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20Robert04 Regular user Midland, MI 152 Posts |
Dear fellow Café members
I am again trying to get a job performing in resturants. To date I have tried cold calling restaurants, I have tried going in on down time. These have banked zero returns. So now, I am turning my sights on letters. I have been looking through old posts and searching, and I have come up with the following letters. There are two different letters, the first is directed at several restaurants that I'm looking at, the second is directed at some hotel type places. I would like any feedback, that people might have. I will for-warn you that my grammar and spelling will probably be atrocious, however that's not what I'm looking for help with, more help with the wording of things. 1)Dear Mr./Mrs. (manager) Recently I had the privelege of eatting at your fine establishment(restaurant name). Our waitress was very freindly as was your hostess. That night I ordered(food item) and must say that it was very delicous. I was noticing however, that between waiting for my seat and the food to come that there was some sleight down time. I was wondering if you have ever thought or considered about bringing in some entertainment to feel up these "down times". Entertianment not only helps feel in un-wanted time, but also adds somthing else speocial to your restaurant. I myself am a magician, working in the type of magic, that would work wonderfully in your establishment. It would provide your clients somthing special, and could be a great conversation starter. If it would be convenient for you, I would like to contact you to set up an appointment, so you could get a better idea and understanding it is what I do. Sincerly, Paul R. Carlson 2)Dear Mr./Mrs. (Human Resources) I recently had the pleasure of dinnig at the restaurant located (name of hotel). The staff was very freindly and the food was exquiset. The atmospher was very freindly which I enjoyed emensly. I was wondering, while eating if you had every thought about hiring entertainmetn not only for your dinning establishment, but also for your other venues. I am a local magician, that performs magic that can be tailored and suited to all ocassions. It would work just as well in your dinning facility, as well as say if somone was throwing a party. I would like to contact you about ways in which we may be able to work together in the future. Sincerly Paul R. Carlson Now, these letters sounded much better in my head, but I'm not quit sure what it is that I don't like about them. Any and all input, critism, critique is more then appriciated. thanks in advance Sincerly Paul R. Carlson |
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Paul,
Can you give us some more background on what didn't work and why you think it didn't? When you went in on downtime what happened? What did you say? Who did you talk to? etc? Why do you think going in person didn't work? Robert
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
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20Robert04 Regular user Midland, MI 152 Posts |
Mr. Bloor
When I went around the first and second times, it was a combination of me making really stupid mistakes, and places just not seeming interested. When I would go in, I would ask for the general mananager, on 2 occasions they would not get him for me and gave me somone else. I would mention who I am "I am Paul Carlson, I'm a local magician in this area, and was wondering if you had ever thought about adding somthing extra to your restaurant?". He would then ask what I did, and all that, I would tell him that I would perform a type of magic that is called close-up. I walk from table to table entertaining your patrons while they ate. For the most part, I would get the run around that they had to contact their regional manager, and get the OK from them. They said that they would give me a call when they heard back. That is were I made my mistake, I would wait for them to call me back, and never heard back. 2 places, I did go back and personally check with them on it, one time kept giving me the cold shoulder "he hasnt contacted us yet" the other one said that they were not interested at this time. I realize my mistake of not going back and keep after them, but that's part of life, live and learn. Sincerly Paul R. Carlson |
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Daryl -the other brother Special user Chicago 594 Posts |
Hi Paul,
I believe going to letters is a step in the wrong direction. Learn from the mistakes you made and keep at it. Improve your original plan, don't give it up for a new one. In the long run, personal meetings will give you better results than a letter. |
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Daryl just summed up what I could've added, Paul.
