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An Open Letter from John Kaplan about Fundraising Magic™
CONGRATULATIONS!
Your Group Recognizes The Importance Of Family Values
And The Opportunity To Raise Thousands Of Dollars
By Providing A Positive Event To Your Community!
Study This Letter Carefully To Discover The 5 Steps To Putting On A Hugely Successful Fundraising Event ...
PLUS Learn All About A Wonderful Program That Earns Thousands Of Dollars For Community Groups Just Like Yours!
* * * * * * * * * *
Dear Fundraiser:
How
would you like to see a hugely popular stage show - one that gets rave reviews
from young and old - come to your community and absolutely thrill the hundreds of families that attend?
How
would you like to see children's faces light up with excitement and leave them
so thoroughly mesmerized that they're talking about it for weeks
afterwards?
How
would you like the thousands of dollars
raised by the performance to go into YOUR fundraising account?
If
you’re one of the many, many, many community organizations who is frustrated by
"having" to fundraise, and are tired of constantly doing a bunch of
itty-bitty fundraisers all year long ... wouldn't it be nice to do just two or
three fundraisers that raise really big
money quickly and efficiently?
Instead
of feeling guilty about pushing people to buy things they don't really want, or
running a raffle or prize draw that
leaves 99.99% of contributors having received nothing for their money,
doesn't putting on an event that has the
entire community thanking you sound like a much more rewarding option?
Wouldn't
it be great to pave the way for an eagerly-awaited annual event ... a seasonal fundraiser that you
can bank on to earn a sizeable chunk of your yearly operating funds?
Harness
the goodwill created by bringing a positive family event to the community and
raise awareness of your group, resulting in increased membership and
participation in all of your follow-up events and other fundraisers?
Take
the success methods you'll learn from hosting such an event and apply them to
all your other fundraisers, instantly making more money with each and every
other fundraiser you undertake?
I
am completely, without a doubt, 100% positive that all of these benefits and
more are available to any group that works with this program.
I’ve
been presenting magic show fundraisers across Canada for over 20 years, and
during that time I've discovered some fascinating techniques that’ve helped
schools, service clubs, youth groups and many other community organizations
turn family fun into thousands of dollars.
I've put these strategies into a user-friendly, sure-fire fundraising
system and watched as, time and again, year after year, groups have achieved
unbelievable successes using these methods.
In
fact, these powerful techniques have consistently proven so successful that I'm
able to GUARANTEE this project will make you money, as well as offer some
incredible bonuses to those groups who want to be sure they don't miss out on
the opportunity to cash-in on with this family-friendly event.
In
this letter, I'm going to tell you exactly HOW the fundraising system I've
developed works, and how it will earn you the respect of your community AND
several thousand dollars for your group.
First though, let me tell you a little
about myself and why you MUST pay attention me.
Like
most magicians, I "caught the bug" at an early age ... I was 9 years
old when a magic set appeared under the Christmas tree. I’d seen my first magic show earlier that
December, at a company Christmas party where my dad worked. Well, when that
magic set was opened, I was hooked.
Reading
about the life of Houdini cemented my desire to become a magician. By the age of twelve I was earning money
performing magic at children's birthday parties in my home town of Calgary and
was able to buy dozens of magic books and props to further my
"career". My parents were
undoubtedly expecting (hoping?!) that I'd "outgrow" this obsession,
but I was fiercely determined to make it my life's work!
The
breakthrough came when I graduated from high school in 1975 ... I was fortunate
to apprentice under a true professional magician who performed and also
manufactured magician's supplies. Yes,
I was a real-life "sorcerer's apprentice" (Fans of FANTASIA will
be tickled to hear that the name of my mentor was ... you guessed it ...
“Mickey”!!!).
My
apprenticeship training gave me the knowledge and confidence to attempt to make
a living as a professional magician.
And, I can tell you ... it hasn't been easy!
Even
a David Copperfield or Sigfried
& Roy has to start somewhere, and for years I, like countless others,
struggled to survive by performing anywhere and everywhere. Fairs, festivals, nightclubs, cruise ships,
birthday parties, convention banquets, shopping malls, television, schools, restaurants
... the list goes on and on. I was
determined to make a career of performing.
