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sjbrundage Loyal user 239 Posts |
Hi Everyone,
I just finished talking to a legitimate marketing company and am planning to work on a Brand New Website. Here is my old website: http://stevenbrundagemagic.com/. While I still get a lot of booking through the old website its been 4 years old its not exactly what I want. While I can make some tweaks to the old website I don't know much about websites and I would rather go with the Pros. If you have any ideas or feedback from the old website that would work well in the new website.. or stuff that doesn't work.. Please let me know. I have a general direction I want to go, who I want to target and the purpose the new website. The main point of the new website is to target High End Corporate events, High End Private Events, and colleges. Also, Possibly a Tour page to include public dates so people can buy tickets. Thank you, Steven Brundage |
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JoshLondonMagic Special user 675 Posts |
Lots of SEO and UX issues, assuming your goal is to book shows.
Josh London
Josh
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
I'm surprised that no one has responded to Stephen. Whenever these types of posts come up, I always find myself having the same first thought which is what is your intended purpose for the site? What are you trying to achieve? Who are you trying to target? What are you trying to get them to do? What is your message?
These questions and answers are needed first and foremost to to even be able to begin to answer the posed question. If it for agents and agencies (which I understand it's not) it would be approached one way, yet for specific market it would be approached another. A site for kids performances would be approached differently than a site for colleges, cruise lines or the corporate market. As would the feedback you are requesting. I think when many ask for such a question (what do you think of my website), they often are speaking generically as is what do you think about the general look, elements and components to my site? The "at a glance" look. They are often not anywhere near the point of what Josh is referring to yet. But other than the general at a glace thoughts, we really need to know some more specifics to provide the proper answers or perspectives. At a glance, my first thought was decent placement of the AGT content, and what "tour" and "tour dates?" There are few things worse on a website than when someone has a "Schedule" "Dates" or "Tour" page with nothing listed or dates from two or more years ago. Remove it until you have something to show. It actually looks bad and can work against you to have nothing or an outdated schedule. It makes it look like you're not working very much or often. I see no positioning (part of the reason for asking who it's for or what your distinct message is). The descriptive info about you is the smallest element on the page, buried under non-prime elements and barely noticeable. No real tone or sizzle, just unflavored info. Your first fold of the landing seems not best optimized. That is your first impression and it says very little and really doesn't speak to any specific target or reel them in. since your targeting corporate with the new site I would have that easily identifiable on the landing age and throughout (in text, photos, positioning, USP, bullet points, etc. I would suggest a corporate look and feel in your style or template. Also be careful about trying to target corporate and colleges on the same site. Two entirely different types of buyers, approaches. Just a few first thoughts. Now others will hopefully chime in. |
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Bairefoot Inner circle 1097 Posts |
Whatever makes you the money.
Bairefoot |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
It is clear that you do not understand what you actually want. You have to have some Corporate references in quotes, pictures, and referrals before you can advertise yourself as a Corporate magician.
Same with Colleges, and the whatever else you are thinking. How do you get the initial gigs, go out and do the leg work. Talk to people in those fields and have questions ready to get information. Corporate means many things, trade show pitchman, banquet stand up show, sales meeting with motivational messages, new product introductions, cocktail parties for clients, etc. You can't do them all, so you have to target market each, and people just don't understand a "jack of all trades" type of person. Colleges are mostly an hour to an hour and a half stand up stage show, sometimes with a message for college students, sometimes just a good entertaining show. Not much for close-up magic. Do you have a killer show all set up and ready to go, if you would get a call tonight? Can't talk in generalities, you have to be specific. You have wasted a lot of time already, you should have done this the day you signed the contract for AGT. It was good exposure to build your career on. Now you have lost momentum, and have to start again, making it more difficult to get people to even talk to you. Good Luck, hope you succeed. |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 21, 2016, Bill Hegbli wrote: I say this all the time. Especially with AGT talent. The time to have all of this ready, understood and in place, is BEFORE you get caught up in the AGT firestorm and whirlwind. It also allows you to maximize and monetize the exposure and benefits of the show BEFORE it fades or loses momentum. I've worked with many from AGT and only two of them had the insight and wisdom to do it before it hit the air. I talk about this very specifically in one of my books for just this very reason. I see many of them completely missing the boast, most of the time. I just saw Eric Dittleman this week and was thinking the exact same thing. He could have positioned it and himself to still be benefiting from that (more than he is currently) as he was a favorite. Careful pre-planning and making the right determinations will help create the focus and direction needed. |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
When Kevin James lectured here, I talked to him for a few minutes. He said, if he ever does it again, he will do the personal spots totally differently. In other words, he would do it to benefit him and his career.
I note that Steven Brundage took down his website, not a good sign. |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Steven Brundage's name came up in the referenced below posting.
