Donald,
Yes, I misunderstood your post. But I agree, it was a hook that took me no where. I felt it needed more explaination or at least to elaborate on it.

Christian & Katalina

Well first off if you are going to market "Comedy Clubs" (I headlined for 10 years so I do have an idea from experience) you need to be funny. A web page does NOT get you a gig at the Funny Bone, The Punch Line and so on. An agent on the phone, does. The system of doing the work has not changed. I doubt at 22 you have the necessary contacts to do the Comedy Club circuit.

Sorry if this rains on your parade, but it is the truth. Next thing is you had better be darn funny. Nothing on your site remotly suggests this.

To be "edgy" is not enough. To be "in your face" while fun, is not enough. It takes YEARS to have overnight success in comedy clubs. Going in, meeting owners and managers, getting to know who books what slot at which Funny Bone, or Improv, this will serve you far better than a jail story. Which I don't think is a great idea unless you are doing "motivational" things.

To have a site directly targeted to the market, is exactly what I do. It is perfect.

But again colleges are a tough nut to crack. And what exactly makes you think you are not at their mercy? Same with clubs and such. Bottom line is if the boss likes the cut and restored rope, you do it, or you don't come back. Customers are customers and get the goofy idea that they are paying YOU.

The problem as I see it, is you don't come off as likeable. Look at Dice Clay. He as as close as I can figure what you are doing. BUT he was LIKEABLE. You come off as arrogant, superior, and mean spirited.

All in all it seems forced.

I guess what I am trying to say is, IT'S PERFECT, don't change a thing. It seems as if this is what you are looking for as you seem to dismiss almost every piece of information on it.

Oh and the only real reason I jumped in was seeing you guys throwng my name arround. Now everyone can accuse me of being "mean" and distract from the thread as usual.

Christian,

I love the idea of making the press release an actual photo of the clipping in the newpaper. I didn't think of it, but like it.

I'm actually writing all the suggestions I like (and there are many) and this next week I'm going to re-design it. So if you want to keep checking it and still posting comments, that's fine, but I think I know where the problems are.

I'm going to clean up the copy, be more descriptive about the shows, and tone down the jail thing.

I do have a concern though; I wanted this site to be somewhat minimal as opposed to many other magicians whos websites are so ling and pretty boring. Any suggestions on this?

Also, as of now I have a show booked at a comedy club here in San Diego in 2 weeks and I'm actually debuting the new show so I'll have a great demo after.

Danny, I guess I'm kind of wondering why you think I'm dismissing everyone's comments? I don't think I am. Maybe at the beginning, but mostly becuase I was a little put off by others commenting on something that meant so much to me.

In about 2-3 posts, including this one, I say I'm making the changes. I don't have access to the design, so I'm making as many notes and copy changes now and when I have time we can do it all at once.

Also, if you took the time to read past replies you'd find out I have a number of managers and agents and publicists working for me who know the decision makers in clubs, casinos, etc.

In fact, we're starting press for a touring casino show.

Is it a bad decision to have my site offered for review by fellow entertainers? I don't think so, but it did open my eyes. And just becuase the site isn't changed this moment doesn't mean it won't be changed. I'm too busy right now to do it.

It also opened my eyes and showed me that magicians hate the site. Is it becuase it's different, abrasive? I think it might be a combination along with that it slanders and cuts down other magicians. And I'm ok with that since that's my character. I do admit that I cut down a little too much, so I'm going to change that.

But my main goal to asking for suggestions was to see what magicians think and laymen think. And from all the responses I've received laymen love it. You guys all hate it, except for the design aspects.

And since I've been signed by 3 new agents just from the new site I think I'm headed in the right direction, just need to clean it up a bit using some suggestions here.

Thanks for all your comments, I sincerely appreciate them!
Josh

After 10 years in comedy clubs I am going to tell you this. I know for a FACT the most important thing about comedy clubs. It is not "edgy" or any of the crap you are trying for. It won't get you re booked. Funny, helps but NOT the most important thing.

Here is the secret. SELL DRINKS. See comedy clubs have a formula that has worked for 25 years plus. They have generally a 3 act formula, for about 2 hours. They then try to sell as many drinks as they possibly can in that time frame, and turn and burn the room. IF you are not that funny, but the crowd seems to buy drinks, you get re booked anyhow as this is their bread and butter.

Do you have a plan to deal with the "drop"? Or even for that matter know what the drop is? I hate to tell you buddy but landing agents is the easy part. Heck the more people they "represent" the better off they are. They actually will be making YOU help them look good! It matters only how many shows they get.

Comedy clubs are a tough market today. But why pay attention to someone who dosn't know everything? Even if he did what you are trying to do for 10 years?

Josh it has been said that it is difficult to seek the truth, if you know ahead of time what that truth is supposed to be. I would think of that.

Oh and the question screams out at me so it is time to ask. You have 3 agents minimum, more supposedly. You have hired a publicist, you have all these people working for you. Well then why post here to ask about a web page? This is stuff THEY will tell you how to do better. Especially the publicist. As a matter of fact I would argue that is part of their job.

An agent will tell you how to put the promo together for their clients so it is most attractive to that market. Colleges being different from clubs and so forth.

Also, at least in the beginning, it is not a good thing to smash others down to seemingly raise yourself up. When you refer to "cheesy" magicians, it does this. Let them come to the conclusion, don't throw it at them.

You have a temper obviously. You would be smart to keep it in check with the ego. You want to tell people you are "edgy", when it is better to let them tell others you are "edgy". This does seem to me to be as was said earlier "manufactured". Let it develop and time will do the work for you. No short cuts.

Again I wish you the best.

Josh - honest inquiry here - why are you even referencing time spent in a jail?

I have an idea that it ws an attempt by you to establish some kind of "rappers street cred", but if that is true you go on to to state that the new show is aimed at corporate audiences. ???

I am confused, because I'm thinking that a Fortune 500 company is not going to be impressed by an artist who says that he got his inspiration for his current act while doing time in the county jail. It might help to sell rap cd's to suburban white kids, but I think that it is a mistake on your site.

Also, you just promote the fact that magicians in general are just one step away from being thieves. Definately not cool.


Just my 2¢ man.

Chris

P.S. I did enjoy the Depeche Mode song in the video. I liked what you were attempting in the video - cool tricks with some cool posed shots. But after reading the bio, might not the viewer be wondering if this video was shot before or after a break in?