|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
MagicSanta Inner circle Northern Nevada 5841 Posts |
Ohhhh, you are in Fredericksburg! Nice area.
|
|||||||||
Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
I think for a typical birthday show, too many choices for the client can work against you. I listen to the clients needs and I base my show and price on what I think will work best for them. I won't book a 45 minute show with balloons at a day care, so I just direct the client towards what I know will work better for them. I used to have only one show for everybody. My only 'upsell' was balloons. Now I have a 40 minute family show, a 30 minute senior show, and a 30 minute day care show. I charge a little less for the shorter shows. I bring whatever equipment I feel is necessary for the event. I don't let clients decide what I bring, or charge them for my expertise in deciding whether or not I need to turn on the mic, set up the little circus ring, use Henry (the big vent figure) etc. The show, my performance, is what I am charging them for, and my obligation is to present the best possible show I can given the limitations of time and venue. Since I don't have to bring quite as much stuff for the shorter shows, this is actually a factor in how I price them, but I don't tell the clients my exact reasons for setting my pricing the way I do. An old clown friend of mine used to tell his customers, "well, I've had years of training and practice, equipment and costuming to pay for, and it takes me over an hour to get in makeup, etc. etc". I saw the flaw in that approach immediately. Customers DO NOT CARE how much work or money you put into a show, they only care whether or not they and their guests are entertained and if the kids like you. Whatever you have to do to make that happen is up to you. And the level of success you attain in reaching that goal affects what you can charge.
I think there's a case to be made for the value of presentation though. Cirque du Soleil figured out that if you combine excellent content with excellent presentation, people will pay 5 times as much as they ever have for a circus ticket. There are a bunch of things we can't do in terms of 'presentation' because we're doing our shows in so many kinds of venues, often just in somebody's living room. So for me, 'presentation' means clean and appropriate costuming, puppets and props looking fresh, sound that can be heard by all. These things buy me a few points for an overall good impression (and why wouldn't I want that at EVERY show?) but the main thing I am concerned with is the main thing THEY are concerned with; how did I make them feel? Did they laugh hard? Did they feel like I cared about them and their group? Was I good to the kids? Did they feel like they got more than their money's worth? If I hit the mark on these things, I can set my prices however I feel is appropriate. |
|||||||||
Mary Mowder Inner circle Sacramento / Elk Grove, CA 3659 Posts |
I've read a lot about being able to offer a client a choice of what to go with so it's a choice between two options rather than a choice of whether to book you or not.
This is one of the big points of many sales books. How do you think that figures into the mix for someone who does not do balloons etc... ? I have offered Close-Up as an add on but that is not always appropriate and I won't offer something I think is a wrong choice. - Mary Mowder |
|||||||||
Bill Knight Veteran user UK 318 Posts |
Mary: I only recently started doing the 2 hour party but it has made a huge difference. All I did was learn some non elimination games, locally source a supplier for prizes, watch a couple of dvds and talk to a local magician (a friend) who was already doing this and away I went.
I offer the same 45 minute magic show that I would do for that age of audience, break for food then play the games, with music and, at the end, I ask that everyone who has not won a prize, come and get a candy necklace and also ask the children if they would like me to come to thier party, just come and get one of these (show bus. card) I am now doing more 2 hour parties than 45 min shows, and getting more repeat bookings so it has worked for me. Have fun Bill
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional
www.magicbill.co.uk |
|||||||||
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
Nope. You never devalue your show. It is ALWAYS a gold standard...the client expects it -- which is why they are paying money.
I will upsell Balloon Animals after the magic show -- but that's it...and that's only an additional $25...and nearly every parent agrees. It's a nice barrier between the show and the cake...
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
|||||||||
Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
I notice that no one has answered your specific question about up-selling without balloons. Well to be fair, Bill Knight did, but I think he's talking about a UK type of party, the 2 Hour party, that's kind of a rarity over here. I occasionally get calls for more than an hour's appearance at a birthday party, but typically these are for great big groups where it will take me a long time to make balloons for all the kids. I am thinking though, that what Bill's talking about could be done here, most of us simply aren't trying to market that, but it's certainly worth thinking about developing. But, if you consider yourself a magician first and foremost and don't want to get involved with balloons and games, I think your 'up-sell' should be based on the length of the show. Offer a short show (about 25 minutes long) a medium (about 35 minutes), and a long show (about 45 minutes).
