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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
After show sales success!
At the end of February, I had a show at a high school up-island. It was for the community, for the local families (not many highschoolers... mostly parents and children). You have to remember; I typically don’t perform adult shows or shows for high schools, just shows for children and family audiences. This event was partly in promotion of literacy, and also in promotion of the public being able to use the library at the community high school. Last year, they had a story evening, and this year they wanted to do something along those lines, but different. They made arrangements several months ago, to have me come and perform my "Magic of Reading Show". The show was in the school's multi-purpose room. Presenting a "Magic of Reading Show" in the evening, was a little out of the ordinary, as this is usually an assembly show for an elementary audience, not a family audience in the evening. I usually give out activity books at my shows, as souvenirs. But I also have full colour bookmarks for larger groups (assemblies, etc.) Anyway, I decide the day before the event, that I am going to give out bookmarks, not activity books, because the crowd might be large. And then I thought more about it. I got there that night, and said to my customer, "I'm an author. Would it be alright if I sold my activity books after the show? They will be $2 each, and I'll also have some bookmarks to give away for free." At first, she seemed a little against the idea, but then it was just a false concern. She was concerned I wasn't going to sell any, because they had a table of books they were giving away for free (one per child). They also had another table set up, selling cookies and juice, by donation. Anyway, I did the show, and subtly promoted the book pretty closely to the script in Rick Allen's Mega Bux$ course, mixed with a bit of my own style of promoting the contents of the books (when I usually give them away). I sold $48 worth of books! And just as Rick has shown on the video, people were literally pushing over each other to shove money into my hand! It was amazing. Here's why I am so happy I did this: 1) I didn't leave money "on the table" by not doing BOR (Back Of Room sales). Even though the event was not a typical school family night, I was still able to do BOR because I positioned myself as an author. 2) As Rick said, it works if you do it. I saw the exact same results that Rick talked about. I saw people literally pushing over each other, creating a stampede, to buy my products. Remember, I live in Canada, a country considered to be way more laid back. People sometimes accuse Rick and others of having products that don't work in other areas, even other areas of the U.S. This works in another area of the world, if it is done right. 3) Because the customer booked more than 60 days in advance, they were able to use a $50 discount coupon. I recovered just about all of my "lost money" by doing BOR. 4) I was able to do this, despite being shut down last year by a different school customer, when I wanted to do BOR at their fundraiser event. They wouldn’t allow it, and didn’t tell me until last minute, after they had voted on it at a PAC meeting months after my initial request, without my knowledge or participation. I didn't give up after a setback. I re-thought, and re-tried! (There is a whole separate TDL thread on that story, and recommendations of how one can overcome objections to BOR, if a person ever encounters it. There was some good advice to help me if I encounter problems in the future.) 5) I am used to giving away my activity books, to add value to a show booking. The activity books I use were designed by myself, although Rick provides a sample BOR product to start with, in with MegaBux$, and also Dean Hankey sells the Abra-Kid-Abra activity book license. I have heard from many of the professors on The Dean's List, and Silly Billy, Murray Hatfield, etc. who have seen my book, that I should be selling my books for $2-5 a pop, not giving them away. This time I did! Instead, I gave away bookmarks. It worked just as well. No, it worked better! 6) This might not seem like a lot of income, but it is just one show. Multiply that by dozens of opportunities every year. 7) MOST OF ALL, I gave good value. The customer still got a good quality show, and each child still got a bookmark, regardless of whether they bought a book or not. The people who bought the books got good value, too. The books are very nice activity books, professionally printed, with lots of great content. Win - Win! As a reminder, this is not the first time I've done BOR. However, it is the first time I think I have sold my activity books as BOR (usually just wands and magic kits), and also is the first time I've done BOR in quite some time. WooHoo! Rick Allen’s MegaBux$ works!!! You need this great product. It will impact your bottom line, if you put it to work for you. Great Bonus Success! By the way, the next day I got an e-mail from the librarian at the school. Quote:
Thanks for the great magic show last night at ________ Secondary. I am wondering if you can mail 5 of your activity books to the school with an invoice as I have had some requests. Our address is xxxxxxx. Thanks so much. If this is a problem, please contact the school. As you can see, I was still beating off these customers, wanting to give me money! Hehehe! It's a hard life! In other words, I was still doing BOR after the show had left the building! - Donald P.S. Another thought I had was that different people get different things from the products they invest in. For example, some will learn from the script, of the appropriate words to use. Some will learn the proper attitude to have when selling products. Some will learn from the great ideas Rick has for driving customers to buy. Some will learn some ideas for products to sell, and how to get/make those. And some will just plain be inspired to take some action. I think I learned some from the script, but most of all, was just inspired to take action because of seeing Rick do this so successfully on the video. If it takes investing some hard earned money, and then some time and effort, to motivate you to action, then do it. The rewards are there financially. The rewards are also there for you to grow as a person, when you try new things out of your normal comfort zone. P.P.S. I am not begging you to invest in this product. It was beneficial to me, and I wanted to let you know about it. However, you might be properly motivated to do BOR just from reading this thread or others on the Café. If so, good for you. Congratulations on taking action towards your growth as a business person. Remember, the best way to finanically succeed as a business person is to create multiple streams of income... income beyond just your show fee.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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HypnotizeAmerica Veteran user 399 Posts |
If you are not selling BOR in some form or fashion then you are leaving money on the table - pure and simple.
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I *always* sell things, and have for at least 15 years. My best items are coin drawers and magic wands.
