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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
Doing so many parties every weekend and always telling parents no food during the show, let's have the kids sit here, etc. I thought its be a good idea to include a "rider" when I send out my email confirmations after people book me and also send a week prior to the show when I email to make sure the party is ready to go.
Here it is: http://thesandiegomagician.com/wp-conten......Ever.pdf As you can see it isn't really a true rider, but more of a tip sheet that makes sure I'm taken care of at the party. I just created it yesterday and haven't had a chance to send it out yet, but I'll report back with the findings. I wanted to keep the "tips" helpful to both me and the booker. Any suggestions? Josh
Josh
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
I like it, Josh!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
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Bazinga Loyal user 277 Posts |
Just a thought here Josh. I don't do birthday parties but at preschools I suggest the teachers sit among the kids reather than all at the back or all on sides. It keeps the kids from wandering around, makes them more comfortable with a stranger in there (me), and usually the adults get into the fun more that way too.
I like your idea and the look of your rider. Bazinga! |
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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
Thanks Bazinga. I have found that at parties the parents want to stand in the back and let the kids up front, then once the show starts the parents realize that the magic and a few jokes aren't just for the kids and will watch the show. Sometimes I do have a mom or dad sit with their kids on the ground, but not very much.
The "rider" is just a simple Word doc and I really hope people read it as I am just over telling parents no food lol. Josh
Josh
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MagicJim Regular user 151 Posts |
Josh
...excellent work There is a reason why you generated this, you have a lot of performing experience and there are small bumps in the road occasionally. This form looks user-friendly, colorful, fun, organized, and professional. It increases your perceived value as a performer (and I bet you are quite an accomplished performer already). It just makes your day and the party planners day/event so much smoother. Jim |
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shomemagic Inner circle Missouri 2232 Posts |
Thanks for sharing..I love this
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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
Exactly MagicJim! It makes my life easier and I think when I show up at parties and start to ask that the room be rearranged a bit, food and drinks put away and the magic wands moms love to hand out gathered it won't be a surprise to the parents that in order to do the best job I can I need a few things taken care of.
I also received a few PMs asking if others can use this and want to let everyone know it is free for the taking. Please feel free to use any part of it. Josh
Josh
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
I was about to ask that question publicly, Josh...thank you for your generosity. THAT, my friend, is what the magic community is all about!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
If you're in the San Diego area leave my website on the form
))
Josh
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Rodney Palmer Inner circle 1317 Posts |
Parking Spot: Why are you NOT asking for a specific Parking Spot? I think that you need to redo that section and ask for a parking spot.
Rodney
"Creating Memories That Last A Lifetime"
In order to keep "MAGIC ALIVE" Please become a Mentor to a Young Person. |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I love that this takes the appearance of a list of suggestions, rather than a true contract rider. It will likely improve the overall quality of the conditions without making you sound like a prima donna. Not every client will take the hint, but most probably will. When they don't, just grin and bear it, eh?
I presume that you have them listed in order of importance to you? I sure would! Ha!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
Rodney,
Very rarely there is room right up front for a parking spot. I suspect it is because in San Diego and especially the areas I perform at are heavily populated. As Michael suggested I don't want to sound like a prima donna and if I demanded a parking spot I feel that could add un-needed pressure on the client. However with this simple tip sheet I gently let the client know that a parking spot would be appreciated. Michael, I was trying to make it exactly as you said as a gentle way to let people know what helps me do the best job I can. Yesterday I booked 2 shows and when I was speaking with the clients I told them that I will be emailing a confirmation and also a short tip sheet and to read it over as it helps me do the best job ever. They said they would and when I received the confirmation from my email one person said they will do the balloon idea! I think it will work!
Josh
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Robin4Kids Veteran user Lower Alabama 396 Posts |
Great idea Josh! The only idea I might add is that if you are printing these on your personal printer, you may want to customize one sheet for home parties and a separate one for other party rental venues. There could very well be some unique situations that may need to be addressed that aren't a concern if it is being held in the home. If they are having a party in a venue that hosts multiple parties at the same time there is the issue of privacy or else you may find yourself with an out of control situation. If you need electrical or water, it wouldn't hurt to have check ahead. I have had a situation where a party venue had a private party room in the back of a skating rink which was fine, but they had music playing throughout the facility and could not cut off the speakers in the party room. Not a good situation to be trying to resolve when it's time to start! I'm sure there are other situations that may need to be addressed as well. Just a suggestion.
