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Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
In an attempt to keep this Forum fresh and interesting, I offer another topic from my neck of the woods (North West England).
Whilst we have found that websites are the best thing since sliced bread, I sometimes despair at e-mails sometimes received. Apart from the fact that I have had messages from parents in South Africa asking us to do parties !!! (yes) - who obviously Google search something then don't bother to read the details; plus lots and lots of well out of area UK locations, - we also find that people leave their e-mail collections so long overdue that when they eventually phone the date has already gone; or they just see what they want to see on your site and ask all sorts of silly questions etc., etc. I suppose it's all part of the side effects of modern technology. By and large the e-mail does work well for us, but we always state quite emphatically on our site that it is only to 'check a date', and all bookings must be conducted by telephone (and then post). How do you go on with e-mails? Any funny stories to tell? Tony. |
Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
The email works very well for me. It is definitely a blessing and not curse. I use an email form so that I get all their details that I need, child's name, day & a/h numbers etc. I get a lot more info than people ever leave on voice mail, plus I always get the correct spelling for those difficult names. I would much prefer to receive email inquiries than voice mail messages.
If you are finding email a curse then you are not doing it right. In fact you are probably just using a mailto: tag on your page. You will get a much higher quality response using a structured feedback system like a form. I have only ever had 'out of area' inquires a hand full of times. One was from Atlanta Georgia & I referred them on to Ken Scott
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
I too use an email autoresponder to handle the initial inquiries, then I contact people direct after that.
I too get some requests that are well out of my geographic area, so I just explain where I am located, and would be glad to do their birthday show for my usual fee plus the airfare. I then suggest I could refer them to someone in their area. I agree with Andy that email has to be done right to be effective.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Both Andy and myself have looked in at each other's sites now and again. Do you not find that your e-mail form is giving people the impression that you are available for the date they want Andy?
Tony. |
Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
When I receive an E-mail inquiry, I have a set reply E-mail saved on my computer, all I do is cut and paste their E-mail to the top, I then write in my answer to their query, giving alternate dates etc if I'm busy. The E-mail then contains a brief rundown of what they get for their money and the fee. It ends with the statement that if they want to book me it's best to phone me ASAP, because if they E-mail me by the time I read it the date will have gone. As Ace said, E-mail is only as fast as how soon either party reads it, and replies.
Sometimes they phone straight away and get the date, other times they take so long to get back to me they miss it. What makes me laugh is on the enquiry form on my website there is a box saying LOCATION OF PARTY. The minimum I need in that box is the name of the town/city so I can give them a quote, but sometimes all people write is AT HOME in the box. I may be a magician, but I'm not a mindreader, I then have to waste time sending a reply asking for more details of the location so I can give them a quote. The E-mail is still only an enquiry method though, I only actually take bookings on the phone. That way I can get all the info I need about the gig, and refuse it if I find I don't like what I hear.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Scott O. Inner circle Midwest 1143 Posts |
Emazdad,
Perhaps you need to change the phrase LOCATION OF PARTY to ADDRESS OR CITY FOR PARTY. Or put in a box with all the cities you perform in so they can choose the one they want. Scott
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time you will reap a harvest, if you do not give up. Galatians 6:9
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Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
I can tell from peoples' phone numbers what part of the city they are in. (and also what social/demographic group approximately) The 1st 3 digits of a phone number can give you a pretty accurate spot on the map as to where they live.
The simple answer to your question Tony is no. People don't seem to get the impression I am always avaliable from my web site or email form. If I am not avaliable I don't want them to know right away. I still want to chat with them. Actually I want to sell them on either reffering my service to their frineds or have them book early next time. Some parents have 3 children & could potentially be organizing up to 20 other kids parties over the next few years. So if I am booked up I don't brush them off. Also I always reply to email inquiries with a phone call. Even when I am in Malayisa & get my email inquiries over there I call people back in New Zealand. About 80% of my email inquiries result in bookings.
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
The one thing about email is: it's a bit of a qualifier. If they have a home computer and access to the internet that already moves them into a economic bracket that is more conducive to booking a magician. Especially a highly qualified, well compensated, one like the ones on this board! Now, granted you can get on the internet at the local library and not everyone who doesn't have internet can't afford a magician. It's just a good indicator.
Edd
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
The way my website is currently set up, I use a submit form, and ask for their e-mail, name and phone number, and comments.
