ExoMagic Club Membership

[Alex Hess]

Get your membership today!
ExoMagic Club Membership - Charlier / Hofzinser / Erdnase Access

You love magic and its history as much as we do. It is for this reason that we invite you to become a member of the ExoMagic Membership partnered with The Conjuring Arts Research Center. Membership ensures that you will enjoy discounts on our newest releases, special discounts, exclusive offers, and privileged access to the library’s collection. Being a member entitles you to access Alexander, the only search engine of its kind. These benefits put thousands of rare magic materials at your fingertips. As an added bonus, you have the delight of knowing that your efforts help maintain The Center and its initiatives so we can all further understand and preserve this beautiful art.

This exclusive membership is like nothing on the internet, we hope you enjoy it as much as we are to present it to you.


---- OLD POST ----
This is an expansion on the original idea (offering a membership for users for monthly cost and mail them 1 product every month).

Below is a discussion that was occurring in the staff section. I have moved this thread public and want to know what details everyone would like to know.

We have a poll above, we would like to know how many people will be purchasing this.

Hidden Block (for usergroups: Site Staff :: 16):

You do not have sufficient rights to see the hidden data contained here.

Thoughts, Ideas, Discussions? This seems like a great opportunity for us.

// Edit //

Further program details:

Offer 3 tier levels (synchronizing with the Conjuring Arts).

Note: Access to conjuring arts online database only (Alexander), which stores over 900,000 articles, books, magazines, private journals, and much more.

Level One - Charlier
Price: $30.00 USD/month
Charlier level access to the Conjuring Arts Alexander database
Monthly Item: 1 item $25-35
Discounts: 3% off all future orders
Full access to the Forum Academy

Level Two - Hofzinser
Price: $50.00 USD/month
Hofzinser level access to the Conjuring Arts Alexander database
Monthly Item: 1-2 items totaling $30-45
Discounts: 5% off all future orders
Full access to the Forum Academy

Level Three - Erdnase
Price: $100/month
Erdnase level access to the Conjuring Arts Alexander database
Monthly Item: 3 items adding up to $75
Discounts: 7% off all future orders
Full access to the Forum Academy

---- Option Two -----

Note: This option excludes access to the Conjuring Arts online Alexander database.
Level One - Charlier
Price: $20.00 USD/month
Monthly Item: 1 item $30+
Discounts: 3% off all future orders
Full access to the Forum Academy

Items in this range:
Extreme Burn 2.0 by Richard Sanders - DVD
Liquid Metal by Morgan Strebler - DVD - Featured Items
Card College Volume 1 by Roberto Giobbi - Book - Featured Items
13 (Thirteen) Steps to Mentalism by Corinda - Books


Level Two - Hofzinser
Price: $50.00 USD/month
Monthly Item: 1-2 items totaling $60+
Discounts: 5% off all future orders
Full access to the Forum Academy

Items in this range:
Psychological Subtleties 3 (PS3) by Banachek - Books
Totally Out of Control Book Chris Kenner - Books
Art of Astonishment Volume 1 by Paul Harris - Books


Level Three - Erdnase
Price: $100/month
Monthly Item: 3 items adding up to $130+
Discounts: 7% off all future orders
Full access to the Forum Academy

Items in this range:
Tarantula (With DVD) by Yigal Mesika - Trick - Featured Items
Gecko by Jim Rosenbaum - Trick - Featured Items
An Extension of Me (DVD Set with Gimmick Coin Bonus) by Eric Jones - DVD - Featured Items

[Jacob Hatfield]

I'm liking the sound of it!

A ExoMagic Club! OOH!
So what exactly is everything that would be included in this package? Access to their date base, a magazine subscription, and a monthly effect from Exo?

-Jacob

[Alex Hess]

Here is the list of access levels and pricing from the conjuring arts: Levels & Benefits | Conjuring Arts Research Center

It would only include access to the Alexander research database though, not the books.

[Jacob Hatfield]

Jacob Like-ie.

[Sam Hindrichs]

from what i get out of the email the books are available but the different teirs indicate what books you can actually read. the higher the teir the more books are available to the user.

at least thats what i got out of it.

[haroldross]

I could go for the $30.00 a month providing the money goes to a good cause.

[Alex Hess]

Correct, the way I see it, there is a lot of benefit (Academy membership, free monthly products, special discounts, and access to the conjuring arts).

