The “Secret Circle” Model
Core idea: Publicly visible entry points (quarterly seminars), but the real benefits are behind a members-only curtain — never fully explained, only hinted at.
1. Public Face: Quarterly Seminars
These could be tied to arts festivals, conventions, or local showcases.
The seminar topics are broad enough to attract many artists (“Booking Secrets of Top Performers” / “How to Turn Art into Steady Income”).
Free or low-cost to attend — the point is to gather leads, not to profit here.
2. Seed the Curiosity
During each public seminar:
Casually reference resources, connections, or opportunities “only available inside our network.”
Drop anecdotes:
“One of our members just landed a six-month contract in Europe — but that came through a private channel.”
Show glimpses (e.g., screenshots of an internal job board, without revealing the listings).
3. Exclusive Invitation
At the end of the event, offer “a small number of invitations” for people who apply.
The $100 fee becomes less about paying for access and more about proving they’re serious.
Frame it as: We limit membership to keep the quality of opportunities high.
4. Members-Only Perks (Must be Tangible)
You can’t rely on mystery forever — behind the curtain, there should be:
Private gig listings
Collaboration directory
Member-only showcases
Skill-trading sessions (photographers for magicians, etc.)
5. Marketing Cycle
Every quarter: hold one public seminar, show proof of member successes, drip hints about inside advantages, and invite a handful in.
Between events: keep members active with internal workshops and opportunities — so they have fresh wins to brag about publicly.
Pros:
Builds prestige — people want what’s hard to get.
Creates a clear hook event every few months.
Fee feels justified because it’s “exclusive” rather than “just another site.”
Cons:
Requires careful curation — if the “inside” isn’t actually valuable, the mystique collapses.
Slower initial growth — scarcity limits numbers early on.
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