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Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
I'm not sure about this offering the free night to get the gig. I know it works, but I've always heard of magicians making their pitch to management and getting paid their first night.
I understand the idea behind it. But, a musician wouldn't work a night for free. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
I guess it depends on who you are pitching for. It simply would not work any place I have worked with.
It does work for some. I am not a fan of the tactic. But to each his own.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I'm not a fan either, although some others will say differently. In my own experience, if I felt I wasn't making the sale, and then offered them a free night, and I saw their eyes light up, it usually meant I was going to end up providing them with free entertainment for the night with no intent on their part to hire me.
If I feel the need to give the extra push on the pitch, I offer a demo on the spot, but usually if I notice a table (or idle employees) already in the place, people I would normally consider a hot mark on any other night. You get a sense for who might react in a very positive way, and a bit of that never hurts. However, if all I notice are people who might be flat-liners, I would avoid making such a suggestion. Demos simply have to look as amazing as you want them to be. I also hate demoing for the manager outside the context of how the work will actually be done. Doing a trick in his office, when it is very possible some employee will walk in the door with a question or other interruption is a death blow. It makes for a sorry audition. The magic must be seen in the proper showcase to usually be effective. Free demo nights work for some, but I have not had substantial return on my time to make it a viable selling tool.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
I offered a free demo night at 2 restaurants. Both were secured after those nights. (Reason?) The managers were not familiar with table-side magic but were interested. They wanted to see first hand (standing on the sidelines and then approaching the tables that I had visited for comments).........
Another restaurant was a cold call and it just so happened that the regional mgr. and general mgr. were in. ( Doesn't happen very often) We had a nice discussion, lots of questions etc. and they said yes without any offer of a free trial.............. The most recent restaurants, both owned by the same gentleman, I was asked to attend a managers meeting to discuss what I do as well as perform a few sets...Luckily a couple of the manger's children were there so that was even better. It worked out great and no offer or request of a free night. So in conclusion it definitely works in some cases. Just my opinion
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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patrick flanagan Inner circle lisle, illinois 1045 Posts |
I've only had to do this once.....and I got the gig. It lasted almost 2 years. I'd do it again if I thought there was a reasonable chance to close the deal
patrick |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I think that this is going to boil down to a flip of the coin. I might have thrown tails a hundred times in a row, and based an opinion on that. Someone else may throw heads every time. I suspect many will be somewhere in the middle. Maybe just try the ploy and see if you have desired results. There is really nothing to lose but a night of your time.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
I think doing it works and not doing it works. As Michael says, it's a flip of the coin.
I have a friend that knows nothing about what we're talking about. Strict hobbyist. But, one night at a happy hour, the manager came to the bar to get her keys and he simply turned to her and said he was a magician and did she ever think about having entertainment. She asked for his number, he wrote it on a cocktail napkin and the next week she called him and he started. lol. Lots of different way to go about doing it. Sometimes even the most backward way will work. |
FatHatter Regular user I'm here you're there and that's that. 137 Posts |
Could getting a job performing magical mind & eye candy @ a restaurant be no different than obtaining any other type of employment in that there are varying methods of doing so?
That this thing of ours isn't so very super special and we aren't either? It may be possible or unpossible but you guys got me thinking. |
Daz Buckley Elite user Australia 469 Posts |
There are lots of things that work, but the under-lying framework for success must be that the person or venue you are pitching to has to have a thought that what you are offering may be for them, or else you are just giving someone a "free gift" in the hope that the gift changes their mind. That's unlikely to happen but whwo knows. And another thought, most magicians would be better for the nights praciice for real people anyway.
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bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
And if I may add - getting out there and pitching the ideas in the first place.
The art of dooooooooooing.
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
PaulGreen Inner circle 1133 Posts |
Hi Everyone,
Scott Hollingsworth's booklet, CASHING IN WITH CLOSE-UP MAGIC, suggests the offering of a free evening. This booklet is worth every penny of the $15 that Scott charges for it. http://www.scotthollingsworth.com/products.html - third item down. This is done to familiarize the "Decision Maker" with the concept of Magic within their restaurant. For me, this has always been the way I entered into an agreement with the restaurants I eventually ended up working in. I does not devalue you as a performer, it allows the "boss" to see how you will fit in. It is an audition. If you are good, then the scales tip in your favor. If you are not good, you will probably "ruin it" for anyone else. Of course, if a "Decision Maker" is already aware of the concept and asks you to perform, it is just like getting the gig! You just have to negotiate the fee. Enjoy the search. Respectfully, Paul Green |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Do a free hour then stop and sit down to negotiate.
Amazing how having 10 tables requesting while you discuss price with the owner works.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
Paul Rathbun Inner circle Michigan 2543 Posts |
I think half an hour is sufficient. You do 3-4 tables for them so they can see that people enjoy it and then close the deal. A half an hour isn't so much that if they decline you feel like you have been used. I can't remember who said it but performing for the manager so he can make the decision is a bad idea. They should be judging whether or not to hire you based on how you interact with their clientele. Some people don't like magic and if the manager is one of those people it is going to be an uphill battle. My 2 cents.
https://www.penguinmagic.com/p/9160
Sleightly Better Magic Reviews - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9rkXnNp8CxftN-rxU_WcbQ |
Zombie Magic Inner circle I went out for a beer and now have 8733 Posts |
This trick sio taking the magic world by storm and might be the perfect deal sealer!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqmkxl3lw......be_gdata |
EVILDAN Inner circle 1279 Posts |
Quote:
But, a musician wouldn't work a night for free. There's a term called "pay to play." That's where a band pays to play in a club. A band will do this to get their name "out there" and hopefully get to the point where the clubs call them and pay them to play. Since we're in an election year, you can't be blind to the millions of dollars being spent by Obama and Romney on advertising and the campaign trail to get a job that pays only about a half million a year. In the end, it's what you get out of it as to whether it's worth it or not.
by EVILDAN....
"The Coin Board Book" - moves and routines with the coin panel board. - http://www.lybrary.com/the-coin-board-book-p-827955.html "SLASHER - A Horror Whodunnit" - a bizarre close-up routine based on Bob Neale's "Sole Survivor." PM me for more info. "Zombie Town" - a packet effect about how a small town turned into zombies. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nzJhcoJtyOM |
bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
I agree with Paul Green...
Who also has a very good DVD of Practical magic material for restaurant performers.
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Beware, I got completely taken advantage of by offering a free night one time. When I arrived the manager asked me stay in one room. Come to find out it was the children’s birthday party room! Apparently, this manager was just looking to be hero by providing some free entertainment for their customer. I don’t think they never had any intention of hiring me! It’s a good thing I really like what I do!
For this reason I favor a 30-minute or 1-hour demo now. That should be plenty of time to make an impression. It seems the only impression I mad that night is that I’m stupid!
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
AndyLuka Elite user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 440 Posts |
I have never had to work a free night. I have been lucky enough that I was able to sell myself enough to get paid starting the first night. However If I get a tough client, at a place I really wanted to perform, I would toss the idea out there.
Making Magic and Fantasy a reality in a world where our reality can sometimes be rather cruel
Http://www.lukamagic.com -That's Me Http://www.deceptionsmke -My Show |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On 2012-09-25 10:55, EVILDAN wrote: Seriously you think THAT is why they campaign?
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
magicman491 Veteran user 326 Posts |
Well, it will give your business a plug, hand out business cards
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