|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
Xiqual Inner circle Upper left quadrant 4935 Posts |
I just bought this download from Michael Paul. It is a pdf file that tells you a method to make people keep your business card and then show other people.
I think this method will work very well. I actually think this is the best business card idea I have ever seen. The graphics [which are very personalised and flexible] make up a little routine of sorts. It's not magic, more pop psychology than anything but it could be applied to readings,mentalism, businees or magic. This is really good and only $15. I don't have a link because you have to be a member of his mailing list to get this at the $15 price. When it comes out though, buy it, if you want people to keep your business card and show it to other people [oh, who would want that?] James
Still with the Chinese circus
|
|||||||||
bekralik Inner circle Canada 1349 Posts |
I agree. It is a clever idea, it makes sense, and I think it would intrigue most people (as I was when I first read it).
No marketing tool is 100% effective and a lot comes down to personal preference. I'm not sure I agree with all of his suggestions on business card layout and design, but those are just optional tips he includes to consider. The main idea in this ebook is sound as well as his follow-up suggestions. For completeness, I think a few more follow-up examples would be beneficial for people who need more experience in presenting magic effectively, but there are many other resources available for that. Michael provides a few basic examples and encourages you to develop your own presentation, and it is enough to understand and get started using this. I think if you use this idea, it is a great 'hook' that has a unique and memorable introduction, a reason to keep your card, and a reason to show other people your card. Brian |
|||||||||
toomuchmagic Special user 534 Posts |
Not a fan.
First of all, the tone of the document seems to be trying to sell me something I already bought. The whole thing reads like mediocre ad copy more than anything else. Like one of those pyramid scam websites or something. Maybe it is some supposed subtle attempt at programming me to think what I am reading is good. Not every magician with an idea should be a writer I guess. At least not at 15 bucks a pop. An editor would help weed out all the typos and grammar mistakes as well. I am no English teacher, but I hate purchasing something that is mistake-laden....to me that is incomplete. Second, I don't really like the idea itself. I don't believe it would be of more than a few seconds interest to the majority of the lay public and I don't think they would know (or care) what it means nor would they be able to apply it or explain it anyway. Does this mean they won't try it after you tell them to...not necessarily, but it doesn't mean it will interest them or their friends any more than the punchline that Mike hates so much for some reason. Especially if they really don't remember it all or what it means. That punch line will work every time. There is no need to rely on the spectator to make sense of it. Point in fact, if you have to dumb down the explanation to right brain/left brain test instead of even mentioning the term hemispheric dominance, you are not even allowing them (as they may not have) the intelligence capacity to give a crap a day later. I LOVE psychology and this whole premise bores me. (That said, not everyone knows what NLP stands for either.) Thirdly, I book 99% of my work over the phone or in person. My opinion is leaving the phone number off the BC is a BIG mistake. I think some people even have their phone numbers printed too small on their cards. Myself included. I feel that the sooner I can get a person on the phone, the sooner I will have that gig. I do not want someone to base their decision to call me on their own unique interpretation of what they see on my website. Mike should know that his fellow "left brainers" will analyze and process that information in a different way from right brained people. I want to be there live and in person to cater my answers directly to their unique questions and personal interests. I could keep going, but for now I choose to leave it at this. |
|||||||||
Michael Paul Special user 535 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-29 01:27, toomuchmagic wrote: Hi there. I'm sorry that you didn't much like the way my latest idea was written. It certainly wasn't an attempt to make you like the idea more... lol. (I almost wish I had thought of that). As far as grammar... I've actually paid an editor to adjust it for me. If you've purchased the download in the first two days, then you got one that was mistaken uploaded to a server. I'm very sorry for your trouble. Quote:
