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mark1991 Veteran user Boston, Lincolnshire, England 311 Posts |
Hi there,
I have been developing a family show over the past 6 months and I have done a few kids parties in the past, which were very good experience! However, all the stuff I have done before was through friends and family. What I really want to know is what are the best ways of advertising an entertainer like myself? How do you guys do it? How many bookings do you get from each method? Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated! Many thanks Magical Mark Watson (mark1991)
http://magicnewstelevision.com/mn/magicalmark
Magical Mark Watson - Christian magician, juggler, puppeteer, all-round entertainer and lover of Christ! |
Habu Veteran user Texas / Alabama 393 Posts |
This is discussed fairly often in the Tricky Business section of the forums. You may be able to find some threads under that heading about starting in a new area, advertising, marketing etc.
The first thing you have to decide is your budget. No budget, more leg work, talk to day care centers, schools, businesses and so forth about putting out business cards, fliers, posters and so on. Talk to party supply businesses to see if they can put up advertisements or work an arraingement out with them as to getting leads from them. Large budget, still more legwork. Do all the above, but you can now advertise in your local newspaper, put an ad in a community magazine, send out post cards, and so on. I'm far from being an expert, but that is a start. Your very first investment should be in a book on marketing...mine is in the mail! good luck to ya!
www.magicbyhabu.com
Real name: Rick Jackson Habu: Taken from SR-71 spy plane I worked on. It's name came from a poisonous snake on Okinawa. Hope my magic isn't poisonous! |
mark1991 Veteran user Boston, Lincolnshire, England 311 Posts |
Hi there,
Thanks for your input Habu! I will consider what you have said and act upon it! Keep the posts coming as I feel this is an interesting topic for beginners! Many thanks Magical Mark Watson (mark1991)
http://magicnewstelevision.com/mn/magicalmark
Magical Mark Watson - Christian magician, juggler, puppeteer, all-round entertainer and lover of Christ! |
Kipp Sherry Elite user Boise, ID 477 Posts |
Promote yourself wherever you go. Do one or two effects to spark their interest and then give them a business card so they can call you the next time they have a birthday party or office event. Word of mouth and self promotion are the two best methods and they don't cost much more than your time.
Until we appear again, Kipp Sherry |
mark1991 Veteran user Boston, Lincolnshire, England 311 Posts |
Hi there,
Thanks Kipp for your input too! A few more ideas to think about! Keep these posts coming! Many thanks Magical Mark Watson (mark1991)
http://magicnewstelevision.com/mn/magicalmark
Magical Mark Watson - Christian magician, juggler, puppeteer, all-round entertainer and lover of Christ! |
eddieloughran Special user 942 Posts |
Am I right in thinking that 1991 is your date of birth ?
If you are young you will have little money ! that's a fact that you must face. Yellow pages is the easy answer; along with everyone else. Its expensive but should at least cover the cost. On a weekly basis, local, free newspapers, which cover your area are the same price, but will have less entertainers. Parish magazines and other very local mags cost the same but only cover a small area. You pay your money and sit back and wait for customers. !! I do post fliers in shopping centres and halls but its time consuming and I have to check and replace them. I don't think any of the above is much use to you ! No money ! We are not talking magic we are talking business ! You have the same problem as a new plumber starting up. How does he get people to come to him rather than other plumbers ? Is there enough work for another plumber ? Can a builder get him work ? and so on. You really need to take a businnes course, if you are not to young. |
mark1991 Veteran user Boston, Lincolnshire, England 311 Posts |
Hi there,
Thanks for your input Eddie! My year of birth is 1991, making me 15 (16 in september). I am very eager to build an entertainments business for the future, and I am taking Business Studies for GCSE. I plan to take this on through A-LEVELS and on to University. Thanks for the help, and I understand what you are saying about me needing to find a USP (Unique Selling Point). Thanks for the input so far, and keep the posts coming! Many thanks Magical Mark Watson (mark1991)
http://magicnewstelevision.com/mn/magicalmark
Magical Mark Watson - Christian magician, juggler, puppeteer, all-round entertainer and lover of Christ! |
Utkarsh Sinha Regular user Goa, India 137 Posts |
Get a website. Its not going to get you bookings directly (unless you advertise on the internet... which is *expensive*). But if you include the website address on your business card, it can make you look professional.
