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THE_MIND_DEFIER New user 3 Posts |
Hi folks, I am from the UK and I would really like to get a job as a restaraunt magician- table hopper in my area. Where I live there are plenty of restaraunts suitable for a table magician.
What I really need your advice on was how I get that job. At the moment, I would only like to work one night a week, maybe on a Friday or Saturday, when they are busy. What is the best way to try and get a part time job? For example do I just go there with some tricks and ask to show the manager or whatever? I would be really greatful if someone could get back to me on this. Many thanks. Chris |
radiantentertainment Regular user Donald Collins 112 Posts |
Market your services as a good will ambassador and not a magician. If they wanted something silly to amuse guests they could use Rubik's Cubes. Keep in mind every 'no' gets you closer to a 'yes.' Be confident and assume the sell is sold. They need what you have to offer, you just have to show them.
I begin with a cold call, via phone, to the restaurant to find out the name of the decision maker. This may be the general manager, head of marketing and promotions, or someone else. With chain restaurants I am going to start trying to aim further up the corporate ladder. Then I hand deliver, if possible, or mail, a regular envelope. It is hand addressed to the DM (decision maker) in blue or black ink, with no return address, and is marked private in red ink. Inside is a direct mail style letter customized for the DM and restaurant, that sells the DM via the benefits of having a magician. Do a search here at the Café and there are more detailed posts about this. Make sure to also use the true sales closer, THE METRICS! You know the numbers. X amount of customers X amount of hours, X amount of dollars. I include two letters of reccomendation and offer a free night of magic. If the DM doesn't call me, I call them. I have a telephone script and rebuttals prepared. I practiced on locations out of state. If you do this, make sure to call and cancel, stating that your performing schedule is now full. Once I have the DM (decision maker) on the phone, they always ask the price. I say that it depends on whether they would like to have balloon animals, how many hours they would like, and so on. I also state that even a used car salesman wouldn't expect for you to buy a car without trying it out and I would like for "DM" to see the value of my services first...at no cost. Worst case scenario is "restaurant" recieves a free night of magic. After performing for the restaurant on a day the DM is there, I negotiate price and contract. I've only tried this technique in three cities but it has been very effective. When you go in for your free night, ham up the applause and tell every table that it is your audition night. I say " Tonight is my audition night, if you enjoyed the show make sure to tell someone in a tie about it, not me! If you didn't enjoy the show walk out real quiet like." And then I wink. Always gains a laugh and the manager is flooded with positive feedback. I have a lot of telemarketing experience and some door to door sales experience, which helps. The key is getting a hold of the DM and them being in the restaurant when you perform. There are resources online that show you how to write a telephone script and rebuttals as well as a direct mail campaign. I would recommend the library though. There are other posts about this. Please do a search.
Life is not a dress rehearsal!
Less is more. & Knock'em dead! |
THE_MIND_DEFIER New user 3 Posts |
To radiantentertainment.
I would just like to say thank you very much for taking the time to post that excellent piece of advice and I will most definitely be trying it out. Much appreciated and I hope one day I will be able to help you in some way. Many thanks, Chris. |
wsduncan Inner circle Seattle, WA 3619 Posts |
Try and locate the following books:
Manual of Restaurant Magic - Kirk Charles (1987) Standing Up Surrounded - Kirk Charles (1989) Both are out of print but can occasionally be found online. Also, check out Real World Magic. |
broothal Elite user Europe 448 Posts |
Others have given advice on how to get your first job, so I'll give advice on how to get the subsequent jobs. I got a few references from my first restaurants. They're pretty much the same "..a very good entertainer... we went from 1 waiter to 7 waiters due to increase in customers... increased our income by x percent..."
This reference is something the other restaurants can understand. It's written by one of their peers, and it states that I will not cost them money, I will make them money. |
kinesis Inner circle Scotland, surrounded by 2708 Posts |
Hi Chris, as a fellow Brit, let me say that getting restaurant work in the UK is not as easy as it is in the U.S. For some weird reason, resaurant managers just don't get it. They see it as someone who will eat their profit margin, rather than increase it. I know a lot of the larger Hotels have regular magicians on Sundays. I was very lucky to get a regular spot in a 'fun pub' 2 nights per week. Unless you are very lucky, expect a lot of rejections before you strike gold. Even then it may not last forever. I don't wish to sound negative, just realistic. Good Luck.
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radiantentertainment Regular user Donald Collins 112 Posts |
Your very welcome THE_MIND_DEFIER, I enjoy helping. Everything comes full circle. I notice you only have two posts so far. If your looking for restaurant gigs you should know enough to where you could be of help to others the magic Café!
Kinesis, Its not easy to gain a gig in the US. Resaurant managers here see table side entertainment as something that will eat their profit margin, rather than increase it as well. It is your job to sale them on the idea. Sales is making them get it. I collect plenty of no's before I gain a yes. Every no is a no closer to a yes. Smile and Dial for dollars. Oops, Sorry, Flash back from my worst "sales" job.
Life is not a dress rehearsal!
Less is more. & Knock'em dead! |
bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
All the people that have posted on this have written very good posts. I have written about this in the beginner section under the thread. Do professional magicians make a good living...
There is also good posting by others on this subject. My oppinion is to read them all and then get out there and get to knocking on the doors. Best ahead, Glenn Bishop
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
THE_MIND_DEFIER New user 3 Posts |
Thankyou very much for your replys guys. I much appreciate it and I am working on a letter for one restaraunt now. Thankyou verty much and I hope to speak to you all soon. Any more posts from any one on any advice are most welcomed.
Best Regards Chris Neve |
bishthemagish Inner circle 6013 Posts |
There has been a lot of great posting on this subject by a lot of members of the Café. Read all of it. But it is useless unless you do it.
My advice is to read it all and then get in the car and go out there and knock on the doors of the restaurant market. And when you find one and book it continue to knock on the doors and keep working. Advice is great but you got to get out there and find the work and ask for the job if you want to make the money on the performance restaurant game. Glenn Bishop
Glenn Bishop Cardician
Producer of the DVD Punch Deal Pro Publisher of Glenn Bishop's Ace Cutting And Block Transfer Triumphs |
Chris Keppel Special user Kansas City MO 544 Posts |
Well, first off I do 4 area locations a week and have been for a while now. Sometimes you cant get that friday or saterday. If this place is hireing you for there service, you need to fulfill them with what ever you can do. Example. I do work a saturday now. When I started I only worked Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. I really wanted the weekend of course. Better tips, more busy, time goes by faster, ect. The places I was doing wanted me there to draw buisness in on there slow days. Thus I have and everything worked out great. See, alot of restuarants don't need that no there busy nights because they bring in more money on those nights. On the other hand some places want you there on friday or saturday mainly because they are packed. Thus why I work a saturday now. My other 3 days are all during the week though. I say give them a free night to show them what you got. If they don't want the service, screw them. Go to the next place that will enjoy your services to them.
www.chriskeppel.com
Kepp's Custom Carbon Fiber |
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
I work 6 restaurants in 5 days a week (Sunday we have 2 restaurants, one for Suday brunch and the other a dinner gig.) Been doing this for 5 years now, Chris Kepple says it right. Get out there, talk to the general managers, give ONE freebie (if you have to) and if they don't like it go next door and audition there.
Keep "knocking on doors" and you will get the jobs, keep improving your magic and you will keep the jobs. Peter |
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
Anyone read the restaurant workers handbook by jim pace and jerry magregor? id highly recomend it for the practical advice it gives on getting jobs as a restaurant worker.
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