The problem
A family who loved this year's party is likely to want something next year, but by then they've forgotten the entertainer's name and book whoever comes up first on Google. An entertainer with 12 parties a month who stays in touch with none of them misses easy repeat bookings. If a reminder brings back just 1 party a month at $239£180€214A$346C$338 that's worth an hour of setup.
What the AI does
Brevo is an email marketing platform; its pricing page says the Free plan sends up to 300 emails a day once your account is approved. Ask parents on your party details form, as a separate unticked box, whether they'd like a reminder before next year's birthday. Add those who agree to a Brevo list for the month of their party, with only the parent's first name, email and the month. On the 1st of each month, send one short email to the list for the month after next, with your packages and booking link.
A worked example
A children's entertainer in Hertfordshire runs about 12 parties a month, and about half of parents tick the reminder box. Each month they send one email to the parents whose child's birthday is the month after next.
Before
About 12 families a month with no contact after the party; repeat bookings only when a parent remembered
After
About 6 opted-in families added a month, and 1 rebooking a month assumed once the lists have a year in them
What it's worth
About $144£108€129A$207C$203 a month in profit if the reminders bring back 1 party a month at $239£180€214A$346C$338 at an assumed 60% margin, once the lists have built up over a year. That's an assumption, not a promise. Brevo's Free plan covers about 6 emails a month; emails carry the Brevo logo unless you pay for Standard at $17£13€15A$25C$24 a month.
How to set it up
- Add an unticked box to your party details form: 'Email me before next year's birthday', with a line on what you'll send.
- Create a Brevo account and a list for each month, and add only parents who ticked, with first name, email and the party month.
- Write one short email with your packages, a photo of your set-up without children in it, and your booking link.
- On the 1st of each month, send it to the list for the month after next.
- Remove anyone who unsubscribes straight away, and anyone who doesn't rebook after their reminder.
What goes wrong
- Parents are individuals, so PECR's marketing rules apply: email only those who ticked the box, and keep a record of it.
- Store the parent's details, not the child's. The party month is enough; don't keep children's names or dates of birth for marketing.
- Brevo approves new accounts before you can send, so set it up a week or two before you need it.
- One email a year is welcome; a monthly newsletter to parents who only asked for a reminder isn't.