Second, I don't really like the idea itself. I don't believe it would be of more than a few seconds interest to the majority of the lay public and I don't think they would know (or care) what it means nor would they be able to apply it or explain it anyway. Does this mean they won't try it after you tell them to...not necessarily, but it doesn't mean it will interest them or their friends any more than the punchline that Mike hates so much for some reason. I can tell you from actually using this idea for several years that it does work if presented properly. It's not a pipedream at all. And I mentioned in the email (and in the notes) that the FI idea is not a magic punchline, because it isn't a card revelation or other revelation that only you can do... it's a wonderful little secret embedded into the design of the card that anyone can share with anyone else (the entire premise of the idea). Quote:
Especially if they really don't remember it all or what it means. That punch line will work every time. There is no need to rely on the spectator to make sense of it. Point in fact, if you have to dumb down the explanation to right brain/left brain test instead of even mentioning the term hemispheric dominance, you are not even allowing them (as they may not have) the intelligence capacity to give a crap a day later. I LOVE psychology and this whole premise bores me. A magic "punchline" will NOT work the same as this, as it is often a revelation to a trick you perform. If your spectator can't force a card, what good is a card revelation on the back of your business card? And if you're comparing the idea of your spectator telling others "what trick you did" for them to FI, then you missed the point of the idea completely. Also, someone who loves psychology as much as you do should understand that the term left brain/right brain test will be MUCH more easily remembered then "hemispheric dominance test". Quote:
Thirdly, I book 99% of my work over the phone or in person. My opinion is leaving the phone number off the BC is a BIG mistake. I think some people even have their phone numbers printed too small on their cards. Myself included. I feel that the sooner I can get a person on the phone, the sooner I will have that gig. I do not want someone to base their decision to call me on their own unique interpretation of what they see on my website. Mike should know that his fellow "left brainers" will analyze and process that information in a different way from right brained people. I want to be there live and in person to cater my answers directly to their unique questions and personal interests. I'm sure that your idea works very well for you, as mine does for me. I state very clearly in the notes that my phone number thoughts are completely seperate from the FI routine, and have nothing to do with the workings of the effect. I've merely thrown in some of my own personal thoughts about business cards to be complete... take them or leave them, at least they are there for your consideration. Not such a bad thing right? Also, for the people on my mailing list (who where offered this idea first), I stated that I would make sure that you are satisfied with the download. I meant that. If you feel like this idea doesn't appeal to you, just email me and I'll take good care of you. That's the difference between someone trying to sell you crap and take your money and someone who honestly wants to share some great ideas with you, and better the art of magic in the process. Anyone who's ever purchased any of my products will tell you that I'm very passionate about my performances/ideas, and am willing to do whatever I can to make sure you end up happy. I've gone as far as re-making customized vid clips, re-writing entire ideas, trading emails for weeks (lol), and taking customers phone calls at my home. If you'd like to further discuss why this idea doesn't work for you, or how it can be made better, please feel free to email me at mike@michaelpaulmagic.com For everyone else, First Impression(s)? will be made available later this week, after being reviewed by some of the top names in mentalism. The page used to sell the idea will consist of mostly testimonials, as opposed to pyramid scam marketing ad copy. j/k. Michael Paul |
|||||||||
rmorrell Loyal user 262 Posts |
I sent this to Michael, thought I would post it here... Just had a quick read through and it looks very clever! I'm in the process of designing a business card so I am looking around for ideas, and I think this could be the one I go with! As you say its not a magical punch line, it looks very classy, yet you literally give the spectator an excellent reason to show your card to lots of people, I love it!
I think even if you have doubts if this would work or not, you are still left with a good looking business card, that just so happens to have a powerful hook that you can share with someone in the hopes that they will show this around... |
|||||||||
emyers99 Inner circle Columbus, Ohio 4741 Posts |
As you can see by reading these posts, this idea will appeal to some and not to others...a fact which Michael readily admits. I love Micael's other notes, etc. so I took the plunge on this one as well. Even if you hate the idea, Michael gives you the address for a company that will print double sided full color business cards cheaper than I have ever seen. So if nothing else, at least you get that great tip.
