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NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Has anyone ever tried to up and move their fulltime magic business to a whole new city?
How did you go about it? |
Devious Inner circle 2120 Posts |
I went from Phoenix to a smaller, but less competitive town.
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Creative Coach Loyal user Anderson, SC 294 Posts |
I moved from Atlanta, GA (lived there 30+ yrs) to Anderson, SC. For me it wasn't hard. Kept my 800# I work 7 states already so the move was great for me. Less traffic and easier access to the expessways. I also bought a house with a detached mother-in-laws apt so now I have a 580 sq ft. studio!
Send a moving notice to your clients. Join the Chamber in the new town and network. Lay some groundwork before the move. Put some savings in the bank to take care of expenses while you establish yourself in the new area. Hope this helps! John |
Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
Devious...thats funny, we just moved to Phoenix from Indianapolis last week.
However, less than 5% of our work comes from the city we live in. Not sure that helps Nicholas, but thought I would add it once I saw the post from devious. Kevin & Kristen
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
floridamagic Regular user lakeland Fl 157 Posts |
I just moved and the first thing I did was call the local newspaper, so they could do a story on me and let people know I'm in town. Erick
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Steve Hart Veteran user Cocoa, FL 388 Posts |
Nicholas,
There are several factors to come to play in moving your business to another town. I mention the possibility of moving in my book, "The Magician's Money Making Survival Guide." Some must move to a larger city just to survive. But if you have established yourself in one city and you are moving to the another city far away then lets be honest, it is going to set you back for awhile before you establish yourself in the new town. But you can also capitalize upon your success from you previous town by saying, "Brisbane's Number children's entertainer has moved to Melbourne! Give your child the gift of the best in entertainment." Then invite them to come see you. You would have to quickly establish a place to work so that everyone could come see you in person. Most likely a middle to upper class restaurant. What is most important, have a plan, create a strategy as I did. I used the concept of "Position Marketing" it worked. I wrote about this in my workbook which can be found in my "resource page" at magic2motivate.com Make yourself available for local TV, Radio, and news stories as "FloridaMagic" mentioned. Rarely pay for print advertising unless it is a tele-phone listing. If you are a good then you will soon establish yourself in the new town. If you not as good as the other magicians it will take longer. You may have to re-vent yourself and establish yourself the number one school show magicians for that area. Steve Hart "The Motivational Magician"
www.SteveHartSpeaks.com
www.magic2motivate.com "Motivational Magicians are some of the highest paid magicians, find out why?" |
wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
Nicholas,
I did this less then 2 years ago. I had been part-time pro for 5 and full time pro 1 year in Pittsburgh. Then my fiancé and I moved to Chicago (500 miles away). All my work in Pittsburgh was local. First off, I made sure I moved with enough money to survive for like 4 months. I got to Chicago just before the phone directories closed their advertising for the year (this was September). So, I bought a big ad in the phone book. The phone books come out in January here. Also, because Halloween to Christmas is our busiest time of year here, I contacted just about every entertainment bureau in the book. I got set up with 4 of them easily. So, from September to January (when the phone book came out) I lived on Agent work and a little savings. Literally on one of the train rides to Chicago to set stuff up before we moved (12 hours) I wrote a very nice press release. But I didn't end up needing it. In August we will be starting our 3rd year in Chicago and things have gone up ever since. I don't know if you have a family or not. But because it was just Michelle and I and we are young and used to eating Raman noodles (I don't know the Aussie version, maybe Vegemite sandwiches), we didn't worry. I figured if I couldn't get things up and running I could take some temporary office work but I didn't end up needing to. So, good luck, it can be done and if you want to, it should be done. Edd
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
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floridamagic Regular user lakeland Fl 157 Posts |
A restaurant gig can get you quick exposure in your new area.
