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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Good Morning, Al. Nice to see someone else is awake this early Sunday morning.
Yes, give the customer what they want, a good business principle. However, I don’t think you can be all things to all people. This is the way politicians think, and it ends up getting them in trouble. As I said, I know I am excluding a segment of the business with my strategy, and that is ok when I’m competitive with 80% or so of the general public. For me, the top 10% and bottom 10% are out of my range. Quote:
On 2010-06-20 07:12, Dennis Michael wrote: That depends on what phase of your career you are in. Personally, I am still in the building phase. So, I would opt for the 5 shows at $675 per day. Not only do a make more money per day, I also get to present my act for more prospects and hone my skills 3 more times per day. I would imagine that the 2 shows for $500 per day would look pretty good to me in 10 years.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
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KeirRoyale Special user Denver, CO 550 Posts |
Thanks to everyone so far, as you might have noticed I have chosen to remove my pricing as I think although I saw lots of posts making good points for both sides I am going to try it with out for a while and see what happens. And Scott Burton making a very important point that if you corporate clients should find your pricing for your kid show it may not bode well for you.
Thanks for all the input thus far! Keir http://www.DenverKidMagic.com
DVD author of "The Master Prediction System Done Solo"
http://www.DenverMotivationalSpeaker.com http://www.DenverKidMagic.com http://www.LifeIsMagical.com http://www.WichitaComedyMagician.com |
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RebelEntertainer New user John Abrams 73 Posts |
Hey Keir,
Great string. You can use your website to position yourself as "High End" or "Discount Magician" or however you want without stating your prices. It can be done by appearance, social proof, client list, etc... But I love getting the phone calls. There are a few reasons. 1.) As stated before, you can get a great feel for what exactly the prospect wants. And then fullful their needs. Advantage you. and 2.) They can get a feel for your personality. You'd be amazed at how many entertainers have a terrific website, but you get 'em on the phone and they sound like they just woke up. Advantage you. but moreover... 3.) You never know what you may discover about a prospect during a phone conversation. Many times I've discovered that they need a number of things that they didn't even think of. For example: When I was doing a lot of birthday parties, I would be talking to a b-day Mom and discover that they did need goodie bags that I could supply (even though it was on my website, they didn't consider the value.) Or that their child was having a kindergarten graduation (that I could perform at). Or that I couldn't peform at their party because I was booked, but their sister was having an event that I would be perfect for. Or that I was booked but could refer another terrific entertainer and pocket the referral fee and make a buck for a friend. Now I do mainly schools. And many times, in addition to the program they called about from my website, I've booked a separate program right on the spot for the same school for later on in the year (did that twice last week). When they call for prices, it also gives me the opportunity to get them to book another school FOR ME in the same area on the same day. Some will argue that you can state all of this on your website, but as we all know, everybody doesn't read everything on your site. They pick and choose what interests them. And many times they have needs and wants that they don't think of until they have a live human on the other end of the phone to BRAINSTORM WITH THEM. There are so many things that you can do once you find out what they need. And having the website be the "closer" doesn't allow you any of these advantages. By the way, your website looks great so far. Have fun! John Abrams Rebel Entertainer and Guy that loves to field the phone call |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
The problem is that if you do NOT take calls, you have no way to answer objections. If they have an objection and are simply reading a web page, well then there is no way to answer it. If price is an objection, it can be sold on the phone for the value it is as opposed to what they seem to think it is.
This is the aspect of sales that should not be overlooked.
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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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
My only comment is about your party favors. you state they sell for $6 normally in stores and you offer them for $3.50
wow where I live they sell for a buck at the dollar store! I don't use them as I don't think they are very good but they are worth a dollar I guess but not much more. yes I know not every customer is aware of what they really cost and the packaging is pretty decent so you can get away withthe 3>50 I was jsut surprised that you say that they sell for $6 as a parent if I bought that for $6 I would be a bit ticked off. just my thoughts. oh site looks good and agree not to list prices and one other thing and maybe its just my area or maybe even just me but my site has both corporate and kids and I do plenty of both not worried if one client sees that I do other things. but that's just me I guess. we are getting ready to redo my site this summer but still will have everything on one site. good luck in dever:)
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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KeirRoyale Special user Denver, CO 550 Posts |
Some great thoughts so far... I sent Sam a PM about the magic kits so we stay on track here... and as some of you might have noticed I did change my website so that it only lists the packages and not the pricing.
Keir http://www.DenverKidMagic.com
DVD author of "The Master Prediction System Done Solo"
http://www.DenverMotivationalSpeaker.com http://www.DenverKidMagic.com http://www.LifeIsMagical.com http://www.WichitaComedyMagician.com |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-06-20 07:12, Dennis Michael wrote: Dennis - I've been thinking about this for a couple of days. Would a performer who priced themselves at $135 be guaranteed that they could book 5 shows in a day, instead of 2 at the other price point? Is the business really out there? Sometimes, the performers who charge a lower fee struggle for shows just as much as the performers who charge a higher fee. Also, would that many customers be flexible about their show times, because they are paying a lower price? (I have to ask that question, because often customers who pay a lower fee are more demanding / more hassle. And a large percentage of the time, when people call to book, they already have set up a party date and time that they can't be flexible on.) I suspect that one advantage of a lower price point is that less marketing is involved for good or great performers who charge lower fees. If they are doing lots of volume (lots of shows), then they have more potential customers seeing them. So, a performer wouldn't have to spend as much time or money doing other types of marketing. To their customers, it's about the exceptional value they are offering, as well as being within the price range of more people's budgets. Also, are there more people willing to pay for a performer who charges less? Because that is an assumption that is made. And are you getting booked because of your price, or because they know you and want you? - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-06-20 07:12, Dennis Michael wrote: That's one point Dennis, however, I found the opposite is true for me. Whenever I hear that "Magi X is cheaper than you" objection I always answer with "Yes, he charges what his show is worth and I charge what mine is worth." I have even said "we have an agreement he won't raise his price to match me and I won't lower my quality to match him." The last only if the customer is really pushing for a price break. People still equate higher price with higher quality. Look at the fact that there is absolutly no difference in quality between a Cadillac and a Chevrolet but Cadillac still makes money when Chevy loses. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Donald
Yes the business is out there, if I advertised $135 shows in our local parents magazine I'm sure my phone would be ringing off the wall for every weekend, but I've been there, and done that.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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John Martin Inner circle 1017 Posts |
I list mine on my site and have done so since Demember 2009. Firstly I have nothing to hide. The price is the price. Sure if the client wants more services ie. more balloons/longer show or I have to travel a greater distance, then the price is ajusted accordingly. This I would think is typical of any service industry. You want more, you pay more. I don't discount my show with coupons or special prices. I know one magician who discounted his price so much he had trouble then selling shows at the regular rate. People expected to get the "special" rate all the time. One mailing campaign a few years ago, I offered a 10% discount to schools if the booked a second show or if they spoke with another school to book my show as well on the same day. In this case each school got a discount of 10%. I dropped this in the next mailing and didn't find any resistance to the price without the discount.
The main reason for listing my prices however, was that a local, FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL, thought it would be amusing to quote "my prices" to other magicians in the area, COMPLETELY misrepresenting me fees. I thought to myself, if he was low enough to do this with other professionals that I didn't know personally, what was he doing with potential clients that I may eventually deal with?? This way there is no mystery. Funny thing, my fee comes in $10 lower then his and he felt I was wrong for no raising it. Some people have no life. A far as clients go, this let's them know up front what they are expecting to spend and what they need to budget for. Nothing diffenrent then online stores who list their prices, I would expect clients to shop around. I don't understand why magicians get upset when customer "shop" around for the best price. I see a lot of posts here on the Café of magicians looking for ways to save money on props, books, accesories etc. I've checked my prices against many other "workers" and respected posters here on the Café, and found them to be consistenly in line with my own or vise versa. And many of them list their prices as well. I wonder sometimes if "needing" to discuss the customers wants and needs is a secret code to find out how much money can be parted from said customer!! ( Of course I'm talking about birthday parties, school shows etc. Certainly more elaborate shows would nessescitate additional negotiations.) One thing I've learned is to not worry what the other guy is charging. It's OK to know the going rate, but charge what you feel is right for you whether it's $75 or $225 for a show, do what you feel is right. Those that worry about the other guy are generally self centered, sour people to start with. Very disappointing. John |
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Kent Wong Inner circle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 2458 Posts |
I don't publish rates on my site for many of the same reasons stated above. However, there is also an additional factor to consider. Agents. If you get any work at all from an agent, they NEVER want to see rates published on your site. This puts them in an awkward position when dealing with the ultimate client.
Kent
"Believing is Seeing"
<BR>______________________ <BR> <BR>www.kentwongmagic.com |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Good point Kent. I have agents who give my web address to customers just to show them what I look like. If they found my prices listed there it could be imbarrasing for the agent.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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