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jl17 Regular user 110 Posts |
Here's my question; When strapped for cash how do you advertise? One thing I recently did was put 5-6 articles on a few artlicle websites. I don't know if it had any impact, but I did get an inquiry. So what is a good way to advertise, get yourself out there, and book shows?
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Word of mouth advertising is the best free advertising. Show everone a trick, like David Blaine did to get this financial backer. Tell people you do shows for a fee.
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JackScratch Inner circle 2151 Posts |
The only money I have spent on advertisement is my site, which has brought me almost no business (I didn't really intend it to). Word of mouth, event planners, papering connected venues, just about anything you can think of. Get into the community you wish to work in and network.
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chichi711 Inner circle 5810 Posts |
Radio is a good way to go. If you can get on. Just network yourself and it just happens. Word of mouth is the best way.
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jl17 Regular user 110 Posts |
Word of mouth is great, I didn't even think of it. Also, my website is my only advertising I've paid for. I am also a member of a few entertainment sites, which ones are the best?
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
There are several business networking groups in any town. Most meet for breakfast at around 7AM at some local restaurant. Everyone stands and gives his 60 second commercial, then passes out business cards to all the others, then they have a time where everyone tells a "success story." They end with giving anyone at the table a lead if you have one. It usually costs for the breakfast and you should keep going.
Look in the business section of the paper for the meetings. Peter |
Owen Anderson Loyal user A sturdy fence needs at least 231 Posts |
It would be helpful to know what type of act you are seeking to advertise.
Owen Anderson
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
A book I HIGHLY recommend is "Endless Referrals" by Bob Burg. You'll find it in nearly any bookstores or public library's Business & Marketing section. This book carries a treasure trove of ideas, strategies and more for securing ever growing referrals...including Paddy's advice on the weekly business network groups. I belong to three and they work!
This is not another book on business networking...you know...meet - greet - trade cards - move on. This book explains how to turn these networks into endless chains of referrals. I used just six basic ideas from the book and my referral system has grown fantastically. I also HIGHLY recommend Jim Snack's Success in Magic series, and the wealth of promotional ideas from Eddy Wade and Julian Franklin. They each offer excellent referral and low-cost promotional ideas that work wonders! Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Skip: Thanks for the great resource. I may have to go out there and get that and start reading it. It sounds like a great book and resource for learning. I will have to check it out at Borders this week and see if I can locate it.
I use a lot of different methods in order to gain exposure to suspects and to get them to turn into hot prospects that may indeed want and gain from the services that I can provide. Sopme of these ideas are: - set up a marketing calendar - If you know you will have various ways in which to market for free or at low budget during the year, it will be essential to know exactly when you may want to do that marketing. A marketing calendar is an easy and free way to get yourself on track. - Make a Benefits List: You essentially are not selling just a product or a service. You really are selling benefits that meet the direct needs of the clients you hope to work for. They have needs and you have direct soltuions that can solve their needs. These are the benefits your show and your services can have to your client. In other words, how can your features and what you offer directly benefit the client? - Create and use an evaluation form: This is being talked about in another thread so I will not go into detail here. It is a great way to never forget your customners after the sale. They can be of so much value to you. Build those relationships. - Communicate Your Identity Effectively: Create an establish your image and identity through not only what you do, how you do it, but also through a consistent brand approach. Use your logo and keep it consistent from piece to piece. Allow your materials to be top notch and a reflection on the quality service you provide. -Create and Use a Web Site: This can and should become your 24/7 open tore where anyone at an y time can be directed to ther site to gain informatiuon that sells you and your services effectively. Give them various methods on the site to ask for information. I use a submission form that is easy to fill out and I encourage them to do so. - Do Not Forget the Power of Bartering for Profits: Everyone you deal with has something that they can give you that you can gain something from. Do not be afraid to barter with them in exchange for these goods and services. In the process you not only gain from them, but you can also get a reliable and friendly partner who would not mind referring work your direction. - Keep your Attire Neat: One of the easiest and free means of advertising is the sheer fact of presence. Dress to impress and always keep yourself clean and looking sharp. This can say a lot about you and what you can offer a client. - Track Your Marketing: If you are going to do marketing, then you really need to make sure you track the results of it. Even if it does not bring you a huge ROI, you can still gain so much from it if you realise that failure is not really failure at all, but a stepping stone to success. If this is the case, then you gain either way. - Hold