Gang-

Curious if anyone has had good luck with passing out calendars to your clients?

I've never done anything like this before but its an interesting idea...I'd be interested in a fairly small run, perhaps 100. So many clients say they don't have a calendar yet for the new year and it causes a delay in booking. Obviously, I'm thinking-hey-here's your calender, let's talk dates!

Thoughts?

Thanks-

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Bill in Dayton

Talk to Gary Diamond about calendars he does them every year.

I know someone who does promotional calandars for a very good price.

email me.

No email is listed in your profile...



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Bill in Dayton

shim2@chabad.info

Gotta spend money to make money You probably have seen my calendars on many desks!

1. Letters, mailings, references 95% effective

2. Web site 5%

Just my experience so far.

I've had a great deal of success with calanders, including from those I just recieved and began passing out. To date I have booked 90 jobs for 2009, including NYE, all of which were triggered by passing out just the first dozen 2009 calanders. I purchased the Reflections Scenic Wall Calanders Style RWC, which can be ordered from National Pen Company in quantities as little as 50. There's an additional charge for the envelopes.

Another good one is their Deluxe 4-color Monthly Pocket Planner, which sells for just .59 cents if you purchase 100.

You can find them online at www.pens.com or call them at 1-888-672-7370.

Good Luck,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Zuki-Care to send me up a sample of what yours looks like? Who do you use? Happy with the impact?



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Bill in Dayton

Remember most will end up in the garbage as junk mail

That's what I've always thought, and I'm not really hurting for work, but I just wanted to research this a little and see if it would be worth it...

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Bill in Dayton

Business 101 - many might end up in the garbage, but for the small cost, just a few bookings will pay How can you determine what the impact will be for those NEW jobs you might land with these mailings? These days, everything and anything helps.

Also from the Business 101 textbook, don't jump blindly into something unless you can be reasonably sure of a good ROI...(Return on investment)Do some research up front...



LOL, I'll take that as a sign you don't care show me what yours looks like or who makes it, I guess...

Ok...

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Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 08-21-2008).]

Let your talent be your calling card....
If you have it they will come

Gee, I wish I was as talented.

I'll mail you one when I get them in - how's that?

Just to put things in perspective, one new job at a NH will pay for 100 calanders. And, I recommend delivering the calanders in person. The trick is to do some homework before delivering them. Make a few phone calls, get the name of the AD, then just stop in unannounced and place it in his or her hand. If you wish you can add a CD in the envelope and tell them that you happened to be in the area and just wanted to introduce yourself. It's that easy.

This ain't rocket science. You can be the most talented SOB on the planet, but if the person doing the hiring never heard of you all that talent doesn't amount to a hill of beans. Sure, there's some word of mouth stuff that eventually gets around, but they're not going to bust their butt to find you in the phone book or searching the internet.

And, anyone that thinks that advertising does not work should think about this. There are 7 mountains in Colorado higher than Pikes Peak--Name one of them! When someone talks about downing a "Silver Bullet" everyone knows he or she is talking about a Coors Light (sp). The "King of Beers"--Budwiser. Hmmmm! Those phrases didn't just pop into your head--you remembered the advertisements.

Once you get your foot in the door, then the next step is up to you. You must be able to deliver the goods, keep everyone happy, and then, with luck, you'll pick up a few more jobs from non-targeted sources, but that takes time.

The other thing those calanders, pens and pocket planners do is keep your name in front of your current accounts. Kinda' like providing them with a gift that keeps on giving. Every time they look on the wall, there's that appointment calander you gave them with your name on the bottom in bold print. The same holds true for the pens and pocket planners. When they have special events, parties, etc.. that are not regularly scheduled, guess who's name is right in front of them. It sure keeps my phone ringing.

The calanders are usually available by mid August, which is a great time to begin setting up next year's performance schedule. Not only does this tell the person doing the hiring that you're well organized, but additionally, you'll get the jump on the competition if you're the first person to provide them with available dates for the upcoming year.

As I stated earlier, this isn't rocket science--it's Business 101.

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 08-21-2008).]

That's cool...

Unless you want to hand it to me over lunch?

(I'll buy!)



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Bill in Dayton

Good Gary - we're on the same page. A fool invests massive amounts on the unknown. We're talking PEANUTS here gang - there's really no risk and a tremendous upside on the ROI. I'm really surprised anyone would disagree (well, maybe not).

Calanders can be great. But if you send out 1 that costs a dollar or less you may be competing with all the other entertainers who had the same bright idea.

Consider sending one that costs in the neighborhood of $3-$5. Yours will be kept.

Nicer calander wins!

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God Bless,
Mikey

www.mikeymaestro.com
www.myspace.com/kidconcert
www.balloonanimal.com
www.1000colorcards.com

The Ad Specialties business is HUGE. ASI is the biggest Association. Many printers, stationery shops, etc. are ASI dealers.

