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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I have just recently started doing something new...pushing clients who have just seen a show and want to schedule again to book a year in advance. Guess what? it's working!
I am not saying that this is anything new. I was just curious if anyone else was also doing the same/ My schedule always stays full (even though I am trying to slow down some). I've been letting them know that if they schedule NOW that they can have this years price. I've got Librarians eating me up on this offer. Schools are also taking the bite on it too. Any thoughts? |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Yes, booking well in advanced is a great thing. I advise my clients that they should book me 6 months or more in advance. I often have people booking well beyond a year for some things. Today I just booked for July 7th of next year.
The people whom you want to work for will book well ahead. Then there are those whom try to book a week or less before, and are often (not always) looking for a deal and are often disorganized (they are booking a week away from the event). I have often done email notices to past clients about booking now to save money (I often do this in my slow months to get those retainer fees in!). It saves them from any price increase, reduces any headaches of finding someone, and sets them at ease. And best of all, it makes you look better when you are booked well in advanced. It increases your percieved value to other prospective clients. |
todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
I think I am going to do a mailout to past clients informing then that they can save some $$$ if they book by a certain date before prices go up. With Gas soooo cheap these days (ha ha!)...we have to charge more just to drive!
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
You can motivate them with other reasons besides the "warning" of a price increase.
Remind them of the peace of mind and assurance of having all the details settled. (Being organized helps them to feel better about the event, and about themselves.) Or Remind them that you are in demand, and dates are booked first come, first served. (Principle of scarcity.) I have many clients that I serve annually, who book on the spot for next year. One customer has been doing this with me for over 15 years now. At the end of the show, she tells me next year's dates. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts |
I don't know about everyone else but if a client calls me for a booking that is less than a week away and I happen to have an open date, I assume they are in trouble and in great need of quality entertainment. I usually bump up my price at least 20 percent. More often than not in that situation; I am booked. Of course this doesn't apply to any of my regular clients but cold calls.
Re: Booking a year in advance. Only positive things can come from this. I find that festivals are prime prospects for this. I often book from one year to the next and they appreciate the ability to budget for the following year. |
Brian Lehr Inner circle Edmonton, Canada 1605 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-07-13 19:26, mrbilldentertainer wrote: Last Saturday I had three shows booked (well in advance).. As I'm preparing to leave the house at 11:00 am to go to the first show, I get a phone call... Lady: "Do you do you birthay shows?" Me: "Yes I do." Lady: "Could you do a show for my son today?" After explaining that I might be able to do another show, depending what time she wanted it (later in the evening, for example), I asked, "What time were you planning on having the party?" Lady: "11:30 am, in half an hour". Me: "Ummm...not gonna work" (paraphrased). I guess some people are just not used to booking live entertainment. Regarding booking shows a year in advance, make sure you keep in contact with them. Last Fall, I booked a daycare show for this past May. While I sent the usual confirmation letter, I didn't keep in contact. In March I received a call from this daycare. They were looking to book a show for May, and were wondering if I did magic shows at daycares. The name sounded familiar, so I checked my database and discovered I was already booked with them! They had completely forgotten, and were now calling around to find a magician. I was just glad they got me! Would have been embarrassing to go there for the show, only to find another magician there! :-( Lesson learned. Brian |
olivertwist Special user Nashua, NH 588 Posts |
I just got booked for my third show for a corporate client for next July. That's a first for me. I do have birthday parties that I've been doing annually for 5 years so they are just assumed to be booked (until the children are too old for a magician).
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
This is not something I ever pushed but I ust confess that I do like it. It does make you an in demand performer and clients like dealing with successful people.
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AragorntheMagician Veteran user Metro-Atlanta 304 Posts |
At the start of this year ('06), someone called and I was already booked. They were very disappointed as they had received a glowing recommendation from a friend. I don't know why but "off the cuff" I stated that they could book me for next year at the same price and I would give them a courtesy call 3 months in advance to see if they still wanted it. And if not, no problem, as 3 months gives me time to fill that slot. So far, we've got 23 gigs set up for next year. It works!!!
Yours, Aragorn the Magician
aka: I used to be BOB (It's Cellini's fault)
"All Right, Who's Volunteering to be Turned into a Frog???" www.aragornthemagician.com |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
80 % of my December bookings and 75% of my July - august bookings are block booked (I just put the same ones in every year unless the odd one drops out usualy different head teacher/organisor) I call them 3 months before to confirm everything still ok and they have had no curcumstance change, I have one client who books me weekly from feb to oct I have been working for for 18 years now.
I have had people tried to book me 2 years ahead to get in the December block but I always refuse to book like that because I would upset the client who got shoved out Phillip |
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