|
|
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Well, we are in the final days of the year and a great time to reflect on the year in review, and for many a great boost from a final 4th quarter.
So first, if you are interested in discussing, how was 2019 compared to last year and your projections? We're you up, down the same? What was your strongest quarter? Did you have more bookings or less? Were earnings and profitability up, down or the same? Did you achieve your goals that you had set for the year or were there areas where you fell short? I know many seemed to change or adapt markets, as many approaching new performance markets than they had or were serious about last year. Part-timers or full-timers, if you are willing to share I'd love to hear your thoughts as I also know this type of info and accompanying insights always helps others here as well. Did you improve your business knowledge or operational abilities? What were the biggest changes or accomplishments for you over the past year? I'd like to wish everyone here a very prosperous and successful new year - 2020! |
WitchDocChris Inner circle York, PA 2614 Posts |
While I technically did better this year than last, overall I am not remotely satisfied with my progress. I did decently this last quarter but most of the year was just spinning wheels.
Next year is going to be focused on building business skills and clarifying my path. Spent too much time throwing spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks.
Christopher
Witch Doctor Psycho Seance book: https://tinyurl.com/y873bbr4 Boffo eBook: https://tinyurl.com/387sxkcd |
jonnyboy Inner circle San Diego 1021 Posts |
The year 2019 showed growth for me. Improved efforts at direct mail marketing doubled my bookings, with the fourth quarter being the best. Profitability improved over every other year. I’ve made greater inroads into the market I’ve been focused on and for which I am particularly well-positioned. Moving further into the corporate market rather than the consumer market is still a goal. One goal that I had and will be achieving is having a weekly show in a large theater, starting in February. I am hoping that the marketing I will be doing for ticket sales for the theater show will also help me sell to the corporate market.
I’ve learned quite a bit this year about marketing, from The Well-Attended Podcasts, from Mindpro, from Sidney Friedman’s “The Rocket”, advice from Timon Krause (at MindVention), advice from David Gerard, from many performing friends in the PEA, MindVention and ProMystic Summit generously sharing their ideas and experiences, Steve Cohen’s “Evergreen”, and other sources. Getting advice from people you respect who have gone through the process is invaluable, especially if you have an open mind. There are a lot of resources available, and I made much greater efforts in 2019 to take advantage of them and put them into practice. All of those sources tell me that there is a lot more for me to do, but I’ve already begun that work and expect 2020 to be a big leap forward in my career. |
Nash Inner circle Hong Kong ~ USA 1101 Posts |
Down $1,000 from last year lol! #AllHonesty
Here's to a better 2020
I teach leaders the magic of curiosity and empathetic communication. keynote Speaker | Seattle magician
|
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Excuse me sir but check the banner. NOTHING on it about "honesty"! What is this your first day? (I am not putting in an emoji but CLEARLY I am making a joke here. On to serious part of my post.)
Hey I admire anyone honest enough to post like that brother! No joke. Good on you for doing it. If you read the posts around here or listen to magicians in general nobody ever makes a mistake, nobody ever misses a trick, nobody ever has a bad show and business is always SKYROCKETING! It is all ego stroking and bs and not helpful at all. Nash I want to thank you for that post. Early candidate for post of the year. The most helpful thing anyone has posted in a LONG time.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
My business was down by 8% in 2019.
I made decisions in 2019 to cut down on travel time and expense and reject more gigs that are not profitable. I’ve also cut my advertising budget and did not make very many investments. In short, I am in a phase of my business in which I’m more concerned with increasing my profit rather than increasing sales. I haven’t calculated my profit yet but when I do I suspect I will be able to feel better about 2019. Disclosure: I’ve been a full time pro for 25 years doing 275 to 375 gigs per year--100% in the children’s entertainment market. I feel its important to disclose this information when discussing this topic because in many cases we are not comparing apples to apples. What is more important is the overall feel of the economy, and I feel it is very good and am very optimistic about it, even if I am not the one personally profiting from it at this time. For example, I have noticed an increase in tips (large tips! ), both at private parties and restaurants. My biggest disappointment was dropping the ball on a new market, but that’s what a New Year is for. I have little doubt that 2020 will be a good one and hope you all have a good one too!
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
I’m significantly down this year for the first time in the last 13 years, but this was expected as I dropped my summer library programs - of which I usually do between 80-100 in June and July.
2019 - 10 library teen programs and approximately 40 days of school programs. (I usually average about 50-60 days of schools a year). I have been just school and library market for the past 13 years - now just the school market - although on a very specific schedule and season each year (mostly October-November). Zero marketing this year (or the previous 5 years) except repeat folks and word of mouth recommendations from the repeat schools). Down about 30K simply due to the removal of the summer schedule. Hope everyone has a GREAT 2020! |
Nash Inner circle Hong Kong ~ USA 1101 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 1, 2020, Dannydoyle wrote: haha. thanks man. I'm happy that my honesty was appreciated. But yeah, 2019 was amazing for me from Jan->May; but strangely tailed off later on in the year. One small reason was having one less viable December weekend due to Thanksgiving falling on the same week. Usually the first 3 weekends of December is the highest volume for corporate annual functions, this year we only had 2 weekends. No sweat though, still got to support my fam doing what I love. Can't complain man. Everyone have a prosperous 2020 <3
I teach leaders the magic of curiosity and empathetic communication. keynote Speaker | Seattle magician
|
amazing eric New user Amazing Eric 43 Posts |
Howdy!
I did an increase of volume of about 445 shows in 2019 and ended the year with, believe it or not, savings in the bank! Every month I monitor the strengths of various marketing that we do and I recently accepted a position with a company as an exclusive performer with them during the week while I have my own business on the weekends. |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Thanks for everyone for sharing and being so open. I hope it inspires others to do more of the same.
I think we are seeing some interesting things as many seem to have some shifts occurring in their businesses, perhaps after many years of the same type of "business as usual." Be it working less but trying to sustain or still grow profitability, or just working smarter, not harder. Many seen to doing adjustments and trying more or new things. Many are seeking greater control in their business and over their performing. Others are venturing into new markets, new business models, or new areas which is always exciting and a step toward hopeful growth. I am monitoring trends here and of course in the greater picture as well. Seems very few are down unless just a bit due to adjustments and some calculated risks. I hope everyone has set some great business goals for 2020 and that this year will be a great year. Within the entertainment industry, we are calling it "the year of the party (or partier) and live entertainment is expected to be on the rise this year. Best of luck to all, and I hope this conversation continues now and throughout the year as well. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Year-End Business Review (3 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |