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James Schwab New user 14 Posts |
Every Sunday we have a local farmers market that lasts for about five hours. The owner of the market has given me permission to set up anywhere I want and do magic for tips. There are usually a lot of people there. After buying Gazzo’s tapes and Cellini’s dvds and reading most of these topics in the forum I have gone down there twice this summer attempting to apply what I have read and seen. My question is what advice can you guys give me to improve both my show and my tips. I just finished my second Sunday and my tips were not as much as the opening Sunday. They were pathetically low. My first Sunday was alright for my first time At the market there is a guy who does balloon animals who easily makes double, or maybe even triple of what I make. We are on opposite ends of the pavillion, so I do not think we are competing with each other. I use a small table and I set up in an area with plenty of traffic. The way I usually stop people is with the Sponge balls or small tricks with a deck of cards. However, most people leave after one or two tricks. After doing magic for the first family I see, one or two other passers stop for a second and then leave. I try to acknowledge them but they still leave. After starting my first trick how can I keep them from leaving and continue to gather a crowd? Should I tell the group to stick around because I am going to do a magic show? The main trick that really gathers a crowd is the Chameleon silks routine. However, this trick is part of the main show. The main show consists of the Chameleon Silks(Martin Lewis Routine), Richard Sanders’ Three Ropes and a Baby, John Mendoza’s Chop Cup Routine. Most of my tips have come from small families in which I did one or two tricks(Usually sponge balls and hot rod). This is more like walk around magic to me. I usually do a trickle with my hat. Also, if I do the same show over and over again, I am worried about some people who will stick around and see the same show. Should I have two shows of about 15 minutes and rotate the shows. I have enough effects for two shows of 15 minutes each. How many many tricks should I use to gather a crowd? Also, any comments on my show would be much appreciated. The tricks went over well, but nobody tipped. I am not sure when and how to use the hat lines. Thanks in advance for any and all answers. I really would like to improve.
James |
Magicpitch Regular user 197 Posts |
Hi James, I'm sure you'll get some good advice on this thread, but from just reading it and having heard it discussed many times in person, with people who do know it well, my advice is that if you don't ask for money, you won't get it. Sounds like the last few lines in your post are where you need to focus.
Quote:
I am not sure when and how to use the hat lines. Work on that and things should get better. Also know that that balloon artist will make some good money too. Expecting to beat him could be a challenge. You can do it, but just know that they do make good money and do get a lot of work. Hope that helps in some little way. More qualified people will surely have more advice to come. Regards- Steve p.s. If you haven't already, check out Danny Hustle and Jim Wells book "The Art of Krowd Keeping".
Trying to do the right thing, one customer at a time!
http://www.magicpitch.com/ We weed out the junk so you don't have to! Visit our Blog at http://magicpitch.blogspot.com/ |
James Schwab New user 14 Posts |
Thanks a lot for the quick reply Steve. I'll definitely get some money together to buy the Art of Krowd Keeping. I just wanted to clarify that I don't want to beat the balloon guy. He and I are friends. I just mentioned him as an example that proves the money is there. I just need to find out how to get it. It's pretty nerve racking to ask for the money. I am not sure when in the show to put the hat lines.
James |
kid iowa Loyal user Oklahoma 300 Posts |
Don't start your show until you have a decent sized crowd. Have an effect that you can use that has a lot of audience interaction and that you can make as long or as short as needed to keep the audience and to build the size.
Have a running theme: let them know that they have to stay to see the most spectacular magic trick that they have ever seen. Build it up, reference to it throughout, and then do it. Casually drop lines about your hat throughout also to let them know that $$ is appreciated. Try and use people as much as possible. Get their name and call them by it. Get some kids up there to hold ropes, do spongeballs with, etc. If you can get the kids to have a good time then their parents will be more inclined to drop some money in your hat. Make eye contact, smile, be pleasant. Have fun, people can tell when you force things. The more fun you have the more fun they have. Totally forget about making money and see if that takes the pressure off of the hat. But don't forget to drop the hat lines. I'd stay with one set and do it over and over again. You'll develop your own rythym and pick up bits and pieces that will flesh it out. If people stay and watch your show again, good! They enjoyed it. Play to them. Let them know that they need to help you build a crowd. Have them laugh and cheer and carry on. Give them a wink and say that if they do a good job they won't have to give you a dollar at the end of your show like all the others. Good luck!
Any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile...can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction, "I served in the United States Navy." J.F.K.
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