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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Yes it is much quicker than snail mailing a promo package. Search engine listings can be irrelevant if you don't have the propper meta tags, or you are not near the top of the list in your area. With out all the pieces of the puzzle in place you will be spinning your wheels.
I was not talking about referring people to your site that you already have on the phone, I was referring to having them call you up because they found your web site on line and want more info. Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
When you have time please visit us at the Nearly Normal Magic web-site.
I asked my designers to capture the whimsical (sic?) nature of my programs. What do you think? I have gotten b/d parties, conventions, school assembly shows.... from people surfing in. Of course I only do this part time. The other part I work with teens in a middle and high school. Harris Deutsch Laughologist
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Tom Stevens Veteran user Australia 361 Posts |
I recently completed designing my web site. http://www.tomstevens.com.au
I tried to find a look that would give people the idea that I know what I'm doing, am not too expensive. Search engine submission is an important key to getting found. With my first web site http://www.bring-a-smile.com, I paid $440 to Lycos and started getting results within 1 week. This time I tried some software that submits it automatically to all the free submission sites but it's been three weeks and I don't find my web site through any searches. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Tom
You will not see any search engine results for about six months, just keep submit regularly and you will pop up to the top ten in your catagories within a year. (if you have the proper meta tags) A meta tag tip I will give you is have a tag for all the catagories you fit into, with the corresponding place you live "magician Australia", "clown Melbourne", "balloon artist Sidney" so you will be competing with Australians and will have just Australians inquire about your prices and availibility. Good luck Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Does it matter "where" you place the metatags on the page? I've put in my metatags but so far I'm only found on searches for my stage name, which is also my webpage name.
What is that search engine submission software? I'd like to give it a try. Thanks. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Is there a website that is a killer website? Well, yes, and no! I own/manage/host over 30 websites 10 are mine, 13 are other magicians, 5 are magic organizations, and 5 are other corporations.
The single hardest decision to make is to determine the main focus of a web site. I even fall trap to the one site says all. You must determine what the site is to do and what focus target group you are gearing it towards. (This may sound easy, but it is not.) These are absolutes: 1. The site must look like your magic show. In this it means, "If your site is sloppy, so is your service or product." It must appeal to your target audience. 2. The site must focus: Birthday parties and illusionist do not go together (I know, I've done this, I'm guilty) 3. No matter how good the site looks, it's useless, unless the target market knows it exists. A web site is an extension of you and it will sell if others know it exists. It is a supplement or extension to your regular advertisement campaign. 4. A website is a "must have" for any professional entertainer. I have my favorite’s sites and they are listed elsewhere here on the café. Designing and focus is a book in-itself. The best combination I've had with my MagicalBirthdayParty.com site is the website PLUS Parent's Magazine ad that focused on sending people to that site. Many of the jobs I got were from people who went to the website after they saw the advertisement. This may or maynot be true from your area. The right combination is letting your tareget market know you exist, and giving them a solid website so they can make a decision to call you. No Phone call, No Job!
Dennis Michael
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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
I could care less what magicians think of my site. My aim is at the customer, particularly :Moms" as they are my primary booker.
I used to have lots of bells and whistles on my site but got rid of most. I do have a cute sound file my son put togther for me that greets my visitors on the home page. Some of my other pages have music but also have an off button. It has been my best marketing tool yet. I consider it an online brochure or somewhere to send people who have never seen me. It is in a constant state of change as I get new photos etc, but it is an easy site to find your way around and it is targetted at my particular demographic. Oh yeah, another thing to make the self righteous squirm...I am on tripod and it has never been a deterant. As someone said, Moms are looking for someone affordable. If my site was really fancy, that would probably cost me more business than my free site.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Neil baby upper middle class mom's are looking for someone professional.
good luck Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
And you are saying I am not professional?
You have a nice day too.
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
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James Munton Inner circle Dallas, TX 1199 Posts |
Harris...that is a fantastic looking site. One of the best I've seen. But no testimonials!
