Hey, guys!

Since the trade show subject came up, it got me thinking: what are the best study materials?

I can already tell you that I will be picking up a copy of Seth Kramer's offering. What would complement this? What do you guys consider to be mandatory reading for someone who is looking to get into trade show magic in the future?

I have been performing professionally for about 6 years and currently work 3 restaurants a week, along with multiple private functions. I sell powerboats and yachts during the day, so I have a fair amount of sales experience (only a year, so still lots to learn!). Prior to that, I was in insurance sales for a few years.

I understand that this is a completely different beast than the type of performing I do now, and that is why I would like to start the long road in the best way possible.

I just want to add that if you have a smart-aleck comment about getting into trade shows, please just keep it to yourself. I am looking for magicians helping magicians on this one.

With that said, what materials do you all recommend?

This is not smart-aleck, and hopefully isn't perceived as such.

Better than many materials, with the exception of what was mentioned above, try to seek out the company of other trade show workers. They are a wealth of information.

Problem with many of the trade show offerings is they are written like most magic materials - by guys who suppose that it is what it is like, or the do it one or two times a year.

I have found working trade show magicians very helpful to honest questions and honest interest. Hope this helps.

Any info you can get from the likes of Joel Bauer, Anton Zellman, or Joshua Seth - all great info.

Robert

I second Joel Bauer. I have his book "Hustle, Hustle" and it's great! Changed the way I look at magic as a business. Also worth some time is his DVD "Hustle, Hustle".

Josh London

A booklet by my friend and professional speaker Shep Hyken called "The Business of Magic". You can contact Shep through his website at http://www.hyken.com I also have a list of recommended reading as part of my resource page for purchasers of my book.

Seth Kramer

I believe you can still get Joel's book, "How To Persuade People Who Do Not Want To Be Persuaded". But I have not been able to locate "Hustle, Hustle". My only concern with "Hustle, Hustle" is that Mr. Bauer wrote it when he was, I believe, 19. He openly admits that things have changed. How do you guys feel about this?

Thanks for the input, guys!

Posted: Feb 14, 2007 11:04am
Does anyone know where to locate Joshua Seth's book?

You can get Joshua Seth's DIRECTLY from ERIC PAUL. Click on "PRODUCTS" page and you're off 'n' running!

GREAT STUFF, too...

Though, ANYTHING BY JOEL BAUER is still best!

I am at your service and In HIS Service,
Deano
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Eddie Tullock a has book and video that is the best I've seen for getting a real feel of the biz.

I'm not sure how much trade show material is available, but I have the following:

1. Seth Kramer's book
2. Joshua Seth's notes and video
3. Eddie Tullock's DVD
4. Dick Ryan's DVD and Confidential Booking Reports
5. Joel Bauer's DVD, "Hustle, Hustle", and book on Persuasion
6. Mike Roger's video
7. Don Alan's DVD
8. Jim Snack's mp3 audio on trade shows

It's all good material, but the one's I learned the most from were:

1. Seth Kramer's book
2. Joshua Seth's notes and video
3. Joel Bauer's DVD
4. Jim Snack's mp3

There is also a seminar taking place at the end of this month (February) by Troy Milligan, training people on how to become a trade show magician. I was planning on attending, but things didn't work out for this year. If he does it next year, I may attend. His website is: http://www.becomeatradeshowmagician.com

All that being said, I do not currently perform at Trade Shows. Someday I want to, but I am now in the preparation stage.

Brian

Brian-----do you have the Hustle DVD or the Persuasion Power Unleashed DVD?

I am considering buying the the latter.

Hustle DVD; haven't seen the other one (yet).

Brian

Where can you get the Hustle DVD, or the book for that matter? Anyone have a link?
Thanks in advance...

Posted: Feb 15, 2007 3:27pm
The Joshua Seth thing has a funny feel to it. Click on the link, and you will know what I mean. I get a bad vibe with the whole Dave Dee thing. Maybe I shouldn't, but I can't help it. I can't stand late night infomercials!

You guys know that Joel Bauer has teamed up with Dave Dee now, right? How do you guys feel about these courses?

A quick Google search brought up many places. Here's three:

Magic Depot
Earth's Largest Magic Shop
Ebay

Brian

What is the evidence that Dave Dee is with Bauer?

Hi Hart & iceentertainment -

The offering of Joel Bauer's LIVE course on tradeshow work is through the Magic Marketing Centre, which is run by Jack Turk from Washington State. I think he bought part of Dave Dee's business last fall.

I think the Web page dedicated to the offer is supposed to have been closed last week, so all of the applications might be closed. I think it was made last week and was a timed offer.

Check it out: http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/retire

As I recall, Joel is training 30 professionals to do what he does, to make the income he makes.

- Donald

P.S. I hope that Jack doesn't get upset at me for posting a link.

Cheers.

I found a review of Joel Bauer's "Hustle, Hustle" video in an old issue of the Magic Menu, and it got a horrible review. It said it was good for popping in the VCR for a good laugh with your magician buddies. I don't feel like typing all the other bad comments stated in the review...

Did it deserve this bad of a review? Also, does anyone know if the video is the same as the newer DVD of the same title? Thanks in advance, guys...

Given the level of success that Joel has achieved in business, I would suggest it's worth watching the video for more than "a good laugh".

I'd be interested to know who reviewed it (and when), and what their current business income is compared to Joel's.

Best regards,
Mike

P.S. Yes, the video is dated. Yes, some of the things in it are no longer valid. But for a look inside the mind of a successful entertainer, it's worth a serious viewing...isn't it?

I had a look at the Dave Dee/Joel Bauer Course on Trade Shows.

Essentially, learn how to be Joel Bauer- which sounds great to me.

What doesn't sound great is the hype that goes into the marketing that doesn't actually deliver anything.

Listening to the audio bits, they are not really anything to do with the actual working a trade show stand but more on how to get in, which is counter productive. There is no point getting in if you don't know what to do once you get in.

Also, they do not reveal a price---- Why, Oh Why, not? This is very frustrating, and whilst people might say, "I'd pay anything to get in," the truth is I'd love to go, but until I can work out how much cash is required, and even how much airfares and accommodations are going to be, I can say that I am losing interest and respect for the whole thing.

As for "Hustle, Hustle", both the video and book are dated, and you won't find much useful info on the DVD; no nuts and bolts on how to do anything. By saying "Get to the decision maker" doesn't actually help the new person actually get to the decision maker.

Yes, it is good to know where your aiming for, but there is no point aiming if your firing blanks. There is no meat on performance, or what you are saying or doing on the DVD, except for the briefest moment when you see him at a trade show, which was filmed a zillion years ago and is not his latest stuff.

The Easy Money explanation is 30 seconds >>> not enough time for a real trade show demo.

The book is good; the back is the contracts and brochure things he sent out, which are good to use as models. You will have to change the wording, of course, to suit your own individual product.

Some of the stuff is dated, such as the text on typewriters. There are newer and more efficient ways of doing business nowadays. BUT for all those who want to know what people did before computers, it is a great read and shows you that you can be successful without the latest computers.

But I believe that the DVD is a companion to the Book, so the DVD isn't the best tool by itself. But mixed with the Book, it makes for a more complete picture.


Don't get me wrong, I love the Joel Bauer stuff, but lately I'm feeling that there is a lot of hype with the advertising--very Dave Dee-ish. This doesn't appeal to me, and it is a let down.

So you have the book and the video?