As a corporate VP of Marketing and Advertising, I spent millions of dollars on pens, golf balls, flashlights, carrying bags...almost anything you can imagine. Naturally, I was interested in the biggest bang for the buck.

Just now, I tried to remember the last item I got from a vendor/supplier. I couldn't come up with one thing off the top of my head. Then, I opened my desk. I found 14 pens, 5 letter openers, two sets of nail clippers, a flashlight or two, several knives, a voltage tester and a lot more.

Then, I went in the back and found tape measures, magnets, coffee cups, stainless steel mugs, stacks of hats, a couple of watches, a stopwatch and of other items with logos.

There were calendars everywhere, but, before I looked, I couldn't tell you who sent even one of any of these items. Some are Cross pens, name golf ball packs, etc. The calendar in my office came from UPS, but I had to look for a logo to identify the source, and I look at it every day..

In a marketing class I taught and then again on a research project for a car parts manufacturer I was hired to do, I researched the "recall rate" on AD specialties. Research involved wiring people up to galvonic skin response machines (fancy lie detectors) and measuring eye dialation...both indicators of impact effectiveness.

The most effective thing we found was, believe it or not, note pads. People still use them, they're cheap and there is a logo or Id on each page of, say a 25 page pad. Plus, each person who gets a note sees the logo, and you always have a reason to deliver replacements. Biggest users of note pads are pharmaceutical reps. Most carry a box of pads and deliver them to every contact.

Sadly, once an ad specialty item is delivered, unless it's so unique that it would be noticed/admired on it's own merits, the recal rate is almost non-existant.

Ad specialties are only effective if they are a small part of an organized communications program...it's recall maintenance, not a major results generator.


Gary made a major point....follow-up/substance. A business driven by advertising, rather than product or service quality is on a slippery slope.

Calendars and the like are nice, but the recall rate two days after delivery, even when the item is used, is almost non-existant.

So, I'd get them, and distribute them as a SMALL integral part of your marketing effort, but not rely on them to generate lots of business attributed to ONLY them.

Remember, successful promotion is like peeing in a dark pair of pants. You don't see anything, you just get this nice warm feeling...


Russ "is the lecture over?" Lay


[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 08-22-2008).]

I think the major selling point from what Gary said is "stop in and place it in his or her hand." I think same with a cd. In my experience anything you blindly send in the mail or leave on a doorstep you might as well save them a step and put it in the trash yourself. IMHO If I meet someone that hands me something it adds a new dimension.

Russ,
in your research did it make a difference if the item was hand delivered with a brief meeting?

Absolutely, Mike. Good observation. That's what professional peddlers (factory reps, printer salesmen; most reps, in fact) do.

R.

[This message has been edited by captain Russ (edited 08-22-2008).]

There's been a lot of great points made in this discussion...

After I got my music degree, a few years later I returned to College and got a BSBA in Marketing...I remember a Sales professor comment that there where certain industries, usually smaller operations, where the "sales" team could shoot for a different approach entirely.

His message was basically, "do business without it seeming like your doing business."

I think for many of us, taking care of our clients can fit that. Many of us have long term associations that are at the very least "friendly." Marketing to these type accounts, to me involves making sure the audience is happy with my services, but then also making sure the actual official client is also pleased.

Promotional items, for me, I think would be a little something unexpected that these folks will appreciate.

The more this thread grows, I think I'm more looking for something to say thank you as opposed to anything else. In spite of all the nifty little keychains, pens, etc., I think a short, hand written note of appreciation probably out performs all the other things by a long shot...

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Bill in Dayton

I think you're right, Bill. Maby use a note pad with your name/logo printed on it?


Russ

Bill,

One of the things I've always done with new clients is to send them a thank you card after I perform the first time. The card is custom made using Print Shop and printed on photo quality, matte paper. I use the same program to custom print my logo on the outside of the envelope as well.

Additionally, at the end of each season, I send each of my existing clients a custom Christmas card, which is also created using Print Shop. Little things such as these really go a long way.

When I was looking for additional work, I printed up special occasion cards and mailed them out to prospective clients. For example, I have one that on the front page is says in bold, balloon print "30 Good Reasons To Have A Party!" For the background there were balloons, streamers, etc.. that provided a great presentation. On the inside of the card was a list of the upcoming holidays and respective dates, all of which are also listed on my calanders. Of course, there is my name and phone number in bold, red print at the bottom of the card for them to call. This card alone generated two dozen jobs the first time I used it.

The cost of the card is about .25 cents to create, it fits into a 6 X 6 envelope and costs .42 cents to mail. The envelopes can be purcased relatively cheap at places such as Cosco's and BJ's. When the don't have them available, I buy them at Staples.

