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Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
I am working on doing some direct marketing with a new postcard. I put a picture of the postcard up on my website at this address:
http://www.anthonysisti.com/16.html I was hoping some of you who have done marketing with postcards could take a look at it and let me know what you think of the content. I would also appreciate any comments and suggestions on which fonts would be best to use. Please note that the image got slightly distorted when I put it on my website. The actual size of the postcard will be 4 1/4 inches high by 6 inches wide when printed. Thank you for your help! |
sb Special user 567 Posts |
Tony,
I think it is too wordy. A picture is worth a thousand words, and a word is worth one word... you have a lot of words. show more exciting parts of your show. If this arrived at my house, and I was not looking for a magician today, I would not call. Just my opinion.... but that's why you posted it here. scott |
Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
I agree, it is a bit wordy. Not that what you have to say is bad. But, the 2 paragraphs on the right are summed up by the rest of the wording on the card. The phrases you have surrounding the bird are very nice, but they are hard to read because they are wrapped around it. Simplify but still keep the wording that motivates them to call you asap.
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Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
I'll be honest with you and this is after several years of experience with postcard marketing, everything you could possibly do wrong with a postcard, you've done with this one.
1. The layout is awful. Your eyes dart around the card. The alignment of the text doesn't work. It looks like you have at least 4 different fonts. 2. The image of the hand and the dove means nothing to a prospective client. I see you're using it on your website as well. It means nothing. It doesn't say "I'm fun", or "comedy" or "high energy". What is it about that image that would cause someone to continue? Nothing. A better suggestion is an audience shot of people laughing or applauding. Better yet, target the card to each marketing campaign and don't try to have an all purpose card. So if you're trying to book kid shows, that prominent image should be a kid having a good time. If it's a trade show, show a lot of people watching you at a trade show booth. 3. Your headline needs to be rewritten. Again, it means nothing as it is now. You need to ask a question, such as "Do you want to increase traffic at your trade show booth this year?" or "Are you looking for unique entertainment for your holiday party?" etc. 4. And as mentioned in the previous post - too much text! A simple question as the headline and a compelling image is all you need on the front of the card. On the back of the card, a few bullet points, a client quote and call to action. Postcards are so cheap now that it's extremely affordable to do one for every market you want to go after. Customize the marketing for that potential client. |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Thanks for the input! You have all convinced me to rework this. I'll work on it tonight or tomorrow and put it up there again. I really appreciate the feedback!
Tony |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
It's great you are putting together this post card, and willing to ask and accept input and feedback. Here were my first the immediate thoughts:
1. You say The Magic Of Anthony Sisti twice in the top fold of the card - once in the headline and once above your graphic. 2. You need a stronger headline to draw people in to want to learn or read more. A more specific, strong effective headline (the most important part of your card) 3. It is a very vague or generic card with no specification of the market or client you are trying to reach or sell. Is this for corporate, kids parties, schools? It doesn't specify and therefore does not seem specifically targeted to anyone to act upon. You don't seem to give them a reason to turn to you to fulfill their needs or as you being a solution to their needs or problems. 4. There is no real call to action. What are you trying to get them to do? Call? Visit the web site? Yes you tell them to call or visit your web site but perhaps you should consider a FREE offer or a special page on your site, a report, a list of five reasons or tips to hire you or why you are different that the rest. 5. Photos and graphics set the tone and pace of the card. This is visually dull and unappealing. Now your first thought is "then what should I do to change this?" I can't answer it because it's unclear who or what your trying to reach or target with this campaign. The current card does not scream out " hire me for this reason" or "this will be fun and a great success to your audience, etc. I hope you do dove magic as that is the only possible this that could be perceived about you and your act from your current design. My advice - figure the true purpose, target and desired action of what you are trying to achieve, and then address the items I just mentioned. Just my two cents. Best of luck. |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Scott - thanks for being honest - your post tells me I have a lot of work to do!
Mindpro and DominoMagic - you've provided a lot of food for thought - thank you. My thought was to try to cut costs by putting together a card that will be generic on one side but will have more specifics on the back, which I will be able to print on my own. I was essentially thinking that I would add bullet points with the specifics on the reverse side of the card. The image of the bird and hand is my logo, which is why it is here. I'm thinking that I'll keep it here, but make it less prominent and put in a couple of pictures of me performing and audience members enjoying themselves, that type of thing. I understand the need to do more specific target marketing, but right now I don't have the funds which is why I was planning to do it this way. I will definitely incorporate much of what you have all said. I truly appreciate the feedback. |
Domino Magic Special user 999 Posts |
Tony,
I kind of figured it was your logo, but even that is not very effective. A logo is to satisfy you. It's not doing anything to promote your business or your brand. It's a generic photo of a tuxedo arm and a dove. How does that reflect you? Why do you have your logo so prominent on your site? Why isn't the header on your site a photo of you? Why does a potential client have to hunt around the site to find a photo? It should be right there! Add to that I don't see one photo on your site of you doing anything with doves. You're also not wearing a tuxedo and are in fact, dressed much more casual. Lots of mixed messages and no solid branding. You're giving valuable web real estate to a generic photo that doesn't help you sell your act. |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
Domino - thanks again for more good food for thought. It looks like I'm going to have more work to do than I thought. I appreciate the feedback.
