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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
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On Dec 4, 2020, Mindpro wrote: Well, to answer that particular question, why WOULDN'T someone offer pricing on their website? I think I have a pretty good grasp on my market, since my average customer is a millennial with kids between the ages of 4 and 9, and I am a millennial with kids between the ages of 4 and 9. And I know, for myself, when I'm looking for services, I look for two things: reviews and prices. When I browse the internet, I do a Google search, open a bunch of tabs, then go through them looking for the info I want. If I can't find it, I close the tab and go to the next. Offering pricing on the website is a competitive advantage in the year 2020. Anyone who's not offering it looks shady to me, as a consumer. And my price isn't changing, anyway. It's not like I'm going to feel them out and then quote based on what I think they can pay. That may be the way some magicians do it, but to me that's dishonest and not worth the effort. An old school mentality would say, "make them call you to get pricing so you can sell them on your program before you tell them the price." But very few people book through the phone these days. I'd say about 90% of my bookings come from email and we never speak on the phone. It's an inquiry through my contact form, a follow up or two via email, then a deposit via credit card and we're done. That's just the reality of business today. I'm making it easy for my customers to find the info they want to make an informed buying decision. And also, yes, I think I'm understanding well the feedback I'm getting. I've already made two substantive changes based on it, so thanks to all who commented.
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I would never give a deposit to someone I have never spoken with.
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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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Yes, there is so much wrong with this approach, mentality, and some of things expressed above. A great example of operating from a "me" perspective rather than an industry understanding and perspective. MY guess is he is listening to some other magician's approaches or programs as can clearly be seen. This is what is wrong with magician's programs and perspectives rather than entertainment business (industry) operations.
Also I do not buy the Millennial perspective at all. Business models and industry operations exist the same regardless of generations. |
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thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
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On Dec 4, 2020, Dannydoyle wrote: On the phone you mean? Or do you count back and forth e-mails? |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Looking good Matt.
One thing I did notice that didn’t read well is under the My Guarantee on the ‘Packages’ page “If the kids aren't the kids aren't laughing” Honestly, I didn’t like the way your Guarantee read at all on the ‘Packages’ page However, I did really like the way you had the Guarantee on the Preschool MAGIC SHOW page “When I say "guaranteed," I mean it! Every show I do comes with a 100% MONEY BACK guarantee! I want you to hire me with confidence, so if your audience doesn't absolutely LOVE the show I will refund your money in full.” I would use that one on the ‘Packages’ page too. It’s very hard to find our own mistakes so my suggestion is to have a non-magician proofread all your text for you. Good Luck with 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 |
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On Dec 4, 2020, thomasR wrote: On the phone. I am not saying I'm right or wrong. Simply stating a position. I'm also not saying he necessarily should change anything.
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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thomasR Inner circle 1189 Posts |
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On Dec 4, 2020, Dannydoyle wrote: Yeah I was just wondering what you meant that’s all. |
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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
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On Dec 4, 2020, Dannydoyle wrote: I think you're very much the exception, Danny. I've been doing this for years and have taken several hundred deposits online without ever speaking to a person. Like I said - about 90 percent of my bookings are done this way. People go to my website, they see my reviews, they watch the video, they can tell I'm a pro and they're sold. That's good enough for pretty much everyone. Of course if someone wants to speak to me first I'm happy to oblige. About once a year or so I do get someone who wants to talk to me on the phone before paying the deposit (maybe to feel me out, maybe to ask me questions more efficiently than back and forth emails, I dunno), and of course I happily oblige.
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
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On Dec 4, 2020, Mindpro wrote: Yes, human behavior is notoriously homogenous across generations. Now, when you say, derisively, that I'm "listening to other magician's programs and perspectives," you mean to say that I should instead be listening to your perspective? Of course people will disagree, and that's cool. But it seems like you're suggesting that only you have the correct perspective, which seems kind of silly to me. My way has been working great for me. I may not have been clear earlier, but I've been in business for nearly a decade. My business has grown steadily every year (up until COVID, of course), so I think I'm doing something right. The rebrand was because I started primarily as a balloon twister called Matt The Balloon Man. As I've grown to primarily be a magician, the name was understandably causing confusion for my customers. I showed up to a library show last year where, despite all our communications, the librarian had billed me as a "balloon show." And when the magic show was over, one kid disappointedly asked where the balloons were. I can't blame the librarian - my name was "Matt The Balloon Man." So I needed to rebrand. But I'm not new to the business of this. I appreciate your feedback, but I don't agree with everything you've said. That's not criticism - we don't have to agree, and we can both be right for our own businesses.