Then it clearly tells them 3 times through the process that I will respond to their email with a phone call. I also make it clear that I do all bookings and price quotes over the phone (I handle quotes different than you, Tony, in that my prices aren't online). The 3 times are (1) on the home page, with text immediately after the email link, (2) on the submit form page (this is where the email link goes to), and (3) again after the submit form has been used (the confirmation page, if you will). Like Andy, I don't discuss dates right away. I want them to give me their contact information during the phone call, so I can mail them an information kit. At several points throughout the site, it asks them to call, because that is the way I prefer to do things. I've had to occassional out of town inquiry via the submit form (people who don't read where I am from), but I did my best to find them an entertainer in their area. I even had a phone inquiry from Toronto, because the lady saw my website, and responded by phone rather than email. So they even call, not just email, from far away! - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
Unfortunatly Andy, I can't always tell by their phone number where they are, the Plymouth phone code covers quite a big area, most of it is within my normal price band. but Torpoint which also comes under the 01752 code is over the ferry the other side of the Tamar, along with a load of other villages. The ferry on a good day adds 15 minutes to the journey, on a bad day you can queue for an hour to get on, and if you drive round it's a 20 mile drive. Torpoint is only 6 miles from my house, but anything over the ferry comes under a different price band.
If they leave their phone number I phone them, but sometimes if they want me to E-mail them they leave the phone number box blank. I wouldn't respond by sending out an information pack, if E-mail is only as slow as when they read it, post is even slower, by the time they get round to booking me the date/time they were after will have gone.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
John Breeds Veteran user England 336 Posts |
Nowadays, my web site generates a lot of inquiries. Like many of you here, my contact page also asks for their telephone number so that I can phone them directly.
I know this is going off thread a bit, but it is amazing the number of inquirers who ONLY have a mobile phone, ie no land-line telephone. There is no way that I would call them, as here in the UK, some mobile call charges are astronomical. My sales patter takes about 10 minutes. So, at peak rate it could cost me as much as £10 (about $18 USD) for the call without it resulting in a job. Another point about these ‘mobile phone only’ characters is that they all seem to be a bit dodgy, on government assistance, living in a council house, or no fixed abode, etc. So, I don’t feel bad about not calling them! Cheers John Breeds |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Interesting, John.
Here, if you call a local cell phone number, the user of the cell phone (the prospect) pays the airtime charge. I never have to pay for THEIR airtime charge. BTW, to clear up my comment earlier about sending an information kit, I go through the information on the phone first, ask for the booking. I send out the kit afterwards, whether they book me or not. The customer doesn't have to wait for the kit to get the information, or make a decision. I send the kit as a support of my telephone sales technique. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Emazdad Inner circle Plymouth UK 1954 Posts |
The only time anyone gets anything in the post from me is once they've booked me and I send them the contract, name stickers, and party timetable and tips guide.
Yours Funfully
Clive "Emazdad" Hemsley www.emazdad.com "Magic is a secret, without the secret there is no magic" Remember there are only 3 types of people in the world, those that can count and those that can't. |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Yes, I agree with your style, too. Different styles work for different people.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Cheshire Cat Special user Wilmslow, UK 941 Posts |
Recently had a very strange e-mail over a December party in New Zealand . . . hmmm!
Tony. |
Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
If they sound like loosers don't refer it to me. I'm booked up on the 4th. Oh I mean whatever date in December it is for. ;-)
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
Here in Taiwan, almost everyone will give you a cell phone number over a house number about 90% of the time. Life is a 24/7 thing here and business doesn't stop at 5 in the afternoon. Cell phone costs are very cheap and you don't have to pay to answer calls. (I also have a 1.5mb cable with no download limit for only $26US a month internet service, and that is the most expensive in the country) Some mobile phone companies even have free calls up to 5 minutes if you call someone who uses the same company. I have a flyer that only has my cell phone number and no one has ever asked for my home number yet.
I use email a lot as well. I don't have a web site, but use email to get and send info about shows to clients. Here it is very rare for someone not to have an email address. Only the elderly maybe don't have one. Although most of my emails about shows are all in Chinese, I can read it and respond, and it works for me. You just go to use what works best where you are. JoJo
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
HI,
I am quite happy (and have) to take email bookings without ever speaking to the client in person until the show Phillip |
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