Schools and send home flyers?

A while ago, I approached some local preschools about sending home flyers with each student but didn't get much response. At the time I offered a free school show if three of their students booked with us which I thought was a pretty good deal for both of us (magic shows cost me nothing but time really and I'm not usually too busy during school hours and they'd get a $175 show for free) but no one jumped on the offer. In my effort to make 2012 a year of hardcore marketing, I'm considering trying it again. Anyone have any thoughts on how to make it more appealing?

I don't think schools are in a position to send home advertising to the households of their students. That's putting the school in a position of endorsement which in most cases isn't something they may be legally allowed to do (at least in the case of publically funded etc.)

If it was a fundraising event or program that directly benefitted the school in a monetary way, it might be possible to get some material distributed through them promoting that event as the provider of the service. Just getting a free show doesn't really benefit them IYKWIM.

I don't think offering the school a deal based on their students booking you sounds ... well, proper. A school shouldn't be making deals like that ... And that is just my opinion.

I have sent material to pre-schools myself, but to them as potential clients. And I did have inquiries but my rates were too high for their budgets.

But I do keep them on my mailing list and include them in my postcard mailings once a year or so...just to keep my info in front of them as I do get referrals from them - my info is passed along to parents or someone is planning something not connected to the school.

Maybe offer the school a free magic show (When I did clowning before and did magic shows I used to offer 'magic safety shows' to schools - using various magic tricks to spread safety messages - (the red/yellow/green ball one became teaching about crossing the street...the disappearing bunny/hanky about getting lost and how the police are our friends, etc.) They always went over well. And they were *paid* gigs.

However, if you get in for free one time and do a show for them, then maybe you could ask the school if you could allow the kids to take home business cards for you. I know if schools have singers/speakers in that sometimes they sell CD's/books, so I don't see why that would be a problem in this case. Then at least you'd get your name and talent out there.

Good luck!

I let the principal of the local elementary school know that I am willing to come in during the week to paint in the classrooms for teachers as a volunteer. It is done during the week so I wasn't really doing much anyway and it gets my business cards into lots of kids hands. I put the directions to remove the paint on the business card, and this helps getting the business card read.

I end up doing maybe 5-10 days each year for two hours each day and it does get me several jobs.

-Metina

Connect with the PTAs. They have budgets for such things.