The personal contacts really count. And you clearly have found flaws in what you did the first time out. With your marketing you need to be able to measure your results. That usually means as you test something, you only change one thing at a time. In this case, change that this time you will follow up with everybody. After that, evaluate AGAIN, and then try AGAIN. But of all these bits of advice, the best I can give you is TRY. Good luck... Robert
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
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20Robert04 Regular user Midland, MI 152 Posts |
Dear Mr. Bloor & Mr. Daryl
I would like to sincerly thank you both for your input, that is why I come here. I will take your suggestions and give the walk-ins another chance, like you said it is much more personal which I prefere. Sorry to be a bother, but I have just a few more questions. I have about one to two dozen places that I'm looking at. What I'm thinking is taking a handful of them, try out keeping on them for answer, then revaluate before going on to some more, or should I just try them all in one shot. 3 of my places are at hotels, would I be better of contacting the HR person, or the events coordinator of the establishment. Again, thank you for your feedback. If anyone else has anything, I would still be more then happy to take it. Sincerly Paul R. Carlson |
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Pete McEwen Special user Durham, N.C. 576 Posts |
Hey, First question if you don't mind me asking is how old are you? Second question is are you going to big chain restaraunts or privately owned ones. The big chains are very difficult to get work in because they keep going up the corporate ladder and nobody says yes. With a privately owned one you can talk to the owner and he will be much more likely to hire you. I just got my second restaraunt job this weekend. I went in and asked to speak with the manager and offered him my services. I told him I'll do one night for a free dinner and we would sit down and figure out if he liked it and if he wanted to keep me around, if not, no hard feelings. I've found this approach is great because if you are good and you do get great reactions they realize how great of an idea it actually is. The guy who just hired me was overheard saying to the bartender that he thought a magician was a bad idea and he didn't like it, but after doing 2 hours he fell in love with the idea and I got 2 nights a week at 3 hours each night. It all depends on what places you approach and how you approach them! any other questions?
The magician formerly known as SPEEDcuber
"no one will believe the things we do if we don't believe them ourselves." - Slydini PeteMcEwen@mac.com |
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20Robert04 Regular user Midland, MI 152 Posts |
Mr. Cuber
I am 20 years young. The establishments that I am looking at persuing are both chain restaurants, and privately owned. Some are also local small franchises. Congragulations, on your success. Hopefully I have the same success. Paul |
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dark kard Regular user Providence, RI 142 Posts |
I would try family places. they will be more likely to hire magicians.
"flying is easy all you have to do is miss the ground" Douglas Adams
<BR>dark kard |
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jkvand Special user Johnstown, PA 658 Posts |
Hi Paul,
I know you asked us not to comment on the spelling and grammar, but, without trying to step on your toes, may I ask why not? I think the perception the restaurant owners will have of you will be greatly affected by whether or not your letter sounds like its coming from a professional who knows what he's talking about. Perhaps you plan to have it corrected by someone else, in which case, fine. But if you're not concerned about the spelling and grammar because you don't think it's important, I recommend that you reconsider. I'd be happy to proofread your letter for you once you have it ready and let you know how to make it grammatically correct with no spelling errors. Best of luck, Jeff |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Well a few comments only. Nothing negative really. (imagine that if you can)
I don't believe you should point out the "down time". It comes off as a negative thing and seems as if it was me reading it I would simply throw out the letter from whoever it was from. This is not a good sales technique. Pointing out how someone is wrong, makes them uncomfortable. I personally hate the letter approach. The reason is for me anyhow, sales is a personal thing. The letter is a great way to follow up an appointment contact, but not a good way to GET that contact. In an actual face to face, you can address objections as they happen, or hopefully in the pitch prior to them being raised. With a letter if they have an objection, real or imagined, it can not be addressed, and you lose the chance. Sales is a PERSONAL art. Just an opinion, please don't jump on me everyone. Don't ask a Yes or NO question in a pitch. If the answer is no the letter is thrown out immediatly. "I was wondering if you ever thought of using entertainment?". No. Ok letter gone. As I said I am simply NOT a fan of letters as a method of getting a cold call done. A serious suggestion I have is to learn sales. Find a sales course in college, take one from Carnagie, or Xerox, anyone who can teach you the art of the pitch. This skill will take you much further than the best double lift in the world.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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20Robert04 Regular user Midland, MI 152 Posts |
Jkvand- Your absolutley right, spelling and grammar does make all the difference, if it doesn't sound and look profressional it will go right out with trash. I do plan on having it proof read, and run it through spell checker. Thank you for your concern, it doesn't fall on deaf ears.