By the way Bill, do you charge twice as much for the two hour party, or more like 75% more. I think I'd go with a discount for a second hour, but enough to make it a good deal for both myself and my customer. This topic has gotten me thinking about adding games. |
|||||||||
Bill Knight Veteran user UK 318 Posts |
Mr Pitts: You are correct that I am in the UK and the 2 hour party is popular here. I agree with you that it could work in the US too.
I charge about 75% more. This makes the upsell easier as the percieved value for money is higher. I am already there for the magic show, I don't have to double up on travel time / expense, I only have to get in and out once so, while I would take in more hard cash for 2 seperate shows, I feel that the 2 hour party is a great money maker. Don't get me wrong, my previous background as an actor (leading workshops for kids) and as a football (soccer) coach has given me loads of experience in leading children in games / activities. The games can be hard work sometimes but, normally, they are just so much fun. My advice to anyone wanting to give this a try is to go for it, what have you got to lose, the customer is already on the phone asking you what you offer and for how much, just offer the 2 hour party and see how it's received. Hey, you might just start off the next big trend. Hope this helps Have fun Bill
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional
www.magicbill.co.uk |
|||||||||
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
If you're charging $300 for a birthday party here in the States, I just don't believe that enough clients would be willing to pay you another $150 (50%) just to have you hang around and offer another hour of games. My guess is you might be able to tack on another $50 for that service but at that rate, I'd rather head out and just book another birthday party at my full rate.
Over the past few months I've performed for some really wealthy clients hosting children's birthday parties. Just getting my fee was, in my opinion, a challenge. I think getting some of these folks to part with another $150 would be like pulling teeth. Anyway, that's just my opinion. Gerry |
|||||||||
Bill Knight Veteran user UK 318 Posts |
But I'm not charging $300, or its equivelent in £s. I don't know how much you get in the US for a birthday show but if it's that high, I may move lol
Have fun Bill
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional
www.magicbill.co.uk |
|||||||||
Flymo Regular user 151 Posts |
Quote:
Also I can fly. Amateurs fly. Pro's teleport. |
|||||||||
Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
I know some US entertainers are asking for $300 and getting it, even for birthday shows. Some get even more. I personally do not charge that much. I live in an area where the per capita income is only about $17,000. This is substantially less than other urban areas in the state. So I have to be realistic about what the market will bear. There are some entertainers locally who I am told charge that much, but I don't know how many shows they actually get. I charge more for travel of course, and I up-sell with balloons. I'm thinking about adding some other options as well... games, facepainting etc. . I think I could start inching closer to that kind of fee for two hours. The thing is, I like being affordable to the working class families. I want my customers to feel like they're getting their money's worth, but I want my fees to reflect that I'm a pro. There's a correlation between price and how the customer treats you; too cheap and they assume you're not good, too expensive and they feel taken advantage of. I'm trying to build relationships with the families and businesses who hire me, and to do that I really have to deliver a fun and memorable show at the right price.
|
|||||||||
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Bill,
Two of my British friends charge in the $300 range (whatever that means in British Sterling) for their services. Mr Pitts, For what it's worth, I greatly enjoy your comments on the Magic Café. (You, too, Donald!) I also understand what you're saying about being affordable to working families. Sometimes I think we might eliminate some groups by having a slightly higher fee. The only other thing I would like to mention, and this is a another topic unto itself, is that while we might have a fun and memorable show at the right price, sometimes you still won't get hired by the one group next year. It could be because they just want to do something different next year. It could be because the person who hired you left the organization and the new person wants to go in an entirely differnt direction. Or, someone new comes along and cuts into your price. Thanks, Gerry |
|||||||||
Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
Thank you Gerry. It's true what you say, we sometimes lose a show or even a client for reasons beyond our control.