My Accidental Discovery Of The Unmatched Power Of Magic
Shows As Fundraising Events Has Helped Hundreds Of Organizations Do Wonderful
Things In Their Communities
Quite
by chance, a Calgary school contacted me in 1980, wondering if I could put on a
performance to be used as a fundraising event.
By then, I was performing some stage illusions and had enough material
to present a 90-minute show, so I accepted the engagement.
The
school did quite well with the event and, encouraged by this success I began
offering my services as a "fundraiser". I wasn't quite prepared for what happened next.
As
well as the first fundraiser had done, the next attempt was a disaster!
Where
the previous school had been well-organized, the next one was decidedly
UN-organized! Where the previous show
had drawn big crowds, the next one flopped!
Where the previous school had raised several hundred dollars, the next
one barely broke even!
What
had gone wrong? And - more importantly
- what was I going to do to
ensure that this scenario didn't repeat itself?
This
was the beginning of a career-long pursuit of success ... for others.
You
see, I could have decided, early in my career, that I wanted to try becoming
rich and famous, performing on television and cruise ships (which I've
done). I could’ve continued working
nightclubs, as an opening act for comedians like Jay Leno and rock
groups like the Boomtown Rats (I've done that, too).
Instead,
I found a performance niche that, for me, was much more satisfying.
I thoroughly enjoy working for family
audiences. And I'm totally thrilled
that my performances are leaving so much more than happy memories of a
wonderful experience shared by children and their parents.
Through
the shows I've presented over the years, kids
have been sent to camp ... schools
have installed new playground equipment ... books and computers have gone into libraries ... geography classes have gone on field trips
... figure skating clubs have hired
instructors ... cadet squadrons have
built clubhouses ... scouts have
attended jamborees ... service clubs
have donated to local charities and helped in the fight against disease ...
daycare centres have improved facilities
... it's an absolutely endless list.
And it makes for a most satisfying, fulfilling and meaningful
career.
The Revelations That Turned My Magic Shows Into
Fantastic
Money Makers With Guaranteed Results
So
... what lessons were learned from the "mistakes" of that ill-fated
second fundraiser?
The
number one lesson I learned was
that, when a school or community group has hired my show with the expectation
that they are going to raise some serious money, the last thing they - or I
- want is to find themselves sitting at the auditorium door on the day of the
show, biting their fingernails, wondering if anyone is going to show up!
It's
an important lesson - one that hasn't been ignored, as you'll soon see. But there were other "Revelations"
along the way, during my formative years as a fundraiser ...
Revelation #1: I'm in show-business. The
groups I represent are not.
I realized that it was up to me
to provide groups with the "tools of the trade" so they could
confidently, competently put on my show.
Thus, the PROJECT KIT was born ... a box jam-packed full of publicity
pieces, posters, promotional materials
- everything you can possibly
imagine that's used to "sell the show".
Revelation #2: Tools Are One Thing.
Working With Them Is Another.
Having a boxful of materials is great - IF you know how to use them. Fortunately for the groups I represent, I
knew that a "blueprint" was a must and made certain to fully
explain the proper, effective use of each and every tool provided in the kit.
Revelation #3: Every Organization
Is Unique.
Because I found myself working with a wide
variety of groups, from men's service clubs to Girl Guides, I realized that the
"system" I provided had to be user-friendly
so that ANY group - regardless of size or type - could use it with equal
success.
Revelation #4: This ain't Las
Vegas.
No
matter how elaborate a production, or how expensive the equipment ... there's a
limit to how much a community can afford.
Although my show's illusions, lighting and scenery are worth tens of
thousands of dollars, I've been able (through some rather creative ways) to
keep show costs low enough that ANY group can profit handsomely from the event.
My
focus on helping organizations earn more money during nearly two decades has
led to some remarkable techniques.
Amazingly, I've watched earnings climb steadily over the years to the
point where groups are now raising on average up to $3,000 ... and many groups
are earning $4,000 ... $5,000 ... $6,000
... even as much as $7,000 or more!
5 STEPS TO PUTTING ON A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING
EVENT
Step #1. Have the right
event. Focus on the right market.
