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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
This might end up moved to another forum, but I think it applies here, as the direct question is; How does one find a restaurant where a magician performs?
For example, in the Fairfax, VA area, a search on the net yeilds nothing. A call to the most local magic shop we have also yields nothing. How do you restaurant magicians get the word out? This post is partially inspired by the fact that I need a magic fix really bad, and can't find a show of any kind within reasonable distance from me. Jim |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I can't speak for others, but I never worried about advertising so a magician in need of a fix could find me. Nothing against you and your desire to see magic performed, but my target audience was the local clientele, and word of mouth generally got that out.
If a magic shop does not know of any local restaurant workers, there may not be any. Magic Magazine has published a Who's Where section. Do they still do that? ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
I would tend to agree that you need not advertise for other magicians, however, comma, if I can't find any listings (and I can think of a few places to look that the general public wouldn't) I don't think many others would have much more luck.
That said, word of mouth is great too. Just wonder what happens to all those who don't get the word for some reason. |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Jim, I and others post our restaurant appearances in the free community calendars of the local newspapers, parents' magazines and free local entertainment weekly. Our IBM ring and magic shop also lists appearances on their website as a courtesy to the performers. I also post appearances on my websites. It isn't advertising as much as simply letting fans know when and where to catch us. It's the same reason I post a single line listing in the yellow pages...so I can be found by those who heard about my by word of mouth. Hope you find something!! I can't imagine Fairfax NOT having several magicians performing somewhere!
Skip
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I re-read my previous post and it came off as smart-alecky... apologies if it did, and no malice intended.
The Yellow Pages is a good place to look, but local books and internet versions can be two different things altogether. Anytime I visit another city, I check the Yellow Pages to see if any magicians are listed. If you are looking in your own local area, call all the local guys and ask. If you can't find something, it means either no one is working, or the local magic community doesn't communicate enough among themselves. Either cause presents an opportunity to become the big dog. You might also want to check libraries to see if any magicians are booked. Skip mentioned community newspapers and local entertainment guides. Worth checking them all, if you haven't already. ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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The Funny Titan New user 52 Posts |
Word of mouth works for me, but most of the time when I would let people know 1 out of 10 people would go, I realized that most of the success at restaurants is people you've never met. As long as there is always a good night at the restaurant, you nver really had to tell people or publicize that much.
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
I'm actually wearing a Big Dog T-shirt right now, maybe it is prophetic The certainly does seem to be a dearth of public magic around here. This applies to both restaurant workers and any other shows (other than the private events).
I don't feel I'm ready to launch myself into the restaurant world yet, but my wife and I would love to go watch someone else do it. Then again I might never feel ready until I just do it... oh well, that's the subject of another post. Maybe I'll hit up the local SAM & IBM folks to see what they say about who is performing where. No offense taken by the way. Jim |
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
The Washington DC IBM Ring 50 website ( http://ibmring50.blogspot.com/ )has a list of the working magicians in the area...which includes Fairfax. You might find something there. The Fairfax SAM Assembly 252 ( http://flyservers.registerfly.com/members5/sam252.com/? ) also has a few performer links. G'Luck!
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
Thanks. Back to the original question (yes, I derailed it a bit) the John Q Public, wouldn't think to look at SAM or IBM.
Word of mouth seems to be the most common answer. |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-01-13 09:08, Jim Poor wrote: This is really the strongest advertising you can get. I don't do restaurants anymore... 20 years was enough for me, but anytime someone would compliment my work, I would ask that they be sure to tell their friends. Being seen and being experienced is better advertising than all other forms combined. Regarding magicians, I didn't hesitate to tell others where I was working. If anything, I tried to set up a network of other competent performers that I could call on in a pinch. It has happened that I've needed substitutes on a few rare occassions. This doesn't necessarily apply to all places you might work, but for some it may. That being said, I have known other magicians who don't tell others where they are working, possibly due to a fear of cut-throat hacks that try to bottom feed off other workers' turf. Most anyone who works a lot has seen this before. Experience eventually leads to confidence about your job security, so these pains do go away. Then there are other magicians who just do not participate much in their own magic community, which explains why we never hear of them. Although word of mouth works well to sustain the gig, the numbers may indicate why a working magician can still remain a well-kept secret. In a restaurant that does 100-300 covers per night, assuming he may work one night a week, and many of those customers are repeat clients, that means that he probably only has a working rotation of people (even considering those who have heard of the magician, but never gone to the restaurant) that numbers only a few thousand. In a metropolitan area such as I live in here, with about 1.2 million people, that's a pretty small percentage. Even if we think we are the big fish in a small pond, we may still be surrounded by an ocean. As much as magic is a part of our own lives, this strikes me as humbling! ~michael
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Well, I heard that one restuarant magician that works @ Red Robin in Waldorf (www.redrobin.com) is excellant...hint hint. Just kidding...but excellant topic. I might think about doing something of the sort like publishing in the local newspaper.