Until recently I sent mailers out on a quarterly basis, but I now have reduced this to twice a year, plus the calanders and Christmas cards.

Cheers,

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

Gary do you mail to clients both past and present and to prospects you've never met?
Or just clients.
In the above post how did you choose the prospective clients?

[This message has been edited by mikeathome1 (edited 08-22-2008).]

The promo cards are easy to make and inexpensive so I mail them to everyone on my lists. The master list contains the mailing address and name of the person doin the hiring, and it is updated twice a year by phone. If a current AD changes jobs, I try to visit him or her before their last day on the job, find out where they're going to be working next, wish them well and tell them that I'll be in contact with them when they get settled in. Most of the time they are just moving to a workplace that is a bit closer to home, or one that pays more, but more often than not they tend to stay in the business for many years, especially at the upscale locations.

Gary

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Travlin' Easy

This is all LAAADEEEEEDAAAAAA.......
I've seen so many people waste their money on all this PR stuff, book a few, jobs then go play the gig & that's where it all comes to a grinding halt....ya know why? because they think they are the cats Meow & after one show they are never called back no matter how many calendars, or whatever they send out.....wanna guess why?
I'll leave that up to you to figure out..

You paint with a pretty broad brush, don't you?

For those guys who wash out-so what? In any business there will be guys who thrive, guys who can't cut it and then several others in the middle.

I don't think anyone around here thinks that giving a pen or a pad to a client is all that's needed.

I agree, guys who can't back it up won't survive because they hand out neat PR stuff.

The value of it...(small merchandise, hand written thank you cards, whatever...) is that it enhances a business relationship. It can make it more personal. Other than thank you cards and some telephone work, I haven't really dabbled in the other items like pens, calenders, etc. I guess because my schedule is already pretty full without it.

I don't think utilizing these type items guarantees success any more than not using them would doom you...

In the end, I don't see how they could hurt you...



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Bill in Dayton

I wish I had a broader brush....

In a way I should be happy the more they screw up out there the more there is for the ones that know what they're doing plain & simple.Whats next? Give out Lollipops!!

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-22-2008).]

Hey Bill,

Maybe you and I together should take on a band act and get some bookings? We won't have to hand out lollipops, write thank you letters, shake any hands or make any more phone calls. The jobs will just keep flowing in........

If it doesn't work here, we can move to Donny's area and be a hit there

I welcome you .....I could use more bookings
BTW Keep the Lollipops too much sugar



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-23-2008).]

The pay's better where he is, that's for sure!

Hey, Donnie is one of the rocks of this forum. The guy has been there and done that...His weekly dance party is a testament to,(I know this hurts, Donnie,) his MARKETING SKILLS!!!

While we're commenting on his area vs, ours, (SW Ohio, Northern Kentucky and SE Indiana) it's worth mentioning that different locations call for different tactics.

In a huge population area there are, its stands to reason, more opportunities to play than in a smaller area.

Literally, in Dayton there are a handful of acts that seem to get all the work...I hear constantly about "news guys" trying to break in, but they don't (I'm told)...

A) "Get It" in terms of working in a nursing home

B) Just aren't very good...

It also stands to reason there's more competition in a larger area like Donnie's as well.


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Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 08-23-2008).]

LOL - You win

Bill you miss the point...

You have to have the goods plain & simple you get one shot blow it & YOUR DONE no matter what the area.....all the marketing in the world will not help you once people hear what you have to offer.....it's just the way it is. Make them want you, not the other way around....if you can do that you'll see major changes & your phone will ring.

Donnie, all due respect, I'm turning work away and have been for a few years. I average very close to 400 performances a year and could probably do 450 if I wanted to.

So for our purposes here, can we assume "I have the goods?"

I'll bet several of the guys around here are in the same boat I am...

I'm not looking for any major changes and my phone rings quite often, thank you, lol...I've indicated in my comments in this thread that I have not yet done ANY marketing in terms of gifts, keychains, pens, etc. EVER... I've sent out several hand written thank you notes and similar type phone calls.

But, I'm open to considering sensible ideas to add in the mix with my clients. I've heard a lot of good ideas from especially Russ and Gary that could work for any number of us.

Marketing isn't always a gimmick and certainly never a replacement for being able to perform when the time comes.

Performers who choose to include some marketing ideas like those mentioned in this thread aren't lessor performers/business men because they use multiple strategies to build and maintain their client base. This may not be your intent, but IMO, you're coming across like anyone who does anything other than JUST perform doesn't have the goods or something...

Which is absurd...

If anything, I think you've missed the whole point of this thread...



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Bill in Dayton

[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 08-23-2008).]

Bill no need for the bravado.....
but "YOU" was a referal to all muicians in general

I'm a believer when it comes to sucess....

"Dont fix what isn't broke"



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 08-23-2008).]