|
|
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
OK I get the point I'll do a FREE SHOW
so I'm going to organise it for the corporate market, simply because the event managers I will be targetting are in Sydney as apposed to the Wedding market is all over NSW (very big space) and after the investment with the corporate evnt managers their is opportunity for more than one booking. So I have spoken to several venues and they all want cash ie money to rent the room for a night. Persoannly I would like not to pay as I believe yet cannot convince the venue managers that inviting 100 event managers to a show would benefit their venue (is it me or just them?) they could showcase their venue and have a decent show. anyway- I think the venue is the hardest thing to organsie especailly in the City of Sydney- there really are not any community halls to rent a theatre space so it's function centres. I would also like to showcase my roving show so a cocktail networking hour would also be great. has anyone barked up this tree and come off with out spending too much? Dave |
kaytracy Inner circle Central California 1793 Posts |
I have not attempted what you describe.
A couple thoughts would be then to approach it like a showcase, for not just hte venue, but also local caterer/bar tender, and other businesses that would fit with the showcasing. Try a negotiation with the venue for the minimum cost of the space, and see if you can get enough other "vendors" that the cost can be shared out among them all. Realize this will ONLY work to your advantage if you absolutely have the minimum corporate clientele attend that you say you will! I think you should be sure you have some good help to pull it off- or you won;t have time to do YOUR thing! Just remember, generally people put as much value into a product (and you are pitching a product here) that you place on it. A free show sounds good, but if those involved have nothing invested in it, they will not place much value on it either. Make sure they understand why they should attend, what is the benefit to them? Good luck! k
Kay and Tory
www.Bizarremagick.com |
HypnotizeAmerica Veteran user 399 Posts |
Just remember, generally people put as much value into a product (and you are pitching a product here) that you place on it. A free show sounds good, but if those involved have nothing invested in it, they will not place much value on it either.
Amen to this. People place as much value on you that you place on yourself. Drop the free show idea, instead send out mailers to groups you want to book you. Get them on the phone and quote a high fee. When they hire you, because they will, they'll tell like minded friends "We paid so much for this person and it was worth it" instead of "we got this guy for so cheap, it was almost free." Work on your self esteem and believe in yourself. Bigger fees will follow. |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Hypno- You have it wrong
I have mailed out my markeeting and now is the time to take it to the next step with a demonstration which is what it is. Forget about should I or shouldn't I -- I want to know peoples thoughts on how to do it I'm not doing a free show to the local Hotel down the road- I am organisning an event for event managers to see me perform- The big Entertainment companies put on showcases and charge extraordianry fees- so event managers are not going to think I do free shows- I am showing or demonstration my product |
HypnotizeAmerica Veteran user 399 Posts |
Icentertainment
No I don't have it wrong. You are not charging for this show correct? It is free correct? Then guess what happens ... "hey ice I got a new client who I think would like to use you but since they are new can you slash your fee or do it free this time ?!?" If you do it for free once, they'll expect it of you. Charge for a regular show, knock them dead, and let word of mouth spread about you and create a booking war over you. Want to know what they think, include a survey with your thank you letter after the paid gig. Change your way of thinking - work less, make more. |
C Christian Loyal user 288 Posts |
Only time will tell what will happen....
In my experience HypnotizeAmerica is correct on this one. But please do try it Icentertainment and prove my experience false. I mean this in a good way, I want you to succede in this venture just know if it doesn't work out Hypno was trying to warn you, that is all. cheers chris |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Dave you have taken the bold step and stepped into it unfortunatly.
As a single entertainer it is tough to "showcase" yourself as you have described. As a group of entertainers at a convention targeted at bus markets, festivals, colleges or weddings if you like, it makes more sense. Good Luck. Hope you do well.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
I do not see how event mangers who are invited to a performance and dinner called a showcase are going to think - we can get him for free- I'm sorry Hypno I'd prefer you not to post on this question anymore and ask that people who have actualy done what I am doing to post.
I am not calling people up saying I'll do a free show for your company I'm putting on a private show and inviting event managers who have made enquiries to me in the past who for whatever reason havn't booked, plus a few of my currrent clients that will see my new shows. YES Danny it is tough which is good- not many other performers are doing it. Hypo A Huge Speakers Agency over here ICMI put on a show case with several speakers, some guy who won an award for making a cartoon and Raymond Crowe- I was his roady at that point. (really nice person too) ICMI put the show case on and I am thinking that the 5 speakers they had on worked for free- I am unsure of this and makes no matter- it wasn't even part of the equation what did happen was potential customers got to see the products of ICMI in mass ( about 250 event managers)in person without reading all the fancy Bio's, testimonials and seeing video downloads I think you gotta understand your customer- and your customers do not know anything about magicians They don't know- now on a tangent here I do Trade Shows- and statistic show that at your trade show booth- a live demonstration get more people- attracts more , sells more This is a demonstration. What I want to do is develop relationships with these clients not just direct mail them as you suggest. |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Oh and these people that book me- get hundreds of people sending them data
and this is your answer YOUR DUMB |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Dave your so right. It will develop a relationship beyond direct mail.