|
|||||||||
Michael Taggert Special user Fredericksburg Virginia 656 Posts |
Please disregard my bad typing and editing skills when trying to use this new laptop of mine. In my ealier post on this subject I deleted that I up sell give aways and an extra routine (chair suspension or flying carpet) I do not nor have I ever done ballons. I have seen too many people fall into the mindset that they have to offer everything for the mom. from invitations to goodie bags and everything in between. I have also found that you will usually fall short of the moms expectations. let mom do her part and become her partner in making the party great and you will do better all around. you will become the star guest instead of the babysitter. that puts you in a better spot all over. our friends in the uk have mastered this and still can do a great 2 hour fun event where they are not the babysitters. also remeber that if you charge a premium for your show you will be cutting into the overall budget for the show. keep records and you will find what moms are willing to pay n your area. by building up your star power you will be able to raise your fees a bit. as for geographic areas yes they do vary widely. we get a lot here but it is expensive to live here as well. bTW our local un employment rate is just 6.4% compared with 24% just 100 miles south of here. so learn your market and make the best of it. remember it is better to shear a sheep many times than to skin it once.
|
|||||||||
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-12-18 23:21, Michael Taggert wrote: Many moms don't want to do their part, they just want a babbysitter. My ego is fine with that, as long as I am a well paid babbysitter.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
|||||||||
idomagic Loyal user Denver, CO 255 Posts |
Time to revive this post. I am talking about my birthday shows only.
I already bring a backdrop, wear clothing and use a PA and music. I offer two shows, both are time based, not quality based. The price difference is 16% so it's not a money saver for the parents, it really is to save time. Both shows are my best magic. I do upsell a couple things. I employ my son as a clown and he comes to about 15% of my parties for an additional fee. This option brings in another 33% but I also pay my son a fair amount of that. I upsell magic lessons with kits. I have a very nice "Chad Wonder's Cool Magic Kit" (PM me if you are interested in a source for these kits) for my parties and this is one thing I aggressively upsell. I make good money off the magic sets. Most of my upsell items are more to add value then to make more money.
That's my two cents on upsells. Well, three cents if you give me a call.
Chad Wonder (Chad Wonder Magic, Inc)
Past President SAM 37/IBM 131 (Mile High Magicians) www.idomagic.com www.iDOMAGIC.dev |
|||||||||
LMLipman Elite user Falls Church, Va. 443 Posts |
James Munton has a booklet of magic tricks that he sells to magicians for use as BOR or upsells. After I book a show, I offer it to the host if the kids are at least 6 years old. I sell the booklet and a magic wand for $5 for the set. Often the mom will either add my booklet and wand to the goodie bag or make it the goodie bag.
The good thing about James' booklet is that it is a pdf which you can customize to put your name on the front and back (with suitable contact information). It can also be customized so that you could add or subtract your own pages, which I did. The printing cost runs about $1.25 per book. I get the wands from Loftus. Contact James at http://magicsells.com/Home.html and check out the Instant Magic Book system. I don't get anything from this endorsement except an occasional "thanks" from James. |
|||||||||
idomagic Loyal user Denver, CO 255 Posts |
I was just looking at the booklet by James but there isn't much on his site about what's in it. Are the tricks really good? Is the art high quality? How many pages it is? I want to add it to the magic set I have made as a further upsell.
Chad Wonder (Chad Wonder Magic, Inc)
Past President SAM 37/IBM 131 (Mile High Magicians) www.idomagic.com www.iDOMAGIC.dev |
|||||||||
LMLipman Elite user Falls Church, Va. 443 Posts |
I substituted a couple of pages that I developed using the same font for consistency. There are 21 tricks in my booklet. The artwork is clean line drawing. It's about 20 pages long. The pages are standard 8 1/2 x 11 and folded in half to make the booklet. There are some good tricks in the original version. I think I improved it a bit by adding a few additional tricks such as "Robber Jacks" and "Topsy-Turvy Dollar," but that's the beauty of the booklet--you get a solid base from which to add or subtract and you can customize the cover and an "about the author" section in the back.
|
|||||||||
BIGmagiclV Veteran user 375 Posts |
I have only one upsell. I do the magic trick the wrong way unless they pay me more. then I do it the right way.
Just kidding. I have 3 packages. each has more value to it. magic show, magic show and balloon animals for each child, and deluxe show with a longer show, balloon animals, magic kit for the birthday child, giant inflatable wand for the child and gifts for all the kids. the price varies by $25 each package. I book my deluxe show maybe 8 out of 10 times. Should I only offer the deluxe package? Then that eliminates the other 2 parties who feel I'm too expensive. I like to have a show for almost any budget. I do not believe in charging for a sound system, special clothes and such. I understand charging more for a large illusion that is harder to carry and set up. I also am okay with people who upsell a rabbit or dove as that takes special handling. |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Upselling your show (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |