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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
So my summer is just about booked up and that's great however each year I get frustrated with the day cares or as I call them early learning centers.
as non of them want a show in the afternoon thus I can only book one a day. in most cases that is fine as I have library shows in the eve but I would love to book one day care at 10am and another at 1pm. so I am thinking of offering a $25 discount to the day cares that book a show on a day that I already have a morning show. I have not offered this yet but thinking it might be worth it. what is your thoughts? do you perform at day cares in the afternoon and yes I understand nap time and stuff like that but I have once in a blue moon done afternoon show at a day care so I know its possible just curious as to what you thoughts are. sam
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Sam, go for it. A small discount is often the push that a booker needs. I know the feeling - I love to get a summer camp in the morning, a resort in the evening, and something in between. Makes the summer that bit more worth while.
A discount is different from bringing down your price. Every booker knows that the discount is a once-off, if they take it.
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I do what it takes to fill out a day's schedule, so I'd say try it. Another thought might be to get 2 or 3 schools in the same region, and offer them a total discount if they can work to schedule the entire day.
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MichaelCGM Inner circle Oklahoma City 2286 Posts |
I agree with Tony. (I can't believe I'm saying that!) There's much to be said for spot-discounts for clients who book non-primetime shows. This is slightly odd from my perspective, though. Most day-cares I book want the afternoon. Again, though, go with Tony's advice. (Now I need an aspirin.)
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Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
If the children are young they usually have a nap in the early afternoon. If its a school age centre then there is a better chance of having a 1pm showtime otherwise you may need to do a 2pm or 2:30.
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Bill Scott Regular user Las Vegas, NV 119 Posts |
Sam,
All the preschool's in my area want to book mornings early in the week. I like your idea of a discount for an afternoon slot... might have to schedule it after nap time. |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Nap time would be a problem for a 1pm show. You can't skip nap. Or at least, I can't.
This is also lunch time for some of the teachers. 2:30 is probably the idea afternoon time. Everyone is up, had snack, and there is still a couple hours left before parents start arriving for pick up. I've always said that the best time of day to book shows is 9:00 am, 10:30 am, and 2:30 pm. Lunch time is usually between 11:30 and 12:30 and then it's a couple of hours nap time. Later shows, say 4:00 could be booked with the centers that stay open late. Pick up time starts around 4:00 pm and continues until closing, but that could be worked around. Tom
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MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
Sam, offering a discount for your non-primetime slots is a fairly common strategy to fill out your schedule. Go for it! Let us know how it works out for you.
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Ok will do!
Tom- I was hoping you would chime in. agreed many have not only nap time but the lunch time too. however many of the day cares in the past have also stated that they want all the kids to see the show. or at least the majority. so yea I need to do the show before parents start picking up around 4. I have a plan and will put it in to place next week as we continue to phone campaign to fill in the rest of the dates and times. I will report back in a week or two to let you know if I get any takers. right now every day care that has booked asked for 10am! thanks for the comments everyone sam
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
Sam, if you don't mind my asking, are you cold calling or do you send materials of some sort first?
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Sam Sandler Inner circle 2487 Posts |
Well first I have a pretty big list of day cares that I perform at each year but always wanting to get even more I do a few things
I mail out my NEW summer show info via large post card followed by phone call followed by another mailing I also ask each day care that books me or those that have booked me to provide names of contacts at other day cares. so it is a mix of things this year however I did branch out cross state lines and did a mailing to over 200 day cares. first mailing netted 3 shows just from the first mailing that pays for all the printing and mailing and nets me a profit. with follow up calls I have booked 6 more day cares. will continue to call next week in hopes of getting more bookings one thing I did do different this mailing was completely changed my post card and reworked the advertising and it clearly helped. I am happy so far.
sam sandler- America's only full-time DEAF Illusionist
http://www.samsandler.com http://www.deafinitelymagic.com |
Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
Thanks Sam.
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under6 New user 54 Posts |
Most any show I do is in the afternoon, generally about 3:00 - but there aren't many directors that want to book afternoons. And at those, I have had parents waiting for the show to be over to take their kids. I do have one center that booked a 1:00 show and then came back later to ask for a shorter show for the 18 mo - 2 yr olds and then a slightly longer show for the 3-6 (in place of one show). I am thinking that any 18 mo - 2 yr old should be napping at that time & if not, is surely to be miserable. So I reconfirmed that she wanted a 1:00 show, and she told me that the kids will take a later nap. I am doing one show & I am expecting some cranky kids...
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Wes Holly Special user Cincinnati, OH, USA 644 Posts |
Ask the center directors why they prefer morning shows and you'll probably find that's the best place to fit one in their schedule. Even the morning shows are tightly fit in between morning snack, potty time, outdoor play time and lunch. After lunch is nap, potty time, outdoor play and then get ready for going home. After nap time is not a great time to do a show, as the kids are in different stages of waking up and can be cranky.
Of course, afternoon shows for the school ages (who don't take naps) can be quite fun. But mostly, centers will want morning shows. Either one for everyone or 2 for the different groups. There are exceptions and some centers welcome afternoon shows. |
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