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jiayi Veteran user Canada 313 Posts 
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Do you hand out business cards to every table and ask for referrals? How do you word it so it doesn't sound pushy or desperate?
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts
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You wait until someone asks for it or shows an interest. "Do you perform for parties, corporate events, etc" It's very rude and unprofessional to go around shoving business cards in people's faces. This includes "magically" producing a card when you first start. Also, you don't want to waste them on people who really have no interest in booking you.
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abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts
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I like statistics. I like keeping them because it makes everything more predictable and saves a lot of marketing dollars.
I am not saying don't hand out business cards ut here is a stat from my own experience. For a year I handed out two different business cards with two different telephone numbers. One to people who asked and the other randomly. More than 80% of my bookings that came from business cards (referalls included) came from people who asked for the card. I didn't advertise and my only bookings were made from handing out cards in restaurants where I worked. Out of the remaining 20 percent or less, the majority came from people who phoned the restaurant for my number. Do the cost versus profit make it viable to hand out business cards. Yes, it does but that leaves out of account how it is perceived by people who don't want your card. I don't want to get ripped apart here but if you do this for long enough then eventually you will know who to give a card to and who not. Don't miss opportunities but don't push it. |
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mrunge Inner circle Charleston, SC 3716 Posts
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I agree with pepka and abc. Hand them out if asked. Otherwise, assuming you're working a paying gig, you're being employed to entertain people, not to solicit their clients for additional business.
If they ask, then answer, but discreetly. Be a professional and everyone will respect you more. Mark. |
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derrick Inner circle I dug holes for 1044 Posts
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I like write my name, phone number and e-mail address on their hand and arm with a Sharpie. Doesn't come off for several days unless scrubbed with Ajax.
Now so you know this is a joke I will add a smilie face 
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Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts
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Every table gets a card.... even if they already have one.
My cards are mini table tents, they stand on the table. If they take the card great if they don't the next people sitting there gets it. If not it sits there till someone wants it. Order cards in bulk. I get 5,000 per order and give out that many every 3 months. Find a Print broker an buy from them. I get that many cards double sided, twice the size of a regular biz card full color for around $150 to me. That is 3¢ a card. Front of my card: http://markbyrne.balloonhq.com/complete.......0&idl=94 Back: http://markbyrne.balloonhq.com/complete.......0&idl=95 If you need graphics help let me know.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
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ROBERT BLAKE Inner circle 1472 Posts
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Well here in the netherlands things are different. people in a restaurant don't see a magician often. I have some lined up but they are weeks apart.
people think that you are working for the restaurant. they think they can't afford a magician. when the company, where they work, has a party it is months away when they have seen you. some people don't dare to ask for a card. people that do are usualy business men. so here I would say we have to educate the people. so that they know they can hire me also. all we do is giving them an idea & and an adresse. |
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wol Loyal user Norfolk, UK 238 Posts
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I try to incorporate my business cards into an effect, using the minstead of cards, the person is left with a momento of the experience nad the details if they want hire me, seems to work well, it's subtle and the focus isn't onthe cards but on the effect and makes people les dubious about trick decks, I just have trick business cards!
Keep passing the open windows!
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts
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I agree with WOL. I always use my biz card for some kind of magic effect at EVERY TABLE that I perform at. That way, they keep a remberance of the show and it's not me giving them a biz card. That's the way to go! There are several good resources on Magic with Biz Cards on the Café'...do a search and you will be supplied with MANY!!!! = )
Good luck... Christopher
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts
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Can't say I've ever handed out my business card in a "magical" way...I normally just pull them out (wrapped in a rubber band) and give them away.
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pepka Inner circle Uh, I'm the one on the right. 5041 Posts
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Rubber band? Are you set for Out to Lunch? Spend a few bucks at Staples and get a business card case. Probably less than $20.
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts
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As of recently, I will set my card on fire as I hand it out. Get's a GREAT REACTION!!! Other than that, Out to Lunch is another great one. I will also hand someone my card to stick in a deck of cards to find two selections (standard biz card turnover move...whatever the heck it's called...the name escapes me right now).
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts
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Mark Wilson had a great vhs on this subject and Michael Ammar also has DVD on this. Not all are practicle...but there are a few nice gems with each. You could also do a Hover Card routine with your biz card before handing it out...tho' it may be to light for balancing purposes...don't know...would really be a great visual piece...
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Hansel Inner circle Puerto Rico 2492 Posts
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Quote:
On 2008-03-11 01:08, pepka wrote: I agree!
Follow Me...
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/Hansels-Comedy-and-Magic-Show-929625643774678/ Youtube: HanselSP Twitter: @HanselSP Instagram: HanselSP |
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patrick flanagan Inner circle lisle, illinois 1045 Posts
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Steve,
Better still...get the trick/book Stockholder. Very well made small wallet set for "out to lunch" principle. Plus, the book has some good ideas in it. Patrick |
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Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts
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I have a couple business card holders, but all are too impractical. I can't find one that seems to hold enough to keep me from running to my case every 30 minutes it seems...??
And if it matters, I have both sides of my card printed on...
-Steve |
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts
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Tho' I don't like this prop, what about the Z Fold Wallet. Show it empty, snap your fingers, HEY...cards appear! Like Magic, but cheaper! LOL!
I once saw a routine with one where someone the magician said something like "and I have a token to give you to remember me by," and he opened up the wallet and there was tons of money it. He said "yeah right!" and changed the money to his biz cards using the Z Fold. I thought it was cute.
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
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Max Krause V.I.P. I should be creating magic with my 1188 Posts
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I usually also wait until they ask me for my card. When they ask me if it does anything I tell them it gets me business like magic.
ESP Woody's now available in Stage Size!
Max's Magic Shop is now open for business! Come experience a whole new way to buy your magic. Menta-List - Now with a killer new marketing feature! Mental Killer 4.5 is Live! |
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jiayi Veteran user Canada 313 Posts
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Quote:
On 2008-03-11 01:10, abc wrote: wow, nice stats. thanks for sharing. your last line sums it up: Don't miss opportunities but don't push it. It is all about knowing where to draw the line and how far you can go. |
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jiayi Veteran user Canada 313 Posts
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Quote:
On 2008-03-11 01:39, derrick wrote: haha, I will try to work that into my routine. |
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Posted: Mar 11, 2008 03:53 am 
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