Contests: At some of my festivals and faiors, my wife and I offer to our clients, to conduct a free coloring page contest where the winners win free magic kits from my own BOR table. This is easy to do, my cost are low, and what I gain from it is quite exstensive. I am now giving the client even more solutions for the event, but I am also gaining a lot of great information and leads from the contest I am holding. I am also getting people excited about the BOR items at my table and directing them over to it. - Respond Quickly - Have easy access to you and your services and be prompt to reply back to any client within 24 hours if not sooner. You really can make or break a gig just from not being prompt to reply. - Encourage and Create a Referral Reward System: Set up a system that rewards and encourages your clients and customers to refer work your way. I talk about thius in my thank you letter I give to each client after each show. I then encourage them to refer work my way and I then also reward them for doing so by sending a simple gift there way for any referral they give to me regardless if I book it or not. This encourages them to keep at it. - Use Online Calendars: These are totally 100% free. All you have to do is spend some time doing research online to locate them. Many websites for TVs, Radio and Newspapers as well as community websites have free online calendars where you can freely post your public events. This is a great and free way to get your word out there and show people you are not only working, but give them a chance to see you work. - Use and Send Out Press Releases: There are a lot of great sites that can show anyone how to set up a press release and submit them the proper way. This cost you nothing to do but your own time. However, you can gain some great exsposure through using them and not being afraid to send them out. Feature articles in papers and On TV is not unheard of and Kelly and I have gotten many of them over the years for free just because we send out PR's. - Get and Ask for Testemonials: The ability to simply ask is a poweful one. If you feel you did a great job with a client, ask them for a quote of it they would be willing to write you a letter of reccomendation. If you ask, most will be willing to do this. These letters can really come in handy for your promotions. - Get Involved in Your Own Community: You can become members of your own chamber of commerce or civic organizatuons and get involved in the activities they line up each year. This is a great way to network and get your name out there to others who can use you and refer work your direction. - Join and Use Online Forums: Like the Café, use forums and get a chance to talk with people. It often is free and a great way to share what you know with others but more importantly to learn from others as well. Ask questions and seek advice. There are a lot more, but I will leave it at this for now. I hope this short list gives you some ideas of what you can and should be doing for free or for very limited budsget to really get your name out there and to market effectively. I hope it is of help to some of you. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Julian Franklin Regular user Houston, TX 139 Posts |
Another thing to consider is the idea of a strolling gig at a restaurant. A regular strolling engagement is an opportunity to get paid, but equally valuable (arguably even MORE valuable) is the performance exposure that you get. When I used to do strolling magic, filling in for friends of mine, I don't think I ever had a night where I handed out fewer than 20 business cards.
And remember, every one of the recipients of those cards had seen you perform, and hopefully liked your stuff. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
How many shows are you looking to do? If you want to make enough money to do nothnig but magic, then forget not spending money.
Anyone who thinks word of mouth advertising is free raise your hand! It IS NOT free. It costs you money to get people talking about you guys. The best way to do it is to do shows. How do you get the shows so they start talking? Yea word of mouth is great, but you gotta give them something to talk about in the first place. If your looking to pick up a few shows here and there then great take your time and just go without a budget. IF however you want to make money doing it regularly, and get to where you can make a living, then indeed it costs money to do.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Danny brother... AMEN!
The voice of reason and real-live experience is always the best teacher! There is a “Price For EVERY Prize!” - It’s always costly! - It’s always personal! - It’s never negotiable!! Great job bro! Deano <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Thanks Deano. Now I am going to suffer the slings and arrows for my bluntness!
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
But Danny, you are so right. Infact you beat me too the punch. I literally was going to say the same thing you just posted. It is true in every word you said and something my wife and I have learned a while back that has made a world of difference for us and the success of our magic business.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
drwilson Inner circle Bar Harbor, ME 2191 Posts |
They aren't free, but it's hard to beat a good publicity stunt. Kyle has posted a very detailed list of everything else to consider. You can't beat the Magic Café for this kind of information, this is all gold, and you are getting it for free. Now take the money that you saved here, and spend it on getting the word out!
Yours, Paul |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Exactly. The part people hate most about success is simply taking action upon yourself to reach out and get it. You simply must be willing to read, educate yourself and then apply the information you learn.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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