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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
I have a groupon going out tomorrow for buy one get one free magic lessons in Billings, Mt. If you don't know what Groupon is, check them out http://www.groupon.com
Besides lessons, I REALLY want to get show bookings for obvious reasons. I tweeked my site a bit for it, but anyone have any last minute ideas for my site to get people to book shows? I'm doing the groupon mostly for the exposure and promotion. THOUSANDS of people see this groupon every day and it is exclusive to that day, which is cool. What can I do to make them remember me and book me for a kids party? |
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Doesn't Groupon require a minimum number of responses (buys) before it kicks in? would you mind sharing the details of your offer?
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
Yes, I need 5 to kick in. it is "$20 for $40 Worth of Two Introductory Magic Lessons ($40 Value)".
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Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
Kameron,
I think that using Groupon is a great promotional idea, however I wouldn't have done it for magic lessons, but rather magic shows. You want to book shows, so why not use it for that? I buy from Groupon occasionally, and it's always an impulse buy. Local magazine subscription, symphony tickets and just recently bowling at a nearby lane. I can see this being effective for magic shows, especially birthday parties. It's just that I can see more people taking advantage of the shows rather than magic lessons. Perhaps I'm wrong and good luck with it, but it seems that you're adding in an extra step. |
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
Domino,
I was going to do a groupon for shows, but the way groupon works is they MAKE you offer it for 50% off or more, and from there they take another 50%. So if my show is $125.00 it goes to $62.50 and then $31.25. minus fees... I don't really want to sell 50 shows to make $30 a piece. Not worht the gas money. I'm hoping the thousands that see groupon a day will get me exposure. With the lessons, I am out a little time and supplies. Right now it's about the "free" advertising... |
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
I also hope to get lots of lessons on a regular basis. $20 an hour? I can fit a LOT of lessons in a day if there is demand for it...
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Yea you are getting "exposure" but is that always good? You are getting "exposure" in a KNOWN discount bin. I personally would NOT want to be associated with this.
It seems as if a lot of what you try to concentrate on is price and sell by price. I have never thought that was the best way to attract people because of the type of people you tend to attract that way. Most "free" advertising is worth every penny you pay for it. Look up the Donner party to see what can happen from "exposure". You die from it and your friends eat you is what can happen. If you get "known" for being in places where the "free" advertising is, there is a very distinct possability that this is where you will remain. It happens to a LOT of guys. (I am not saying it has happened to you or will happen to you, or anything about your act or your abilities. I am simply pointing out some serious drawbacks to doing things in this fashion.)
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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Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
So Danny, instead of telling him what NOT to do, why don't you give him some real advice about what he should do?
Personally I don't consider the symphony in our city part of the discount bin. We got a great deal on tickets and it served it's purpose - filling the seats and reminding us how great they are. I've since signed up for their newsletter and we've already made plans for a couple of other concerts at full price. Kameron, I wasn't aware of how the whole Groupon deal worked. At the prices you're charging, I understand why you wouldn't go that direction. Good luck and let us know if it works out. |
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Kameron Messmer Special user Billings, MT 742 Posts |
I don't think Groupon is known as "a discount bin". To me a discount bin would be where there is crappy stuff not worth the money and you need to get rid of it. There was skydiving lessons on sale the other day. There was pizza. There was lingerie. These are good items from good companies that sometimes people don't know about. Or good items that are a really good deal at half off. Nothing I have ever seen on Groupon made me think, "Oh, it's half off... must not be any good."
And again, I am in Montana. There is not a great economy here. I would love to market to the millionaires, but we don't have any. there are some good families that want a good birthday for their kid so they scrimp and save till they can pay me $100.00 And no one looks at Groupon like it's free advertising. People don't think that way. They see it as a cool program to get good deals. that's how I am seeing it because it's not about how many lessons I sell, but about how many people see me without me paying for it. When I sell a groupon Groupon gets money from it. If they don't sell, I still got my name out there... Right now I cant afford the $1000 a month ads I've been looking at. I don't make that much in shows on a good month. What guarantee do I have if I spent $1000 a month for 6 months I would ever get that back? I am trying to be smart and creative with my advertising till I can work up to bigger and better things. If someone wants to pay my mortgage till I make it, by all means... |
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Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
Kameron,
I'm sure Danny will be happy to pay your mortgage. Based on his posts here, he's not worried about making money, so I'm sure he has some extra $$$ to spare. |
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Benefits+......ory.html
The above is a recent article in our local paper, I hope it will be up for awhile. It is discussing this very topic, pros and cons. I believe in many of these programs you can have set a certain number for the "swarm" to form (as mentioned above) and buy, and, I believe, you can also limit the number of discount spots being offered. I think it could have some interesting applications. Blair
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-04-25 11:46, Dannydoyle wrote: I agree and disagree. The main thing that I agree with is that you don't necessarily want to be associated with any sort of discount places. The shows you will book will only be as good as the people who shop there. However, the thing with Groupon is just because it is a discount place doesn't mean it is for cheapos. A lot of nice, quality things are offered on there. Sure, there is a difference between a performer and a haircut. But, Groupon is not the same thing as conventional coupons. Groupon is like a mix between social media and shopping. I often hear a lot of people saying, "you wouldn't believe the nice stuff I was able to get a discount on with groupon!" Which means they were not expecting such high quality things to be available. If you present yourself as high quality, you don't necessarily come off as cheap when they get a deal on booking you. Granted, I doubt there are going to be any sort of corporate talent buyers looking for performers on groupon. However, for someone who happens to look at the site and has an event coming up, they may actually go through with it and book you on a whim. You book a show that you otherwise wouldn't have had. And, it could lead to repeat bookings at full price. As for doing lessons instead of shows, that's probably not going to hurt your credibility. The people who are shopping for lessons are usually mothers for their kids. Parents need to save any way they can. If you hook their kid, they'll keep coming back long after your discount expires. Plus, if they know someone having an event they may refer you because they know you already do the shows. I say give it a try, and if it doesn't produce the results you want, don't do it again. Dave |
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
Read the article above and see the potential. Upsell, and add-ons, is where the smart business folk will make their money (as in the article).