At this time the demand for
" Family Entertainment" is at
an all-time high. The reason for
that is ... demographics. The baby-boomer generation accounts for the
largest population bulge by far, and right now the boomers are raising children
of their own. Result: An
enormous family market! (For
evidence of this, just take a look at how many new family channels are being
offered on television, and the resurgence of Disney animation with new features
and video re-releases). If you want an
event fundraiser that's virtually
guaranteed to succeed, stay away from special-interest or "niche
markets" and go with something that has a built-in, ready-made, large audience.
Magic
has long been recognized as the ideal
family entertainment. It crosses
over generational boundaries and indeed brings out the child in all of
us ... something parents can enjoy
right along with their children.
Step #2. Set a goal and follow
your plan.
Not doing this is the main reason
why many fundraising efforts fail.
Without a clear goal and plan of action to get you there, everything is
left up to chance. And with so many worthwhile
organizations all competing for dollars to sustain their activities, you simply
cannot afford to make this mistake.
Goals should be set for your entire yearly fundraising agenda as well as
for individual fundraising efforts. The
best plan "dovetails" one fundraiser into another, allowing you to
achieve maximum results with minimum effort.
Step #3. Publicize your event.
You need to create publicity that builds awareness and draws huge crowds
to your event. One way to do this
is through the use of top-notch, professionally produced posters, flyers, and
media advertising materials. Another is
by staging publicity stunts, involving local "celebrities", holding
contests, giving away free tickets, and so on.
A little later I'll be discussing some real-life examples that groups
presenting my magic shows have used to tremendous effect.
Step #4. Multiply your manpower and increase
participation.
Nobody - especially those faced with the challenge of raising funds for
their school, club or organization - wants to go it alone. Unfortunately, these days it is becoming
increasingly difficult to find people who are willing or able to commit time to
the various projects required of them.
That's why it's essential to make it
easy, make it fun and make it rewarding
for people to join-in. And the number
one thing you must always do for everyone that assists with your project is
to give recognition and thanks for their efforts.
Step #5. Maximize your earnings potential.
Since most "event fundraisers"
are one-day affairs, you must be able to wring the most dollars out of the
effort. The best way to do this is
through Piggyback Fundraisers ... a technique you can use immediately
to double, triple, even quadruple your earnings from all of your events! You'll be introduced to several amazing
Piggyback Fundraisers incorporated into my magic shows that’ve proven over and
over again to be wildly successful for groups (most of which can be used in
conjunction with virtually ANY event).
In
order to further explain some of these techniques and strategies, let me
introduce you to the Project Kit ... the proven, guaranteed fundraising
system that I've developed to help groups turn
family fun into thousands of dollars with my magic shows.
THE AMAZING PROJECT KIT THAT GUARANTEES
TO GIVE YOU A HUGELY SUCCESSFUL FAMILY EVENT
Groups
working with my program are constantly raving about the materials provided ...
they often can't believe the enormous amount of information, tools and
strategies that are stuffed into this valuable kit! Here's a sampling of what's included:
33 Publicity-Generating Advertising Tools
Posters,
press releases, photos, reviews, announcements, flyers, stickers, radio
and television broadcast tapes, teaser ads, etc, etc, etc!!! Everything and more than you could imagine to
make sure your event is high-profile and stands out from the crowd.
Coloring
contests, puzzle pages, optical illusions, "Magic U-Can-Do" features
... a wealth of interactive advertising pieces that take your message directly
to your target market.
Thousands
of dollars has been invested in creating the very best, professionally-produced
materials designed to arouse curiosity,
stimulate interest and create desire
in the show. (Modelling these
materials will allow you to run a highly successful promotional campaign for all of your other event fundraisers!).
46 Dynamite Promotional Strategies
If
you want to make an impact, properly promoting your event requires more than
simply putting up posters and running a few newspaper ads. A complete section of the Project Guide
Manual gives you some terrific ways to promote the show. Included are Ten Special Advertising Approaches ... 15 Ways To Promote At Other Events ... Simplicity 3-Step Promotion ... Expand Your Family Market ... it's a long list of road-tested
strategies - too long to provide a detailed account here, but as an example,
let me describe the ...
Celebrity Guest Promotion. One of my featured illusions for years has
been sawing an audience member in half.
It's performed very tongue-in-cheek, loaded with laughs, with a funny,
up-beat song played during the routine.
