I've noticed a lot of Café members are using http://www.gigmasters.com

1. What is Your Experience/thoughts with them?
2.Is it worth the investment?

Yea
And while you are at it explain the differance between Party Pop, and Gig Master. I was surprised recently to see that Party Pop was advertising on CNN.

Dennis, YES it is worth it....
Like any form advertisement you get some blahs and it takes time....
I book about 10 to 20 shows a year.... Although I don't log them all... (too much work)
Also, people will find you on that site and google your name to find your home page....

Hey Hey Hey
How much does it cost? What advertising space do they offer you? Is it just leads? Do the give you the lead, or do they give the lead your number? What do they tell the lead about your services?

Al, all that information is on their website. http://www.gigmasters.com/membership.asp

Since I posted, I called several people I know and they all say they have gotten their money back. There is also those who undercut their stated prices just to perform.

There are many, many price shoppers. My guess is the number of jobs is based on your focus skills category and uniqueness. Many magicians are "Magic for All Occasion Magicians"

Their fees are tier structured:
Basic: 3 Months $59 --- 6 Months $109 ---1 Year $179 (100 mile Radius)
Their two other packages related to storage space, travel distance, and category listings. (500 miles) & (3,000 miles)
Click on the link above. Check out the magicians section, I know, you know many of them.

On Gigmasters you have to bid on jobs if you are interested in getting them.
They send you (and a bunch of other performers) the info on a client. Then you send in your bid. You also have the choice on paying the 5% booking fee (minimum $20) for your clients.

Party Pop, the client contacts you directly. No booking fees. They both work for me. One gig from either one pays for the intial fees (unless your fees are low). So the rest of the year is all yours.

Harry
How much does Party Pop cost. It sounds like a better deal.

Al,
I think a local listing is about $180.00 or so. I can't remember right now. I would have to check my credit card receipts for the exact amount.
You can check on http://www.partypop.com for the exact fees.

I do get a lot of jobs from party pop. Some areas do better with gigmaster. That is why I have both.

Thank you Harry and everyone that has offered their opinion here. I am going to join Gigmaster this week because of all the great PM messages I have received. I also took a good look at the gigmaster members in my area, and they are some of the most successful magicians, and jugglers that I know, so I guess I'll try to run with the big dogs.

I just joined Gig Masters!

When I said to run with the big dogs I was refering to guys like my friend Dennis Michael.

Interesting.
I may have too give this a try...

I booked a client on it the other night and I have a show from it tonight....

Also, you will find that many clients will find you on the site and GOOGLE your name to contact you directly...

Very interesting Curtis.
That just drives home the fact that no matter how you advertise on the internet you must have all of your bases covered. Gig master does not want you to use your web address, or email address on their advertisement, but if you are positioned properly on the search engines you will always be easy to find.

Al,

I agree and I believe one should be diverse in their marketing plan -directories- search engines- entertainers leads - ads and email marketing- press releases - etc....

I believe internet marketing is stronger today versus print advertisement.

When you do bid on a gig, your website is sent to the prospective client.

Already I got four offers for bid, 3 of them were about 100 miles from my house. To far for $250 gig which will cost 90 in gas.

Because of this I lowered my travel distance to 50 miles radius. If I get the gig, I got my money back!

I sure am glad I bought a car that gets 36 miles to the gallon back when gas was under $2 a gallon.

Dennis, just charge more....

You should place your mileage as far as possible....
Larger gigs that pay thousands come through often...

One client found me on gigmasters couple of years ago and GOOGLED my name and she has used me for her corporate holiday functions in LA, NYC, and Chicago the past two years....

Just of curiosity, has anyone had any luck adding a mileage expense to their contract? (i.e. "performance fee is $XXX, plus XX cents per mile, to and from performance site") or does it just make more sense to build it in to the original bid?

Build it into the original bid. People don't appreciate being nickeled and dimed to death!


Lyndel