Postcard Campaign

Have to remember that for next year. Where do you get your postcards from?

I hope everyones buisness is picking up like this.

Lets see what I have.

I have 2- 2hour birthday parties for face painting and balloons this weekend.

I have a booking for 2 hours of balloons and 2 hours of glitter tattoos for an event at the house of blues on February 28th

I have a pay per face in March for annual festival in irvine park.

Yay. I have stuff, cant wait til the weather really gets warm.

Wow Shannon, that is some response! I need to get my rear in gear and do another mailing. I know a lot more about who to target now than I did the first time. What info do you put on your postcards?

OC, I have very little on my schedule... A BD this weekend, a BD in March, a charity (non-paid) in March, and two two-hour gigs in May. And that's it! I did pass up the opportunity to paint for the mardi gras parades, just because it's such a hassle getting set up out there at the crack of dawn in the possibly freezing weather.

I get my postcards printed professionally locally and they also do the design for me based on my rough mock-up. I'm on my second and third design - I ran out of my first one, so when I re-ordered we made two new designs for the front of the cards. One features body painting and the other make-up with FP and SFX, etc. all around (they are collages).

I'll put up the jpeg of my old card (front and back) in my gallery... the new one is slightly revised on the back but essentially it is the same info.

I handwrite on every card I send out... a message specific for the addressee. It can be, "thanks for your business, remember to book early for this year to make sure I'm available." Or "Have you considered adding body painting to your gallery events?" stuff like that - short and to the point.

I actually cover all this in an article on my CDs... with scripts and text, how to determine your target markets, etc.

Well, I sent out about 30 post cards a few days ago, and today when I got home I had two messages about face painting on my machine. Wahoo!! Unfortunately, one was for a weekend I was already booked, and the other was from CiCi's in response to my postcard, but they just wanted to see if I'd donate my time to the area egg hunt that they sponser. I pitched the family night idea and she said she'd talk to her DM but didn't seem to really consider it.

Oh well, there are still 28 others who might call. LOL. I was happy to see that people actually look at postcards they get in the mail.

Yep - just did a mailer. For this campaign I have 3 different looking cards that follow the same style and look the flow together but empahsis different things. I very happy with them. And ditto hand write each card.

Great response Shannon - I'll light a candle for mine!

Ugh...I so need to do a local postcard mailing. I used to do it for my CMT (Massage Therapy) Business....but I just haven't worked up the energy for my Face Painting!

I think I'm scared to get too many responses and then have to deal with the additional hassles of finding baby sitting to go to work now...I was spoiled during my 'CMT' years...it was just me and the hubby and I could schedule any hours I felt like!

I'm tired just thinking about doing it. Maybe I need a B-12 shot!

Just an update... 5 more gigs confirmed from the postcards - 3 completely new clients. AND... I am now actively involved with the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2010 Arctic Winter Games... looks to be a very cool project!

Heather,

I've been in the same boat with the babysitting. I have a 4 and 2 year old and first starting out, I had a heck of a time lining up babysitting. It's getting better now.

On the one hand, I need a mommy time break, but on the other hand, when I've had long all day events, I sooo miss my babies! I've had this on my mind lately, because I have an event coming up monday and tuesday where I'll be away from them practically all day, each day.

On the subject of postcards, I sent out some last year and didn't get much response. I was told it was because I sent an information only card. I've recently sent out some letters to restaurants and I've gotten a few responses, but no actual gig yet. Both companies wanted me to set up and do it for free.

I personally address mine - all handwritten and specifically mention their activities/event or something that is aimed at them. Seems to get more response than just a printed card with a label stuck on with the address.