On the website you can include many things you can't on a business card - pictures of you performing, videos, etc. Make sure you have a good website that is navigable, easy to understand, and screams that you are an entertainer (i.e. use images).
Want jaadu?!
"Reality is a mere illusion, although a very persistent one" - Albert Einstein http://liquidmetal.in |
mark1991 Veteran user Boston, Lincolnshire, England 311 Posts |
Hi there,
Thanks for the input Utkarsh! Hope to see you around on MSN! Many thanks Magical Mark Watson (mark1991)
http://magicnewstelevision.com/mn/magicalmark
Magical Mark Watson - Christian magician, juggler, puppeteer, all-round entertainer and lover of Christ! |
blink_inc Loyal user Hamilton 278 Posts |
Some ideas (Not that I have done them myself)
Hospitals Charity events Church groups Local junior schools Tell family and friends that you are now available Print one page flyers on your computer and go door to door yourself Community center billboards Hockey arenas Any large gathering i.e. festivals You can perform at any of these places and although you many no get paid for it you will built credibility and a connection within the community which in turn will get you paid gigs. Have business cards, (DO NOT print then off your own computer) Pay to have a designer do the artwork. Hand them out everywhere and leave stacks of them everywhere you can. Have a website. Advertise in church and community papers that are less expensive than mainstream papers. Perform everywhere and anywhere you can. (Have cards ready) Find a way to get in the paper. eg, try to set a world record, try to make 500 balloon animals in 500 min for 500 children. Find corporate sponsors. You juggle, can you juggle saws? Screwdrivers? maybe the local hardware store wants you to juggle hammers for a hammer sale, or a power tool company will pay you to juggle with only their brand of chainsaws. Maybe a football team will pay you to put thier jersey on the puppet and make jokes about the opponent? Just blue sky ideas that may somehow be possibe. Have FUN doing it and don't make it the be all and end all of your life, stay positive and the rest will follow.
I am a Sankey addict....please, help me!
My name is Will, my company is Blink, an experience in transposition. |
MattWayne Special user Manhattan, NY | Studio City, CA 624 Posts |
Try this:
Go to a local family restaurant; that has their breakfast/lunch/& dinner menus specially printed with advertisements on them. Some restaurants that are family run; that I've seen; caiter and sell ads to local businesses each for a year run in the menu of their choice. Wouldn't hurt to take out a small ad in these menus. Think about it, and you'll see how benefitial even one ad could be. ...think about it... best always, Matt
Matt Wayne
The Celebrity Magicianâ„¢ www.CelebrityMagician.com / youtube.com/celebritymagician / twitter.com/RealMattWayne / Facebook.com/CelebrityMagician Creator of, 'Got a Light?' and others. Spokesperson behind, TouchTricks |
davidpaul$ Inner circle Georgetown, South Carolina 3086 Posts |
Do yourself a great big favor and get these lecture notes:
http://www.dennymagic.com/cgi-bin/hazel.......m=007077
Guilt will betray you before technique betrays you!
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
As Eddie mentioned the Yellow Pages is a very helpful advertising method. It worked for me. In my area there are multiple monthly pricing. It could from $30 - $500 monthly. It depends on the size, color, city, etc. It really got me stared. I had to work midnight at my former 40 hour weekly job.
You must have a good attitude because you will receive a lot of calls about your magic shows from a lot of people, usually in the day time. The internet Yellow Pages is a good way to go also. In order to be in the Yellow Pages you will have to be serious of common performances and you will need a good act already put together. You will also need an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Tax Identification Number (TIN). You will first have to go to your county clerk office to make out a form showing who you are "doing business as." Let me put everything in order: 1. Pick a business name 2. County Clerk Office for your assumed name form. 3. Send or mail a EIN form to the U.S. Government 4. Open a business checking account up at a bank or credit union. (I perfer credit union.) 5. Call the Yellow Pages in you area to give the above information. Because they will not approve you without an "Assumed Name" and "EIN." 6. Mission Accomplished |
nucinud Inner circle New York, New York 1298 Posts |
You only need an EIN if you hire people. Your Social Security number is good enough if you are self employed. If you charge sales tax you need to get a resale certificate and if you incorporate you need a Federal ID number.
"We are what we pretend to be" Kurt Vonnegut, jr.
Now U C It Now U Don't Harry Mandel www.mandelmagic.com |
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