Firstly, thanks to everyone on this site who have not only been very forthright and encouraging with their opinions but also very tolerant of my stupid/ naive questions.

So, here goes with another one...

My regular pitch is quite small and there are plenty of people "trickle" busking in town, in quite a small area on a Friday or Saturday evening it is not unusual to see me with my table, a balloon twister, a face painter, a human statue, a spraypainter, a couple of musicians and a juggler all in a relativelly small area. Since we are practically on top of each other and since I am the only one who does a show and passes that hat crowd size can be limited by the amount of available space. I rarely have a problem drawing a crowd but that crowd is rarely more than 30 people or so because there is simply no more room for more ( I've even seen kids sitting in a tree to watch).Logically my hats are equally limited by my crowd size and although I'm doing quite well ( I think) I'm begginning to toy with making a change. Your advice, as ever is appreciated...

My thoughts are;

1) make my show a lot shorter, it's about 35 mins long right now and I'm doing three or four a night... should I reduce it to, say, 20 mins and do more shows?

2) do more "trickle" style busking... don't worry about crowd size at all and work non stop doing mostly close up.

3) cross the road to a larger pitch which is sometimes used by a juggler friend but which lacks foot traffic and lighting ( provide your own) and may make for a harder build.

Or do I finally just head out and check out other towns... didn't make it to Charlotte... any thoughts on Helen, Georgia?

Thanks

tom

.not that I know anything but heres my answer and of course this is just one mans opinion...its seems to me that once you have a crowd that is as big as it can get because of space then theres not much sense in going much longer...so why bother...its a matter of diminishing returns now isn't it?...

I love small show and I love to do them all day long...less energy, good money and I can do about 5 an hour...

a really great street magician and I had a competetion on royal street in new orleans once...he did his 45 minute huge circle thing and I did my 3 12 minute shows and I made more money....proof is in the puddon isn't it?

I love doing the big show ...certain kind of ego building energy there....but recently I told a friend this and I know that the new guys wont understand it but here it goes...

I HAVE NO INTEREDT IN DOING MAGIC WITH OUT MAKING MONEY! for me to make money I have to leave my house and that means I'm away from my son, wife, dogs, tv, bed..kitchen, refrig and all the things that I count as important in my life so there comes a times when its all about money and the sooner the better for all of you...i have stood infront of 10, 000 audiences in my life and I have been there and done that and I'm over it...dont misunderstand me...I LIVE MY LIFE and I love what this life has givin me BUT its all about money...and money is a reflection of how your audience liked you...THATS THE TRUTH to all the purists that don't make money and blame it on I'm in it for the art...the guys who sleep on their friends couch...

don't end up an old man with no money waiting to die and being bitter...blaming everyone around you for your failure to take care of your future

heres my advice....build yourself a really nice sidewalk show and a great circle show...both are the same just ones smaller and quicker...if you have both you will always be able to make money...guys who do BIG shows are ALWAYS chasing a pitch...put your ego aside and be willing to do that sidewalk show for $25 or $30 a hat...ONE AFTER THE OTHER...and you will always have a place to work...work when the suns is out...dont be lazy because it might rain tomorrow.....go get the cash my friends...work unti you cant work anymore...and always set goals for the day and don't quit until you reach them or die trying...dont make a lot of friends on the pitch because they will come around and slow you down...want to talk...less shows less money...always wear sun screen, always have chap stick....always drink lots of water ...and always keep the courage tht it took for you to go out there in the first place...thats my advice

I'm interested in lecturing if anyone is interested in having me?...

good luck
koz

YES!

Thanks for that Koz!

Guys, this is real advice. I believe it because I learned this lesson, and my life is better for it.

I say make a lot shorter show. Say 8-10 mins. Just run this show all day long.

Shorter show. you'll do more shows for more people and make more money overall.

Lines like that are the reason I read this forum, because man oh man I learned that the hard way in this past month.

And the thing is....almost anyone can do a short show....less time to fill ...you don't have to be as far along in your career...trust me on this....i do a circle show most of the time now but I have been down the raod a few times...nothing wrong with builing a GREAT sidewalk show and kicking ass and not sleepin on your friends couch!

koz

Ah, the forever humble Koz. "....Not that I know anything."

Thank you for that post Koz. If you're ever booked as a lecturer, let me know where and I will be there. Unfortunately, I am an audience of one (well two if you include my yellow lab...He loves the cups and balls).

Just try each of your options till you figure out which one works the best for you.

My guess is that at certain times, a trickle will work best ... while other times a sidewalk show works best ... and other times, doing the circle show would be your best option.

In other words, don't limit yourself - do whatever works best at the moment.

-JoeJoe

Thanks guys,

knew I'd get some food for thought. Only problem is that I've no frame of reference... never even seen a sidewalk show before and only ever seen circle shows on DVDs.... guess that'll force me to be more original though!

I'm definitelly going to have to expand my repertoire.... I honestly think it'll be harder for me to build a good 10 min show than it was for my current show ( it's easier to buil to a logical conclusion/finale with a longer build surely).

Thanks for all the good adivce