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Cody Comet Loyal user Louisville, KY 201 Posts |
Hey everyone, whats up! If you've followed the Little Darlings forums, you probably know that I'm looking for tips and pointers on getting into the kids show magic business the right way. I put this topic in this section because now that I have most of the advice needed for my actual show, I would like advice on the business aspect of the magic business. I am 14 years of age and will be doing birthday parties, school shows, libraries, and maybe daycares. I would like tips on developing a business plan or possibly a copy of your own business plan so I can know what to do. I would also like good advice on which advertisement methods to use and lastly, I would like to hear anything else I need to know about the magic business. Thanks and good luck to you all!
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Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
Cody:
Welcome to the big time! LOL I don't know where you are located, but you can effectively begin marketing yourself somewhat cheaply. Business cards are an initial good 1st investment. Many places will print 1,000 full color business cards for you for under $100. If that is too much for your budget, you can always print your own. Once you get your cards made, go to every grocery store in your area with a community bulletin board, and tack you card(s) to it. Visit the specialty cake shops and leave them your card. Always have your business cards available, i.e. leave some in the family car's glove compartment, so you will always have them available when you see an opportunity to leave them with somebody. Before you know it, people will start calling you! Good luck - as most of us know, even David Copperfield started this way! Chris P.S. - There is a TON of information that has already been posted here in this section. Take the time to read through the many threads, and you will find that many of your questions have already been answered, and many new pieces of information will present themselves to you. |
Cody Comet Loyal user Louisville, KY 201 Posts |
Thanks for your advice Chris and I'll be sure to surf the previous threads!
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Magic Enhancer Inner circle Robert Haas 1805 Posts |
Cody,
Chris is giving you great advice. If you have some extra money laying around, you can make an account at Gigmasters.com or PartyPop.com. Both will refer leads to you that are looking for a magician. Having a good web site is almost a necessity, but phone calls will also work wonders. It may be a great spot for you to start. The better your show and the more you perform the better. Pretty soon, you will start getting referrals. Be sure you take care of those who made the referrals by sending them a discount coupon, or a simple Thank You card. It will work wonders. I hope this helps. There are so many great ways toget started. Be creative and think of ways to get your business card and name out there. Robert Haas
Robert Haas
Magic Enhancer Quality magic products for the working professional. www.MagicEnhancer.com |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Hi Cody -
I think that this older thread will be of help: --> Café thread titled... Developing......Business Also, be sure to click on Den Dowhy's link, and read it through. Some solid info for you there. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Cody Comet Loyal user Louisville, KY 201 Posts |
Hey everyone, thanks for your advice so far and I'll be sure to check out the threads.
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
Add in this to your reading Cody:
Daycare Business Plan Writing a Business Plan for the Birth......ness KIDshow Marketing (The Link Donald is refering to. by Dennis Michael Dowhy) If you are commited and very serious about this, then KIDabra International Conference offers the opportunity to jumpstart your career.
Dennis Michael
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Ryan Price Special user winnipeg, MB, Canada 641 Posts |
Hi Cody. Since you are only 14 a few questions pop into my mind.
1st. Can you really perform at all the venues you have asked about? Since you are 14 aren’t you attending school at the same time most daycares and schools would want to book you? There are ways around this for instance doing after school events and also doing daycares and libraries during the summer. I would think that your best bet would be to make birthdays your primary market with daycares possibly in the summer. 2nd. How will you get to all your shows? I would assume you are too young to drive a car. This could put a real wrench into your plans. It will be necessary to have someone as committed to your shows as you are. I’m sure your parents will in the beginning say that they will drive you, but after weekends of driving from one end of your market to the other this will most definitely wear a little thin on the nerves. 3rd. Do you have a committed phone line and who is answering the phone? The committed phone line is obvious as you don’t want to be answering business calls in the same manner you do regular calls. If someone obviously younger answers the phone parents may start to question if the performer is really as good as he says. This is why I would suggest your parent booking you out for a while. They would be able to say what you do and possibly handle it in a more professional way. Lot of my questions really come back to your parents as I truly believe that they must be partners with you if you are to make this work. I really hope they are as passionate about your craft as you are. Remember this is a business and must be treated as such. Asking here is a good first step. |
MatthewJames New user 50 Posts |
Hey Cody,
AWESOME MAN! That is so rocking that you are 14 and are actually thinking about a business plan! Way to start young! I'm currently mentoring a kid who is 14 in Iowa and you remind me of him too! Here's what I recommend, because I was where you're at, and I know how to turn it into a really successful business, especially at a young age! Have you considered restaurants? I started my first restaurant gig at 12 years old and that got me a TON of work. Tons of birthdays, school shows, scout shows, and even corporate (not sure if that's something you want to do or not). It's a great way to get paid immediately, become well-known, AND make some cashola so you can start building your show and marketing more. For birthday parties (I'm assuming you have a great show, that's the key to this all), I would start advertising online with Google Adwords. This really is the best bang for your buck. I used to use Parent Magazines, but they don't compare to the return on investment for Adwords ads. Also, find party planning stores in your area, and get a flyer placed there. I would really get a website up and running because nearly everyone is using the net to find birthday party performers. Yellow Pages USED to be great, and are not now for the most part. The net is IN! Websites are so cheap to get. I'm sure with the money from 1 show you could have one set up. That should get you rolling. Let me know how I can help you out, OK? Asking for advice, like you have just done, is one of the greatest secrets to success. Best of Success, Matthew James |
Cody Comet Loyal user Louisville, KY 201 Posts |
Hey everyone, thanks for your kind words and advice. And now to comment your posts
Dennis-I loved the info in those topics. And I really want to join Kidabra. My mom may pitch in the money for me to do that. And how can I start a Kidabra chapter in Louisville? Ryan- 1)I plan to do mostly birthdays right now, with daycares in the summer and some elementary schools on certain days where I can get let out of school or on days that middle/high schools are out, but elementary schools are in. 2)As of right now, I plan to have my parents drive me, but I see your point, especally since I have a twin sister who does AAU Volleyball. 3)As for the phone calls, I may use my cell phone line for that. Matthew-Thanks for your kind words and advice and I have considered doing restraunts in the past, and that is a very good idea. I'll reconsider doing that. What kinds of restraunts would want me to work for them? And once I join Kidabra, I'll take advantage of their free website provider. |
Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
There is information in the KIDabra Forum as well as posted in the KIDabra Section of the Café related to starting a chapter.
It is a matter of gathering Children entertainers and then when you have 7 that want to join, you have a Chapter.
Dennis Michael
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Cody Comet Loyal user Louisville, KY 201 Posts |
Thanks Dennis, and once I join, I'll try to get one started. And also, depending on wether my magic buisiness gets going enough to raise enough money, or if the dates conflict with the start of the new school year, I may go to the KIDabra conference.
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