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xxxRoyxxx Loyal user 218 Posts |
How do my fellow pro magicians handle postage when mailing promotional materials? Bulk mail maybe? ROY
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I pay full rate, not bulk.
Use live stamps (as opposed to a stamp from a postage meter), as they will get more interest. When I mail my promo video, as opposed to a letter or kit, I send it XpressPost (next day, possibly two day) delivery, within my region in Canada. If you are sending promotional materials, go regular mail (first class) and get it there quickly. (Note - you should only be sending a promo kit when there has been a show inquiry, otherwise you are wasting your money, in my opinion). Even lead generation letters should be sent as regular mail. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Creative Coach Loyal user Anderson, SC 294 Posts |
Personally we send out thousands of pieces a month - ALL FIRST CLASS! Are you a first class act? Why look cut rate? Fine for junk mail but not for advertising.
We use large colorful first class stamps. Keeps us booked! John Cooper |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
John is right. Impression and perceived value are very important in what you send out to you prospects. You want it to be the best and to say quality.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
Lets say you get 1% return on direct mailing. So, you send 100 letters, costing $.37 in postage. $37.00. You get one gig, $175 or so, that's a tidy profit. Now you should be able to use that one gig to get atleast 1 more. Compound. Compound. Not bad for a $37.00 investment.
In it for the long term, 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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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
With your $138 profit ($175 - $37), don't forget to factor in other costs besides the stamps. Don't forget the cost of the envelopes and their contents.
There are also many other costs associated with getting / doing the show. Only then will you have an accurate understanding of your true profit. Then, you will be in a better position to evaluate whether you are charging an appropriate fee for your services. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Creative Coach Loyal user Anderson, SC 294 Posts |
Donald's correct. In our office we figure our mailing cost at $.50 ea. This includes stamp,
flyer(s) and 6x9 envelope. Considering the cost of my program is $1000-$1250.00 it doesn't take many sales to return a nice profit. And true I sell a program for this type of money with a simple 1 sheet flyer....black ink on bright stock. No full color! (Works for us!) As Donald stated, in setting fees you need to take into consideration ALL the cost. (Replacement of props, gas and car/van upkeep, food, hotel, your time, lifestyle expenses...etc.) It doesn't matter how much you make...it's what you keep that matters! John |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I think what scares a lot of folks is the upfront cost for the mailing they are about to do. Yes, this can be a bit pricey, but it does not have to be. I personally always use first class and real stamps for the reasons mentioned above by others.
I also remember that if I even book one gig from the mailing I am sending out to my leads and prospetcs, I not only have that gig pay for the entire amiling but I also make a small profit. Just 1 paid gig from the mailing covers my total initial investment. I have done this numerous times and it has always worked out wonderfully for me. Keep in mind that your first impressions the prospect may get of you is from the materials you send out and the perceived value they get from them. Stamps help with this. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
I was just using that as a loose example. My point was that first class postage is not really all that much when you think of it in the long run.
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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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Exactly Edd. The benefit you can get from your mailing and the possible return investment in booked shows, will more then make up for your initial cost of the mailing as long as you approach your mailing the proper way. =)
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Jimeuax Regular user 199 Posts |
Do you normally get more than 1% return on your mailings?----cheers!---Jimeuax
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joshlondon Regular user 169 Posts |
That's when good marketing comes in. Look into Dan Kenney's material (he's the guy who made Dave Dee a fortune). You want a direct response and your letter should say that. As for postage and envelope, etc. I use a $.37 postage stamp. When a client gets mail with no stamp they throw it away, then your percentage rate increases.
Envelopes, use plain white HAND ADDRESSED envelopes. No one opens junk mail. People sort their mail 1 way, they put it in pile A or pile B. Pile B is the trash can, so you want to be in pile A. Also, you might want to use add teaser to the envelope to get them to open it. The teaser could say, "10% Off Coupon Inside!" And target moms in your area, mom's love coupons and will open it. The headline to the sales letter is a whole other topic. |
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