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MichaelJae Loyal user 281 Posts |
How many of you are handing out your business cards after a performance and how often do you book a private gig from it?
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
I'm surprised nobody has responded to your questions, so since its been 3 days I thought I'd tocuh base on this.
You are really asking two different questions 1. about handing out business cards after a performance, and 2. do you get any gigs from them. This is a topic I cover with many of the students I work with as they quickly realize handing out cards doesn't necessarily lead to more bookings, unless you have a structured system for doing so. Personally, while I undertsand business cards and that they can be useful, I have always preferred something more for those who ask. I don't like the fact that most business cards end up in a drawer or a pile with a bunch of other nondescript, unimportant, soon to be forgotten business cards. I prefer to leave them with something more effective and memorable. I also think HOW you hand out and present your business card or other more memorable promotional piece is just as important, if not more important, than the card itself. You must have an effective system that makes all this happen to get your desired results. For example, I quickly teach all of my students how to get another gig out of every gig you perform. This assures that you will at least have the same number of gigs next year as you do this year. So if you have 58 bookings this year, you know you will have at least 58 bookings again next year. More than likely you will get even more allowing your number of bookings to increase each and every year. With a proper system, this is very possible. So many magicians do not understand the "performance after your performance" where all of this happens. It is a crucial part of your magic business, yet so many, even some longtime pros, haven't a clue about this. Or worse yet after the show they head immediately to a BOR table to sell $2 magic wands or $5, $10 or $20 magic tricks/kits, while they may be letting several shows worth hundreds (or thousands) of dollars slip by. |
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Wez_Evans New user Lancashire, UK 52 Posts |
I like to leave a card after it has been used in a routine, and so serves as a souvenir/ memento/ talking point
Otherwise, I give them out if asked, but prefer taking contact details for the person asking so that I can follow up with them |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
I have always said that if a business does not have a sign its not really a business.
Of course magicians don’t put signs on their house like a brick and mortar business would. Nor do they have large billboards, yellow page ads, newspaper ads, and the like. The signage for a magician is limited. A business card can be like a sign pointing prospects to you. True most will be thrown away just like most will drive on past the sign on a building or the largest billboard on the road. But for many the tiny business card is needed because it is the only sign they have. Just having a beautiful website is useless unless you have a sign pointing people to it. I wouldn’t depend on Google doing all the work for me. Many local politicians are elected simply because they had more signs than the opponent. Think about it. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
Many of my contracts say that if I hand out a business card I don’t get paid. I’m going to guess that both Mindpro and Danny have that in their contracts with acts they hire.
I probably should get some new cards printed though, the ones I have are accurate but don’t match my current branding. |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
True there are a few places where you can’t put up a sign.
Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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eatonmagic Special user Orlando, FL 737 Posts |
I usually wait until I am asked for a card and then give one out. However, I haven't used printed business cards in almost 5 years since I started making digital business cards.
These are 100% completely digital and there's no need to ever print cards ever again! No reordering...no more leaving business cards at home...no more running out at the most important moment LOL Also...due to Covid, these are PERFECT for those wishing to have 'zero contact' when it comes to touching anything You can click this link to see an example --> http://www.eatonmagic.com/digicardtest2 (this link is for mobile only) |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I have to say I have not had a business card for over a decade.
Digital seems like as good an idea as any. I mean the rolodex has gone the way of the T-Rex. May as well move forward with the times right?
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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eatonmagic Special user Orlando, FL 737 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 5, 2020, Dannydoyle wrote: Lol...EXACTLY! Believe me! The benefits of digital outweigh printed by FAR! On average, you'll spend between $100-500 a YEAR on traditional business cards. Not to mention how many will simply get tossed aside. With digital, there's no paoer whatsoever which means no reordering and because everything is transferred via phone, they can instantly place all your contact info into their phone with one touch If you have the ability to get signed up with an SMS marketing tool like www.yeptext.com for example, you can now create a keyword so you can now assign an auto-reply to anyone who texts your keyword to that specific 5-digit number. This means each time someone texts it, they are automatically being opted into your SMS platform and can receive future push notifications (they can opt out anytime though). The initial message will contain the link to your digital business card though. Why is this so strong? Let's assume you are working several local venues. Maybe some restaurants or even have a show you're doing at a nice hotel. Maybe there's food and drinks during this show. Well...with an SMS marketing tool, anyone on your list can now be given a coupon code to get a free appetizer or free dessert when they come in on magic nights. Maybe they can get a secret code texted to them that gets them free admission to your local show. There's all kinds of possibilities! |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I can certainly see the benefit of digital over traditional paper no doubt.
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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pulpscrypt Special user Within the shadows 578 Posts |
Digital cards seem awesome, but I'm an old curmudgeon and still like being able to pass out a card. I collect business cards, especially from Magicians. Kind of like a mini, free souvenir!
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Well it is a small mistake to believe our own personal hobby translates on a mass scale for the public.
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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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 6, 2020, pulpscrypt wrote: Same Here. I’m old school and sort of expect a service type business person to have a business card. And its like I said early, a business needs all the signs it can get. It’s not that I don’t like the Digital Card idea, I think its great, but I see it more like collecting a mailing list and not really a ‘business card’ that only takes one second to hand to someone. I’m not sure everyone would feel comfortable giving you their contact information without first having yours. Sure if they Ask it would be ok, but just waiting for them to come out and ask is not really good marketing. Besides, why not use both because depending on one single marketing item is not usually enough. But Yes I do like the way Michael does it. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
So you claim most won't feel comfortable giving you their business information without getting yours first? So you propose a game of chicken to see who gives their card first? How silly.
First of all people give out their business information ALL THE TIME without getting something from someone else. The entire concept of the business card is based on this concept as a matter of fact. Second off it is FAR BETTER to get THEIR information than to give them yours! It is sales 101. Instead of waiting for the phone to ring, you can be pro active. And nobody said just wait for them to come out and ask. That is something you put into this discussion, and then argue against.
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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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
You right nobody said anything about chickens or just wait.
Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
21st century. It is a brave new world. Try stepping into it
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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eatonmagic Special user Orlando, FL 737 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 6, 2020, TomBoleware wrote: Apologies if there was some confusion. The SMS marketing idea I mentioned earlier in this thread is just one of several ways to deliver the digicard. You can simply just text them a direct link to your card. Also...I don’t want my card to be just anything they can throw away or in their desk back home. It’s much more important than that. I want actual value to be associated with the card itself and handing them out to just anyone adds no value IMO. And Danny is precisely on target. It’s much better to exchange info and build a qualified list. Not everyone HAS to do that though. But for me...the sooner I can get a qualified lead into my sales funnel the better. I don’t want to lose momentum. |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
I completely agree that ‘exchanging’ info is the best method.
Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
An exchange is hardly necessary. Businesses give away their information all the time. It is almost as if they want people to have it or something.
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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Madman13 New user 52 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 6, 2020, TomBoleware wrote: This has always worked for me. |
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