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewt......orum=218 This is again a Rubik Cube solution, there is only so many ways that one can magically solve a Rubik Cube, and make it magical. It seems that no one has advised Steven on his career path. In my opinion, he lost the competition, not because his personality was a little off, as Simon on AGT said on that show, but because he was doing another Rubik Cube trick. You could see the expression or lack thereof on the judges faces. Another Cube trick. Therefore, they seen him as one trick wonder. They had no interest to watch another Rubik Cube trick. Beyond the instant solution, the audiences are made to think and pay extra close attention to the effect. Predicting solutions, and duplicating or matching cubes are good build up to the finale, but not that interesting after you have already did your best Finale previously. Steven seems to be stuck on this one prop, and that makes people think he is a "one trick wonder", can't he do anything else. Houdini advertised himself as an escape artist, and went out to promote his evening shows by doing dare devil escapes. When people came to the show, an escape was the "hook" to keep them there during the whole evening show. He did not do it as the 1st act, but as the last event of the evening. His website is all about the Rubik Cube, nothing about what else he offers if someone would hire him. He is making the Cube famous and not him. The Cube got him on national news, and he seems he thinks that is what will carry him into a career. Steven Brundage has to think are they hiring the Rubik Cube or Steven Brundage. Here is his new website: http://stevenbrundagemagic.com/ |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
I agree with some of the thoughts of Bill and others. I wish Steven would participate here more as he could learn so much and fine tune things with just a bit of foundational work. Plus we could learn more about him. I'd also like to hear his thoughts and reasonings.
I fear the same Bill has mentioned. Yes, he should be milking the AGT thing, for sure, it can be a vehicle for him if used properly. But it can also work against him when not done properly. Whether intentional or not, he is not becoming known as Steven Brundage, but rather as that guy that did the Rubik's Cube trick. This can and will greatly limit future possibilities and opportunities. I was at an agents association meeting earlier this month and the discussion of "that young guy that did the Rubik's Cube bit on America's Got Talent came up. This exact topic ensued. No one knew his name and few expressed any interest in him because the perception is that of as one trick pony. I thought this was a shame and actually went to bat for him, saying he is quite talented and I would use (book) him if the opportunity arose. But they only saw him as the RC guy. One agent remembered him as the speeding ticket video guy, but that too seemed like he is only a "youtube "gimmicky" magician." He has got to be careful (perception) not to be, as one agent put it, "that creepy kid who must do nothing but practice that RC in his parents basement relentlessly." I said it in another thread, but perception is everything, at least initially. While Steven seems to be enthralled with the Rubik's Cube stuff, it gets old for most others relatively quick. I would want to be known for much more, the greater picture. With two good media interests he's had he could have used these much more beneficially. He is young and just trying to figure it all out, which we have to remember. The problem is he has the platform (media interest and appearances) to change or position this, but all that ever happens is the RC performance stuff. I've never remembered once anything about him and an attempt at correct positioning for his benefit in these spots. Bands have similar perception and positioning problems. You can be a one-hit wonder known for only a specific SONG, or you can be known as the BAND who had that hit song/signature song. Big difference in perception and how you are perceived, credibility, longevity and much more. |
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Tim Friday Elite user 485 Posts |
In response to Bill and Mindpro, I feel the need to chime in on this one. Maybe it's because you fellas are older, but I believe you could be wrong on this one. Specifically the point that it is bad for Stephen to be known as the Rubik's cube guy. I believe this is great for Stephen, and I believe it is possibly why he did so well on the show AGT.
It really made him memorable. What you have to remember is that in a competition like that it is easy to become just another grain of sand on the beach, but Stephen used consistency to stand out. The rubiks cube was a very memorable through line and established Stephen as the authority on rubiks cube magic. It seems you are slamming his strength as something negative but it is not, it is really positive! He is now in a position to get booked for the rubiks cube stuff, then when he shows up he can do so much more. It is a great under promise over deliver situation. Maybe you old fellas could take a pointer from another old timer - Marvin Roy. I remember hearing a story from Steve Trash how Marvin told him it is good to be known for something - so when people are talking they say "let's get the guy who does all the stuff with electricity and the light bulbs" so they call Mr Electric/Marvin Roy. I say Bravo to Stephen and I hope the new website is coming together well. I look forward to seeing it. I felt bad that so much negative talk was going on about Stephen's good fortune and wanted to step in and say something. |
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
Tim Friday, seems you cannot tell the difference between a constructive Critique and a slam.
I suggest you go back and read Marvin Roy's book, you missed what he was saying, and his meaning. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Being memorable is one thing. Being paid for it is another.