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
HI tony
you say you don't hae the budget to buy post cards howeer I am postive that it will cost you more to print this on your own then to get it professionally printed! I do a lot of post card marketing and love it PM me and I will share some sectets with you as to where you can get 4x6 postcards for 500 for less then $35.00! that's full color front and b/w back! oh and I will not comment on the card as you have gotten some great comments so far other then saying that -is the card you show your final size printed because if it is the problem I will mention is with your logo its what I call a floating picture. you need to extend the arm so that it goes full bleed to the edge of the post card. if using adobe select scale and extend with out using the shift key. you don't want to see it just sitting there the idea you are going for is that it is reaching in but the way it sits now is not correct. sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
kazam65 New user 84 Posts |
Anthony,
Instead of YOU telling us how good you are, why not put a testimonial in there? What someone else says about you is MUCH more powerful than anything you have to say about you. Besides, you're a little biased aren't you?? And on that note,...when something is written in the "third person" it is much stronger (I think) than when you are saying "I" this and "I" that.... Just my opinion. Good luck! |
Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
Tony why are you going to do direct mail marketing?
And in all marketing, you can't be too general because it will appeal to nobody. Domino and Mindpro gave you some great tips. In marketing/copywriting...you have to enter the "conversation" the person is having within their mind. In trade shows, they are saying to themselves "how do I get leads to my booth"...at corporate events they're saying "I want something new which will cater to everyone"...if they want to hire a hypnotist they're really saying "I want a funny and interactive show." If you can enter the conversation they're having within their mind then you will get tons of gigs. My problem with direct marketing is that you're spamming unqualified people. Sure you have a list of companies, etc but they never requested your information. The best way is what a fellow performer on the Café has done...you call them first and ask if they would like your information. Then you send it. |
magicofCurtis Inner circle Los Angeles 2545 Posts |
Hello,
HMM,,,, So many things that can be done to increase the productivity of this postcard. Also, for printing use http://www.gotprint.com You can get 1000 full color both sides for about $40..... PVT me your address, I will send you some of my post cards for that we use for direct mailings...
Curtis Lovell II
http://www.CurtisLovell.com http://www.MagicofCurtis.com www.facebook.com/curtislovellii Los Angeles, California - U.S.A. |
Tony S Special user New York 582 Posts |
I'm working on a new design for the postcard and am trying to take everyone's feedback into account. I've received a lot of excellent advice here - thank you all for your input.
Kazam65 - I will definitely include a testimonial as opposed to my own words - I agree, I am a little biased! lol Benji - thank you for your input - the idea about "entering the conversation" makes a lot of sense. When I'm done with the new design I'll put it up on my website and post the link again. Oh, and Domino - you've convinced me to do some work on the website as well. Thanks for all the help! |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Tony, who do want to target first?, (corporations, elementary schools, libraries, colleges, etc.) Make your first postcard to target that type of prospect. It is better to target each group individually instead of targeting them all with the same thing. Take a commercial for example. A soda company main target are teenagers. That is why they do not have senior citizens as their prime actors. The Ford F150 main target are grown men. That is why they do not have females as their prime actors. The dove sponsors a wedding when it comes to magicians. Show a dove image if you are planning to entertain at a wedding reception.
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Oscar999 Elite user 401 Posts |
Hi Tony,
I'm a professional copywriter ... and I agree with much of what's already been said here, but I do want to highlight one point. You said in one of your responses, "My thought was to try to cut costs," and right there in that one moment you revealed the real problem with this card. Not so much that you wanted to save money, but that your focus wasn't on creating a direct marketing piece that speaks to your prospect, giving you every advantage - but that you wanted to craft a multi-purpose message that would speak to the masses. And, as so many have already pointed up, that's just not possible. Herschell Gordon Lewis preaches the Clarity Commandment in his talks on copywriting. I think that's a good lesson for you here. It's not clear what direct action you want your prospects to take, call, or visit the Web - and you haven't given a reason to do either. I would recommend rethinking, reworking your offer ... make it free by giving something away so your prospect has a "reason" to visit your site, or pick up the phone AND you begin accumulatiog a mailing list. Plus, put your prospect in the copy. As it sits, it's all about you. Best of luck to you, Oscar |
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
The biggest error I can see is it does not have your picture on the card. They want to know who they are hiring. This card says they are hiring a hand and dove. Is that what you are selling?
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
There are four problems with the card. The first is the dove against a baby blue background screams new-age religion, not magic.
The second is that you don't specify what sort of magic you are offering - kids, family, illusion, close-up? The third is that there is too much text for a post card. The fourth is that there is no call to action - CALL NOW for the BEST SHOW in town, or whatever. But you will get it right. Lots of good advice in all the contributions I read.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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