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Beauregard New user Katrinaville 66 Posts |
Gentleman,
As Mentalists do you offer a Promotional Video to sell your show ? Is one neccessary Will it increase bookings. How long should it run. What type of routines do you recommend. Do you have Production advice. After many years of not having to use a one I contemplate producing such a video in a controlled environment ala an L&L production, so that I may submit it to agencys out of state whom are not familiar with my work. I'm interested in hearing all of your respected opinions and wisdom. With Deep Regard, Beauregard |
MichaelSibbernsen Special user Omaha, NE 513 Posts |
Beauregard,
There is a good deal of information in the Lights... Camera... Action! area of the Café you may wish to check out. I also have a nice little essay called "Making Successful Promotional Videos" available on magic-notes.com . Best with your video venture. After checking out the general information available, let me know if you have any questions (email or PM). Happy to help if I can. Michael Sibbernsen Starr Video Productions |
RJE Inner circle 1848 Posts |
Beauregard,
I have 2 videos, one about 4 1/2 minutes that I send to agents and 1 about 15 minutes that I can send to prospective clients that are contacted direct. Both were professionally shot and edited. I do not find them as being particularly effective in getting extra work. Sometimes an agent or client asks for one, most often they do not. IMO, you like to have one for when it is asked for, but I question their validity. With today's technology making very flashy and dramatic productions within the grasp of anyone making a video, you could make the smallest thing look huge and powerful or a weak performer look brilliant. There's my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever decision you make. Rob |
ThomasBerger Special user 593 Posts |
This is a very good question.
I agree with Rob. I think there is only be a slight increase, if any of sales conversions from video. Most effective by far is word of mouth. If you do a video, I suggest you concentrate on audience reaction, during performance and also AFTER the show. Ask them what they think. IMO this is more important than the actual performance clips. In just a performance, they are trying to evaluate if you are any good. With all the TV specials going on, people are becoming more immune to "incredible things" happening. What they really want to know...is can you make their night special? They are not really hiring you...they are hiring a good time, a happening, a special night. The person booking wants to be 100% sure they don't end up looking stupid. That's why comments from other people are so important. Always think of the "What's in it for me" button that drives people. Tom |
A.G. Special user Vancouver- Canada 960 Posts |
Thomas wrote,
They are not really hiring you...they are hiring a good time, a happening, a special night. Maybe this is true for some, but not for me... The entire reason a client hires me is due to the fact that I am ME! Word of mouth will work for local stuff, but if you want to work around in different countries around the world, your promo is your only/best ticket. Most agents I know will not deal without a promo, especially for ship work. Mr, Sibbersons advice and help is priceless, I wish I had that 10 years ago! Cheers Gerard
Well then...
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ThomasBerger Special user 593 Posts |
Andrew
Let me put it this way...Yes they book you because you can create the experience they want. But they are buying the experience. In old marketing terms, it is called selling the sizzle and not the steak. You, in metaphorical terms...are the lump of meat. You create a unique experience, you are dependable, always freak people out etc. That's what they want. Features don't sell, benefits do. Features are 4 doors. Benefits are what it does for you. A new client doesn't care about you....they care what you can do for them There is a superb book, just published from Scandinavia (hint: Sven, get it!) that shows how marketing has moved to stories and experiences. http://www.sigma.dk/pages/book.html You can download the first chapter for free and read it. I think videos are fine. But to me they are only one part...a teeny tiny part of marketing. Far more effective is selling to your existing clients by using email to stay in touch, create offers....and a downloadable desktop program that gives them access to secret pages that only they...the members of this VIP club can get. You can contact them directly thru this desktop app. I have been able to repeat sell over 75 gigs to Bristol-Myers Squibb for their clients, doctors. This is far more lucrative than chasing new clients, so I think more emphasis needs to be put there. Tom |
Osiris Special user 610 Posts |
Actually, there are certain venues that "demand" video. I've even tried to explain to them that what I do isn't a "visual" mode of entertainment, that it's experiential... they simply don't care! So-called Talent Directors for cruise lines, etc. are creatures of habit and too, they are LAZY... they want our press kit and video footage to do all the work.
In today's world I think it is far more economical to set up a professional web site with a "back door" area that's been arranged as an aid to Talent Scouts, Agents, etc. You send these people the links to this area via postcards, introductory letters or even email. This area hosts video clips of various performances that they can watch or even download (if they need them). They can also find 8x10 photos for download, brochures, etc. As a convenience to them, there could be a form that they can fill out that allows your computer to automatically mail links and/or information on your show via their office, to key contacts (needless to say, your computer is adding all these contacts to YOUR mailing list at the same time... ) This approach reduces cost to you, to the agents, and to the community on the whole (no more wasted paper products for the landfills... as much as we don't want to believe it, that's where 90% of the mailed materials we spend thousands on, goes...) Secondly, a web site and marketing campaign desined in this manner is far more convenient and gives to the agent the option of ordering a tangible kit (which you'll still need to be able to pull together, but in that it replicates most of what's already on the web, this won't be a problem) or, they can simply put a DVD into their PC and download all of your information, including videos and a slideshow styled presentation that sells YOU but, because the agent fills out a simple form before the download, it has his/her contact details at the opening (Shmucko Talent Group Presents) and of course, at the end of the footage. Yes, it may be a little bit of a technical "issue" when getting things set up and it may even cost just a bit more initially, but in the long run this approach delivers the greater advantage for all involved (and it's more environmentally friendly). It's something to think about. |
Sven Rygh Inner circle Oslo, Norway. 1945 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-04-10 22:06, ThomasBerger wrote: Tom; Thanks for the hint! I read the first chapter, and am most definately going to get this book. We have already started an discussion on how we can use story telling as a marketing tool in my daytime job, and both for that reason and for my other passion, I can see that this book can be a great source. Thanks again! Sven
WWW.SVENRYGH.NO
"Keep it as simple as possible, - but no simpler" http://www.svenrygh.no/sven-rygh/presse/nrk-forst-og-sist/ http://www.svenrygh.no/video.html |
ThomasBerger Special user 593 Posts |
Sven
Let me know how it is. I want to get it too in the near future. Branding = why you get booked over and over. By the way, there is another book coming out in May, from the US which also has the story telling as a premise to marketing. Click Here! Why all marketers are liars by Seth Godin. This looks excellent too. Tom |
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