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Josh- it looks great and while I don't use a rider for my birthday or private parties 9at least not like this one) I do use tech riders for my bigger shows.
for private parties or birthdays I really have never had an issue and always go over this info at the time of booking. but the real reason I wanted to comment was this-- why not add 3 or 4 simple things that they CAN do to help make the party even more fun. such as put the directions to making chocolate covered pretzel log wands. easy to make the kids love them and can be part of the activities prior to your arrival or while your setting up. also suggest magic themed games such as pin the ears on the rabbit etc magic top hat catcher like horse shoes but there are two hats about 10 feet from each other and the kids can use quarters or other items that they then try to throw into the hats. I guess my point is don't just offer "tips" that are really a list of things you want them to do but also offer some ideas as to how to enhance the party. your rider looks fun and nice and should serve you well. hope my ideas help enhance the birthday party experience for you and your clients. sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
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Bazinga Loyal user 277 Posts |
Sam,
Those are excellent ideas. Bazinga! |
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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
Very nice ideas guys, thank you!
Robin, I won't be printing these out. They will just be emailed along with my email confirmations to client. Also, I have very rarely done a birthday at a family center. I suspect it is because of the areas of San Diego that tend to hire me the parents just don't want to have parties that those types of places. Plus, I don't even think those places are around the areas I work. Sam, LOVE your ideas and suggestions! I have a bigger 27 page party planning guide that parents can get from my website along with my rates and put into my auto responder. It has all kinds of ideas for games and such, but perhaps adding a game to my "rider" would be helpful. I don't really have issues at parties, but I want them to be aware that handing out wands and food before my show should be avoided if at all possible. That's the real Aston behind this thing. So far the shows I e booked have responded positively to it, so we shall see what it's like at a show. Thanks for all the suggestions guys! Josh
Josh
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Sam, your ideas are really good, although I'd be careful about including too much of that at the risk of overshadowing the tip sheet, which is what you REALLY want them to read. Other than that, your ideas are great! Some of those can and should be worked in and around the contract rider stuff. It makes the entire thing seem even more "helpful" and less "rule-ladened".
Josh, when you mention the tip sheet to the client, do so it in such a way that tells them that it will help make THEIR party run more smoothly during the magic show, instead of specifying how it helps YOU do a better job. Small detail, but the shift in priority focus can be huge.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
Hey Josh, I love your tip sheet: great info and great design.
I use https://www.showbizcrm.com/?amigosid=5 It sends out a pre-show checkin email for me 3 days before the show. I need to edit what I have to include the balloon on the mailbox tip and mention that the kids sitting on the floor during the show is preferred. Thanks for sharing that with us. Here's what my email currently includes: Hi $contact_first_name, I'm looking forward to making your event one that you, your child and their guests will never forget. This email confirms that I'll be there on $gig_date_closed arriving up to 30 minutes early to set up with the show starting promply at $gig_show_time. Here are a few little points I send out to help make things flow as smoothly as possible: For all of the children to get the most enjoyment from the show, it is best for the parents to participate in the show. When parents need to have a conversation, using a separate room is less distracting for the kids. A few small whispers can make a lot of noise. Having a space for me to drive as close to your door as reasonably possible makes it easier to unload and reload the equipment and props for the show. Avoid having toys in the area where the show will be. This reduces distractions for them. Avoid serving the kids food or drinks during the show so they can A) prevent choking...laughter and eating isn't safe for kids B) keep your floor clean, and C) focus and have the most fun. It is very helpful to have an electrical outlet near where the stage area will be created with my backdrop, etc. Have your camera and fresh batteries ready to capture some really fun moments. Some people ask me about the room set-up. To help with those questions I've attached a file showing a typical room layout for the magic show. I can be reached on the day of the show by phone: $business_phone if anything comes up. Plus, I'll call you when I'm on the way. Thank you, once again, and I look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, |
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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
Very nice ideas guys! Thank you so much!
Yesterday I had 4 shows. At all 4 of them I saw certain things from my rider that were implemented. In particular the performing spaces I had set aside when I first arrived were perfect. Also, 3 parties had balloons outside to indicate the house and 2 parties told me to park in the driveway and a spot was made available for my use. Then at one show the dad started rounding up the kids and a few of the kids grabbed pizza and sat down. Before I could say anything the dad told the kids to put the pizza away as "there can be no food during the show." I also notices on the table there say my rider printed out!!! Wow! I've never had such cooperation as I did yesterday. Today I have 3 more shows and based on yesterday I have high hopes. I urge you guys to make one of these up or even use mine. There's something about adding them as an attachment to your confirmation emails that makes people actually read. So far so good! Josh
Josh
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
The tip sheet is great - and non-threatening. Well done. I personally feel you have nailed it. So if it aint broke, don't fix it.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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