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jcsum Loyal user Singapore 217 Posts |
Hi All,
We all know that your website is the single most powerful marketing tool of our time. It is by far the most economical and effective way to reach prospects you have no possible way of marketing to. It is surprising how many magicians have no websites. For magicians who have a website, many fail to use it as an effective marketing tool. I'm sure most have seen countless magicians’ websites that contain little info about their work, are badly designed, are unimpressive or are perpetually under construction. Visit this webpage for a number of websites that I recommend you study: http://www.illusionbooks.com/links.html Scroll down towards the bottom of the page. These websites are recommended based on their: 1) Clarity in Design & Content 2) Comprehensive Showcase of the Magician's Work 3) Accurate Representation of Their Performance Style & Material 4) Effectiveness as a Marketing Tool While the list focuses on illusionists, any magician will benefit from looking at these sites. If you know of any other magician's (any kind) website that fulfills the above criteria, let us know! All the best, J C Sum Singapore
J C Sum
Project ONE: The Solo Illusionist http://www.SoloIllusions.com The World's Largest Free Online Illusion Resource http://www.IllusionBooks.com The World's Most Comprehensive Resource on Kabuki Drops http://www.MagicKabukiDrop.com Creating Highly Successful Entertainers http://www.BackstageBusinessAcademy.com |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
I think most of the web sites are bland
I think it is wrong to put a big Jpeg image of your logo on the first page because it takes forever to down load. Thank first page -even if it has a logo and then enter site should down load fast. If not you should have words for the people to read as the other stuff is downloading but on some of these web sites I'm waiting over 15 seconds for the image to download simply so It can say enter. I know Flash is good and bad -depending on it's use but even if you were to create an image in Flash it reduces the size and makes for a quicker down load. I'm not sure if this post is a marketing excersise or you actually want to benefit other magicians. Strange that not one of the Ilusion builders web sites I looked at had an "join the mailing list" link I have one and whilst I don't get a tone of leads from it I do get a trickle which all helps. is Jonathan David Bass web site allowed to copy the matrix? I'm sorry I don't see a lot of super Great web sites here- but it may go with the rest of their marketing and that's important. David Welzman |
bubbleburst2004 Veteran user 370 Posts |
Quote:
well, since you asked ... You say on your website that you are a full time professional, working the corporate market. You tell us here on the Café that you charge huge amounts of money for your shows and most clients couldn't afford you, yet you still list your Talent Show appearances on the very first page. What message do you think that gives to a corporate client?? bb |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Um...that he enters talent shows?
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C Christian Loyal user 288 Posts |
Ok JC Sum
I have always liked hearing what you have to say JC mainly because you always make me think, sometimes I don't agree but I like to think. With that I have to say I agree with you for the most part that many websites are bad but some of the examples you put up I feel are bad in another direction. Try to compare to your average magician's website who's trying to make an honest buck with the likes of magicians that have multi million dollar contracts is not conducive to learn from. Another point I'd like to make is some of your examples have a lot of fluff (not all) but some in my opinion had a lot of fluff, which distracts from the goal which is to make them want to call & book you. With that said and done it is only fair to give you my website: http://www.chrischristian.biz It has its flaws that I am working on, but for the most part I am happy with it and it gets the job done! Once again JC thanks for making me think-Chris |
Dayle Regular user Canada 147 Posts |
I went to a few of the websites you mentioned. I think that for a company (either builder, stand-alone magician or whatever) it is pretty bad form to have the banner ad across the top. Why not pay for web hosting and get rid of that thing? To me it says that they either can't afford or don't want to afford web hosting. If a company can't or doesn't want to afford this it makes me question their financial stability. Will they be around in a year? Also the pops up are very annoying.
