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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
I received a newsletter from Denny and Lees related to numerous stuff he just got in. Since I was at the Spotlight Spectular Convention in the Poconos and saw Silly Billy and did purchase the below books, I wanted to let the Magic Café Members who do kids shows these books are now available without attending Silly Billy's lecture.
I've read them all and if you must get only one book let it be the HOW TO PERFORM THE PERFECT KID SHOW TRICK There is a routine with the Crystal Silk tube worth the price of the book. What is most exciting in this book is the check sheet which you evaluated your kids show routines. The more of the items you put into the routine the more powerful your kid show routine becomes. It took me years to learn what Silly Billy states in this book. I also talked to David Kaye (Silly Billy) about this and how this just enhances the routines. By the way, there is a routine which he shows how this check sheet applies. To me this is better than any of David Ginns books, although with Ginns Books, you can apply several of the check sheet items. I posted this here in this section because it has to do just with kids shows and if you do kid shows and are having problems, or can't figure out what to do then maybe an expert in the field can help you. I don't work for any of these people, I am just excited about these books that I wanted to share this information with you. I know some where, probably in the convention section, I mentioned these booklets. Denny and Lees
Dennis Michael
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Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
Just a question about the POWER MARKETING FOR MAGICIANS. Does this relate to kids' birthday parties or other types of kids shows? I am looking for a good book on marketing kids' birthday magic shows as opposed to library or school shows, etc...
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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Whiterabbit Loyal user Kevin Mc Lean 278 Posts |
Thanks very much for the advice Dennis, I'll pick them up from the local shop.
Any other books you'd recommend?
May your fingers never lose their deftness,
May your tongue always lead them down the garden path... Regards, Whiterabbit |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
White Rabbit, Andrew Walker:
One of the best books on Kids Shows is Dave Fiscus Birthday Magician's Handbook. It tells it like it is and makes it clear what you're getting into. You must like doing kid's magic, plan on your weekends being booked and being away from your family on your "day-off" because you most likely will not make more than $5,000 a year, therefore, you will probably have a "Day-Job" doing something else. The books categories tricks for differnt age groups and how to deal with those kids in that group. Plus lots of other stuff. As for Marketing, I like non-magic books such as Guerrilla Marketing by Jay Conrad Levinson which can be found in the business section of your local library. (I have everything he wrote on the marketing subject.) Since I also like Safety Magic, Safety Magic for Children by Karl Wagner is excellent for this theme related subject. Since I was asked about Birthday Parties, Another non-magic book by Lafe Locke, Absolutely Unforgettable Parties (Great Ideas for Party People) will give you just that... to help your clients plan parties for all age groups. It includes lots of check lists. You just provide the magic part. But my #1 book is the above stated book by Silly Billy, HOW TO PERFORM THE PERFECT KID SHOW TRICK.
Dennis Michael
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Plan on your weekends being booked, and being away from your family on your day off, because you most likely will not make more than $5,000 a year. Therefore, you will probably have a day job doing something else.
Hi, A bit pessimistic here, Den. If you're charging just $100.00 per show, that's only 50 parties a year. Phillip |
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Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
I have the Dave Fiscus book 'Birthday Magician's Handbook' and was disapointed in it. It offers a good overview for entertainers new to the birthday party market but you won't find any fresh ideas there.
Oh... Kids parties are my "Day-Job".
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Phillip:"That's 50 shows a year..." That's assuming you don't ever buy another trick, you don't advertise, you don't give out party favors, you wear a suit never cleaned, you don't pay the phone bills, etc., etc. etc. Also Phillip, I'm really not a pessamist, a reallist maybe who has been in business, has owned two corporations, and knows what failure is as well as success. The "Magic Business" essentially is one-third technical, one-third presentation, and one-third business! Ignore anyone of them and failure is a reality when in competition with another who understands this principle.
Also related to your post, "charging just $100.00 per show thats only 50 party's a year" that means you are booked every weekend except two. It is not my logic. It is what David Fiscus wrote about and he went into detail, the cost of doing magic vs the income of Birthday Party weekender, after expenses. Andrew Walker: Since your posts indicates you are doing magic full time, and marketing is what you want, then consider some of the marketing books written by others such as David Ginn's Promoting You and Me II. This book contains sample of marketing material by David Ginn and others with a page or two of notes related to the topic. Samuel Pactrick Smith has a similar one, but I like David's better. Of couse there is that expensive book by David Dee, Ultimate Insider Secrets Marketing Program which is a marketing book for magicians. It is also good and offers sensible marketing methods. Marketing is Marketing and it has nothing really to do with magic so the business section of any good bookstore will give you tons of ideas in this area for the small businessman. And, that is really what you are. A Businessman, selling your services to someone who need that service. You are competing with the other local businessman in your area. It's competition, like any type of competition, the winner goes to the person who puts forth the right material, at the right time, to the right persons. The question you really are asking is, "How do I get more Birthday Party Gigs?" Every birthday party is loaded with potential bookings. You need giveaways that are keepers, discount coupons with expiration times, cheap framed pictures of yourself so the kid can hand it in his room, with all the necessary calling information. Have a web site which offers tips for successful birthday parties...and the list can go on and on. It means getting your name out there, keeping it out there, and timing it right by a good database with reminders, and anything that keeps your name up front. Don't limit yourself to just birthday parties, there's Halloween parties, Christmas Parties, 4th of July events, etc. Hope this helps
Dennis Michael
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Adam V Special user 603 Posts |
Ok Den, I just ordered those three books based on your reviews on this board. Me being an Aussie means they cost $80 all up as well. They'd better be as good as you say they are
Adam V - 9 out of 10 dentists recommend him.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Wow, Adam, that's putting me on the spot. I am not an Aussie and nor do I know your culture well enough to say, What I like here for silly business, will work in another country. You read the information above, it is just what that info states.