THAT alone is a good thing to shoot for. Direct mail puts you in the catagory with carpet cleaners and the like. your right again in saying it shows what you can do for them, heck even better than a DVD. You KNOW they are watching. YOU get to sell them personally. BUT as I said and you have cited, most of these are done by "groups" with budgets to do so. I am afraid if you try to bring this in as cheap as possible, it may demean you in their eyes, which would be the OPPOSITE of what your goal is here. I hope it works for you.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Maybe you could talk the venue manager into a swap or big discount on the room for some free advertising on the material you pass out there. If need be, offer to promote his place in a few of your other shows. Find out the price of the room and then give him more than that amount in advertising dollars.
Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
HypnotizeAmerica Veteran user 399 Posts |
You call me dumb and then ask me not to post on this topic again? I don't have the time to help change your way of thinking and even though you were asking for suggestions it appears to me that you don't want anyone's opinion but your own.
Enjoy. |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
I don't want your opinion Hyp
because you don't read the intial post. The question is not should I or shouldn't I I'm going to do it- and am requestion info frm those (not you) that have done so- or at the very least looked into doing it (again not you)and discuss their ideas. and yes you are dumb for not reading the intial post. Synergy is possibly the answer- multiple companies that do not conflict with each other putting on an event. My job therefore is to reach those smaller companies like myself to Join or band together to reduce cost and to provide an exciting event. I may need a venue that is great & Great facilities but not doing so well. so we are looking for smaller catering companies, Magician (me) sound people like a DJ venue, this allows me save money but spend that saved money on the promo pack each person gets or I could just do a hypno and send out some direct mail----but hypno think about this If both our shows were as good as each other- who would an event manager buy from Your direct mail or seeing me perform first hand- You must realise that I will always get the gig over you and if you don't - so much the better for my business |
noumena Regular user Orange County, CA 136 Posts |
I have not done exactly what you are planing, but I have achieved the same result. I got myself booked at a theater to perform by two hour show for a 1 month run. I made some very nice money as did the theater. My contract stipulated that I have x amount of comp tickets. I then sent very nice looking private invitations to several agents and entertainment consultants in the area as well as several people from the press.
At the end of the run at the theater I was paid very well, got a lot of press coverage, a tv quality dvd of my show, several invited to perform at other theaters, and a lot of work from every agent that came. I have a new theater show opening up next month where I am doing the same thing. If you want to talk about the details just PM me. - Brandon Cross |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Fantastic
This helps me once I get the show organised with regards to how to fully benefit from the show with regards to filming. I think that I have found a venue close to the City- small but decent size. and the cost is not much as it is one of my associates that I work for frequently- I'll be doing a smaller or rather lots of smaller (50 people) shows mini shocases- this allows me to do a stage show, invite fellow performers to provide a show have a networking hour with a small number and show case our roving shows, reduce the cost of catering (not as many people)- we can test it with a small group) and also demonstrate our corporate gift range (magic tricks) and being a small number we can give people personalised attention- we can have a questions & answers part of the presentation (and no not the mind reader version) a real Q & A about business things. hmmmm - The hardest thing is the venue- now everything else is falling into place However Mr Cross- I think I will benefit from having a 1/2 event manager 1/2 real audience Thanks |
RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
David,
As usual I'll give you as simple and clear an answer as possible. I can't help you on how to barter on the venue or get it free of cost. I've been to presentations where similar services were being sold! These were not magicians but actually speakers. I don't see why it wouldn't help solve problems for 'event coordinators'. Your service would be another valuable contact for them and ultimately a sound solution to whom they should call to fit the bill. If I were invited as an Event Coordinator or the like, saw your service or product as a performance and liked it, I'd hire you for future events needing what you do. I would not assume that you do anything for free just because I was invited to view a free performance. In fact, I would expect you to hit me up for business or at the very least, cram your business card down my throat - no problem as far as I would see it. Many in business, even here at the Café, talk about meeting and filling the client's needs, yada, yada, yada. Well if these are event coordinators who are constantly looking for the right entertainment then you may very well be filling some of their future booking needs. Best on the venture and much future business! |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Thanks randy
we all know that to see a brochure is not the same as seeing the performance and this is what direct mail is- The brochure- even if you sent a DVD through the post- which is not the best idea unless you have a huge budget and enjoy sending dvds to people who may not really need your business---. So to make it more important for event managers to come along- I'll need some other reasonbs why they should come and this has to do with the other suppliers Just like me- Unique, You never hear much from them, but they have a good product. I have also thought of joining the event associations and being a member and getting help there but Last yoear I joined the Meetings & Events association of Australia- what a waste of money- I sponsored an even there and got zero advertsisng they do not take magicians seriously- but there are other associations out there thanks all |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Organising a FREE SHOW (0 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 < |