Twenty-five years ago when Apple computers had just begun and Macintosh was young--I designed this flyer to promote my five year old Santa business on a Pagemaker Program included on one floppy disk. It became Adobe InDesign.
Nothing much has changed--the prices and the phone number haven't changed. The elf has grown up. He's a 34 year old mechanic with a couple of computer degrees.
After thousands of flyers and hundreds of Santa Visits I've learned the best use of this flyer. It sets the standard. (To read the flyer text, double click the flyer above)
My best promotion is the FREE giveaway of a Santa Visit to people I care about. So often they want to invite me back--and that's when we talk price. Until then their money is no good at the North Pole Field Office. I get the best referrals this way--and find that the first visit for free works here too. I've discovered that if I give away about half my visits every year, my paid visits prosper best!
When it finally comes to money, Rosie and I have learned to ask a carefully crafted question, especially when large groups like church parties or corporate gatherings are involved. (The $49.95 price is for small family parties--my favorites) We routinely charge wards and large corporate events $100 because more of a show is involved and bigger groups take a good deal more time.) The question is most diplomatically asked this way--after asking questions about what Santa should do-- "Is $100 too much to ask?"
The normal inclination is to say "NO" when it comes to price. By asking the question this way a person who responds with a "NO" is really saying"Yes"
I've done a few videos and learned the value of being able to point to three children in front of the TV, and call them by name--making sure that as I point, I look directly into the camera.
No one has ever asked me to do a letter. Guess they prefer the real thing.
My favorite story about a child's natural reaction was a sweet little 3 year old blondie kid decked out in a wine colored velvet party dress. Rosie encouraged them to hold a cookie baking party for some of the neighbor children and not tell anyone (except Moms, of course) that Santa would show up. (That's good for several reasons, just in case Santa gets delayed or detained--nobody gets disappointed)
The precocious little girl came up and hugged my knee and looking believingly into my face said, "What a coincidence!!! We were having a party and you just showed up, Santa!" A good plan worked--and it does over and over again! JWH
J. Wizard Howe, World Class Santawizardhowe@gmail.com
Creator: Santa's Cosmic Sleigh!
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