This, along with my "Guillotine" illusion, can be a very
effective publicity tool if you have already pre-selected the victi...er, volunteer for the illusion.
I've
worked with countless "celebrities" ... town mayors, MLA's, RCMP
officers, school principals, radio/tv personalities, etc. If
you pick the right person, and your advertising says "be sure to come see
(so-and-so) get SAWN-IN-HALF at the show" ... it really sells tickets.
14 Best Ways To Sell Tickets
Once
you discover some of these insider
secrets you'll never again fear having to sell tickets! Free
Ticket Sales, Advance Ticket Contest, Group Ticket Sales, Special Event Sales
... PLUS, the Ticket Seller's Sales
Guide that’ll eliminate any confusion, remove the guesswork and give your
group members all the confidence they'll need to effectively sell your event
tickets. (Won't this be valuable
information for your next event or raffle?!).
22 Profit-Building Piggyback Fundraisers
This
is what allows groups to cover all of their base costs - even make a profit
- before selling so much as a single
ticket to the show! Using even just
one or two of these proven money-makers,
you'll be able to earn thousands of dollars regardless of how many
seats your facility holds or how many tickets you sell. (For many groups, this has proven to be a
real eye-opener!!!).
Let's
look at some examples ...
1.
Souvenir Program. Producing
a souvenir show program is a fantastic way to earn a ton of extra dollars from
your event. (The Project Kit gives you
camera-ready pages and sample programs that makes it dirt-simple to produce one
of these).
Some
groups will sell these programs for a dollar or two, but the real money lies within their pages.
This is valuable space for
any business that offers products or services to the family market, and because
hundreds of people will be attending this high-profile event, you can easily raise thousands of dollars through
advertisements paid for by your local business community.
It's
a virtual goldmine, and truly a
win-win situation. Businesses get a
highly effective opportunity to take a message directly to their target market
... and because it is a souvenir
program - something that will be kept by audience members - their
ad will work for them a lot longer than the average newspaper ad or flyer.
In
addition to the camera-ready pages, the Project Guide Manual includes a
complete section on how to quickly and
easily rake in a pile of money from the souvenir program ... what businesses to approach, who to talk
to, what to say, how much to charge - and, there's an extremely valuable
piece of information revealed to help you get results from nearly every
business you contact.
2.
Celebrity Pledge Contest.
You're going to love this one! I
was first introduced to this concept by the Tumbler Ridge Scouts, who I worked
with in 1994. Grant Baron told me that
his group ran a "Kiss-A-Pig" contest that raised a couple thousand
dollars each time they did it!
The
idea was that pledges were collected to "elect" a prominent citizen,
the winner of which had to then kiss a
live pig full on the lips! I
immediately adapted this idea to our Celebrity Saw-in-Half promotion and
BINGO! Another Piggyback Fundraiser was
added: Pledge to select the person you
would most like to see sawn-in-half at the magic show! (I've since had groups that’ve raised as
much as $4,000 with this piggyback fundraiser alone!).
3.
Houdini's Mystery Trunk. One
of the featured illusions of my show is this famous Houdini mystery, where I
exchange places with my assistant in a locked trunk in less than 3 seconds.
By
putting the actual locked trunk used in the show on display in the lobby, and
filling it with a prize package (which has been donated by a local business, of
course), groups have easily made several hundred extra dollars by selling keys
to members of the audience at the show.
The person receiving the one key that opens the trunk wins its contents.
Those
are just a few examples of the Piggyback Fundraisers provided in the Project
Kit. They include everything from huge
money-makers (like the Souvenir Program, V.I.P. Ticket, Newspaper Promotion,
Fantasy Auction, etc) to the easy add-ons (doorprize raffle, 50-50 draw, ticket
stub coupon, coat-check, etc).
153 Tips, Ideas And Suggestions
Yes,
you read that right ... 153!!!
Over the years I've kept my eyes and ears open and have gathered some very
useful information from the groups I've worked with. The tips, ideas and suggestions shared will save you time, save you money,
make you more money and help you get the best results from your efforts. And again, you'll be able to apply what
you learn to just about every other fundraiser you undertake.