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Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Nicholas,
Unfortunately, no one else hates moving nearly as much as I do. Yet I my forty-something years I've had more luck than ought to be legal. Another factor there is that it has been more moving back and forth than away and farther away. I called home Montgomery, Alabama much of my life no matter where I lived. That helped. Beginning at age thirteen, my personal manager who also handled agency relations was in Atlanta. He handled most of my personal performance business until I was twenty-one. Then he retired. Since the way to reach me was through the Atlanta connection, where I really was, was of little significance. (Under my contract I had forty weeks a year of guaranteed employment. I often wish it were limited to that. My manager was outstandingly productive.) During that time I had one significant move from Montgomery to Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Business only got better. Hardly any of my work during those nine years was at home anyway. Next I moved to Birmingham for three years and there was no noticeable change. That is only a 55-mile move. When I moved back to Tuscaloosa for four years, again there was not a noticeable difference. Then I moved back to Montgomery for six years. (That is a 100-mile move.) Since I owned several businesses there I was still connected but unknown as a magician! The next move was 700 miles to Fayetteville, Arkansas for four years while working on a Ph.D. I really wondered if I would survive. Surprise! I picked up more bookings for trade shows, hotels, fairs, shopping malls, fashion shows and TV commercials than I should have accepted. I was in the Marketing Department of the University of Arkansas. It was the hot spot for the top marketing consultants to American and Asian businesses. (One of the local companies there is called "WalMart".) It certainly was not a case of “those who can do and those who can’t, teach”. It was a case of being taught by those who do it best! The Man upstairs really put me to the test there and paid me well. First, I carried a good corporate reputation with me. Secondly, I let agents know 90-120 before where I was going and what work I sought. (Sometimes you have to send them on a mission and do their thinking for them. Hint! Hint!) By the time I got there I had over 200 stage shows a year booked at much better rates than the guys in Branson were making. It just got better. (Even the largest media firm in Atlanta chased me down in Arkansas.) At times I would have to tell good corporate clients that I was not available. I learned at that stage of my life that I wanted talent buyers who bought 12-60 shows or more at a time. It became a lifestyle! That is my market. It won’t fit many people. But I’m just not a restaurant and birthday party magician. I refer work to them. We are not competitors. At the end of those four years, I moved back to Alabama and kept my western connections. TV commercials got better. I was a marketing consultant to KinderCare the world’s largest for-profit daycare provider. It was a mystery to them why I was not available to them. (Stage shows paid much better.) So when I did do magic for them, I gave it to them for free. Guess whom you meet at KinderCare Centers? You meet young executives and business owners with kids. It fed itself. Guess what magicians the people at the largest advertising agencies know? Yep! Guess who pays them to handle advertising and promotion? Yep! Guess who was the magician who was also a published university professor in the field of marketing and advertising? Yo! In short, except for travel, it should not be a problem. Know what area of magic you are really in. Know that target market inside and out. Don’t get misdirected by the side jobs. Keep the focus on prospects for your type of magic. If you use agents, help them. They would love to die rich! Never forget rule #1 of duck hunting: Go where there are ducks! Good Luck to You! (I know it's frightening. But you will do fine.) Bob Magic By Sander |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Here is a run down of suggestions so far
1) Join professional organisations such as Chamber of Commerces and Convention Beaurues. Obviously research any group before joing. 2) Time your move to conicide with the new yellow pages for that year 3) Send general mailouts to potential clients. e.g. childcare centres, restaurants etc. Follow up with a phone call 4) Organise a 'tour' prior to moving. E.g. organise a series of school or library shows late in the school year for the following school year. This will set you up with reliable income. 5) Call agents and other entertainers. Introduce yourself and talk to them about their businesses. Befriend them. 6) Send an intesting "I'm Moving" press release to papers, radio and TV. Make yourself available for interviews 7) Avoid paying for advetsiments. 8) Go where your clients go. 9) Don’t get misdirected by the side jobs. 10) Something about shooting poultry...i'm not sure on that one...I don't have a duck in my act and even if I did, a duck bullet catch isn't quite my style. |
Bob Sanders Grammar Supervisor Magic Valley Ranch, Clanton, Alabama 20504 Posts |
Nicholas,
You've got it! Roasted Duck is a 10! Good Luck! Bob |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
That reminds me of a convention I went to a few years back. The clip on his cheap crappy duck pan broke and the magician's duck fell out INTO the fire! I'm one of those tree hugging, leftie animal lovers so I was disgusted and almost punched the guy.
(The MC later that night got someone to run out and buy a FULL peking duck from a chinese grocery store which was presented to the magician at the end of the night with the announcement "could magicians please not leave their props back stage" |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
So we didn't move last year....but thanks for all the help.