As for the idea of first impressions, I think it is a clever idea and principle but I do think an intelligent audience is a must. But even then, I think you will still run into people that don't understand what you are talking about. Michael likens the goal behind first impressions to one of those crazy sounding bar bets that sound impossible but actually work. Once you see the bet, you are bound to repeat it for your friends later. So goes the hope that if you present first impressions, people will repeat it later for their friends. It's a great goal but I'm not sure first impressions can deliver in that regard. It's not that the idea is bad. I just think the subject matter is a bit too dense for most people to talk about, and unlike a cool bar stunt, the subject matter behind first impressions is, I'm guessing, not that interesting to most people. So at the end of the day, I do think first impressions is a good idea but I probably will not use it. But other posters love it, so it really just depends on you. But I do wholeheartedly recommend Michael's other products as all are very solid and useable. |
|||||||||
Xiqual Inner circle Upper left quadrant 4935 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-29 12:41, emyers99 wrote: I suppose it all depends on who is doing the demonstration. If you also spice it up with a demo of writing with both hands, one hand writing backwards and one hand writing forward, might help. You could also do a few other tests that are more physical. I love the idea and think it's great. Even if people don't show the card to others, it's a great ice breaker. Like anything though, it's not what you do, but how you do it. James
Still with the Chinese circus
|
|||||||||
Iain Moran Special user Manchester, England 693 Posts |
Does Michael Paul normally not answer pm's?
Just that over the past few weeks I've sent him two. One about First Impressions and the other about his Impact DVD. He's read, but not replied to either. Iain. |
|||||||||
emyers99 Inner circle Columbus, Ohio 4741 Posts |
Xiqual, I agree that you could spice it up a bit with other demonstrations. If you're a mentalist, that might be fine. But as a magician, doing several psychological demonstrations doesn't really seem to fit the product I am really selling with is me/magic. But I do agree, a mentalist could pull it off with no problem.
|
|||||||||
Iain Moran Special user Manchester, England 693 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-30 14:57, Iain Moran wrote: Michael, Many thanks for your kind pm. You are a gentleman. Iain. |
|||||||||
Xiqual Inner circle Upper left quadrant 4935 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-05-30 15:43, emyers99 wrote: You are right. I didn't even think about it. I perform both so I just assumed others would too. Sorry about that. James
Still with the Chinese circus
|
|||||||||
emyers99 Inner circle Columbus, Ohio 4741 Posts |
No sweat what so ever. Since you do mentalism, I can see this working nicely for you.
|
|||||||||
Michael Paul Special user 535 Posts |
I've gotten a bunch of emails regarding the availability of this idea. I promised the people on my mailing list that I would give them first look at it. Everyone on the list that wants a copy has one now, and I've gotten some really positive feedback (thanks). As of today, it's available on my website. If you have any questions about the download, feel free to email me.
Mike |
|||||||||
StrangeMagick Special user 635 Posts |
Well here's my review, for what it's worth:
I think this is a very interesting and clever idea. I plan use this in the near future and see how it goes over. I think many will miss the possibilities behind this "action device". An "Action Device" is a advertising piece (the device) used to get the receiver of the piece (spectator) to perform an intended "action"... in this case you either wish the card to be passed around, or the person to contact you and/or book a show. Some armchair magicians won't like the idea and probably wouldn't use it if they did like it. This isn't a bad thing, as "First Impression(s)?" isn't a cheap "flashy" item. It's an action item, as I discussed above. I'm somewhere between an armchair magician/mentalism and a semi-pro, as I mainly perform my adult shows in the month of October in Salem, MA ... but I generally perform MANY 15-minute Bizarre Magick "sets" for paying audiences during the last 2 weeks of the Halloween season. This item will be useful to me WHEN I decide I'd like to get more shows. I'll probably use it in a limited scope until I'm actually ready to handle more shows. I work by day as a software engineer, so I usually do my shows by word of mouth. Other than my October shows, I generally do my Wizard show for young people. I wouldn't use this item for my Wizard show, as I don't think it is right for this situation. I do believe to some degree that this item would work better when presented to a more educated crowd, but hopefully using proper pre-show observations and participant/helper management, one is able to select someone who would at least "get" the magic. I can't see a clown using this item (or, in my case, the Wizard character), but then they shouldn't anyway, just as a mentalist shouldn't use a break-away wand. I think this is an excellent real-world item for the right performer, for the right show (and this is actually a plus for the item). Right Performer - One who really wishes to work shows and not a collector or dabbler (not that either of these 2 types of magicians are bad, I feel they just won't benefit as much from this idea). Right Show - A show mainly comprised of adults. A "serious" show, that is, not a clown act or a slap-stick comedy magic show. Bottom line. I personally think this is a good idea with MUCH potential for the right person. I mean this in a flattering way. For example, a non finger-flicker wouldn't get much out of a hardcore sleight-of-hand instructional piece. It would be way over his/her head. David Birtwell |
|||||||||
Jerome Finley V.I.P. SLC 3419 Posts |
I was hesitant to comment about this concept and principle, it's THAT good.