Now, I absoultely loved the, HOW TO PERFORM THE PERFECT KID SHOW TRICK, and expanded on Silly Billy's Ideas in my own way. It is me, it is what David Ginn talks about, the fun/clowning part of magic, the comedy props. Kids want to laugh, want to have fun, Magic is the medium along with Visual, Audio, and Physical actions and props. The KID SHOW KLIFF NOTES, was a review for me because I've learned what was said by working with kids my whole life. I enjoyed the TOP TEN PROBLEMS PERFORMING FOR CHILDREN and liked the solutions and adopted several for my own usage. The POWER MARKETING FOR MAGICIANS , just expanded my existing knowledge of Marking as mentioned above. Please let the Café members know what you thought of these booklets!
Dennis Michael
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Margarette Special user Memphis area 956 Posts |
Silly Billy's lecture notes are very good. I happen to have all of them. Of course, I may be a bit partial in my opinions since he happens to be a friend of mine.
Seriously, David does have excellent advice for childen's performers, and it must work for him! Margarette
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
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Adam V Special user 603 Posts |
I'll certainly let you all know what I thought of them. I didn't bother to get the marketing book because I've found that things like that are very often only useful if you live in America. Things down here are a little different on the marketing front. Hopefully our kids aren't too much different from yours, from what I've heard they're not
Adam V - 9 out of 10 dentists recommend him.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Kids love to laugh and have fun more than magic. Yes they love magic but they all know all the secrets and they will let you know that, loud and clear. This is why silient acts and manipulators acts do very poorly with kids. They must and will be involved even if you don't involve them.
Half of my kids show is non-magic props, or comedy props such as breakaway wand, or fan, spring animals, whistles, noise makes, rubber and foam stuff, giant items, glasses, toothbrushes, tooth, wands, squirting stuff, etc. It adds to the fun, and brings out a laugh. They are out to get me, so I use that to my advantage, both in patter, and additional fun. Mistakes, lots of them, they love it but it all comes right in the end. Audience particiapation as well as many assistants is a must! All this is mentioned in the HOW TO PERFORM THE PERFECT KID SHOW TRICK book.
Dennis Michael
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Tim David Regular user MA 164 Posts |
Andrew Walker: Eric Paul's course is right on the money. It's called "How to become your area's top children's entertainer" and it is a course chock-full of practical usable tips.
By the way, Eric doesn't do 50 shows a year...he does 50 shows a MONTH. (And he takes Sundays off.) Granted, they're not all birthday parties, but he's raking in the gigs. His course tells you exactly how. Also, I noticed you just subscribed to my newsletter about the "Business of Shows". You'll be getting some great birthday party tips for free. Most of my business is b-days, so alot of my newsletter deals with booking b-days. Dennis Dowhy: 50 shows a year is VERY pessimistic...about $35,000 of my yearly income is earned on Saturdays and Sundays doing birthday parties. (I average about 4 a weekend.) I think if you want to be a full-time performer you need to perform at least 250 shows a year. More if you're supporting a family. To sum it up, I recommend Eric Paul's course ($97) and I recommend putting in the hard work if you want the results. (Smart work, not necessarily hard work. Why would you work hard on a marketing method that doesn't book any shows? Just a thought.) Best, |
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Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
Tim: $35,000 per year from 4 kids show per week! Wow! Now I see where I am going wrong. I am doing about 8 birthday parties per week & only getting just over US$20,000 per year. Can I come and work in the United States for you?
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
I am doing about 8 birthday parties per week & only getting just over US$20,000 per year
Hi Andrew, But thats only (£30.00) $50.00 per show! Tim, 50 shows a month is too many for me. Phillip |
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Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
Phillip: Yes, your math is right (these are kids' birthday shows I am talking about). That seems to be the going rate where I live in New Zealand. Maybe I don't need more marketing booklets, perhaps it?s an immigration consultant.
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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Adam V Special user 603 Posts |
Tim,
I just received Eric Paul's catalog and was reading about his "How to become your area's top children's blah blah blah" book. It sounded fantastic however the price to get it here in Australia is a little prohibitive. I'm also dubious of these things because obviously they're geared towards American performers. Do you think it would be useful to people in other countries? Keep in mind our cultural differences. We give beer to six month old babies.
Adam V - 9 out of 10 dentists recommend him.
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
HI Andrew,
Maybye money goes further there? How much does an accountant get per hour there? There is a performer in our area that advertises shows from £35.00(he does an hour for that) At the moment you are getting 400 * 50 =20,000 the chances are you could charge $75.00 without much drop off. hell if you lost shows down to just 300 you would still make $22,500 for less work, costs, wear and tear and better health. If you are performing 8 shows a week you should be looking at ways to up your average sale rather than booking more shows (in my opinion) I would try this subtle way of upping your average sale with little risk. offer 3 different birthday packages (each can be just a more deluxe version of the show.)Each at a bigger price. say a $50.00 $75.00 and top of the range $100.00 show. I bet you will find that the magority of bookers will opt for the middle price and this will up your profits. Now if most people opt for this middle option start upping your fees to say $60.00. 90.00 and $120.00. I think you will be pleasantly suprised as to how well this works. Phillip Phillip |
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Daniel Faith Inner circle Neenah, Wisconsin 1526 Posts |
I read Silly Billy's column every month in Magic magazine. I like his views and he does know his stuff. I am going to buy his books without hesitation!
Daniel Faith
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Jewls Veteran user Michigan-USA 360 Posts |
Who sells Silly Billy's books?
Jewls
www.Jewlstheclown.com |
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