Comments on: Got Data?

By: Jeff Stone

Jeff Stone — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 06:33:44 +0000

In reply to OldZombie. @OZ - Being a database programmer, I view the world through tables and relationships (relational data structures). I see a field of beautiful flowers and I want to build a database to group the colors, species, etc. I'm a sick man.

By: OldZombie

OldZombie — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:10:43 +0000

I am not a pro magician, but I do use databases as well. Set lists, prop lists, inventory of my close up case. Not to mention my biggest project a cross referenced data base of effect on all my DVDs and books. That is a work in progress that will take a good long time to complete if ever.

By: Jeff Stone

Jeff Stone — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 08:11:16 +0000

@Chet - Manager. @PEto - Funny you should ask. The July 2009 issue of No Stone Left Unturned is about that very subject. It should be going live here in a week or so.

By: PEto

PEto — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:53:52 +0000

Great thoughts Jeff and others…I know this is an area that I need to really work on developing. On a similar line of thinking, do any of you have an easy system for collecting testimonials (i.e. a thank you letter, survey, pre-stamped postcard, whatever…)?

By: Grandpa Chet

Grandpa Chet — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:23:20 +0000

CRM? Customer Relation Matabase?

*jeep!
-Grandpa

By: Jeff Stone

Jeff Stone — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:50:42 +0000

@magicmind – thank you. This article could easily be a multi-parter.

@Steven – being a web developer, I just custom build my own stuff. I’ve heard that sugarcrm is really good. I’ve looked at it before, and it seems pretty solid. If you happen to have office on your machine, MS Access works well for this kind of stuff.

Also, here’s an article on open source CRMs: http://www.nten.org/blog/2008/05/21/open-source-crms-how-do-they-stack-up

By: Steven Dickinson

Steven Dickinson — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:36:53 +0000

This is a kickin’ article. I wish I had this kind of advice when I started magic 25+ years ago. Is there a Open Source CRM you would recommend?

By: magicmind

magicmind — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:39:20 +0000

Jeff…
Wow, you laid down some easy to read customer tracking info. I would hope that people are already tracking. Knowing what you did for a customer last time or that their family members birthday is coming up is a very powerful tool.
David….great points

By: Jeff Stone

Jeff Stone — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:05:33 +0000

David: Hey man. Thanks for the comment. There is a lot of wisdom in what you posted. Thanks!

By: David L

David L — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:58:38 +0000

Well said, and concisely said, Jeff. I’m still only semi pro. ie get paid for the odd show among the freebie shows. Keeping data is vital in ANY business. It is vital in my wifes catering business. It is integral in all that I do as a policeman. Man I even record your eye colour!!!! in that job. I also “work” a small rural town in Australia, doing a few birthdays etc and a lot of the kids are at the next party; so even a record of what tricks you do at “Johnnys party” so you can mix it up abit for “Freddies party” where you know basically the same kids are going to be there is important.

Data collecting is not prying and spying on people. It is usually freely given information or commonly available information that you are merely cataloguing to make future business decisions and business direction decisions upon.

If for anything else. Do it for followup of your customer. This is just so so so…. important. Follow the parents up after a gig with a thankyou letter or a request for a critique. This pays BIG dividends. Just do it. You will see for yourself.

And testimonials…. Hey maybe you think these testimonials you see on websites are just some made up text the web creator threw together. Wrong! They are real. Check out the magic news in this current issue of Stone Cold magic ezine. The David L quoted there is really me. I wrote that stuff about brain melt down etc. My exact words. I even checked my message I sent Jeff. We need to get these testimonials from people we have had successful gigs with and use them for our benefit. Hey they are free and it also pumps peoples ego when they see you use THEIR words in a “professional” article or leaflet. Send a thankyou to the person with a copy of their testimonial in your latest leaflet. If anything else they are going to show what “they said to that magician person” to all and sundry just so they can show their name and word are “in print”. Its an ego thing. Most people love it. Those that dont wont give you the info in the first place.

Hope this dialog helps someone. And hey I got a major kick out out seeing my words on Jeffs site. Look here I am again putting my two cents worth in.