RE: Lessons - Offer the first one or two at the discount, but make sure you have an offer ready for them to take the next batch (how many is up to you). What else can you upsell? A book (course manual), DVD, props? Just be aware of your costs. For a show.....you have 500 seats....sell 200 through coupon....cover your costs...and know if you do BOR you will make additional monies off of those 200 folks. (As example...ticket cost $20.00.....$10.00 at 50% off...$5.00 to you...$1000.00 your portion, 300 tickets to sell at full price) This is almost like discounting advance sale tickets, or group discounting tickets, as used by many successful performers. B
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-04-25 18:11, Kameron Messmer wrote: I say good for you for thinking it all through and trying something new. I would love to hear how it turns out. |
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Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-04-25 19:45, Blair Marshall wrote: Some excellent ideas Blair! |
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Kevinr Inner circle 1854 Posts |
Balloon twisting for 30 minutes normal prices $99.00 groupon on rate $50.. One per person only!!
Then you can get the add ons when they call with there groupon coupon for things like added magic show at full price and also more time at full price for balloons since 30 minutes is never enough time to do balloons. Please keep us posted on what happens with your groupon coupon. |
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
As with ANY tool… it is only as useful as well make it based on how we use it. -- Little more.
It has been pointed out that it can be used quite powerfully as a marketing tool or be used to drive your business into the ground. If it fails, that is NOT the fault of the TOOL, (in this example especially) but rather how we use the tool. You can use a hammer to build something magnificent or to tear something down… totally your choice. Love to hear of your applications and then the results. I am at Your Service and In HIS Service, Deano (Supporting YOU & Your Success!) in Reno <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-04-25 18:25, Domino Magic wrote: Why the sarcasam exactly? All I am saying is that if you get KNOWN for giving discounts BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY OTHER REPUTATION, (such as a symphony) then it is all you are known for. The symphony uses the tactic to expose themselves to other people who may not try it at full price, then uses that to get them to be back at full price. Or to sell them things when they are there. They are not using it for "exposure" or to get the name out there. It is to ADD to the already substantial client base they already have. They are known for being great, and someone says "wow I can go see THAT for a 1/2 price ticket? Ok let me give it a shot." To me (and this is just an opinion) that is way different than "trying to get your name out there". Mind you I am not saying there is anything wrong with what he is trying to do. It is simply not the way I would choose to go about it. That does not make him wrong, it simply means that I personally wouldn't do it is all. No need for sarcasam and snarky remarks. It has also been pointed out that very few corporate talent buyers will be looking at a groupon for their entertainment. Maybe thinking about WHERE THEY WILL BE LOOKING is a starting point huh?
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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Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
Corporate buyers? Kameron didn't say anything about corporate buyers. Seems to me he's trying to pick up more birthday party business. I'm not saying that he wouldn't want corporate clients, but he's already stated he doesn't have the funds to target that market, so thinking about where they will be looking is pointless for him at this moment. I'm sure it would be easy to find the right place to advertise to those people, but without the money, well you're screwed.
Danny, not everyone is rolling in the bookings like you are. What is someone supposed to do until they have an established reputation? How long do you sit by the phone? The economy is taking a toll on everyone (including the symphony), so I don't see that someone needs to justify discounting to help some dollars come in. |
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
I also believe, from the original poster, that he is only offering the lessons at a discount. He is hoping to sell shows by having an increased volume of visitors to his site. He indicates he does not want to sell his shows this way.
He is also only offering lesson one and two at a discount, I would like to think they are lesson 1 and 2 of a 12, or perhaps 24 week course. This is also a "one time special offer" for magic classes, so I do not see how it devalues his other services ie. shows. B
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