Me too! As a matter of fact I did it just today and secured 3 bookings. Awhh...repeat clients!

Oil is $110 a barrel, gas is almost $4.00 a gallon, gold is $1,000 an ounce, there is a housing crisis, the dollar bill is worthless, the stock market has taken a sharp nose dive, our government has just bailed out Bear Sterns bank, and everything is rosey. HMMMMMMM but why is Pinocchio's nose growing?

Phone also stopped ringing in uk.???

I am actually off to the best first quarter I have ever had for my wife and I. I think part of it is because I am finding and seeking after certain niche markets. It seems to be working well for us. We are also very actively marketing and going out there and getting the leads and qualifying them and landing those gigs though effective action.

Kyle

Kyle:

Just curious. Have you noticed any hesitation with your clients whatsoever, especially those in the fair and festival trade?

Also, have Birthday Party calls slowed somewhat. The reason why I'm asking is that appears (?) to be the case everywhere else. Again, just asking.

Thanks,

Gerry

I had a mom yesterday that had hired me before call. She wanted to know if I'd be willing to do her son's party again this year for $100.00 less than what she paid before. Her response was, "everything is so expensive these days!"

We (entertainers) have to make money like everyone else. We also have to charge more for our services due to gas. It seems like here lately EVERYONE wants a deal!

Gerry,

Great questions my friend. Let me try and answer them for you at least in my own area here around Philadelphia and in my own markets.

In regards to the fair and festival markets there has not been that much hestitancy at all really that I personally have seen. My repeat clients are coming back to me regardless because they know of the value I give to them. The fair must go on and they still have entertainment spots they have to fill. The budgets may be cut back a tad but overall it is not so bad as most of the festivals and fairs get income from sponsorships (which are still there) as well as grants. I also find that the festivals and fairs are a way for the community to get together and to forget about problems of the world.

I have found that my new fair leads and festival leads have been turning into paid clients at the same rate as last year so I have not found a dip in that much either. I find myself only having more problems qualifying the leads more then anything else. Just hard getting ahold of people and the process for their meetings seems to be delayed or pushed back more this year then in years past.

As far as my brithday party shows, they have actually been on the rise. so much so that I am doubling the amount of birthdays I am doing this year from last year. I am also getting more income from there ever since adding on my magic teaching workshop as part of the package deal. there has not been any drop in the b-day parties I have been receiving to date.

For me, I know the increase in my b-day parties has largely beehn due in part to my really looking and working hard on my website and search engine optimization as well as online internet presence. A lot more moms are finding my website through then ever before and that has been working great.

So for me at least this year has not been that bad at all. I just find it taking more time then usual to change a prospect into a client. That I have noticed and I combat that with more effective marketing and staying in their face a bit more then I used to have to do. I do a lot more follow ups but the follow ups have been really working. I guess my word of advice is to stay with it. If it seems like it is taking longer to land a gig from someone showing interest, then keep up with it and do not let go of them. send follow ups with them to stay fresh in their mind. I know personally a lot of the clients have told me they have longer approval processes then before so that may be the case as well.

Todd: I hate when people do that. It annoys me so much. What I hate even worse is magicians who do not stick to their guns. I have seen magicians in my area who have lowered their price for a show simply because the client asked them if they could.

I do not get this at all. Why not just tell the client that you lied to them upfront about your original fee and tell them flat out that you have no value and do not value yourself?

I have no problem lowering a fee if I feel I want to get into a place that can benefit me in the liong term. However, if I do this I am the ONLY one that knows my fee stated to them is lowered. The prospect and/or client has no idea at all.

To lower a fee simply because a client asks this of you is just shooting yourself in the foot. if they come back to you asking if you can reduce the price, then tell them you can BUT you would not be able to give them THAT package. You have other package options that may better fit their budget needs.

In this way you maintain and keep your value. They learn to realize that your shows cost x amount of money regardless and that you can work with them but less income means they also get less in the offerings you give to them as well.

Now this does not mean you are less professional. it only means that you have show packages to mete various budgets the clients might have and can work with them.

Kyle

My phone is rining less often, but when it does, it now for better gigs. I have started going after some other markets that, quite frankly, pay better and give me more exposure to FAMILY audiecnes than just kids.

That is great Neale. There is certainly nothing wrong with fewer shows at more money. In fact I say that is a great formula for success. have you found the new markets to be just as busy and successful for you Neale or have you found them harder to book or having problems with them making a decision etc?

Kyle

Yep, a little slower then Normal. But I'm not worried - it will rebound!

I tell you, if you are a collector this time is GOLDEN! Save up your pennies and you can get some really good deals on Magic. I have never seen so many nice items discounted on the Magic Café'!

Brad

I have had the best Jan/Feb out of the past 3 years, Also like Neale, my phone has rang less but when it does it garners almost 100% sell and some bigger gigs. I have worked 2 trade shows already this year and am going to Toronto for the third in April. If things do slow down, I will slow down and take life easy, hang out with Martini more..if he will have me and enjoy the first slow year in 8.
Here to a great 2008 or if not make it the best you can...

NUMS

Kyle-

It does take these organizations longer to make a decision. There is always some committee member who needs to make a decision who seems to take forever.

That is very true Neale. I just find this year that some of my festivals and their committees are taking longer to decide then in years past. But I am still getting the gigs and I am grateful for that.

Kyle

Sadly I think things in entertainment bus are gonna be rough this year. So many htings contributing to it. Economy gas etc not just here in the state but everywhere.

Greetings:
Yes the decision makers are taking longer lately, but that is also a good reason to have a variety of entertainment programs to offer.

Every area will be different with some areas busy and others holding on for a hard ride. When you are feeling the slow times, you can then go back through some of the excellent marketing material from Jim Snack, The Dean, and others to be found in the tricky business section.

Oh and by the way Nums....I'll help you find work so you don't have to hang out at my house.lol just joking, you are always welcome as is anyone else that wants to crash. You just have to like Italian cooking and occassionally walk Bonzai.

All the Best
Marty

I just find though that if you are an effective and active style marketer the work is still there and for the taking. You just have to go out there and work hard to get it instead of relaying so heavily on more passive forms of marketing. I find my active forms working for me much more this year then my passive formats.

Kyle