Anyone who uses business cards will want to check this out, in my opinion. At $15.00 bucks it's an absolute steal. There are various tips and nuances in the manuscript worth the price of admission and I've already begun to implement the work and principles in my own fashion to great success. MARKETING is just as big a secret (if not more so) than the actual material we are using in our work. "First Impressions" is something I will continue to hold near and dear to my heart - a $15.00 investment that really CAN equal many thousands of dollars in additional revenue for the worker is a no brainer! Get this! I was extremely impressed and am looking forward to Michael Paul's future material. If you do ANY kind of readings, the worth and value for this information goes up A LOT. Again, if you have business cards I highly recommend this purchase, no matter who you are or what type of material you perform. The ideas can easily be changed up to fit the person using the concepts and work - with some small variations I found nearly all of the material tipped in this work to be highly valuable and extremely useable to me. What more could you ask for? Sincerely, Jerome Finley
"Join my update list here!" http://eepurl.com/uE3Jf
|
|||||||||
Michael Paul Special user 535 Posts |
Thanks very much Jerome, I'm happy that you found this idea to your liking!!!
|
|||||||||
adrian333 New user London - UK 53 Posts |
My first impressions:
I have to agree with toomuchmagic here, there are many wonderful ebooks online, and this isn't one of them. Apart from the production of the document, I really don't believe this is worth $15. The idea is simple and I am sure it can be used to start a conversation, but I think if you need to do First Impression(s) in order to start a conversation then you're in trouble. I like the idea of making the receiver of the card become you advertiser to other people - but why not give them something better to go around doing? I am not impressed, and as for the production of the ebook - it's pretty basic and reads like an infomercial, perhaps I've been too spoiled by ebooks from the likes of Lee Asher who spend a considerable amount of time on producing their documents. Michael, I hear wonderful things about your magic, but this is a forum for honest opinions, I hope I am more pleasantly surprised by the rest of your work. Adrian |
|||||||||
John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12938 Posts |
Adrian,
I wouldn't let the book detract from the content. Look at it as substance over style. The idea is good and I beleive it WILL create a lasting impression and others will want to spread the word. J |
|||||||||
Michael Paul Special user 535 Posts |
The mixed reviews interest me a bit. It seems as though nobody is "on the fence" about this idea... some LOVE it, others think it to be a waste. Personally, it's been invaluable to my business (performing). For now, I'll take the mixed reviews as a compliment, as "out-there" type ideas can draw that kind of response. Head over to the Inner Thoughts forum, and you'll get a completely different set of reviews (none of which where solicited). This kind of mixed review thing also happened to my card effect "Flicker". Trend? First Impressions and Flicker are two pretty unique kinds of ideas. Anyways, thank you for taking the time to post your review... I realize it takes every bit the time and effort to post a negative review as it does a positive one, and I appreciate your time.
|
|||||||||
Ben Train Inner circle Erdnase never had 4639 Posts |
Hey Mike,
You mentioned it can now be found on your website. Wanna provide us with a link Ben
If you're reading this you're my favourite magician.
Check out www.TorontoMagicCompany.com for upcoming shows, and instagram.com/train.ben for god knows what! |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Ebooks, PDF's or Downloads » » First impressions by Michael Paul (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.07 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |