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ColinDymond Special user Gloucestershire, England 675 Posts |
Maybe we you start a new thread on money.
Why are we so afraid of putting our prices on our web sites. My brother doesn't understand this and I'm sure lots of others don't. I'm sure it can work both ways. My web site is ten times better than some of my competitors but I'm not ten times more exspensive. If a client sees his web site and knows he is £100 then looks at mine that looks more proffesional they might think they cant afford me! I think I might give it a trial run, see what happens.
Colin Dymond
www.aceofdiamonds.co.uk |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-25 23:12, jiayi wrote: Thanks for explaining. It wasn't real clear to me if that was the case or not. Sorry for making it even more confusing. I understand why it's hard to put prices on a site. But there has to be a way to let viewers know that it is affordable. Many first time buyers have no idea how much things cost. Bill Gates once said, "Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." Got to be a lesson in there somewhere. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
If I can recommend something, it would be to understand the differences between a suspect, a prospect, a customer and a client.
A suspect is someone that you think might use your services, but they have never called you (you might mail to them, or target your website / print ad to them). A prospect is someone who responds to your advertising with an inquiry (for rates or to book a date). A customer is someone who hires you for a show. A client is someone who has hired your multiple times. Why is it important to understand these terms? Because each of these people see your business in a different way. You have to be cautious giving the same weight to feedback from a suspect, as you would to feedback from a client. In this case, because the person didn't even ask about rates in the email, they are still a suspect. They aren't even a prospect because they didn't really ask about the services, even though they looked at the website. They gave feedback on the step of becoming a prospect. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Bill Knight Veteran user UK 318 Posts |
Tom: While I agree with the sentiment, Bill Gates also once famously stated "no computer will ever need more than 640 kilobytes of memory"
This is not a dig at you Tom, just a little pop at his Gates-ness with tongue firmly in cheek. The original emailer does have a point but, the time it took to be so rude was no longer than the time it would have taken to ask for a price. I have taken her complaint to heart though and I am re-doing my website soon so I will have to decide what to do to help people in this situation. Have fun Bill
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional
www.magicbill.co.uk |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-26 05:12, ColinDymond wrote: Speaking personally, I think I'm comfortable doing this (posting rates online or giving a ballpark), because I've had my rates online before, and also not had my rates online. I've taken the risk of doing it both ways. Some people see the idea of putting their rates online, or even a ballpark online, as a risk. They think they might lose some shows. And they might. They don't like risk or loss of opportunity. Based on my experience, I'm not convinced that the difference in loss is a big percentage. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
I understand why people might not want to put their price on their site, I understand that the lady's e-mail came across as rude, but I'm with Starrpower on this. This is the little darlings section, ostensibly we are talking mostly about kids and their moms who do the hiring. We should listen with an open mind when they have an issue. We are fundamentally service providers, we are doing ourselves a favor when we listen to what our customers are concerned with. I personally encourage them to call, I don't provide a price, although I'm thinking I might start doing it again, offering different party packages etc. I think this tends to eliminate the price only shoppers right off the bat, and I don't usually get them anyway. There's some supercheap birthday party "entertainment" here in SA, if that's all they're going on, it doesn't bother me to eliminate them right off.
One thing I've noticed with the decline of Yellow Pages is that I'm NOT getting a lot of price shoppers. When a customer was using Yellow Pages, they'd just go down the list and call everybody. I got a lot of calls back in the day from my ad, but only sold maybe 3 of 10. But as people have moved to the internet, I'm noticing I'm not getting as many calls, but the people who do call are much more intersted in me specifically as a performer, because they've seen my site. I'm actually booking a much higher ratio of the calls I get. I also think there are a lot of sites with forms to fill out. People know that when we do this we are gathering information on them. I'm not sure that's necessarily a bad thing, but people may get tired of filling those things out. As I said, I always encourage people to call because I think an actual conversation is the best way to connect with a potential customer. |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Random response...does anyone consider what they post may be read by a prospect or client after a google search of your name or show?
