|
|
suspectacts Elite user Boston 493 Posts |
For years I have collected and distributed letters of recommendation, but that was back when I also sent out promo packets to prospective clients. When I moved from flyer to website, I uploaded all those letters, and any new ones, to the site, but I have a feeling that most people don't bother looking at them.
What I want now is video clips of satisfied customers, but here's the problem. I have developed a sure fire method of getting letters, but it seems complicated to get video testimonials, for the following reasons: 1. A letter can be requested and written weeks after the event, but a video demands proper equipment. It seems to me that the best time to get video from the client may be right after a show, since I can bring a camera and tripod and I know the client will be there, but that is often the worst time to ask them for a couple of moments (especially at corporate events, where they often have other business or social responsibilities other than helping the entertainer out). 2. The event planners who hire me are often women and I have to be aware that some of them are very self-conscious about being photographed (bad hair day, etc.). This is true for men as well, of course. 3. Some clients are going to be enthusiastic but not good speakers. Does anyone one have any real experience with this process and have any practical solutions? Ultimately I would like to develop a 'system' that I can use with each performance. Thanks peter http://www.funnymagic.com http://www.funnyhypnotism.com http://www.bostonhystericalsociety.com |
HypnotizeAmerica Veteran user 399 Posts |
Peter -
Why not take a line or two from the letters and put them on a powerpoint slide, slice them into the video. That way you can get them to see that in your demo. Just a thought. Tim |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
I find their are two types of testimonials
The comment and the testimonial Comments are straight after the show, quick and they say something like - wow a fantastic show- simply amazing The second is where they are sitting in the office buy the computer and they talk about how good you are and how easy it is to deal with you. Relationships are the key - event managers and agents who use you allot will be easier than one off good shows. At worst case senario you could offer a discount for your show to get the testimonials- but probably not the best thing to do. Keep asking and make the process easy & not time consuming for them- have the camera and the tripod and off to show them the video and re take any bad shots Best to do it in a dead season when they are not working as they pretty much drop every thing and do the event when events come along. You will also want to give them a script to follow or to say in their own words as they probably don't know what to say |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
You could also do a mini promo just before the testimonial so just before people se the testimonials they get to see that the event manager does all the big events.
Infinity Events over here might not mean much to people----but when they see a small promo of infinity events- doing the fire works on the harbour bridge and doing major events- the testimonial has much greater impact |
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
http://www.robertbloor.com/video/peoplereactstream.wmv
Here's an example of how I've used peoples reactions/testimonials. It doesn't take a lot. ICE is right in that there may be a different approach to how you get them (and ultimately what they say). I for one like the reaction - right after the show. It's fresh, they've enjoyed it. Smiling etc. 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 |
SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
Robert,
Very nicely done! What kind of a camera did you use? Was it your own or did you hire someone to come out? JIM |
suspectacts Elite user Boston 493 Posts |
Robert,
Great footage and nice editing as well. Jim may want to know about the camera but my questions are more directorial. Did you have someone else film them or did you do it yourself. Either way, I am amazed by how thoughtful and well spoken the people are. How much coaching did you give them and how did you approach the audience members to get them to take the time to be filmed. Are they people who came up to you after the show or did you approach them? Please let us know your process. Thanks Peter |
ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
Robert, GREAT job with the testimonials. That's exactly how to get results.
By just taking a few moments after every show to handhold a camera (even a small camcorder from Walmart) and go up to a few people. Record 2-5 people after each show, you end up with a few gems. Who cares if 4 of the 5 people at one show gave poor testimonials. Over several shows, you'll build a video library of AWESOME, first-person accounts of how THEY were amazed and how much of a good time THEY had! Robert understands that... their reactions show how much of a good time THEY had... not how good HE is (though he IS good!) Great job! Scott P.S. It's always a good idea to have them start by stating into the camera their name and city they're from plus a quick, "I give you permission to use me in this video," before they do the testimonial. |
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Quote:
Socal:What kind of a camera did you use? Was it your own or did you hire someone to come out? It's a Panasonic PV-GS120 w/ 3CCD mini DV. Was about $500 or so at Best Buy. The camera work of me performing, Sara shot. The testimonials and editing were all me. Quote:
Peter: How much coaching did you give them and how did you approach the audience members to get them to take the time to be filmed. Are they people who came up to you after the show or did you approach them? Hardly any coaching. During shows I pick out who seems to be having the most fun, interacting the best etc. After the show I approach them, thank them for enjoying the show and ask if it would be alright to get them on camera with their reactions. As Scott said, have them say their name AND SPELL IT, plus, "Yes, you can film me etc" Always make sure that if you've got a child mom and dad are on camera and say, "Yes you can fil me...and my kid" Sometimes they'll give you a 20 or 30 second sound byte. Sometimes it's about 5 seconds. But like Scott said, with the right editing placement, and enough testimonials you get great stuff. Another idea - if you've got a family of four film mom and dad seperate, and the kids together. Now you've got 3 seperate testimonials. Any other ?s just let me know. 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 |
ScottRSullivan Special user 874 Posts |
That's a gem about breaking up the family into groups! Man, I wish I would have thought of that one. Very good!
Scott |
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Scott,
It's helped me a lot. If you've got a family that's really into it and loved your show - seperate them - and then get one of them all on camera saying, "AWESOME!" or something like that. It takes 2 seconds more and you've got great video. 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 |
impossible man Elite user 403 Posts |
I like to use specific questions if people seem at all nervous. That gives them a direction to start them off. (I tried three phrases there and they all ended with a preposition.)
One of the other great things about Robert's video is the great variety of backgrounds, it doesn't look like it was all done at one show. Clearly, Robert you carry the same energy and enthusiasm into the tone of your video that you use in your show. Great job. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Moving from rec. letters to video (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 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 < |