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cbguy Veteran user 350 Posts |
Does anyone still advertise in the Free Parent Magazines, for your birthday party shows?
If you do, are you getting a decent amount of leads? I ask because most of my shows are from people who've seen me at other shows (I do a lot of fairs, pumpkin patch, etc). I'm always looking to keep my name in front of parents, but haven't used print ad's since probably 2010. I'd love to hear what you think on this. Thanks, Mike |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
I tried it for a year, Mike, at $50 per month. Only ever got one booking from my ad. The birthday Mom told me she liked my picture (a black and white photo of me holding a rabbit-in-the-hat puppet).
The best advertising for me has always been word of mouth, and sending kids home with goodies containing my contact info. |
cbguy Veteran user 350 Posts |
That's kind-of what I thought. I get a lot of birthdays from people who saw me or were referred to me through shows I've already done. Today, I got a call from a local Parents magazine offering me a 1/4 page ad, for a year at $940. Prior to 2010, I'd have jumped on it, but with all the shows I currently get and the fact that print media is a dying form of advertisement, I was reluctant. However, when I ran out to the store to look at the magazine, there were other birthday party ads, but no magicians. That's why I figured I'd ask.
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Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
The Parent magazines used to be good for a lot of calls, but they were always expensive and you had to work to get enough bookings from those ads to cover the cost and make it worth it.
Arthur - What giveaways do you use? There are a bunch I've tried and I'm always interested in new ideas. |
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1773 Posts |
Jeff, I recently retired from performing magic shows. But for birthday parties, I used to provide goodie bags as an up-sell to the clients. I bought the contents in bulk. Inside were a selection of magic tricks, gags, novelties and puzzles. Plus of course my business card containing contact info. At the end of my shows I would tell the kids what they’ll be getting inside their goodie bags, and jokingly emphasize the importance of this card.
For the younger kids, I also included a coloring page featuring a cartoon drawing of me (and my contact info). For schools, daycares and libraries (where I presented educational magic programs), I provided free teacher study guides, plus a printed “fun” page for the kids which was relevant to the theme of each show. Of course, this giveaway also contained my contact info. The goodie bags and handouts were a good way of generating future bookings. Certainly worth the extra effort and expense. However, here’s a thought: Nowadays, with all the electronic marvels and gadgets available — plus the incredible lack of attention span prevalent in children — I wonder if little goodie bags with magic tricks are going to be of any interest. I recently gave a magic set to my neighbor’s 7-year old son. He opened up the box, but instead of being dazzled and intrigued by all the wonderful props, he grabbed the magic wand, gave it a Harry Potter-style wave, looked back at the magic set and said, “How does out work?” And then turned his attention to something else. I’m convinced that his dad probably put the top back on the box, shelved it, and that’s the last time that box will ever be opened. The very best in-show marketing idea I ever created was an original custom theme song, which I played as an opener and again when the show ended. Honestly, you can’t go wrong when the parents are singing your name all the way home! Sometimes, when doing repeat bookings, we’d drive up to a daycare center, and as soon as the kids spotted us, they’d start singing my song to me! My wife Leslie and I, both being from a professional music background, wrote some wonderful theme songs for a number of magicians and clowns. |
Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
Arthur, thanks for all the info. Your neighbor kid may just not be the focused type that would do anything with a Magic kit. Most kids see them as toys and are only interested in the wand anyway.
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Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Mike,
Where I live, I have seen the number of children's entertainer ads dwindle from about 5 pages to just 1 page. There was one magician holding on for years, but he just dropped his ad a few months back. Gerry |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
That used to be a strong source for a lot of entertainers around my area. They do not advertise like they used towpath those magazines because they get little business. More prospects look on the internet now.
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TKD27 Elite user Wallingford, CT 458 Posts |
If a parent's magazine offered me a free ad, I don't think I would even waste my time putting the ad together. Absolutely waste if you ask me.
Unfortunately advertising is very hard these days. The only effective place to advertise, IMO, is going to be on a search engine. But they are very technical and you have need to know what you're doing or you will lose money fast. And unfortunately, due to our scale, most entertainers can't afford to hire someone to do their online advertising for them.
Connecticut Kids' Magician, Matt Matthews (formerly known as Matt The Balloon Man)
Magic Shows, Face Paintingand, Balloon twisters. |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Times have changed and so must your thinking. There is too much surface thinking going on here. There can be much more to utilizing these magazines and ads than meets the eye or as most typically approach them.
This is the day of proactivity that creates results. Those placing an ad and just hoping the phone will ring with results are missing much of the greater picture and real potential. These are the same people that just want to list with Gigmasters and then wait and hope the phone rings and bookings will start coming in, yet complain when they don't. Parents magazines and similar can be much more effective and create many opportunities IF you approach them differently and know how to use them proactively. To deem something "not worth it" or "no longer works" because of the surface perception can be missing an opportunity. |
cbguy Veteran user 350 Posts |
Hi Mindpro,
Your post has left me wondering what you mean. Can you elaborate on "How to use them proactively"? |
TrickyRicky Inner circle TrickyRicky 1653 Posts |
If you check my web you will notice that it's not too fancy. Now, most of my work comes from my business cards and the social media. The social media is the way to go. I was told that my name and recommendation s are all over the social media.
Most of your bookings and repeat bookings should comes from kids and parents seeing your performances. From advertising, you will get your foot in the door---it's the repeat bookings that makes you a success. I've done this for years and I do know a lot about this business of entertaining children. I'm turning 74 come April and winding down a bit. Tricky Ricky |
Russo Inner circle So.California / Centl.Florida / retired Florida 1165 Posts |
Hi, 80 year old retired (tired) Pro -70 years peforming Birthday Parties ++ - what I used to do -ending my show- was draw cartoon of any requested animal - for the kids to take home ( instead of baloon animals that would later 'pop' and cry) - bottom edge of cartoon was a short add-with name & phone number- MANY repeats and New booking came from them - as kids would take them home - show mom and put on refrg. door. - many books on how to cartoon-etc.available.
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cbguy Veteran user 350 Posts |
I guess were not going to find out "How To Use A Parents Ad Proactively"
My guess is the comment was B.S. to make people think that the poster is more knowledgable than he really is...never expecting to be asked to expand on their point...Typical; LOL |
TrickyRicky Inner circle TrickyRicky 1653 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 26, 2018, cbguy wrote: Years ago when I started, they never had those kind of publications out that specialized for Parents and Children. Later on when they were available I tried to use them to enhance my customer base. Never got much bookings, but I did get lots of inquiries. There are so many magicians listed beside you name that the call becomes a action sale---it's who can charge the cheapest. After a couple of years I cancelled Tricky Ricky |
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