Where in the world am I today?: North Vancouver, BC, Canada

Not necessarily the first piece of marketing material you should put your hands on, but postcards ROCK, there’s no doubt about it. I’ve created a bunch of different designs over the years and have used them for everything from thank you notes to direct mailings, to give-aways at the end of shows. While working in Japan I also managed to use postcards as a way to collect extra tips at the end of my show. 

I first has this happen while working at the Canal City Shopping Complex in Fukuoka, Japan. The client didn’t like the idea of collecting tips as per a traditional street performance, but when I suggested that I give away postcards to anyone who gave me a donation they lifted their no-tip policy and I was able to put a fair bit of extra $$$ in my jeans as a result.

At the end of my shows on cruise ships I stand at the exit of the theatre and give postcards away to anyone who wants them as a free souvenir of the show. I get paid well enough on ships that the cost of giving away a couple of hundred postcards at the end of a show is easily rolled into the fee I’m receiving. The results are always positive and give me yet another chance to connect with the passengers in the audience and leave a good impression with the staff I’m working with by making a little extra effort.

Any time you can do something that helps cement a good impression with your audience and your employers, you’re paving the way for repeat bookings. ‘nough said.

Useful online sources for postcards are:

• Modern Postcard: http://www.modernpostcard.com
• East Van Graphics: http://www.eastvangraphics.ca (These guys print the Super Star Performer Cards)

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This entry was posted on Monday, January 19th, 2009 at 12:01 am and is filed under Cruise Ships, Marketing, Performance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.