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Jon Allen V.I.P. England 1771 Posts |
David,
I just bought a new keyboard, monitor and mouse so I'm back in action! I'm pretty sure that if anyone in the magic community was told by a muggle that they were thinking of hiring you for an event the magician would sing your praises. However, unless they have seen you work, the muggles will not know who you are or what you can do. How do you sell yourself to clients? Do you have a video? Do you think it is important or do you think that seeing you live and getting "the experience" is more important? Many enquiries seem to consist of "Are you free on xx/xx and how much do you charge?" They don't seem to care about what different magicians can offer. How do you teach/persuade/bribe them that there is nobody better for their event than you? (I'm assuming that you do take enquiries although you may have representation who teach/persuade/bribe on your behalf.)
Creator of iconic magic that you will want to perform.
The Silent Treatment, The Pain Game, Paragon 3D, Double Back, Destination Box and more. Available at www.onlinemagicshop.co.uk |
Patrick Redford Inner circle Michigan 1751 Posts |
I'm interested as well.
-George Tait |
saturnin Special user Montreal, Canada 964 Posts |
Jon Allen wrote:
"How do you teach/persuade/bribe them that there is nobody better for their event than you? " What a great question! I am interested as well. May be Jon could also share his way of doing it...??? Ronnie Lemieux Montreal Canada
There is no road to happiness,
happiness is the road! |
Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
David won't tell you, he's tooooo humble... but he was the MOST REQUESTED performer at the past FISM in Den Haag.
There is no truth to the rumor that he adopted to Japanese boys. (He'd like to)!!!
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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Pete Biro 1933 - 2018 18558 Posts |
OH, David, has Copperfield ever forgiven you for the gag you pulled at Lausanne?
STAY TOONED... @ www.pete-biro.com
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David Williamson V.I.P. 190 Posts |
Jon
That is an essential question. Luckily I do have an agent who does the selling for me. I have a video as well. I'm horrible at selling myself so I'm happy to have someone to do it for me. As for the few shows I book myself, I don't necessarily try to persuade them that I'm the best in the world, just the best in my price range. Most of the people who call me directly have seen me at another event or heard of me through someone else. Not much cold calling these days. like I said, I'm horrible at it. Sorry that I can't be more informative, If I was better at promotion I'd be out working tonite and not telling lies with you lot. |
Jon Allen V.I.P. England 1771 Posts |
It's a difficult thing to sell yourself. I'm sure every other magician says they are the best in the price range too. Over here, everyone is an "award-winning magician" or "perfect for your event". If John Carney is in your price range and the client has spoken to him first, they need to know why you should get the job ahead of him. Maybe you would tell them to hire him anyway! ;-)
As I said, over here many people don't even ask what you do. They want price and availability. I look at other websites and advertising areas online and see what other magicians are doing. I try and not be the same. A simple example is that in one area where I advertise online, every magician has a photo of themselves staring into the camera with a fan of cards, sponge balls, coins, a wand or just nothing. Woohoo! My photo is me at the climax of a trick with a lady looking absolutely thrilled. While other magicians tell of the tricks they do and how good they are, I say, "look at the lady's face because *that* is what I do. Your website also needs to intrigue a prospective client into wanting to find out more about the person behind the words and pictures. If it's pages of you saying how good you are then people won't be that interested. I'm always updating my website if I think of little ideas that will tweak interest or bring a smile to the viewer. One other thing I read recently which I thought was interesting: If you say something positive about yourself then people will expect you to back it up with facts; if you say something negative about yourself then peple will believe you. Don't be afraid to say something negative about yourself. David, if I may pry a little deeper (or rather re-phrase the question)... How high up the scale does your agent put your magical abilities compared to your people skills when selling you?
Creator of iconic magic that you will want to perform.
The Silent Treatment, The Pain Game, Paragon 3D, Double Back, Destination Box and more. Available at www.onlinemagicshop.co.uk |
Rupert Bair Inner circle ? 2179 Posts |
Jon, can't wait for your lecture in June at liverpool, see you there.
Matt |
Mr. Muggle Special user 999 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-01-03 20:11, Jon Allen wrote: I disagree, Muggles do indeed know who David Williamson is- in fact some of us Muggles even perform his material. David is quite popular among us; his eccentric and flamboyant personality never leaves room for a visit to dullsville while watching him perform. This muggle in particular would like to thank David for publishing his 51 cards to pocket and the whirlybird silk vanish. Since learning his whirlybird vanish it has become my opening effect. I'm wondering if David has revisited these effects since publishing them in his book in '89, and if he has applied anything new to these great routines? MM
"Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it because you're not really looking. You don't really want to know the secret... You want to be fooled." - The Prestige (2006)
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saturnin Special user Montreal, Canada 964 Posts |
Unless I missed the point, isn`t a "muggle" someone who is NOT a magician???
So, if that is the case, then a "muggle" cannot/should not be performing Mr Willaimson's material! Ronnie Lemieux Montreal Canada
There is no road to happiness,
happiness is the road! |
Werner G. Seitz Inner circle 3131 Posts |
Quote: Come on..
On 2005-01-06 07:09, saturnin wrote: Anybody can do Daves material..it just takes talent and a lifetime of practising before living audiences..it's that easy
Learn a few things well.....this life is not long enough to do everything.....
( Words of wisdom from Albert Goshman ...it paid off for him - it might as well for YOU!!!- My own magic is styled after that motto... ) |
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