We also kicked the idea around to offer an ala-cart option as well. What do you guys all think of that?

[Royal_Flush]

im liking the idea of this, would the shipping costs of items knock down the price of the effect/product

[Alex Hess]

Yes, shipping is included into the monthly cost. Simple, one flat fee.

[Misjief]

I can't speak for Alex ...

But I think unfortunately the shipping cost is....
Relatively high and a constant (as there is very little exo magic can do to adjust it). It probably cost the same to ship a single deck as it does several decks to the same place. (So buy in bulk to save on shipping)

The Idea is if we collectively put our funds together we can get volume pricing on a single effect per month (think Cosco). The more people who buy in the more leverage is gained and the more bang the members get for their buck. The more attractive the offering the more outside people join in. It just keeps getting bigger and bigger from there.

I used to be a purchasing agent for EDS... I got really good at the game and was surprised at how much you can wheel and deal if you pay up front and buy in volume. It is all a numbers game but the higher the numbers the more you can save. I brought it to Alex and was surprised how receptive he was to it.

Usually that SAVINGS get pocketed by the fat cats and the consumer NEVER sees it. Alex can't work for free as he still has the bad habit of eating and sleeping under a roof. There are administrative costs to cover, Shipping, Blah blah. But with that said he agreed to hand off much of the savings to us. Not only that but he already got some amazing deals with the 'Libary of Conjuring Arts'. I didn't even know this amazing resource existed!

There are lots of X factors and Alex is trying to figure it out. The 'system' is actually designed to not let this happen, and Exomagic is bucking it. Obviously there are some difficulties, but if we are creative enough there lies some HUGE opportunities! I know for a fact, Alex has already stuck his neck out more then once on this, and I suspect he has done so a great many times already. He is obviously committed to Exomagic. No question about it. What he needs from us, now, is a small commitment. This is your chance to open up the menu and sample the incredible magical fare that is out there.

If you are already buying tricks on a constant basis what are you paying and what are you buying? If you are not buying tricks because you can't afford it, what would you like to see and what can you afford? Realizing that it is all about a ongoing relationship. Be honest and upfront because if you say you are going to do it and be nice to see some follow through on your part. The will give Alex some idea where and what his (now unknown) numbers are.

Unfortunately 20 buck is the minimum and that probably isn't enough. $35 is probably more realistic. (This is my guess and only a guess!) It is all a numbers game - more members could lower the price or up the prize. The goal is a magic item a month at significant saving to you over suggested retail. As a individual you probably won't have too much say - but as a collective whole you have the lion's share of. The problem is you actually have to say something as Alex can't (yet) read minds. My theory is it is the small print! LOL

I understand you have not been told what is REALLY truly on the table yet. And yes that is a difficulty. The reason for the gap is the biggest and most important ingredient is missing... INPUT from YOU . If you don't respond you are not only hurting yourself, but your magical brothers because this rare opportunity will be lost for everyone. If you sit on the fence now, chances are you will later too, and that won't work.

? Would you make a 3,6,12 month commitment?
? On a monthly basis how much would you happily budget to it?
? what category of tricks would you like to see offered?
? Do we charge a fee to join the club - or cover the admin fees in product cost? (which would you prefer?)

I (especially) can't promise anything. But if you don't ask you will NEVER get it. Dream a little... Just a little!

-misj-

[spetznaz]

I think it's a great idea. I would probably be able to pay something around 30$ a month, and bind up for 3-6 months a time. You could give a small discount for longer subscription, like 1$ cheaper if you subscribe for one year, but have the shortest time as 3 months.

I think that you should be able to choose to pay more one month (if you want the product shipping for another category) an then get back to your current level. I would like to have the option to get the more expensive products one month, but don't have the funds to pay around 100$ every month.

I don't know how much profit you guys make from the products in the store, but I like the idea of getting a product each month with the membership. And if the monthly fee is equal than or cheaper then what I would pay if I buy the product, then it's a win-win situation. It would feel like I'm buying one item from your shop every month and get access to parts of the forum for free. If the money helps a good cause like to support this site, thats a plus.

One thing you could do is to have the subscribers suggest products and vote for the product they would like the next month, and the winning product is shipped to all subscribers. You could have a card magic product one month, closeup magic one month, and something else next month.

I think you could charge a fee for joining. Maybe have two different ways to join, one where you just pay the fee. And the other more expensive option gives you a start up package with a few beginner products to start with.

