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Niko Special user England 599 Posts |
I am applying to get a job doing magic at some restaurants in my area. There are just a few things I need to ask when writing the letter:
When writing the letter should I tell them about myself? E.g. should I tell them my age (16) and that it would be my first time working in a restaurant? Or would these be negative signs that may put the manager of hiring me? And is it important I find the name of the manager, or will addressing it 'To The Manager' be ok? Thanks a lot, -Niko
When you do something right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.
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Shane Wiker Inner circle Las Vegas 1199 Posts |
Call ahead and ask for the manager's name.
Whatever you do, don’t say you haven’t done this type of magic before, unless he/she asks directly. Don’t lie, but don’t give him unnecessary information. As for the age, don't put it on the letter. Instead, mention something in it briefly about being an "up and coming magician" or something similar. You should make them aware that you aren’t an adult (You don’t want to show up and have the manager laugh because they were expecting a 35-year-old man), but don’t say something right away that mentions your age, or he won’t even finish reading the letter. If you write in a letter something like, "I'm a 16-year-old magician. Will you hire me to do tricks for people?" I guarantee you won't get the job. I wouldn’t even write a letter. Instead, do this. Make a short promotional video and put it on DVD. Make a flyer and include it in the DVD case, along with a business card. Now, go to some restaurants (Around 2-4 PM) and actually TALK TO THE MANAGER. Explain who you are, and what you do. Ask if you could have 5 minutes of his/her time to demonstrate some of your magic. Show him/her two of your best effects, and make sure they are short. The manager will be busy, and won't want you taking up too much of their time. If they are too busy to watch, leave them your promotional package (DVD, flyer, and business card). Hopefully they will either be interested then and there, or you will get a phone call later. If not, shrug it off, and move on to another restaurant. Shane Wiker |
Scott Grimm Regular user Chicago 141 Posts |
The classic letter method is much more affordable and practical. Just keep it brief and to the point and on personal stationary. The only reason to send a letter is to prepare them for a phone call. I am a betting man and would bet any time that they will get the letter, read it and throw it away. But it does plant the seed of the idea in them. Just mail it with a mention of the restaurant so they know it is not a form letter (not a good idea to try and pass a form letter off on a manager. They know one when they see one.) Who you are, what you do and how it will benefit them. Then end it by mentioning that you would like to give them a call soon and see if you can arrange a meeting/demonstration. The letter is to give them a heads up for a phone call. The phone call is just to get a face-to-face with them. The meeting is to tell them what you can do for them and get booked.
Faith is at the heart of all magic.
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icentertainment Inner circle 1429 Posts |
Making a DVD is expensive.
If you demonstate your skills in front of the bar manager or descion maker it should be enough. The restaurant is not going to watch a DVD, they are too busy. You must get the persons name because When I used to manage a small hotel in Sydney we got at the very least 8 sales brochures per day from crapy small time companies that had real bad products what do I mean- we through them in the bin because they were unaddressed. It's the same with your emails do you read the email that says "Dear sir I don't know you but I am writting to you because" You delete it straight away With sales Face to Face is the best way and cheapest way to sell because everything you give your customers should look 5 star. Theirfore a business card, letterhead, promo DVD if you use them should look 5 star. If they are not you are going to look cheap- so go in and see them in between Lunch and dinner Tuesday to Thursday and make sure you look good. Offer a free night of entertainment when he is on duty Check out Jim Paces Restaurant book it's a very good read from a guy who does a lot of restaurant magic and keep trying you may get many turn downs simply because of your age but don't worry- buy the time your 21 you will have done so much cold calling you will have an imunity to the horrible feeling I still get from doing it- and I do it a Trade Shows any way don't lose your passion even thougfh those around you have none -keep strong and know that you are only taking your first steps into a greater world (ooooh it's like poetry_ |
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
Shane's right, don't lie, but don't tell him things he doesn't need to know. I didn't state my age because it might put people off. First impressions are everything, and no matter how good we are, people wil always question us on first impressions. (age, dres code, manners etc). I said I was very experienced in dealing with all kinds of situations, from performing in a bar, to on the street, everything. this kinda tells him you are good, without him even seeing you. if you can put in a few venue's that you have perfromed (the bigger and more well known, the better). then straight out of jim pace's book I asked if he'd ever considered using a table magician, and then stated some of the benefits it would bring him/her. I think I finished the letter of by saying I would pop into the restaurant to arrange an interview. I found taht over the telephone people coudl say "no" just like that. in person it was a lot harder.
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Niko Special user England 599 Posts |
Thanks for all the feedback. Icentertainment, I already have Pace's book, and it is great.
And Flec, I know, I've seen your letter -Niko
When you do something right, people won't be sure you've done anything at all.
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