Step-by-Step Project Manual
This
is, hands-down, the most outstanding feature of the fundraising package
that I've put together for your magic show event.
The
Project Manual literally takes you by the hand - from your very first meeting,
right through until the day of the show - on a step-by-step,
fill-in-the-blanks, connect-the-dots process that guarantees your
success with this project.
90%
of this project has already been done for you ... so you can relax and
enjoy the show! Compiling the publicity
materials, organizing the project, and creating
a proven successful gameplan - all taken care of. You receive a "recipe book" that is, quite literally, worth thousands of dollars to your group.
(In
fact, over the years I've received so many compliments from groups using this system ... and so many of them have
told me that they'll be able to adapt my methods to their other fundraisers ...
that a few years ago I released my Instant Event Fundraising System as a stand-alone blueprint that groups unable to take advantage of my magic show could apply to their other events).
Putting
a package like this together yourself would cost a small fortune. I know, because that's what I've invested
over the years in professional artists, studio recording facilities, marketing
information, photography, printing ... not to mention countless hours of
development.
You
might expect a fairly high price tag to be attached to the Project Kit,
especially when you consider that it comes with a Money-Back Guarantee. And, because
it has raised as much as $10,000 and more for groups just like yours, it would be worth every penny you
paid. Believe it or not, the
Project Kit is only $250. (Keep
reading, because in a moment you'll find out how you can get this kit for
FREE).
Now, allow me to tell you a little bit
about my magic show.
You
see, I've spent a fair amount of time discussing the secrets to putting on a
hugely successful family event fundraiser, yet very little has been said about
the performance. You might be
wondering: "OK, John, the
fundraising plan sounds fantastic, but is the show any good?"
Well,
at the risk of sounding a bit brash ... yes,
the show is great! Now, I don't
want to be accused of bragging (there are plenty of testimonials throughout
this site that can tell you how wonderful the show is, and much more
convincingly than I can, anyway) ... let me simply tell you about some of
the unique features of my show so you get a general idea of what to
expect.
In
a word, the show is high-energy. It's bright, colorful, up-beat and scripted
to appeal to ALL AGES. In addition to
some unbelievable, jaw-dropping, mind-numbing
illusions performed by my cast of dancers and I, the show also incorporates
music, dance and theatre, making it a full magical review show.
Music
plays a BIG part in the production ... everything from classic 50's rock-n-roll
to contemporary pop - the broad appeal of the music I use assures that there's
"something for everyone").
Another
unique feature of my show is that I like to take classic illusions and give
them a twist, so that audiences can
enjoy something they've never seen before.
An excellent example of that is my ...
Floating Surfboard Illusion. In this scene, a 6-year old girl from the
audience is invited onstage where she proceeds to
amaze the audience as she mysteriously floats in the air ... on a surfboard! The music and choreography we use makes this
a winning moment. And believe me
- it's a moment that little girl, her family and friends will never forget.
This
is the show that mom, dad, the kids AND the grandparents can come to and will
all have a rollicking good time. It runs 90-minutes (plus a 20-minute
intermission) and is equipped with over $80,000 worth of lights, sound, set
scenery, props, costuming and so on. In
fact, my show is completely self-contained ... all I need is a place to
perform!
EVERYTHING SOUNDS GREAT, JOHN - WHAT DO WE NEED TO
DO?
As a sponsor of my show, you have THREE main considerations:
1.
Provide a facility.
2. Promote the show.
3.
Pocket the profits.
My
performance can take place in a school gym, auditorium, theatre, recreation
complex, arena, community centre ... in short, anywhere that you can comfortably seat 200 or more people with room
for the show.
That
takes care of the facility. As for Promoting the show and Pocketing the profits ... see the
previous discussion on the Project Kit! seriously, everything you need comes to you, ready-to-wear, in the project
kit.
I want you to know that I stand
behind my
show and the Project Kit
fundraising plan 100%.
And to prove that I'm willing to
put my money where my mouth is
HERE ARE MY THREE IRON-CLAD
PERSONAL GUARANTEES THAT ELIMINATE ANY RISK TO YOUR GROUP
_____________________________________________________
GUARANTEE #1
***********************
By using my Project Kit materials
and following the step-by-step fundraising plan you will at least recover
the entire show fee or the value of the Project Kit ($250) will be fully
refunded to you.
