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dearwiseone Inner circle Portland, OR 1143 Posts |
I'm adding after-show sales to my summer shows, mostly fairs, festivals, etc. Does anyone have suggestions what tricks/novelties seem to do best at these kinds of events. I'm sure it will vary by area, but are there general tricks like pen through bill or color-changing silks that can retail for between $5-$15? Thanks!
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johnobryant Regular user Texas 195 Posts |
Mainly a shirt with your logo and info on it.
If you want to pitch a few things make them small. Svengali Deck, Nickles to dimes, etc... john |
jkvand Special user Johnstown, PA 658 Posts |
I recommend a book - either one of the Instant Author kits, or the EZ Magic books. They've been a great seller for me, with a very good markup, and you can still sell them at a fair price.
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sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
I would keep the price under $10, and carry things like a Svengali Deck, a Cups & Balls kit (with a booklet and a 10" plastic wand), Nickles to Dimes, Dime & Penny, a Ball Vase, a paddle trick, maybe a Copper/Silver coin set, etc. If you carry four or five items, that's plenty, otherwise the kids will get overwhelmed and you will also have to invest in a fairly substantial amount of inventory.
I second the idea of a book. One of the best I've seen is "The Book of Magic for Young Magicians," a Dover reprint that retails for $7 and teaches a dozen good tricks, including a cut-and-restored rope and the "salt shaker through the table." It also has some good advice on misdirection and presentation. All of these items are available from D. Robbins, FUN Inc., or almost any magic wholesaler. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
Sell small, easy to identify items.
then you don't have to worry about having bags to give out, or pay for. $1-$10 works. Cash only. If you use credit card, I would suggest a limit.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I have also found it very interesting that a $20 item will sell much better then the exact same item marked at a orice oif $15. It is all pyschology. The buyer I have found does not want to have to wait to either receive change or to try and get the money out with separate bills. I tried it and found out this to be the exact case. the same item marked at $20 bucks sold much better then the same item at $15. Just something to think about with your BOR priciing.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
JamesTong Eternal Order Malaysia 11213 Posts |
I agree with Kyle on the pricing factor. A lower price may not mean more sale.
How about having an "Instant Magician Kit"? You can have whatever you want inside the kit. The name of the packaging counts. Lay audience may not know the difference between a ball and vase effect to the Svengali effect. But they know they want to be like you - A MAGICIAN. Therefore a kit offering them to become an instant magician may be more enticing to the public. What you put inside would be up to you. Even if you price the kit at $50, it would not be expensive. The interested public would think, "Hey just 50 bucks to become an instant magician?" Sell the sizzle and not the steak. Sell the benefits and not the features. Hope this helps. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Another factor I like to bring out for BOR items is that graphic design sells. I ran a test and placed both magic kits with the same items on my table. One was in a fairly plain packaging with nothing fancy at all. The other was in a really nice packagaing that was visually attractive and communicates the message of the kit in a visual manner. the second one sold a lot more even though it had the same stuff in it. People are inclined to consider packaging as value. They see the packaging and that gets them kore excited about the product. something to consider as you work on your BOR items.
I changed my magic kit easily and by simply putting on a nicely designed graphical header in full color at the top of my clear bag, I created a much more appealing package that draws attention. Now the people can not only see the items tey are getting, but the packagaing looks great and communicates better to them. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
I don't think having all items at $20.00 is best.
You need a variety for all people. I do think pricing things at even bills like $1, $5, $10, $20 work well. Will help in dealing with cash. But you'll never get away with someone just giving you $5 for something. They'll end up giving you a $10 for change. I don't know what exactly you're selling. If you are selling a bunch of small items, you should trying setting a price for each item. Then have a combination for one price. That always works too. I found people really like the idea of choosing their own at one nice cost like $20.00 or something. That way if you take credit card, you won't be loosing out with the 9% rate. If you sell autograph photos price them at $5.00 and any promo items you might have. Since, I don't know what itesm your selling exactly, you'll have to decide what you find is your worth to make a profit. I just know that in many cases, each area is different.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Oh I am not saying every item should be priced at $20. That goes without saying. I was mainly trying to show the pyschology involved in the way some consumers thing is all. So in that way if yiou know how consumers think, you can price your BOR accordingly. I too have a range of items I offer and a range of prices to go along with my BOR. Good info sharing here.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
DanielSteep Inner circle 1409 Posts |
I sell ....
