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MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
What are your thoughts about advertising in a local Parent Magazine/Newspaper when you may not be the only Magician advertising there? I'm very apprehensive about going head to head in advertising against local guys that I know who are fellow Ring members.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
My peers in my area aren't the least concerned. We all know that there is more than enough business out there to keep us all busy. We also shoot for different markets. Where I aim for the upper income families, one buddy shoots for the lower to middle income range and another focuses on day cares and schools. If we cross an occasional line, no big deal.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
It may be an excellent opportunity for both of you! It may even result in a article about area magicians.
Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
I understand your reservations. But in the absence of some agreement between you, I don't see an issue.
Personally, I don't really pay much attention to where other magicians advertise so I am genuinely indifferent to crossing lines. Magic done full-time is a business. Magicians don't pay you. Audiences do. If you offer a good product and your pricing is competitive, I don't see there being a problem. It seems to me that only insecure performers would be upset if you advertised in the same periodical they use. Not to be nasty...but frankly who cares what they think? If it seems like a good opportunity go for it. My thoughts...because you asked. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
Gentlemen, thank you. I just try to be careful about ethics and try to respect reasonable traditions when I can. I'm still new to the profession with only a year under my belt, so I don't always know what the social conventions are in the industry. Thanks again.
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Ethics? What is unethical about advertising your business?
If there are five magicians in an area all going after the same market, would you expect 4 of them to step aside so one guy can get all the work? If so, why? This is a BUSINESS. I am with David on this one. The other magicians will look out for themselves. You, in turn, look our for YOUR self. If you feel you need permission from another magician to proceed with your marketing, you will never go anywhere in the business. |
James Munton Inner circle Dallas, TX 1199 Posts |
Just be careful about starting a size war - everyone ends up losing. Resist the temptation to buy a bigger ad. You don't need a bigger ad, just a better ad.
I would call the other magicians who advertise and suggest a gentlemen's agreement about keeping the ad sizes the same. Also, you should try and negotiate a good deal from the rep. These magazines are desperate to get new advertisers. You might be surprised at the deal you can get if you play hard ball. Best, James |
MrHyde Special user 810 Posts |
It's also possible to buy a bigger display space and divide the cost between several acts.
A full page is often much less than 4 times quarter pages. I've done this several times. Especially if like Skips example you can niche within the broader market. Timothy |
Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
With a few exceptions, we're all good friends in my area. Keeping that relationship healthy is important as we cover for one another in the case of an accident or disabling injury. It also helps that we are constantly sending one another referrals and overflow bookings. I personally avoid Mitzvahs, for example. One of my buds really excels at Mitzvahs so all such inquiries go to him. He's uncomfortable with 5 & under parties, so he refers those to me. A third bud does only adult and college gigs, so he sends kid bookings to a couple of us.
You mentioned that several of your competitors were in your local Ring, so I'm assuming that these relationships are important to you. Just keep the communication open so that if a toe or two are stepped on, you can work things out.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Where it is true, you are in business for yourself and FOR Yourself and your family and responsibilities, I DO appreciate your care and concern for others in your market.
CONGRATULATIONS! I do agree with the guys here in that you need to take care of your business, (and it would pay for everyone to read this short thread again… nicely done guys!) there is a way to do BOTH as well. I helped to create a like-minded Co-Opp of quality professionals (Full and Part Time) in my areas to work together for the common and mutual good while more powerfully and effectively getting ALL of our marketing messages out there. It’s TRUE what they say: “United We Stand” and all that. We had more and better buying power, more leveragable relationships, leads and MORE WORK MORE EVERYONE! (For waaaaaay less marketing time, talent and treasure!) Totally WIN! WIN! WIN! Outcome and Results for all… AND we all learned to get along and support each other and THE ARTS much better… again, BETTER FOR EVERYONE! (Your Family, Your Business and your Market INCLUDED!) Either way you choose to go, I say “GOOD MAN” for thinking about others as you grow in business and as a performing professional! Thank YOU for your service to the arts and to your community! I am at Your Service and in HIS Service, Deano (Serving You and Your Success!) in Reno <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
As an old marketing consultant and professor, I have seen many successful campaigns where competition was invited or even "INVENTED"!
One vodka producer even created other brands for opportunities to compete and get attention for what had been the "only" brand. After all, ads that are never noticed are of little value to anyone but the ad salesman. Bob Sanders Magic By Sander |
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I guess I am just a little more jaded than the rest of you. Yes, I like having friends who are magicians. But my business is my business! It do not advertise with thoughts of what competitor I might offend. As long as you are not insulting or otherwise bashing them (which would probably not be a successful ad, anyway), what's the worry?
We are in a tough economy. Every dollar is important. If I am going to spend money on an ad, I am going to do it with one goal in mind: to book shows. Anything else is secondary. Do you think Ford cares if they offend Chevy with an ad campaign? Do you think Burger King is concerned if a McDonald's exec's feeling are hurt? And if someone is offended by your advertising, what does that say about them? That they are so selfish that they think your ads should take them into consideration? Now, please understand, I am not suggesting that you go out of your way to be obnoxious. And if you do have a situation such as Skip's where you benefit from another magician, then of course you do not want to destroy that since it also bring business. But to worry about whether or not placing an ad is gonna offend another magician, well ... I think you have bigger concerns if you want a successful career. |
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
I agree that you need to take care of yourself, your business an your family first, of course! -- I agree, and am not so ‘worried’ about what advertising others do in my market. I say bring it on! – Hey, if they are good, to me, it only advances that art and the genuine viability of the arts for all of us.
I also agree and understand the value of rock-solid business success practices and principles that WORK “including” the difference between ‘competition’ and ‘cooperation’ and ‘for me’, the cooperation model has been waaaaaaaaay more lucrative as a business success model. So, personal ‘feelings’ aside when it comes to what we may perceive as ‘competition’ in our markets or not, I say it’s worth looking at various proven forms of business success, especially if it has demonstrated itself to work and work better regardless of how I may ‘feel’ one way or the other about the perceived ‘competition’ in my markets… that’s just me and my business success experience. I totally agree that there is no ‘magic bullet, one size fits all’ marketing out there, I just know what has proven to work for me and my business. – Just sayin’. Great stuff gang! – Whoo Hoo! Hope that serves you… I am, as always, at Your Service and In HIS Service, Deano (Just sharin’ what works!) in Reno <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
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