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
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On Dec 4, 2020, TomBoleware wrote: You're right! The original language (on the main page of my site) is based on something I read from Ken Scott, here on the Café many years ago. I was originally worried that parents might exploit a money back guarantee, so I wanted something objective to anchor it to. But I've come to decide that no one ever does that. People just aren't that shameless. In about 8 years in business I haven't ever had one person even hint that they didn't want to pay, so I probably tried out the new language on the library page for that reason. I should update it across the board to reflect that, thank you!
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
Although, the more I think about it, the more I think there's merit to what is being said here. I think ALL magicians should keep pricing off their website and require that prospective clients call them on the phone to book. The goes DOUBLE for all magicians serving the kids show market in my state. Please - if you're a Connecticut magician, listen to the pros here. Don't let your customers know your pricing without calling you first. It's a surefire way to increase bookings.
Granted, you will be increasing MY bookings, but you will be increasing bookings
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Hilariously arrogant.
Interesting that while I SPECIFICALLY said I didn't claim my way was right or wrong OR that you should change anything you then go to claim your way is right and others doing it other ways will increase your bookings. Way to look open minded
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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barrychad New user 5 Posts |
Just wanted to add that you should add NAP (Name, Address Phone) info to the contact page and in the footer. Make sure it is consistent with the NAP you use on Facebook and Google My Business and other online channels. That is one of the elements Google looks for in delivering local content and helps Google understand where you are. Good to see you are using https: secure. But your blog/news is hidden and you don't have a way to find topics or search your site. You have already gotten a lot of feedback and of course everybody finds the points to improve upon - it's constructive criticism so bravo for you opening up for the comments.
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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
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On Dec 5, 2020, Dannydoyle wrote: Open minded just means being open to other points of view. I am 100% open to your point of view. I read it and considered it, but I decided I disagree with it. Open minded doesn't mean you don't ever come to conclusions. My "listen to the pros here" line was snarky. I shouldn't have said that. I appreciate that you've taken the time to give me the feedback you have, so thank you! And I'm apologizing for suggesting otherwise. And FWIW, if you show me evidence that proves me wrong, I'm all for it. I'm not trying to be right at all costs. At this point we're both just giving our opinions, but if you can show me some evidence to support yours I'm 100% open to changing my mind (and I will genuinely appreciate you for it).
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
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On Dec 6, 2020, barrychad wrote: Thanks for the advice! A couple of follow up questions for you: With regard to my NAP, I do have my phone number on my contact page; does it need to be structured in some way so Google recognizes it? My address is hidden in any directory where I can hide it because I operate out of my home in what Google would call a Service Area Business. I think that's okay, right? My real blog, the one labeled "News" is not hidden as far as I can tell. But I have another blog called "Press Releases" which is no indexed because many of the press releases are duplicate content and I have heard that Google will penalize you for that. Those press releases were for my 2019 library magic shows, and each one was basically the same article with only one or two quotes from the librarians changed. And then one of them got picked up by a local newspaper which reprinted it verbatim, so I also didn't want that to get penalized since it contained a backlink to my domain. I know this got in to the weeds of SEO stuff real fast, but you clearly know what you're talking about on the topic and I'm just learning, lol. I'll look in to a search function for the blog, thanks for that. I think I disabled it but I don't remember why. At some point I'm going to have to migrate the whole site off of Weebly (which is where I am now) to a proper Wordpress website anyway... but I'm not looking forward to doing that.
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
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On Dec 9, 2020, TKD27 wrote: Naw no need. Snarky first club off the tee is all I need. I don't have to prove anything to you and honestly have no desire to. Whether you accept it or not (And your arrogance pretty much prevents you from ever seeing it.) there is a segment of the population who will never work this way. Also it should be said there is a segment of the population who either don't mind, or would not work any other way. Again I'm not saying one way is better than any other way.