Thanks! STEVEN |
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
Maybe he should come to the Red Robin down by my place (Chantilly)!
I did find that there is one show almost weekly at a restaurant called Thai Illusions. |
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Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Hey Jim,
Get me a job lined up down there and I might consider it if they pay for gas too. But that fabulous restaurant magician I was referring to was me (please don't think I'm cocky or stuck-up, etc. I'm just being me..). Make the trip to Waldorf, you won't be dissapointed. hehehe, Steven |
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
I got that it was you Who knows, maybe one of these days we'll make it up that way.
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Mike Wild Inner circle NY, PA, TX, MA, FL, NC 1290 Posts |
Hey Jim,
I just moved to North Carolina, and I understand what you mean about the lack of magical performers in local establishments. Coming from a wide range of "hotter magic spots" like Naples, FL, Boston, and NY, it's a very different world in this part of the country. Quieter, less hustle and bustle, and little more bible-belt conservative than I know what to do with sometimes... not that it's a bad thing... just different from my norm. Anyway, finding work here was actually fairly easy for both myself and the mini me that's been following me around and stealing all my secrets for the last 5 years (step son ). We just went to a trendy / coffee / jazzy little place on main street, got a ourselves a cup or two, and made nice with the owners and the regulars. Now, the boy does 3 shows a week there, and I manage 1 or 2 myself. We also picked up some gigs from people whom we met at our church. Restaurant owners that were looking for something unique to set their establishment apart. I guess what I'm getting at is that everything in this part of the country seems to revolve around personal meet and greets, and getting to know and be known, if you catch my drift. All of my opportunities came to me in that way, and every entertaining thing I've found to do since moving here last Sept. has also come to me via word of mouth from my new friends and neighbors. does that help at all? Hope so. Best, -Mike |
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
Yeah, I moved here from Los Angeles almost 2 years ago. And to think I wasn't really into magic at the time, and never had I heard of The Magic Castle
I'd figure that in the DC area, things would be a bit busier, but I'd figure wrong. |
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Michaels Elite user 412 Posts |
Jim,
I've found that if the magician for hire recommends to the manager of the restaurant or club to mention in their normal newspaper add that he or she will be appearing on certain days, they almost never have an objection. With the recommendation, they should be reminded that the add would not cost them any more if they insert it into their normal size add. Most restaurant and club managers would be happy to do this since the magician is being hired to increase the number of patrons or to entertain a well established clientel. This, along with word of mouth might help the public and fellow magicians know where the entertainment is. Michaels
"Our technology is ahead of our humanity"
Albert Einstein |
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Jim Poor Special user Fairfax, VA 676 Posts |
That's a good idea. I don't know that I'll ever be doing restaurant magic. I mostly just want to go watch some. That said, we are headed up to PA this weekend for a couple of shows in Scranton. I hope they are worth the drive.
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Word of mouth.
First off your right with your contention that if "you" can't find a magician through advertising then nobody can. Now the next step to decide if a place wants to advertise or not is to ask "how many people WILL look?". Most don't even consider the concept of a magician in a restaurant after dinner, let alone look for an ad for one. Good food, a nice environment and a magician. THAT is the formula for good word of mouth.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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JeffMac Veteran user Sudbury, ont 350 Posts |
Hey Danny good to see you back.
We magicians always seem to think a lot more of our importance than the public seems to. I agree with Danny your not going to have a whole lotta people out looking for a magican at a restaurant. It's just not common enough. I can' remember the last time I was sitting somewhere and over heard hmmm lets go grab some thing to eat, anyone know where there's a magician. |
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