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Popo Loyal user Valparaiso, IN 219 Posts |
I need a little advice please. I have read that when doing table magic at restaurants you should basically have three solid routines of roughly three effects that reset. You should then work a table and after try to go to the other side of the room to work a table and weave back and forth if you will. My problem is this. I have been booked to work a restaurant. I spoke with the owner and went in for the last two Friday evenings to try it out with pay. He has offered me the position. The problem is the restaurant has a front dining room and a back room. When I attempted to move back and forth the other night people were saying that they thought I had left. Each area has about ten to twelve tables and you cannot see one area from the other. How do others handle this type of setup?
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RicHeka Inner circle 3999 Posts |
Hi Popo:You may (or may not)be referring to a post I made a while back,however,I was commenting on plan of attack for a 'one time event'( wedding,business dinner etc.)
Working a restaurant on a weekly basis requires a different approach.Basically,you have two 'prime times'when you may be able to entertain:After ordering and before dinner;After dinner before dessert.There are all different element's that can affect this scenario so this is just a generalization. That said,you have to cruise between rooms looking for tables that are at the 'prime time point'so you can introduce yourself. I happen to be a proponent of table tents.My table tents have a signaling device,so my job is much easier;especially in my main restaurant that has five rooms! Judgeing who to go to and when is an Art in itself,that is mastered only by doing. Please feel free to PM me if you have any other concerns. Rich |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Everyone in that place needs to know you are there. A flyer, you going and doing a trick to show them, something to announce your "THERE"!
a handout with the hours you are working works really nice for this application.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Don't forget to network with the staff, too. They are already hooked up to a great communication system... each other.
~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
A very simple tool for not only this but many many many other things(telling them you do private parties, ect), is to work it into a "story" in between effects.
Like if they react very strongly to an effect, you comment how you just performed this same effect for a table in the back and that something crazy happened as you were performing it(even though this is untrue and you say this to every table). So the basic idea is to work in a message(such as that you also perform magic for the tables in the back) into a quick piece of by-play, so that you get the message across without actually stateing it. |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Michael is right on the head here too..
the STAFF is your first line of offense. IF they recomend you to the tables, tell people about you, brag on you, then your problems are so solved. You won't have enough time to do all the work.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
karbonkid Special user 951 Posts |
Amen to the staff. If you have them on your side, then they will promote for you after they take an order, etc. and can just find you to perform for a table..then you aren't stepping on anyones toes, or, holding up the flow of business in the resturant.
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Comedy Writer Special user 594 Posts |
Get a poster up where the customers walk in -- then they'll know who your are, when you are there and why. Saves time. Promotes you.
CW |
Popo Loyal user Valparaiso, IN 219 Posts |
Thank you all for the advice. I am working with the owner about advertising. I agree with what was said about the staff. I try to interact with them before and after and ask them how to better help them. Some of the waitresses have been coming to me to let me know that there is "a table in the back celebrating a birthday." They also let me know if somebody has asked for me. I guess part of it, like anything else, is just gaining some experience at the place to work any kinks out. Thank you all for the advice.
POPO |
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