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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
It seems as if the sheer number of birthday parties I normally do have drastically decreased since the price of gas hit the $2.75 per gallon mark, which I'll admit was many weeks ago. Now that gas is near $3.50 a gallon, my phone has basically stopped ringing. I haven't seen this type of drop in business since the first Gulf War.
I'm just wondering if other magicians in other states are also seeing a decrease in the volume of their birthday party bookings. All I know is if this is a sample of things to come, I can't wait to see what happens when gas hits $4.00 a gallon this summer. Gerry |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
The business is fine for me.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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nucinud Inner circle New York, New York 1298 Posts |
Well gas is way over $3.50 on Long Island and the phones are quiet.
"We are what we pretend to be" Kurt Vonnegut, jr.
Now U C It Now U Don't Harry Mandel www.mandelmagic.com |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
The reason why people are having fewer parties is called recession. Perhaps if business gets real bad we can all move to Canada, where things are just rosey according to Donald. Are there any other Canadian magicians that are doing just fine? The people in the United States are spending all their money on food, gas, utilities, and have very little left for entertainment.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
Gas is hitting above $4. in LA and today I booked two shows. One previous client and one new....
I do think one has to have many seeds planted for a good crop of business these days. Donald Dunphy seems to be an expert at the birthday party and school markets I am sure he will share some good ideas for you....
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
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LVMagicAL Elite user 460 Posts |
I agree with Curtis.....one has to have many seeds planted for a good crop of business.....less fruit from the same number of seeds means one has to plant more seeds if they hope to remain fruitful at harvest time. With the downturn in the economy, it is apparent that if you continue to do what you've always done, you WON'T continue to get what you've previously got (in terms of business). It'll take more effort and new and creative ways to find clients.
I have a substantially busier summer booked as compared to last year, mostly as a result of doing different things; approaching different markets with different methods....and, they're working. I'm not going to say I'm 100% booked, but I've got 5 times the summer bookings as compared to last year.....and it's a result of being pro-active in approaching the market as opposed to waiting for the phone to ring. I just gave up my yellow page ad at the first of the year and my Kids Directory ad in the past month.....they weren't generating the same level of inquiry calls I was accustomed to getting, so yes....there is a recession, there are less calls and people are spending less, so you just need to find new markets to entertain. Go get em' while your competitors are sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring! |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Harry
Thank you for stating the unvarnished truth.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
LVMagicAL,
I agree with you on the most points in your last posting. But I would never give up listings that at one point has brought me good business. This shows that the website/listing is hitting the market/consumer. Sometimes one little listing has brought in some amazing work and it would pay for itself for the next 50 years. Also, if you are booking yourself more and more proactive you could raise your rates a bit and do as much or do less and still make as much or even more....
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
I don't do many b-day's(because I don't want to work on weekends) but I am completely booked this summer with over 90 libraries and am booked completely up for a few school months as well. I am doing way more business than last year at the same time period in every month so far this year. Gas has not been an issue that I can tell.
Chad |
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Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
Things are going well in this part of Canada as well. In fact, I just raised my prices today (again).
Today I booked one show (at my new rate), got one another 90% booked (will be finalizing things tomorrow), and had another inquiry. As far as birthdays are concerned, parents still want to have a unique experience for they're kids. Brian |
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magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
OHH Chad back in the day I use to do the library market.... They will keep you busy indeed....
Break a leg!!!!
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
From "Secrets of the Millionaire Mind", by T. Harv Eker:
"Rich people are bigger than their problems. Poor people are smaller than their problems." And, from "The Success Principles", by Jack Canfield: "Accept 100% responsibility for your life." - Donald P.S. In short, instead of focusing on the fact that less customers are calling you (and that you feel powerless to do anything about it, because it is the gas companies fault), focus on getting more shows (and how it is within your power to accomplish that).
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
LV MagicAL, Curis, Donald, Brian,
Thank you for stating the unvarnished truth.
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) |
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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
Quote:
P.S. In short, instead of focusing on the fact that less customers are calling you (and that you feel powerless to do anything about it, because it is the gas companies fault), focus on getting more shows (and how it is within your power to accomplish that). As much as I hate to agree with Donald that is a good summary of many people I hear (I guess read) on the Café and other lists. I have recently expanded my market and am trying some new areas, and it is paying off. It came from figuring out how can I get these new shows - not "why isn't my phone ringing". When our local magic club holds a lecture that is about "tricks" the house is packed and people can't wait to buy everything. If the lecture is about being a better performer, or the business of the business, the crowd is noticeably smaller. I am sure ours is not the only club that has this experience. It takes work to get shows..plain and simple.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
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nucinud Inner circle New York, New York 1298 Posts |
I am not blaming the gas prices, I am just stating a fact.
