Do You Have a Business Card?

For the past several days I have been telling stories and doing Doc Hollen's Traveling Medicine Show at a festival.  The weather has been great and the crowds receptive.  More than once over the weekend as I left the stage someone stopped me and asked for a business card.

Of course I had cards each time.  I had on a vest and kept dozens in the vest pockets.  When someone commented on the performance I also stopped and spoke with them.  I offered them a card also and several dozen folks took cards.  (How many times have you seen a teller move away from the crowd and not spend time with fans?)

For many storytellers things end there.  They walk away feeling pretty dad-gum good about giving out a bunch of business cards.  However, the conversation didn't have to end there.

I often ask - with a bit of jest in my voice, "Now did you like the performance so much you want a souvenir or a card to pass along to someone else?"  The question varies but is always an opportunity to open a dialogue and get new gigs.  

Yesterday is a good example.  A Mom and her 8 year old son helped Doc Hollen and afterward she told me she enjoyed being a part of the show.  She asked for a card and after a similar question we had great discussion about program ideas for the school that she teaches at.  The same type of conversation happened often during the day.

On Friday and Saturday I gave away maybe 25 cards or so.  At Vistaprint.com 2,000 business cards are $49.99.  Over two days I spent 50 cents on faces to face marketing. 

The probing questions and time spent with interested folks who enjoyed the program makes that investment priceless!

The Intro Upsale

What is an "UPSALE" you ask?  Great question.  Have you ever gone into a restaurant, ordered a burger and Coke and had the waitress ask, "You want fries with that?"?  That is an upsale.  You might have been buying a new car and the salesman asks if you want pin striping or undercoating.  That too is an upsale. 

Today I want to mention a great way to use your INTRO to open opportunities for other gigs.  In selling this is called an "UPSALE".

The salesperson asks you to add additional items to your purchase or even suggests a more expensive item.

I know, you are thinking, "What does this have to do with storytelling?"  Lots!

Most of us have (or should have) an intro already written up that we provide to the person that will introduce us to the audience.  It usually tells just a bit about you, your experience and what you will be doing for that performance.

An easy addition to that introduction you provide can be a quick listing of a few programs suitable for the audience.

An example, "Mary's other programs include an anti-bullying program, Celtic Tales for St. Patrick's Day and "Mom to Mom" a fun filled look at raising a family in today's hectic world."

The quick mention of several of your best programs can them be coupled with your thanks as the end of your program.  "If you liked what you saw, don't forget the other programs mentioned earlier.  Stop by, say hello and ask about scheduling for your group or event!"

Those simple mentions can often lead to folks asking for information, cards and phone numbers.  I always ask if they would like for ME to call Them to discuss a program.  I have a card and a pen for them to give me a name and number.  They give me the card back and I tell them to keep the pen (with my name and info on it!)