me. Also, the trust they have in me allows a great deal of freedom. In the case of the resort, I no longer even check in. I will often arrive, setup, do the show, pack up, and leave. They no longer check in to see if the act is going over well; it's one more thing they don't have to worry about. On the flip side, it's really tough to do things like raise prices on people like this. What's been your experiences? |
BrianMillerMagic Inner circle CT 2050 Posts |
I like to be friendly with my clients, but not friends. When I can establish a good relationship in which there is casual conversation then it is a great thing. However I do not want to copletely buddy up to them beacause our relationship is still a business one and I have to be able to to maintain the professionality and be able to talk business such as raises, etc. There is a fine line I try to hover but never cross.
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Good question. I have noticed that many of my repeat clients are the same way. I am still able to raise prices however - they seem to understand. But I have a several librarians who ask me about my wife, and then will have long conversations about family and the "going ons" of the world. Of course, this has always resulted in me not having to mention them booking me, it is a given and is just assumed, and that is a good thing.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
You must be doing something right.
Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-19 08:22, BrianMillerMagic wrote: I don't mean to imply that I am invited to their homes for Christmas, or even spend time with them socially. I simply mean the relationship goes beyond client/entertainer, and becomes more one of friendship. |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
For me, as it really seams to be with most of us "People Will BUY from People They LIKE! It's almost always better to do business with FRIENDS!" this, as I said, is NOT an epiphany to any one of us. (Is it?)
…and this is the place were it may be a bit different for others here... which is OK too. In “my particular case”, I DO have very close FRIENDS who also pay me big money every year! (Some for as long as 25 years now) YES we go to events, movies, meals, private holiday functions, waiting in hospital waiting rooms for and with each-other and all sorts of 'pal-time' as well. (again) For “ME” this really is the core of my ongoing re-elationships! These folks ARE MY FRIENDS with all the full faith and credit that goes with it! Heck a huge group of us all went on a Carnival Cruise one time! Had a BLAST! Keep in mind that this is NOT a 'marketing ploy or 'strategy' to get more work, I would never do that to my FRIENDS. This is PEOPLE genuinely engaging in re-elationship with one another and of course, on the business side, I am the ONLY one they go to for the brand of professional solutions that I provide. I refer and recommend THEM and their business as well, JUST AS one friend would do for another. Do I do this with EVERY single one of my business re-elationships? No... of course not, BUT it is not at-all unusual that I do some sort of genuine "Re-Elating" with ALL of my business friends. It is just part of “Who I Am!” That may not be the particular "personality style" of others here and that is fine. Like I said, it works for me and who I am AS A PERSON! (Again, NOT as some marketing ploy or strategy either, as stated.) Hope that adds to the discussion. Your mileage may vary. 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) |
wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
I work for an agent like this. My wife and I are very close with her daughter and her daughter's fiance, We were invited over for Thanksgiving, and she recently called me when she had a tv she was getting rid of to see if I wanted it. I think its all great but then she will call with a "charity" gig or a gig with no budget and I wonder to myself, "How obligated am I to take this?"
Edd
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I have seen blond haired, dimpled face, 12 year old boys competing on stage at the IJA juggling convent get a big round of applause when they drop their clubs just because they are so darn cute, so making friends with my clients is necessary, because I'm not that cute.
Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Yeah I DEFINATLY ain’t that cute either! (Hahaha... Funny Al!)
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) |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Edd
A client relationship is nothing like the regular bookings you recieve from an agency, who puts food on your table on a regular basis. My advise is to do some jobs, and turn down others so you can keep the peace while still maintaining your independence. If you loose a client you loose a couple hundred dollars. When you loose an agent you loose MOOOOOCHO more. Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Father Photius Grammar Host El Paso, TX (Formerly Amarillo) 17161 Posts |
Being friendly with clients never hurts. Back in my pro performing days I kept a cardex and a pocket notebook both of which had client info such as spouses name, kids, ages, potential up coming events (bdays, anniversaries, etc.) That way I could always ask about family by name, or inquire or congratulate on some upcoming event. That gave me a real personal hook with clients. It always paid off in a competitive market. I got to those I did business with most frequently I knew data without cards or notebook. Plus you never know where you might stumble across a real good friend out of those contacts. Well worth the effort.
"Now here's the man with the 25 cent hands, that two bit magician..."
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
The woman who sold me my car called me up on my birthday, and I got all warm and fuzzy, when I went back for service I gave her a big hug.
Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
But ... did your wife dress you for the service visit? And if she did, was she jealous of the big hug?
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Starrpower
I am a harmless old man, she buys ALL of my clothes, so I guess the answer is yes she dressed me every day. She did not accompany me on the service call, because she has a day job. Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3171 Posts |
Al, like you my wife picks out my clothes. She’s been doing it for forty years. I don’t think I even know what sizes I wear.
But like mine, she’s probably been hoping this whole time that it would help someone notice you. She's just been trying to help you OUT. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Al, you keep saying your old, but I ain't buying it! Like george Burns used to say, "You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old!"
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