GUARANTEE #2
***********************
The
overwhelming majority of your audience will thoroughly enjoy the performance or there will be
no charge.
GUARANTEE #3
***********************
If, within 14 days after receiving
the Project Kit, you feel that it is not all I've said it is and are not completely
convinced that following my system will produce results, send it back. Your contract will be cancelled and your
deposit refunded.
_____________________________________________________
I hope you'll agree - these are very
strong guarantees and they are that way because I feel strongly about my
program and its ability to turn family fun into thousands of dollars for your
group.
In fact, my conviction and belief in
my program goes beyond guarantees. I am
anxious to help your organization with its fundraising efforts and have you
become part of my "family" of extremely satisfied sponsors, and I'm
prepared to make an extra effort to make it well
worth your while to HAVE MY FUNDRAISING MAGIC PROGRAM RAISE MONEY ON BEHALF OF
YOUR GROUP …
3 SPECIAL BONUSES AVAILABLE TO
THOSE WHO ACT NOW
BONUS #1: Fill out and submit the Information Request
Form below within the next 7 days and then, if we’re subsequently able
to schedule a performance in your area anytime during the next 12 months,
you'll receive the entire Project Kit absolutely FREE!!! That's all the Piggyback Fundraisers,
all the promotional strategies, all the posters, camera-ready advertising
tools, step-by-step Project Manual ... EVERYTHING including the $250
money-back guarantee!!!
BONUS #2: Again, if we’re able to schedule a
Fundraising Magic performance in your area anytime during the next 12 months
you'll also receive a fat bundle of BONUSES, including a complimentary
copy of the Special Report: “How To Get Tons Of Publicity For Your Next
Event … Free!” … all back-issues plus a free 1-year subscription to the Fundraising
Magic newsletter … along with a certificate entitling you to $100 off any
of my other programs you may decide to book!
BONUS #3: Confirm a Fundraising Magic performance in
your area anytime during the next 12 months and I'll give you a FREE COPY
of the book, FUNDRAISING SECRETS - How To Make The Most Money From
Your Next Fundraiser. This
popular resource, valued at $19.95 is a must-have for any community
organization that needs to raise money.
I don't really have to offer these
added incentives, because my show tours sell-out year after year. (Many of these are repeat - and multiple
repeat -performances for sponsors I've worked with before). Besides, once you've read what other groups
like yours have to say about the show and the fundraising plan, I'm sure you'll
agree that it really is too good an opportunity to let pass by.
"TREMENDOUS - the entire production, including all the
materials provided!
The Project Kit allowed us to pick and choose the ideas
that were right
for our area ... and your show earned us a profit of
$5,664.13!"
- ELIZABETH SCHOOL, Kindersley, SK
HOW TO ENSURE YOUR GROUP IS THE ONE TO BENEFIT FROM THIS PERFORMANCE
I'll be selecting qualified groups
to work with based upon our availability and touring schedule.
I realize that, with
few exceptions, most decisions need full "committee" approval. That's why I'm willing to send your group a
detailed package of information to go over and discover exactly how this
program works and what you can expect to gain.
Simply fill out our Information Request Form and I’ll RUSH you the material,
which will include rates, references and availability.
The important thing is that you don't delay taking action if
you're interested in taking a look at this program for this year. Each season I receive literally hundreds
of requests for information, and generally have less than 50 spaces
available ... which explains why my tours have SOLD-OUT since 1996.
I appreciate your interest in my program, and look forward
to "makin' MAGIC" for your group!
PS:
Don't miss out on this opportunity to have this proven program turn
family fun into thousands of dollars for your group AND take advantage of
the bonuses being offered ... fill out and submit the Information Request Form within the next 7 days and
qualify* for these BONUSES:
• FREE Project Kit ($250 value)
• FREE copy of the must-have resource book, FUNDRAISING SECRETS:
How To Make The Most Money From Your Next Fundraiser
• FREE 1-year subscription Fundraising Magic newsletter (and all back-issues)
• FREE Special Report: "How To Get Tons Of Publicity For Your Next Event …
Free!"
*if
we’re subsequently able to schedule a performance in your area anytime during
the next 12 months
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