Certain places I put a prices start at....xxxxx. An example of this is some area/regional sites for libraries. They also include prices for mileage. Listening is as great of an art as magic. W.A.I.T. is sometimes pictured on the callers/texter/emailer's forehead. It stands for "Why am I talking." (texting/emailing) Harris still 2 old to know everything
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Donald,
Doesn't matter if they are a suspect, a prospect, a customer, or a client. If they complaining about your business you need to listen. Maybe not change anything, but still give it some thought. Even rude people can be right at times. Bill, I don't care a lot for Gates either. Just thought those words made sense. Sounds to me like the lady just got teed off because she kept looking for a ballpark figure and couldn't find one on a site anywhere. Many people feel that just inquiring is some sort of obligation, and they would like some idea on a price before calling. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I respectfully disagree, Tom. I think they each see your business in a different way, and so you need to factor that into their feedback.
So, Tom, what did I need to hear (or think about) from that person who complained about my rates being too high? (Shared in a post above). Also note, from my experience, I've had a few conversations where I gave a ballpark figure (because it seemed to be what they wanted), and people wanted an exact figure. They didn't want all of the info (and often didn't want to give info); they just wanted the numbers. Even though I tried to give them a ballpark to reduce the price-shoppers, that wasn't good enough. There are a myriad of different suspects and prospects out there, with different attitudes and perspectives. You really can't please everyone. (Am I saying you shouldn't try at all to please the most? No.) I have lots of great conversations with people who don't hire me. And I've had some really challenging conversations with people who don't hire me. I like it best, when I have great conversations with people, and they hire me. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
But Donald, she couldn't even get a ballpark figure. With all the searching she couldn't find a thing about price. Poor lady.
She assumed that "if you have to ask the price, you can't afford it." Many people believe that, so they never ask. Be thankful for the few that will get mad and tell you why they never call. It's those you never hear from that you have to worry about. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-26 12:00, TomBoleware wrote: How do you know that she thought that? Did she say those words? Or, are you assuming that is the feedback she is trying to give? - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
When I quote a price to a potential consumer and get that is above our budget, I ask them to consider me for larger events. (Neighborhood block parties, Mothers or Christmas parties/for Assistant Living Facility, National Conventions rather than local sales meeting.....) Ialso ask if I can send them things by email.
Harris still 2 old to know everything....
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-23 22:54, jiayi wrote: I wonder why a bday parent would spend hours online (her words), and yet not have time (or be able to make the effort) to send an email or make a call? It seems odd to me. She doesn't have to contact every performer. Just one or two that she is most interested in. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
I assumed it because she apparently gave up on finding a price and just said, forget it.
Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
My thinking is this, most people probably have no idea how much an entertainer charges.
They have nothing to compare it to. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
So, here's a follow up question to ask ourselves.
If we put a ballpark rates online, or exact rates / show packages online, and our competition doesn't, does that mean that more suspects and prospects will be grateful for our "help"? - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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LBP MAGIC Veteran user 374 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-26 12:23, Donald Dunphy wrote: Yes |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
And maybe not, but it would make them feel more comfortable in calling the competition.
Price shoppers are going to call around regardless. What we talking is, would it make more aware that just because you been on TV, really great, and all that stuff, you don't charge like the average 'Star.' Really, a few may feel that way. They have no idea what a magic show costs. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Yes, without knowing a ballpark, some uninformed people tend to guess that the ballpark is $50-$75 and some tend to guess that the ballpark is $400-$600, and some guess in between.
Because of that, some are going to react to your ballpark quote. Some will be shocked, and some will be relieved. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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seadog93 Inner circle 3200 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-01-26 12:56, Donald Dunphy wrote: I get that a lot. I'm considering putting some "ballpark" figures on my site; but here's a question/concern for those of you who have done this: I'm concerned that if I put $150-$250 a lot of people will only see the $150. Any thoughts on this?
"Love is the magician who pulls man out of his own hat" - Ben Hecht
"Love says 'I am everything.' Wisdom says 'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows." -Nisargadatta Maharaj Seadog=C-Dawg=C.ou.rtn.ey Kol.b |
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