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lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-03 22:14, RebelEntertainer wrote: Excellent post, John! I'll just add... "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up!" -Paul Avery Lou Serrano |
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
Lol... I now have a great new quote to share... thanks, Lou!
Ray Pierce
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-05 15:23, Dannydoyle wrote: Yeah, but the big difference here is the Dollar Store can be selling to LOTS of people all at the same time. I have only figured out how to do one magic show at a time ... and time is the one thing that is definitely limited! So I'm with Danny on this one, if for no other reason the obvious limit it puts on your income. |
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
So many responses to my cheapest magician web site, it will take a few days to reply to them all; and I will read them all and reply.
I want to make it clear that I know that I didn’t invent the cheap web site idea, I am just experimenting with my mission; as you read on I will explain I had many thoughts when I first decided to buy the URL; I wrote the copy in an hour and am planning on slowly changing it as I focus more on my mission It has been established by a post here that 520 searches have been made in the San Francisco area looking for a cheap magician. Concerning the motivation for maintaining the Cheapest Magician website; If I received an inquiry from a guy with 2 Mercedes in the driveway of a 6 bedroom home on a 2 acre property, that is just plain cheap and wants to disrespect his child by hiring a cheap magician; I would decline the offer and would not perform at his child’s party for any amount; I detest people like this. BUT!!! If I received a reply from the parents of a very seriously ill child, with a mountain of medical bills that child may be celebrating his last birthday and they would like it to be a special day and they typed in “Cheapest Magician” because they really can’t afford anyone, I would do that show for free, bring a present and if the parents agree give the kid the rabbit at the end of the show. This is my motivation; I need to work out a method of capturing this type of searcher; so far I have not figured it out, as I am not an expert on Internet marketing. The Cheapest Magician web site does not indicate this service specifically because it’s designed to take the person to my web site; if you look at http://www.NotMovingMyLips.com and find the Delta show, there is where I offer the it. |
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
I think we need to differentiate between actually being cheap and creatively using the term to hook a client to sell a good product. As I was thinking back, I've also used a company called cheeptickets.com. Are they actually less expensive than other sites? Probably not but they did a great job for a fair price so I used them.
I am very specific in my marketing to not give any perception of a budget product as we usually offer a premium service for most situations but that isn't to say that someone couldn't use certain buzz words in some ways to attract customers. The goal is always to provide a great product that transcends the customer's expectations.
Ray Pierce
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Howie, one of my sales points is that I am NOT the cheapest magician, in fact I am one of the higher [riced shows. But I tell them "you can not get a Rolls Royce for the price of a used Yugo." As to your comment on a truly needy family with very sick child. Make A Wish knows that they can call at any time and I wiil perform for free. In fact I have turned down paying gigs to do make A Wish parties. This is the only carity I do for no charge, everyone else pays full boat.
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
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On 2011-07-05 23:18, Starrpower wrote: I would rather do less shows for the same money yes.
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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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Paddy, someday I will be able to pick and choose the events like you do and I believe that marketing a business in San Francisco is different than marketing a business in Milford Ohio
About the Make A Wish Foundation, it is an excellent nonprofit that for many years has provided countless children a fun and exciting experience. Many great entertainers have donated time and resources to this charity; unfortunately not every family that applies qualifies some because of scheduling and time restraints and other just because the donations to the charity had diminished in recent years. So my question is; if you get a phone call from a parent that tells you that this may be the last year a child will survive and they for some reason can’t qualify with Make A Wish to provide a special event for that kid are you really going to say no and hang up the telephone? |
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-06 09:58, Dannydoyle wrote: Ok, I get that gentlemen. I’m right there with you. Work smarter not harder. I’ve heard that so much it’s like a cliché. But if you’re having trouble booking shows in a competitive market, like the OP suggests, then maybe its time for a different strategy. Maybe the ‘work less’ is not working out for you. So, go back to your roots. Work MORE, establish more contacts, more clients, get more feet in the door, build you business, hone your skills. Then, when that is successful, raise your price! I’d like to tell you about a friend of mine who is in the same business and same market as me. About 6 or 7 years ago he told me he set a price and his van would not leave the driveway unless he got his price. His strategy was to only work when the money was “right.” Meanwhile, I continued my strategy of having different levels of service, including being sensitive to families on a budget. Sad to say the past year my friend has had to pick up several part time and full time jobs to support his family and almost quit the business entirely. And seeing how my business continued to thrive he admitted it was a mistake. The work less for the same money is a great goal to have. But sometimes you have to take a step back in order to take two steps forward. A wise businessman will not let his ego get in the way of this. And by the way, I’m certainly not directing this at anyone on this thread. For example, I know how successful Danny is. Not need for him to lower his price. I’m directing it at the OP and people that are not happy with their growth.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Do what you need to do BUT make your decisions consciously rather than by default. This is to think strategically for oneself.
I firmly believe that the ideal strategy will be different for everyone given the countless variables that affect each of us and are within us. The quest to find that ideal formula for myself is, for me, the most exciting part about being in business. |
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
My strategy has always been, if the client walks in the door and all he has is $200.00 in his pocket, at the end of our conversation, the $200.00 will be in my pocket and he will get something he will be happy with
Buzz |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Remind me not to talk to Howie with any money in my pocket!
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
What if he had $10,000 in his pocket. Is your show suddenly worth that?
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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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Mindpro
REMINDER Don't talk to me with money in your pocket. |
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-06 16:14, Dannydoyle wrote: YES!!! $10,000, budget would get him a MUCH nicer show than a $200.00 budget |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
So do go by the rule, I'll take what I can get and tailor the show to that amount.
Ah, but I think one needs to know IF they are $200 value or a $10,000 value. I don't think you can price claiming that range and value. It's good business to decide where in the market you stand, what the demand for your services is, what the current worth of your entertainment is, and then set a fair and equitable range for your acts. My two-cents, Walt |
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Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
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On 2011-07-07 14:24, SpellbinderEntertainment wrote: Wow... someone finally said it! A huge problem of having an "act" is charging varying rates for the same act depending on the pockets of the buyer. Eventually if anyone finds out they paid twice as much for the same act your credibility is gone. I've always had a lot of different options for my show and yes, I have a lot of options at various price points including adding illusions of various complexities, additional dancers and production numbers, lighting, sound, lasers, video, scenic elements, custom music and production, other acts, etc. This way I can add $100k to the show and they still get a good value for it. On the other hand I've seen people try to add a lot of pretty icing to cover up a bad cake. It looks good at first but goes bad as soon as they taste it. You have to have a great product at the base of everything!
Ray Pierce
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Walt;
I go by the rule of; What can I get for $200.00 Or I have a budget of $10,000 what can you do to dazzle them. $200.00 gets a nice children’s magic show; $10,000.00 gets the client, clowns balloon twisters, lighting, live music, dancers and much more; both do not get the same show for different amounts of money |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Howie, Getting back to your topic. If your going to use:
http://www.cheapestmagician.com/ Then I’d state my definition right away so the potential customer gets your message not relying on their assumption. Perhaps something like: “Cheap” means inexpensive for the value. Not the cheapeist in town, but a great value for my price. I believe a ways back you said you’d written the copy in about an hour and inteneded to polish it. Tha above is an honest and clean way, I think, to making your point. I’m not crazy in love the the url or the content, but I can see how it might establish your market. My two-cents. |
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Here is the chance at a FREE lecture by the Pro!
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/searc......=7206215 Autumn Morning Star live, lecturing at Magic Valley Magic October 8th. See you there! Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
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