And before anyone gives me the weepy eyes routine I dorky mention any names. It is a general statement of fact.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 30, 2017, Tim Friday wrote: It always amazed me how performers confuse insight and constructive criticism as negative. Also you seemed to either not understand what was being expressed or took it completely out of context. As I said "You can be a one-hit wonder known for only a specific SONG, or you can be known as the BAND who had that hit song/signature song. Big difference in perception and how you are perceived, credibility, longevity and much more." Both involve the well-known thing, but are executed, positioned and utilized much differently. One leads to a one and done perception, the other to a longer term career and benefits. No one ever said he should ditch the Rubic's Cube or not want to be be known for it, nothing like that was said at all. Having coached several AGT performers, I have knowledge of what flies and what doesn't. What they want and even push for and what they don't. They want what's in the best interest of their program at that specific time. Even within them it can change from performance to performance, week to week. But they have no concern for you or your career, your bigger picture, your lasting affects. That is up to you to realize, take hold of and control. You must think in the greater picture. This is how AGT and other such shows can be beneficial from a foundational perspective. So you are right, Steven can listen to opinions from other performers (with no experience in this specific area), or from those with experience and a greater knowledge and understanding of the situation and the industry. The problem with many younger or newer performers or talent is they don't have the benefit of the bigger picture, the long-haul or the depth of experience. |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 30, 2017, Dannydoyle wrote: Why deal in facts and experience when opinions come much easier? |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Judging from Steven's posts on Facebook, he seems to be keeping busy performing.
https://www.facebook.com/SJBrundage I would guess that he's sought out current mentors in places other than the Magic Café. And that's OK. If you do a search for posts by Steven on the Magic Café over the past year (these types of searches are easy to do), you'll see what his posts have been about. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
I referenced another post on The Café, it pay to take a look. Then I Googled him, and found his website. The layout is good, but there is nothing but Rubik Cube in everything on it. There is picture with him holding a deck of cards, but no mention that he does card tricks. No mention of what he can do outside of being hired to do the Rubik Cube. So no act, no mention of what he can offer a corporate client. And no mention he performs magic, just the Cube. I may have missed it as I just gleaned it quickly, but nothing made me stop and read or look further.
How much do news shows pay for an appearance? Even on his appearance with Al Roker, maybe they would pay air fair to New York. Again an appearance with poor patter, not though out. Solved a cube behind Al's back. No build up, or mention of mentally controlling Al's movements. I will say Steven looks to be 6'9" in this New/Weather show appearance. I remember when Duncan Yo-Yo sent salesman around to stores in the late 1950's, maybe Steven can get a job demonstrating Rubik Cubes for the manufacturer. I would really like the guy to succeed, but he has no clue what he is promoting with the exposure he does get. When performed his instant in the air solution, he had it all. He has to be consistent in the personality. I think it is really his confidence showing, when he is showing an effect he knows he can do, and all the other cube tricks he is not as confident while performing. |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
His Facebook posts reference doing various stage shows for corporate clients, not just appearances on TV.
It's amazing to me that some people think there is nothing more to a performer than their presence on the Magic Café and their website. I've seen lots of performers who are active on Facebook and other social media websites, and that is the best way to learn more about them. There are deep discussions that I've seen take place in Facebook groups, etc. One recent post by Michael Eaton (who used to post here quite often, and knows a thing or two about websites), talked about Steven and Michael getting together for some social time. If Michael is one of his mentors for making the most of his internet presence, then he's in good hands. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
It's amazing to me how people seem to see things and accept them at face value. It also mazes me how so many only look, think and live in the here and now, rather than the deeper, bigger picture.
I don't think many think all there is is the presence in The Magic Café. Or AGT. That's my point, there much more at play here than these things. Maybe it's my long-tern experience, but I can spot it right away, from a mile away. I can't tell you how many people meet me, work with me and almost immediately proclaim, they had me pegged all wrong based on their perceptions from here. Again, you must deal in reality and the greater picture. I do understand some have trouble seeing this. At the same time when you see congruency between them on here, them on their websites, and them during their performances or appearances, it's a pretty safe bet that this approach and mentality is consistent throughout. Also there is still much more than many are seeing here. In a local performer's world in consumer markets, certain things may be acceptable and passable. But when you take them to a larger stage including, media, professional markets, agencies, promoters, producers and such, it is a entirely different game. Initial basic and at a glance mentalities are long gone, and much more comes into play. |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 30, 2017, Mindpro wrote: |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Isn't most of the comments on this thread just a moot point? He asked for feedback on his new website before it was launched, and now it is launched. He only asked for advice once on TMC in all of 2016 (as far as I can tell, the post that started this thread was his only post in the Tricky Business area in ALL of 2016), and then hasn't commented on this topic again. We can't even compare his new website to his old one (like he asked about), because it is gone.
My opinion (and it's just that... an opinion), is that we leave him alone, because he's not currently here asking for our advice or feedback. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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