But this year, it's gonna happen. Here is what I have done so far 1) Booked in an BIG ad in the yellow pages. (free because they stuffed up last year) 2) Booked three months in a parenting magazine. ($500) 3) Contacted 15 agents. Lined up gigs with three of them so far. 4) Mailed out the shopping centres. Booked in three weeks of work. 5) Set up my website for "Melbourne Magician" searches. Do that search and I'm in the top ten everytime 6) Met several very friendly Melbourne magicians. Passed on a lot of work to them. 7) Handed out cards or colouring sheets at the 20 odd shows I have done in Melbourne in the past year. And still to do is... 1) Mail out to childcare centres, primary and high schools with my school shows. I had no luck last year when I wanted to do a tour but I've rekeyed my marketing so I should do better 2) Media releases when I get to town. |
LeeDillingham Loyal user Las Vegas 263 Posts |
I recently moved from Sacramento to Las Vegas. Most of my business is trade shows and I was already coming to Vegas 2 or 3 times a month. It only made sense. I just had new business cards printed and changed the phone number on my website. My old Sacramento phone number was actually a cell that I still have. I was relatively painless.
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
I just moved to Windsor from Stratford Ontario. I still have gigs to do up in that area (and will be doing so for at least a year). I still get emails from that area (got one today). Had to totally disconnect my phone. The company wouldn't allow me to forward calls or anything. Really dumb.
Well, I am starting from nothing (okay, not really nothing but close). I have gone around to most of the bigger/better restaurants. Have a few leads. Went to the library. Will be going to the schools soon. I have friends in the area, including one who has wanted me to help him run his entertainment biz. So that is a plus. I have passed on a couple gigs to other performers in the Stratford area. Mostly birthdays since I can't charge travel on top of the already agreed upon contract. I am still keeping my bigger magic gigs and my dj gigs up there. I have approached a lot of nightclubs/bars already about DJing. I have also applied with two temp agencies to get some money coming in by working at factories. Can't see working until September. I have gone to the library(s). They are interested. I will be doing a free show soon for two reasons. Promotion to the audience and for the library to see my show. They seem interested in the fact that I am multi-talented (magic, juggling, musician...)and that lends itself to promoting more books. They really don't have anything show wise to do until March Break. I have looked at one of the local theatres to rent. Not too bad. Complete with box offic and ticket printing I am looking at $600.00 So that's what I have done in the past 3 days. Oh Yeah. I've let some of the other magicians know that I am in town too. |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Good to see your working hard to make the move work.
I made my self a promise some years ago to always be a magician, to never get a real job unless I had to. So a lot of my moving plans revolve around keeping the cash coming it! |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Well, my couple of weeks of promoting has payed off already. I have two regular gigs and two library shows booked already. I also am doing some "carny" work for a friend one day. I still have contracted gigs to do in my old town. I will be doing them up until May 2007.
One of my regular gigs is DJing at a bar. The other is performing magic at another bar in the VIP area. The bar that I DJ at is also interested in having me perform a weekly magic show on a wednesday or Thursday, and to also showcase other talent in the area. I will be the main attraction while the others will perform before me....musicians, jugglers, other magicians, and whatever. They will be auditioned by me. This is really cool because I've always wanted a weekly stage show, even a small stage like this one. Of course I won't stop promoting myself and will continue to try in fill in the blanks in my schedule. Sometimes it just takes determination. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On 2006-08-23 17:58, Nicholas J. Johnson wrote: Nicholas let me say this. You sir have done more in preperation for a move, than MOST guys do waiting in their own home town! Way to think creatively about things sir. I am in awe of your preperation. I am serious about that remark. Good luck, although with this amount of prep work, you certainly do NOT need it!
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
It is great to know when you are going to move so you can prepare. And as Dannydoyle said Nick, you have done more than most.
I on the other hand had to move suddenly, with about 3 hours notice, so I couldn't prepare. But in either case, you just have get off your rear and do it. |
NJJ Inner circle 6437 Posts |
Thanks guys - I appreciate it!
I've never lived anywhere but Canberra and all my intersstate work has been short term (2 weeks most) starting in a new market after 20 years of hard work scares the hell out of me. |
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