DannyDoyle- Thank you for your comments. The yes or no, thing is a good idea, and one I wouldnt even have thought of. If I may ask, do you send a letter after you have contacted them, and talked with them? Also, when you says sales course, there are so many, anything more specific? Thank you again, everyone. Sincerly Paul |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Last time I recomended a sales course it caused a HUGE problem. So if you understand this is only one mans opinion, one which I will not defend, then yea I will recomend.
Xerox has a sales course called Features and Benifits. Pretty much industry standard. I love it. Carneige also has one. (probably spelled that wrong). I have never taken it but heard great things about it. Both teach you valuable tools for selling. When to ask for the sale, close the sale, develop relationships with clients. ALL very usefull techniques. Others may have more info about sales courses, these are the only ones I have experience with. Xerox because I took it, and the other because I know people who have. LOTS of guys miss the yes no thing, and wonder why it is so long between jobs. You don't ask a question you don't already know the answer too. This is why I hate the "increase your profits" approach. It is an unknown. You can't deal in unknowns without being lucky, or looking stupid. Let me give you one more hint. Someone said once "you never get a second chance to make a first impression". Quite true. The reason for me saying this is, well yea you have to keep trying, but if you are doing something wrong, every time you try, you burn a bridge. This is also why I hate guys starting too early when they are not ready. You will ALWAYS be that guy they met the first time. For example, my "practice wife" was working when she got her Masters Degree. Great she gets it and is now seriously qualified for this position and more. BUT they still treat her as exactly the same person they did at the first interview. She had to change companies to get a higher position. This is common. Blow it with an owner, manager, and you will always be the guy with the letter, or bad pitch, or who alienated customers. So I am only saying be carefull and professional. TRY indeed, just don't flail arround directionless. Be methodical, and be professional. I am not being discouraging by ANY means, only trying to encourage in the right direction.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
Danny,
"practice wife" I thought I was the only one that used that name!!! I have others but I won't go in to them here. *LMAO*!!!!! I now return you to the original topic of this post. |
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
Danny...Practice Wife??? Ha Ha Ha Ha ..Please stop you are killing me.....Ha Ha Ha Ha...I love it!
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Sorry for the unsolicited humor. I promise no more.
Usually that slips by without notice.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
No, no, that's quite alright. Comic relief is good every now and then.
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20Robert04 Regular user Midland, MI 152 Posts |
Humor is the spice of life, I say let it role when you want.
Just to update, I plan on going to a few places some time this week. Im changing my pitch around a little bit, and also I'm going to work better at keeping contact up with after I leave. Again, thanks for all the advice from everyone, feel free to keep the jokes rolling. Paul |
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magicsoup Elite user 461 Posts |
When you met a manager you said you performed while people are eating. You should perform while they are waiting for food or waiting to be seated.
My opinion. Letters are too easy to ignore. Maybe send a letter saying that you'll pop by some time soon. Go. Ask, "Did you get my letter?" If they did it's not a total cold call. If not, it's a cold call. I soft sell in my first meeting. I tell them I'll offer them a free hour so they can see what I do. Absolutely no obligation. They may have a special occasion that it would fit some time down the road, that sort of thing. If you get a free night in and they see how well it goes (you hope) then mention that some places have this sort of thing on a regular basis. I hope you find something in there of value. |
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
There is "push" and "pull" marketing. This should really be in Tricky Business rather than here. But here is where this thread got established.
You are doing "push" marketing. It isn't easy. You are taking the product to the customer before he does a search for a solution he may not be seeking. In "pull" marketing you are taking the product to the customer who is actively seeking the solution you are offering. There is a world of difference. You still have competition. However, the offers are sought by the customer rather than "endured" by the customer. Because of your age and location, my suggestion is to do some private parties in these locations first. (Do them free if you have to.) But take that opportunity to be seen by some regulars of the place. When they start asking the management when you will be back, your "pull" marketing will have started. It's still work but your offer to work is sought rather than "endured". The first rule of duck hunting is to go where there are ducks. You may not have the prospects you had hoped for there. Take a hard objective look. Winking at a pretty girl in the dark is a total waste of time. Advertising mail is a primary source of paper trash. I don't use it at all anymore and I use to own the print shop! Save it for existing customers. Good Luck! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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