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magicteachernyc New user NYC 7 Posts |
Hi Everyone,
I just joined The Magic Café and already have a question I am making balloon animals at the Grand Opening of a store. I contacted the store and let them know that I'd be willing to make balloons for free. Is it appropriate for me to pass out business cards to every parent whose child I make balloons for? Or, should I just be making the balloons and hoping I will get recognition by just having my nage tag on. Thanks! |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts |
I don't see why not!! You're donating your time and not trying to take away anything from their business. You're helping them out by entertaining their customers and even providing the balloons. Don't count on anything coming from a name tag. For all they know, you work for that company!!
Go for it. Hope you make a few contacts for future business. Mark. |
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charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
Dave - welcome to TMC. Your question is specific, but first it is best to know why you are offering to do free work in the first place. Generally this is not a good use of your time and talent. One of the great things about TMC I have found is there are many very successful people here that encourage us to think things through in a business sense. I used to believe that doing free shows where lots of people were would be a source of leads, only to have others on TMC explain why it does not work, for the most part. These are the most successful performers. I took their advice, as well as purchased some magic courses and books on small entertainment business a few years ago and can tell you it is a far better investment in your time than your current approach.
A few suggestions for this event - make sure to speak to the person in charge of entertainment, let them know how many people you made a positive impression on and let them know your fee and availability for subsequent times during their Grand Opening. Find out other stores they plan to open in your area. Get photos of your appearance and testimonials from the store about what your service meant to the success of their Opening. |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Welcome to the Magic Café.
I do feel it is appropriate. If you feel a little uncomfortable, you might want to work the marketing technique with a different procedure. You can try bringing a sign with your name and phone number. You can also bring a card holder for your business cards. Have it in an open view so the individuals can pick one up if interested. |
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
Whether you should be doing free gigs is another issue. But if you are going to do a free gig, you should ALWAYS give a card out to each parent. Otherwise, don't do the gig. I rarely do free gigs, but when I do I've never had a client care if handed out cards to everyone, and if they did care then I wouldn't work for them. Be confident and treat yourself as a businessman. Dress like a professional. Be FUNNY and entertaining while doing balloons. Market yourself every way you can. And then you be getting paid gigs pretty fast. And in addition to cards, have a big sign that says who you are and what you do, and put a card thingy on that too, and maybe brochures in a thing mounted to the sign also.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
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MickNZ Special user Auckland, New Zealand 576 Posts |
Forcing cards on people is tacky. It says you need money.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-10 07:25, MickNZ wrote: There is a difference between forcing ("Take this.") and handing them out ("Would you like one?") Quote:
It says you need money. Don't we all? |
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Mike Maturen Inner circle Michigan's Beautiful Sunrise Side 2726 Posts |
I do several free gigs each year (doing one Saturday, as a matter of fact). I am stopping this practice this year. I, too, thought it would be a good way to drum up publicity...but I can only think of ONE gig I have gotten from this. What it REALLY says is: "Look I will donate my time to you. Please tell everyone that I work for free". It just snowballs from there.
The gig I am doing Saturday is slightly different. It is for our local community celebration of their founding. I will have a front page article WITH photos in today's newspaper. So it truly IS giving me a fair amount of publicity...which will be read by many more people than will be at the show. As far as handing out cards, I don't see why not. If you're doing the gig for free, you might just as well make the best of it. I agree with another poster, though. Above all....be entertaining!
Mike Maturen
World of Wonder Entertainment The Magic and Mayhem of Mike Maturen 989-335-1661 mikematuren@gmail.com AUTHOR OF "A NEW DAWN--Weekly Wisdom From Everyday Life" member: International Magician's Society |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Some businesses may not like you promising them a free gift (a show) and then using it to only promote yourself.
So let the store know up front the real reason you doing it. Then you not working for free, you advertising for both you and the business. You swapping a show for a place to promote your own business. Same thing, just don't assume it will be ok is what I'm saying. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Robin4Kids Veteran user Lower Alabama 396 Posts |
If you are not being paid by the business you are helping to promote, I doubt seriously that they would mind you doing some self-promotion if you talk to them about it first.You didn't mention accepting tips, so it appears that you are truly doing it for the exposure/experience. If it is ok with the business and you feel uncomfortable about handing out business cards, you may want to consider punching a hole in your cards and attaching them with a twist tie to every balloon you hand out. If the spectators are not paying you for your balloons, they could hardly be offended that you attached your card.
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Hi magic teacher
Welcome to the magic Café Free work never fails to generate lots more free work. The best exposure you can get is through a paying job.
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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magicteachernyc New user NYC 7 Posts |
Wow! You guys are awesome! I didn't expect more than 1 or 2 comments within a week or two. These responses/advice/ideas are great! I have been performing for over 20 years (magicaldave.com) but since I'm a full-time teacher and just had my second kid (future assistant, of course), I have let business drop a little. The store that I am going to be at is literally 1 block from my house, so it is very convenient and travel time is <1 min (even in NYC, I doubt there will be any traffic crossing the street.
Unrelated, anyone have recommendations for a website designer? Mine is old and should be improved. |
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professorwhut Inner circle Posts R US sold me 1353 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-10 10:16, Al Angello wrote: Agreed. This applies to pretty much any type of industry (work). Free work = more free work.
After much soul searching about a signature, I decided not to have one.
TG Pop [aka ProfessorWhut] |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
If you feel bad about working for free, pay the business for allowing you to promote your business on his property.
But seriously and I agree that no one should work for free. But if you out there passing out cards and showing people what you do, that's just a part of doing business. No different than mailing out free letters or advertising in the free magazines. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-10 10:45, magicteachernyc wrote: I advise you to get a logo first. Scott Evans is great at putting together graphic logos: http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......m=17&382 He can do website headers too. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Scott Evans designed my web site, and I am very happy with it.
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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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Hi Magic Teacher
Welcome to the Magic Café I would not only give out my business card; I'd get a sign made with my contact information on it and stand it next to where I'm working. In addition I'd get plenty of photos of happy kids and happy parents to go on my website to advertise future PAID gigs |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-07-10 12:46, Howie Diddot wrote: I tend to agree with this, but it should of course come with the blessing of the business where you set up your station. Regarding the comment on free shows, I see one important difference here. Nothing about the gig suggests that you are working for free. If you are among an all-volunteer army helping out at a charity event, then yes... that smacks of free show. This idea does not.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
SO
I donated a show to a local charity. The band was taking a 30 minute break and I asked the hostess if she would move a few chairs in the middle of the stage, her reply was. "I can't do that because we're paying the band." Needless to say, I packed and exited stage left, never to do another free show.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
What Jay said has happen to me many times. If you are providing a service they think that your time is valueless.
you can carry your own equipment, you should have brought your own drinks, I hope you don't need to go to the bathroom. Please don't eat the fruit, because fruit is for VIP's.
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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