On the Chalet site the idea is to sell magic products but I couldn't see half of the product pictures! What's the point in that? The image that this portrays about the company isn't favorable. Chris, I had a look at your site a number of months ago as well as today and really enjoyed it. (Enough to tell someone else about it, which is good!) The coloring and theme of the curtains is very fitting and seems to me to say 'classy'. At work the load time was great and I had no problems moving between pages however at home (on dialup) I didn't see any of the menu buttons and had to run my mouse over the locations to see if there were buttons there. Basically the load time on dialup was killer. If you don't figure your customers will be on dialup then this doesn't matter but it might be something you want to look into. Some people have a main page that loads quickly and allows people to choose between the flashy version for high speed and the basic version for dial up connections. It certainly is a lot of work to manage two sites though! Content wise, any information someone is looking for is there, just a matter of clicking on the buttons. I think you've done a good job. I would be interested in hearing people's opinion of our website. By all means, it is and will always be a dynamic work in progress but I would appreciate opinions and ideas. Please, be bluntly honest! http://www.richardsherrysmagic.com Thanks! Cheers Dayle
World's Most Accomplished Female Escape Artist
http://www.sherryandkrallmagic.com |
Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
http://www.magicshane.com
It doesn't contain a lot of text-based information about my magic, but I do have videos posted, and it fits all of the criteria. Shane Wiker |
Dayle Regular user Canada 147 Posts |
Shane,
I had a look at your site. I really like the layout as well as the 'title bar' at the top. Very professional looking. One suggestion, when I go to the main page I don't see any links on the left under Home. You might want to put the links that are there when you click on the Looking for a Magician. You mentioned this is still under construction so I'm not sure if you are adding other links on the main page but even if it's just for now it's nice to have something in that space. That way when people go to your site they have multiple options to get to your show information. Depending on who your site is designed for (customers or other magicians) you can tailor it to your target audience. Good job! Cheers Dayle P.S. The pictures under the Products section didn't come up. Is it just my computer?
World's Most Accomplished Female Escape Artist
http://www.sherryandkrallmagic.com |
bubbleburst2004 Veteran user 370 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-07 04:30, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: Nicholas, seriously. Decision maker is considering two different performers. Same pricing. Similar good testimonials, similar show descriptions. Both seem to be a fit for his engagement. Only real difference is one is still entering talent shows. Think like the client. which does he pick? bb |
jcsum Loyal user Singapore 217 Posts |
Hi,
Interesting responses thus far... First, I should point out the 'websites worth visiting' do not include the illusion builders/ designers etc as illusionbooks.com is primarily an illusion resource site. Thus, links from those sections are simply links to competent builders/ designers regardless of the quality of their website/ business model/ marketing etc. I have to admit that there is also a slight bias towards the way I reviewed the recommended websites. The websites recommended are more 'illusion-workers' geared (simply because of the nature of my site). Just like any other market segment, clientele/ prospect mindsets, expectations and the way business is sourced is unique to the 'illusion market'. Thus, the websites I recommended are based on what works specifically for the 'illusion market' and also what has worked personally for myself in the event illusionist market (at least in this part of the world). To be more specific, an example would be that the sites I look at do not necessary have to be hindered by Internet speed. This reason is; most, if not all, corporate clients or large agencies (booking an illusionist) would have a high-speed Internet connection. Casual visitors or parents booking a private party from home may not use Broadband and would find loading a graphic-intensive site a pain. But, these aren't the general illusionist's target customer anyway. (assuming the site is purely a promotional site) Visual design and idiosyncratic (but functional) site layout is subjective and no one design can please everyone's eye. But,I think that one important lesson that can be learnt is how the recommended sites communicate each magician's specific feel, positioning statement and style (admittedly some more effectively than others). One brief look through the magician's website communicates the type of work and nature of his/ her performance style. I guess my recommendations are based on the observation that many magicians do not use their websites as branding tools to communicate their brand values - which in our case are our performance style, presentational delivery of magic, clientele we serve etc. While some have great functional websites that are easy to navigate, there is no 'brand' created to show why the performer is different from the rest. Thus, I would have to politely disagree with Chris that to "Try to compare to your average magician's website who's trying to make an honest buck with the likes of magicians that have multi million dollar contracts is not conducive to learn from.", simply because their websites do communicate their positioning quite effectively. And if that is a reflection of their consistency in all aspects of their show and business, maybe, that is one reason why they have million dollar contracts in the first place. The thing I did learn from the responses is different individuals will look at websites (and all marketing material) with different mindsets and expectations), based on their own respective markets. Again, I should have qualified more clearly earlier that my recommeneded sites were more 'illusion workers' geared, with no prejudice against other market segments. Great responses! Thanks! Best, J C
J C Sum
Project ONE: The Solo Illusionist http://www.SoloIllusions.com The World's Largest Free Online Illusion Resource http://www.IllusionBooks.com The World's Most Comprehensive Resource on Kabuki Drops http://www.MagicKabukiDrop.com Creating Highly Successful Entertainers http://www.BackstageBusinessAcademy.com |
Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-07 15:02, Dayle wrote: Thanks for the suggestions. The product section doesn't come up because I still haven't added anything yet. It was up for awhile, but I took it down to add more products. I don't know when it will be up again. Shane Wiker |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Hi bubbleburst2004 I havn't heard from you for a while
The talent quest was for a first prize of $15000 It is not your average talent quest for $500 Also the corporate clients would have read that I performed alongside Human Nature. In Sydney Talent quests come in 2 types Karaoke and general talent quests where all types of entertainers are allowed to enter. The bulk of the talent quests start at about $10000 and work there way up to the dizzy heights of $100000 first prize at Marrickvale RSL which I also made the Grand Finals ( I didn't win)and attract some really good talent and pro entertainers, beating 630 pro performers with an act I created in just 2 days shows talent. where as Karaoke finishes at about $5000 first prize unless it's an Idol thing or Australian Karaoke championships. The other thing to think about is South Sydney Juniors is located in the heart of a busy business district where the talent quest is promoted and local businesses know that the quests attracts a lot of good pro entertainers so it works in my favour. Granted someone in Western Australia may go who cares?? but do I care---NO. Also it is current news Quote "similar show descriptions" My roving show for example is totally different from all compeditors in Sydney The event photography is a free option which ICMI once said "your giving away a $1500 service" -You figure out who they are going to call. Once they do call I have a promo CD that has a 90% success rate when sent out to clients. But thanks for your imput your reaction is probably the same as some potential clients, but when it comes down to it I'm happy with the money I make and how my business is going, It hasn't reduced the amount of bookings I make and I will be posting other talent quests up when I perform in them, because people are interested in me as well as clients who want to see me perform (I don't do a lot of free shows) so it is a nice way to let customers who want to see and get a feel for me in a live show experience it with out paying any money- and that is good business. Cheers David Welzman http://www.icentertainment.com (any more comments?) |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-12-07 15:29, bubbleburst2004 wrote: I would talk to the two performers and find out which one best fits my needs. I've worked as a booking agent and performer for many years and book acts that enter talent contests all the time. What is wrong with talent contests? ...aside from the fact they make artists compete like dogs.... Ice- Good things about your website: ---You have an EASY way for people contact you straight away. ---You show professional organisations you belong to, giving you cred. ---You split up your styles of entertainment so clients can find what THEY want straight away. ---You have a friendly and realistic photo of yourself. People like to relate to a real person. Things you make like you change ----You switch from 1st to third person. Pick one and stick with it. Also, avoid using the word "I". Try a frame everything in regards to the client. ----The site is complicated. There is ALOT of stuff to click on and it is not always obvious what is what. ----There is no end point to the site. They can always click on something new. I've tried to end my site (www.funnybones.com.au) with them contacting me. ---I want to see more testimonies and photos of happy clients. One more thing...Infotainer? That reminds me of Bert Newton's Advertorials! |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Great stuff thanks Nicholas,
You are right I am not the best at writing, I have always switched from 1st to third person and am trying to correct this. I sould at least add after each show package a way of booking that show or at least ordering the performance CD Photos of happy clients are in the Photo Gallery the Photo gallery are photos taken after each performance so everyones smiling and happy,is because they have just seen me perform but not all companies especially business events and work from entertainment agencies don't want me to promote my web site so I can't put up all my photo galleries (good thing to it would cost a fortune to put up 48 photo galleries) I have umed and ahed about the term infotainer it does invoke curiosity when I tell people the term which is good. yeah gotta put the testimonials up. Cheers David Welzman |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
I'm with Ice, I'd like to know who Bubbleburst is too.
I'm always suspiois of those who hide behind black rabbits. |
The Mirror Images Inner circle Michigan/USA 1980 Posts |
I see that several have attacked the subject of clarity and design. Well I just wanted to bring up a point. The majority of these guys are the top in our industry. The brains behind some amazing and big stuff. So I think they have WELL deserved to be on that list. To let you know there will NEVER be anything PERFECT. Come on, if you think about it every designer in magic has there preference when designing something. So the web designer has there preference. Weather it is a HUGE jpeg or scripted differently. It is there preference and if someone can't view it they aren't loseing out. If they where they wouldn't be in business...
Just some of my two cents...Some will disagree but hey....Everyone has there way of doing things... Michael
Steven and Michael, The Mirror Images
The MOST Identical Twin Illusionist http://www.themirrorimages.com Check out our latest new effect - Liquid Steel NEW - MotoBox NEW - MotoMation NEW - Voyager |
icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
The Mirror Image
Your right. BUT my opinion which is just that- my opnion is that I don't think the web sites serve as a good model to follow I've been thinking A lot of web sites download from top to bottom. so if you have a massive Jpeg image don't have an enter sign at the bottom have it at the top. Also while my computer isn't super fast I do have anti viras programs updating and windows updates slowing my computer down when I'm on the internet, the point is that other people probably have this going on as well. But when marketing you must know your target before you start marketing. Most people are "Ready, Fire Aim" which is wrong. So have a good look at who you are selling to and then design a web site that will target those customers. til next time |
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