I also do magic teaching classes. I teach them a lot of things they can do without props, or commonly found items, but I also teach them tricks with the coin drawer and wand. I usually sell out. One show which I have done for 4 years asked if I could include a magic trick for each kid attending -- about 75 kids, so that much was already sold in the booking. I STILL sold additional items! There are so many items out there to sell. I've found that $1 items go fastest and easiest, but I also sell itmes up to $5. Try it! |
iwillfoolu Special user Upstate NY, USA 746 Posts |
If you are not selling items after larger shows (not birthday parties) you are missing out. Back of room sales (BOR) have made me money plain and simple. I kind of feel bad as when Donald said people are "throwing" $ at you. I used to sell magic wands for $1, but I would only make a few buck after costs. Now I sell two items 1)A Coin Case and 2) Appearing magic wands. $3 each or 2/$5. I pulled in about $150 at two 45 minute shows recently. And is is very commmon for me to earn $50 at event where I sell the items. People have even asked me at birthday parties if I had any of the tricks to sell (of course I do, but I don't pitch them). Buy a gross of something and try it out. Just make sure to mention the item just before the end of the show.
Joe |
Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
I agree. Try this one as well. A few days ago I booked a school show. The assistant principal emailed me and got my information and with it I sent her a line that said I sell magic booklets for $1 to schools. She emailed me back that they were going to have the show and 250 booklets as well-paid for by the school PTA. I usually sell the books for $2, but to schools I offer the discount and they usually buy in bulk. I am making a .75 profit per book. That is quite a bit of extra money!
Good stuff. Congrats Donald. Chad |
wally Inner circle 1828 Posts |
I have been a children's/family entertainer here in UK for 10 years. I would love to sell cheap magical items after my shows. Which company should I try? I want cheap/small tricks for kids to buy after my shows. e-mail me magicwalsh@gmail.com. Many thanks.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Wally -
Just a note to let you know that all of the information you are seeking, about items to sell, and companies to deal with, can be found on threads on the Café (and other forums). You just need to do a little work to find the information, by reading various older threads. Here's one link to get you started: Cafe thread titled... Stuff to sell after shows Again, this is just one of dozens of threads out there on the subject. Of course, Rick Allen also covers his thoughts on products to sell, and companies to deal with, in his MegaBux$ course, too, which I mentioned earlier. - Donald Posted: May 7, 2006 9:59pm -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And Lightning Can Strike Twice! Today, I just got back from a show where I did $140 in BOR, thanks to inspiration from Rick's course. It was at a donated show for a fundraiser, where I was allowed to do BOR. Today, I sold out of my magic kits (didn't bring enough... ended up giving out cards and asking parents to call me at home). Today, I sold 5 magic kits, 27 wands, and 18 activity books. Again, people literally shoving money into my hands! WooHoo! Extra money for car gas, groceries, a nice meal out, savings, etc. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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macmagic Veteran user MA 400 Posts |
Hey, Donald! Great job, man!
I also had a good BOR day yesterday selling 75 dollars worth of activity books and inflatable wands (and this was a paid show). I sold out of my coloring/activity books, which was not a problem. They just bought inflatable wands instead. My coloring books were from graphics 3000 but now that they are gone I will have to start getting sponsors for the abra-kid-abra books! (remember I made that extra 75 dollars within about 10 minutes......not too bad LOL)
"Its a magic thing...........you wouldn't understand"
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James Munton Inner circle Dallas, TX 1199 Posts |
Donald,
Congratulations! That's great. As you know, I am a HUGE fan of BOR. For some reason, many performers feel awkward selling products at their shows. Once you start doing it however, you realise that people are happy that you have souvenirs available. Everyone goes home with a nice reminder of the wonderful magic show they just saw, and you go home with a pocketful of extra dollars. Everyone is a winner! Best, James |
Dennis Online New user Ohio 42 Posts |
I have found nice professionally bound (perfect bound) magic books, with my name as author and my picture on the back are great BOR items. Cost me less then $3.50 each and sell for $10
I can have them printed and delivered in less than 10 days. If you are interested in becoming an INSTANT AUTHOR and having books with your name and picture, drop me a line. God bless, Dennis
For free articles on magic and marketing, check out http://www.bellaonline.com/site/Magic
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Hey Dennis,
See the other post where you shared your announcement as well... And it's not so much that you are sharing what you "FOUND" (as you put it), but rather offering us a product to buy from you, right? (Which is 110% good with me by the way... just want to KNOW what the real deal is up front, that’s all. No biggie!) *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Copy Of My Question From The Other Thread: *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Hi Dennis, The link you provide for the BOR books you "found", takes us to YOUR sales page for your product (which is perfectly fine by me, by the way... more “money power” to ya' bro!) BUT can we SEE what this "perfect bound" instant author book looks like or what's in it etc... details man, details! MORE INSIGHT and Accurate Information is requested. Hey, I’m only asking cuz you brought it up and we wanna know more! I have a place also that I can get “book store quality books” printed too in small quantities, (Like ONE – Hehehehe!) and I would like to get YOUR information to be able to compare. Maybe YOUR BOOK is better? I'm NOT asking for your "Top Secret" money making recourse directly, we just want MORE INFORMATION on the books you offer. Thanks (for all of us here.) I am at your service and In HIS Service, Deano <>< PS Inquiring minds want to know the truth… woo hoo!
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) |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I agree with Dean on this one. I too have no problem with you selling a magic BOR product and I think it is a wonderful idea. In fact, more power to you and much success on this. I would like to see a sample of what the book looks like so that we can get an idea of what the final product we are paying for might be. It sounds interesting and I would love to learn more about it with more detailed information. Thanks in advance.
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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