Magic cards (With instructions inside) $3.00 Mind Reading Fish $2.00 Rocket Balloons $2.00 small magic kit $5.00 All of those prices are in canadian btw.. but I havent had a show where I sold them at yet/// But I will have quiet a few this summer... I suggest something small, cheap, but still good... Most kids can sucker there parents into about 5 or 6 bucks... not much more. Daniel |
sethb Inner circle The Jersey Shore 2719 Posts |
I also agree with the general idea of "rounding off" the prices, it makes it much easier and quicker to complete the transactions. In New Jersey, I also have to charge 7% sales tax, and I simply folded that amount into the prices. This way I don't have carry any loose change or compute the tax at the time of the sale.
Also, normally lots of retail items will be deliberately priced at $4.95 or $7.99 (which makes it seem cheaper than $5 or $8) or $3.50 and so on, but that doesn't apply or work in this situation. Keep it simple and save yourself and your customers a lot of unnecessary work. Ditto on the packaging, it does need to look snappy. I sell the medium-grade Royal Svengali decks from FUN, Inc., which come packed in a shiny, bright red attractive sleeve. They cost a little more than the cheapo decks, but I think they look MUCH better and consequently, they also sell much better, in addition to being a better grade of card stock and being pre-assembled. Along with the matching Svengali booklet, it makes a nice, professional-looking package that does move when properly demoed and pitched. SETH
"Watch the Professor!!" -- Al Flosso (1895-1976)
"The better you are, the closer they watch" -- Darwin Ortiz, STRONG MAGIC |
dbearden Regular user Oneonta, AL 102 Posts |
Check out this website:
http://www.fivedollarmagickit.com This would be a great way to pick up some extra money, with not a lot of work involved. |
socalmagic Loyal user Los Angeles 267 Posts |
I sell a magic kit for $5 made up of:
1) a magic coin slide (purchased from Loftus) 2) a fortune telling fish (purchased from D. Robbins) 3) 102 Easy Magic Tricks Booklet (purchased from D. Robbins) 4) A two card monte (assembled from cards purchased at Haines House of Cards) Even though the items are relatively inexpensive, I purchase the better quality coin slide and two card monte. You can purchase a much cheaper coin slide from U.S. Toy, but it breaks and is difficult to operate. You'll have lots of returns and the poor quality always reflects on you. I do lots of repeat shows, so I don't want to come back and try to sell more items and have people decline to buy because everything they bought broke. As for the two card monte, the cheaper versions have a 7 of diamonds on one side, and a 7 of hearts on the other. This makes the trick difficult for young kids. I prefer to have a black card on one side and a red card on the other for those kids that don't know the suits yet. Again, every little thing reflects on you. I also sell a larger magic set called the Amazing Magic Set available from S.S. Addams. They are around $4.50 each, and shipping is free if you buy six dozen or more. I sell them for $12 each. I also offer a package deal with the small and large set for $15. I demonstrate the items from the stage. I give a volunteer a single item from the kit and demonstrate it in an entertaining way. By intermission, I have demonstrated all the items except for the large set. I make an announcement that the items that were demonstrated during the show are available for purchase, as well as a larger magic set. The small sets are in a Ziploc bag and not on display, but the larger set is displayed (it has attractive graphics and is very appealing for an impulse purchase when they are getting the small kits). I normally average $1 for each person that attends my shows. Last year, we had an attendance of 30,000 people. Do the math and you can see that BOR sales can be very lucrative. One other hint, event though they are called BOR sales, in most facilities we sell them right from the stage. This creates a frenzy effect that increases sales more. I mentioned that I have different items when I go back. They are the Nickles to dimes, Svengali, and a DVD. By the way, I don't sell that many DVD's despite the fact my name is on it and it has professional packaging. For your first show, go with the small magic kits and big magic sets. They always sell much better. I hope this info helps, and good luck on selling lots of stuff! |
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