I have been advertising more. Networking more, more mailings. I am doing everything I can to get more phone calls. I am even involved with a magic co-op of sorts. Other magicians in my area try to help each other get gigs. Cover for each other when we double book, etc. But that is not happening lately.
"We are what we pretend to be" Kurt Vonnegut, jr.
Now U C It Now U Don't Harry Mandel www.mandelmagic.com |
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LVMagicAL Elite user 460 Posts |
I've created a senior citizen show, a daycare show, a magic class and magic camp (with multiple options). I'm getting scout shows, school shows etc;, all because I'm creating programs that provide EDUCATIONALLY SIFGNIFIGANT content. Schools will still pay for educationally significant content....if you don't know what that is, get in touch with Julian Franklin.
Are there fewet Mercedes and BMW's on the road today? Probably a few less, but not significantly. Those with money are still making money and are still spending it. Those who provide the best value to those prospective clients will thrive, while those who are competing on a commodity level will starve. Build value into your programs, make them stand out from the competiton and give them what they desperately want....not what YOU want. In any economy, you can get what YOU want in life, if you'll just help enough other people get what THEY want. In a bull economy, everyone can suceed.....it's when the tough times show up, it's those who react to the changes instead of wallow in their sorrow will find a way to give the client what they want and get the business from those who are idly sitting by wondering where all the business has gone. They are tough questions to answer, and the answers require we get out of our comfort zone....but the economy has slowed down.....it hasn't stopped. Find other niche markets and find ways to do what your competitor doesn't do, or won't do, and use that to your advantage. The secret method I use is this: I ask myself what I absolutely would not want to learn that my competitors have done.....and then I go out and do just that very thing. I gave away 20 daycare shows in Septemer.....FREE SHOWS....during weekday, daytime hours.....now, I'm booking most of my work during the daytime hours and getting paid to perfrom. I'm also getting private show referrals from those shows, on the weekends, at a substantial rate. Be bold....do something you wouldn't want your competitor to do....set the bar so high, your competitors won't even attempt to compete.....and OWN your market. Good luck! |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
A couple of questions, to help you solve your own problem:
Q: Before things "slowed down" for you, how much repeat business, referrals, and spin-off shows did you have? Also, how is your customer relations skills (people skills), in addition to your entertainment skills? Q: You shared a few things that you are doing. Do you think those are the BEST things you should be doing? Do you think those are the only things you should be doing? Can you think of other things? - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Al & Donald are on the money! In more way than one apparently! Heheheheh! [Hint, Hint!]
It IS true that the market and economy ARE changing and yet too often we, as magicians keep doing the same things we used to to try and get the phone to ring (generate income, what ever outcome you are looking for…) and yet they expect that it will still work the same as it did before “the change” ... it will NOT. Certainly if we want different result in a different climate and economy, we must then DO things differently. No matter what, the basic tenet of success is, and always has been “to serve the wants, needs and desires of our relationships and the market share…” right now, our market does NOT want the ‘same things’ it wanted even a few years (even only a few months) ago. That is nobodies fault; it just IS what it IS… so now what? Easy, find out what they WANT and find a way to get it for them in a way that you can be rewarded for doing so! Simple! (Though it requires some real & effective [and often different] effort… duh!) It’s EASY: “Successful People Have Simply Formed The Habit of Doing The Things That unsuccessful people are unwilling to do… regardless of how we feel!” So… are you “Successful People” or ‘unsuccessful people’? (…what-ever that is to you) => Are YOU willing to DO the things that unsuccessful people are unwilling to do? Answer THAT and there you will find your answer. Nighty night! I am at your service and In HIS Service, Deano (Loves Success) in Reno <><
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) |
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Hi Donald:
I realize things may be different in different countries. I have friends in England and so far they haven't experienced any significant declines in bookings. At the same time they've told me that what happens in the US eventually happens over in the UK. So who knows. I have a very good paying job, so birthday parties and other shows are like extra funds to me. I also just enjoy performing and audiences seem to really enjoy what I have to offer. My main market is birthday parties and it's just a field that I've greatly enjoyed performing for during the past 25 years. I've really stepped up my marketing efforts with birthday parties by expanding my web efforts and yellow page advertisements and I've still noticed a big decline in the sheer number of calls I've been getting. It's just very unusual for this time of year which normally has been one of my busiest times. I feel that I must have been doing something right during the past 25 years if my business has been growing every year. All I'm saying is the consumer brakes have come on since gas has spiked. At least that's been my experience. Gerry |
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Quote:
On 2008-04-21 21:56, magicofCurtis wrote: Yes, the summer months are always hectic - lots of work but the pay is nice if one is willing to work lots of hours and travel some. And they will have you back year after year if you have a good show. I agree with what everyone else says here - one must go and make good decisions and work hard at it and just keep chugging along and you will do fine. Have something that people want and they WILL pay for it! |
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