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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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
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On Dec 9, 2020, Dannydoyle wrote: I honestly don't understand what you mean here. I am proposing that my way of doing it gives my clients more flexibility. The prices are there on the website for them to see and they can book by calling me or emailing me. Please correct me if I'm mistaken, but I understand your argument to be that it is better not to include a price on a website or give clients the option to book without picking up a phone and making a call. That seems to be offering fewer options. I truly don't see what segment of the population would not work my way, considering my way just gives them flexibility to book me in their way. Again, feel free to correct me if I've misunderstood your point. Or don't, as you decided to attack me personally, said you have no interest in continuing the debate, then continued the debate. I guess I don't really care.
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I actually made no statement about listing price. I simply said I'd never send money to someone I didn't at least speak to for an event like a party.
As for price I don't have much of an opinion. If I had to give a position it is that I cater to the "if you have to ask how much it is, you can't afford it" crowd. So listing prices is not in my wheelhouse. Nobody buys me based on price and in reality I think if they are that is a mistake on my part. But I'll say that I only disagree with the price thing in the web page because it can raise an immediate objection that you can not answer. It is why I think phone is better. Objections can be answered this way. Also you can upsell if that is your thing on the phone. Virtual upsell is much more difficult. All only things to consider, not meant to change your mind and not debate. You asked so I clarified, maybe a bit more than you wanted and for that I'm sorry.
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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barrychad New user 5 Posts |
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On Dec 9, 2020, TKD27 wrote: Sorry for the late response. Google is really just looking for consistency with the phone number so if you want to use (xxx) xxx-xxxx or xxx.xxx.xxxx - just make sure it is formatted like one would expect a phone number. This will also allow your phone number to be click-to-call on a mobile device. Yes, if you don't want to show your address, I would not put it on the website but do make sure that you clearly state what your service area is on the website - if it's in the footer then it is clear on every page of your website. That is the first thing people look for when booking a performer - is he in my area? I think you are fine with not indexing the duplicate Press Releases. While Google doesn't "penalize" Google will recognize the original content but not give ranking juice to the duplicated content. And without going into the weeds of SEO, I agree that the most important presss release is the one picked up by the local newspaper. Your reviews are just images (while that gives them an official look) they are not readable by the search engines. You could at least add alt-tags to the images so that a screen reader and Google knows it is a review. You may also want to add a Recaptcha to your contact form. Once spammers find an opening they can rapidly fill your website, even though the information doesn't get published. (when you move off of weebly, I can recommend a knowledgeable team...) Hope that helps. |
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ezystreamlive New user Australia 35 Posts |
For me and I do sell extensively to the kids market but in another country
the websites a bit messy and there doesn't seem to be a funnel that leads to a sale its not clear cut A leads to B leads to c the promo video which is your core selling tool takes 24 seconds for a reaction from the kids- that is far too long- perhaps film at a variety of parties and get different reactions - as there are no images- they have to wait 24 seconds to see what you can do. a promo video if you don't have images should be Reaction reaction reaction and then something longer, some reviews and achievements - but you need to hit the customer faster with reactions- they are time poor and most likely have opened several magicians websites on their google search at the one time Your customers are time poor and they want to know if you are any good in the video- they check reviews and boom make an enquiry On my own site I connect with the facebook and google API- so their reviews instantly go to my website automated- I don't think the screengrabs are that good looking I developed an instant SMS quote and availability check on my site they get prices, availability and can book right there and then- and 70% of my bookings are- they make a quote request and are booked in 5 minute later happy to share a link in a private message so you can see what I am talking about. I like SMS over email- its unblockable and doesn't end up in junk) Having prices on the website- means people visit your site and leave without you knowing. where as an enquiry form allows you to see if here is an issue- 22 enquiries- 5 sales- something is not working right an enquiry system that is instant (fill out a form and have the prices on the thank you page) allows you to send an automated email this time next year as a followup- You don't constantly have to get new enquiries you can automate reconnecting with last years enquiries and if your customers are like mine- 70% are on there mobile when viewing your site |
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