Neale...I think what Al is saying is that your site looks like you are aiming for the lower end of the market which is fine if that is what you are trying to do. If you are going for low end, you can actually turn people away if your site looks too professional because they think you are too expensive. However, if you are trying to get higher priced shows, Al is right, your site needs to look more professional like Harris. I'm sure you are very professional and your show is great, but your site doesn't reflect that. You don't need bells & whistles, just a good, clean, professional design. Best, James |
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Quote:
Oh yeah, another thing to make the self righteous squirm...I am on tripod and it has never been a deterant. As someone said, Moms are looking for someone affordable. If my site was really fancy, that would probably cost me more business than my free site. Okay, but then you never know what amount of business you'ree losing before they ever call you - to me, a Tripod site just says "I couldn't afford to do any better." My commercially-hosted site costs me $30/month, and I believe I could do even better than that. |
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
I got my website hosted for 20 bucks a year or something close to that.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
You must choose your web master with the same caution that you choose your automobile mechanic. Unless you choose a free web site, in that case you can be sure you will get all of the personal service your web site deserves.
Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
We purposely did not put testimonials.
Lately, I have been thinking about putting one on from my mom! (I am guessing that has been done before.) References are quickly made available, in the form of numbers, names, companies, schools, email address.(all with permission of course) One of my favorite letters is from a D.J.O. (Court Official that works with juveniles) She wrote, "Thanks for making me look good!" Be safe, well and thoughtful of your consumers. Coverage in the media also helps periodically. Can you say press releases? I knew you could! Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Harris -
Can you clarify your position, as to why you chose not to include testimonials online? (I lean towards the opposite position, because I find that testimonials pre-sell the show for me.) - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
My internet provider in my host, they offers me a personal web space for free as part of my basic internet service, and I redirect my personal domaine to that internet proveded space for pennies.
Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Hi Donald,
There is no definite reason for my actions. Only a gut feeling from my web-designers. With 24 or so Laughology Shows last month, we are doing ok. This week we have only 3, which is kind of nice! Be safe, well and tolerant. If you and I were the same, one of us would not be needed. I am grateful to all that provide positive energy to me. Of course to be grounded, I need a bit of both. One of my favorite encounters during a recent convention, was someone that gave me much needed tips, on my coin work. Harris Deutsch Laughologist
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Hi Harris -
I hope that I didn't appear confrontational in my question. I only asked because I was curious if you had a certain reason. I would imagine that there are some that don't include testimonials because: a) they don't have them b) they are afraid that by listing them online, that some possible prospects might call the past customers up and hassle them for information about the show c) they are afraid that their competition might call up their customers, and try to solicit shows from them etc. So, that is why I was asking what your reasons were, because the conventional sales approach is to use lots of testimonials. Thanks for your thoughtful reply, and taking the time to post. I appreciate your unique perspective on things around the Café! - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Donald,
My programs are not always conventional. An example is that I sometimes use traditional stage props, in close up venues. This nearly normal guy loves to ask and answer questions about magic. It is also in my vocabulary to say, "I don't know." The more I am in magic, the more I realize, that I don't know. No harm, no foul no blood. I have them,(testimonials, and as I said just choose not to post them.) As the wizard said to the tin man..... .... .. and as the song goes... The wizard didn't give the Tin Man, anything the Tin Man did not have before.(loose quote) Many folks have great testimonials and other things, with the exception of a great show. Although I am far from the big leagues, we provide a fun show. Be safe, well and creative. You are appreciated by, Harris
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
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muzicman Special user LaCenter, Wa 989 Posts |
I believe a well designed, easy to navigate, informational website CAN increase your business. Of course you need to have key METATAGS so search engines can find you. All business cards and promotional items should have the web address as well. Personally, I don't give much credit to testimonials. They can be fabricated and exagerated so I don't care much for them. I find websites on free webpages "cheap" and someone that is not really serious about their business. I know this may not be the case for everyone but for me, it's how I view them. I tend to stay away from hiring performers that overuse animated GIFs or have poorly designed sites. To me it gives me an insight on what type of performer they are and their creativity.
I am a parent and a consumer and I have reasons for picking or not picking some performers based on their website. When it comes to my kids, I only want the best. I don't want to take a chance with someone that put little or no effort into their website assuming they have one. I think it's better to not have a website vs a cheap, poorly built one. The same is true for business cards. Don't get the cheap or free ones with someone elses advertising on there. Only get and provide quality business cards on thick card stock...not something you made and printed out on your home PC unless you know what you are doing. I am a web page designer, a magician, a musician, and a consumer. I know what I like and dislike as a consumer, so I use that knowledge when I design a website. |
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