[Alex Hess]

Excellent explanation Misjief.

spetznaz, I like where you are going with this. I'd like to see these ideas implemented into our program in some way. Once we nail out the details and make some progress I can definitely see these things being done.

Everyone, please keep the ideas flowing. Let us know what your honest thoughts are, this is a time to shout out loud what YOU want. No fanboy responses please... lol

[MofoMojo]

Alex,

I like what I hear so far. I've visited Ask Alexander once but he refused to tell me anything. I could definitely do the 30$-35$ a month provided the alexander subscription given what you've described. Do the products come from Exomagic accessible inventory or do they change on a per month basis?

Similar to spetznaz I would suggest a way to bank credits. For instance:

Level One - Charlier
Price: $30.00 USD/month
Charlier level access to the Conjuring Arts Alexander database
25-35 Credits added to bank
Discounts: 3% off all future orders
Full access to the Forum Academy

Items in the 25-35 Credit range:
Extreme Burn 2.0 by Richard Sanders - DVD
Liquid Metal by Morgan Strebler - DVD - Featured Items
Card College Volume 1 by Roberto Giobbi - Book - Featured Items
13 (Thirteen) Steps to Mentalism by Corinda - Books

Items in the 50-60 credit range:
Psychological Subtleties 3 (PS3) by Banachek - Books
Totally Out of Control Book Chris Kenner - Books
Art of Astonishment Volume 1 by Paul Harris - Books

Items in the 100-130 Credit Range:
Tarantula (With DVD) by Yigal Mesika - Trick - Featured Items
Gecko by Jim Rosenbaum - Trick - Featured Items
An Extension of Me (DVD Set with Gimmick Coin Bonus) by Eric Jones - DVD

You could then simply spend your credits how you wished. Want that Tantula but only have a 30$ membership? Wait four months and get it. Want True Astonishments DVD collection? Wait 10 months.

On a personal level, I have a hard time making subscription based commitments, but would suggest that perhaps you either tier the cost a bit lower for making longer upfront commitments or provide an additional "credit" incentive for longer commitments. For example

Tier 1:

30 credits per Month
Month to Month = 35$ per month
6 months = 32.50 per month (30$ saving)
1 year = 30 per month (60$ saving)

or

Month to Month = 30 credits a month
6 months = 32 credits a month
1 year = 35 credits a month

Ideas...
As for discounts on products, what if you offered free shipping instead of a product discount? Or offer free shipping for higher tiered subscriptions and retain product discounts across the board (discount tiered).

Will think more...

-Stuart

[Lyle Borders]

Time for the Devil's Advocate. You had to know I was coming, lol.

I don't know that I would bite at this. Don't get me wrong. I would if I had the money, but being a poor college student working full time to pay for my full-time tuition, that of my wife, and all the other bills I have coming in, another $30 a month is a scary thing. I would hate the idea of not having that kind of cash and being excluded from the community because of it.

I don't buy tricks all that often these days because of a $ crunch. When I do buy something, I get exactly what I want, when I want it, when I can afford it. Yes, I understand the "monthly prize" idea, but in my situation, it doesn't work.

For me, the worst thing would be loosing out on the community. How about tacking on another level? A "membership only" level? For a considerably smaller fee ($10-$15, maybe $20) you buy into the "club" without the monthly prize. You get into the academy and the other sections that are member only, but without making Alex fork out a $30 prize each month. Instead of a $30 membership - $25 prize = $5 profit (at best, depending on shipping rates and the like,) we try $10 membership - $0 prize = $10 profit (Guaranteed, no shipping or chances for loss.) Maybe a small discount to the store, but that isn't as crucial for my group.

Like I said, I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I am bringing a real perspective to the conversation that hasn't really been voiced yet. If I had the cash, I'd donate $200 a month just for the sake of it, but I don't. If this current plan was implemented tomorrow, ExoMagic would loose me for the most part for likely a long time. There are other communities I could kill time at for free, but none like this, and if I can't participate due to lack of funds I don't know what other choice I would have.

L

[MofoMojo]

Hmmm... I didn't think of this as closing down the academy to the public but more like, instant access to the academy for newer members. That's a good point Lyle.

Alex, can you comment on what this vision holds for the Academy? Would it be completely blocked except for paying members, or would the requirements into the acadamy (without paying) perhaps be higher post counts/longer exomagic forum membership length?

-Stuart