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Magicsharpie1 Regular user 136 Posts |
Even though I only have a few years in magic, I want to get out there and do the gigs.Which I started to do last year,but it is not as easy as I thought it was. As of right now I have a solid 30 minute kid show ready to sell and am trying to market myself out there. Right now I am 18 and will be getting a car in the summer. Every weekend I am out there busting my butt off in parks, festivals etc twisting balloons out in the hot sun. I wear a big silly hat to attract attention, and in festivals I can get a non stop line,but I don't want to be that balloon factory. Do you have ideas on how I can get more money with less work?. I also wear a pin that says magician for hire. and considered selling addons to my balloons on the street. Right now I am hungry to do the shows,but am lacking some marketing skills.
my main goal is to do 3+ kid shows a week until I can branch out into higher paying gigs. What are you thoughts on business card designs and websites. Right now I am in the process of reworking my current business card to give it more attention and plan on hiring someone to do my website because I don't know how yet. I realize that I need photos for my website or different shots from a photo place to make myself look more professional. How can I market myself so I can be doing more gigs ,and do you have any tips on closing that sale with the client?. I don't want to be the kid who has the chops to do a fancy in the air double lift. I really want to go out there and making some money. |
Jeff McBride V.I.P. Jeff McBride 246 Posts |
Greetings RickyBobby, and all...
The key is not more money for less work, it's more money for more work. In fact, the most successful magicians in the world do the most shows. The pro's work harder than the magic enthusiasts, and that's what makes the difference in a career. Right now, you seem to be doing many different things, and that is good. You are getting the experience you need to learn how to work many diverse venues. As a line twister, you are learning how to make your figures quickly and effectively. As a family show entertainer, (notice, I didn't say "kid show,") you are learning how to interact with guests and learn the skills of a society entertainer. If you do strolling magic, you will learn social etiquette and good manners. It takes years to build and hone your skills as an artist. I have to say that the essential ingredient in a healthy magic career is patience. If you are good at what you do, and keep training, and continue to sharpen your skills and your performance, you will gain the success you deserve. Without seeing your show, RickyBobby, I cannot tell you what to do to market it, but I do know this: Have a good product before you put it out in the marketplace. The best marketing is word of mouth and referral. Regarding websites, business cards and promotional materials, it is essential to get a unified look on all of your materials. Do not go to one place for your business cards, another place for your photo, and a third place for your website. Get a good graphic artist in your area to arrange all the materials to fit a unified theme. In order to thoroughly answer your question on "closing that sale with the client," I would have to write a book! Fortunately, this book has been written! I suggest you read Michael Ammar's excellent chapters on Negotiating Higher Performance Fees in his book The Magic of Michael Ammar. Readers are leaders. See you at the top! Jeff
Let's keep in touch! I would love to send you my free, inspirational MUSE-LETTER. SIgn up here:
<BR>http://www.mcbridemagic.com/join/ <BR> <BR>Creator of [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHcwrL6lZU]The McBride Magic and Mystery |
Jeff McBride V.I.P. Jeff McBride 246 Posts |
P.S.Ricky,
I also think that you might look into a business course to explore your options. My manager Tobias Beckwith has some materials you may want to look at. He designed these lessons in personal management for magicians like you. http://www.yourmagic.com/catalog/product......s_id=194 Yours in better management, JEff
Let's keep in touch! I would love to send you my free, inspirational MUSE-LETTER. SIgn up here:
<BR>http://www.mcbridemagic.com/join/ <BR> <BR>Creator of [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxHcwrL6lZU]The McBride Magic and Mystery |
tobiasbeckwith New user 10 Posts |
Thanks for the recommendation, Jeff!
A quick hint on marketing: Think in reverse. Who do you want to sell your show to? Where would that person look if they already wanted to hire you, or someone like you? Where would you find that person, and what could you show or tell them that would reassure them your product is the perfect one for them? If you can put yourself into your buyer's frame of mind, you'll figure out for yourself how to best market to them. For example: If you're a birthday party magician specializing in shows for pre-teens. Who buys these shows? Mostly Mom's, I'd guess. They'd have to be Mom's with some disposable income, so they're middle class or upper middle class. If I were them, and looking to hire a magician or other entertainer for my kid's party, I'd probably just go to Google and type in "magician Mytown" and see what comes up. If there's a listing that starts off with something like "The Great McBride creates a great party experience for the 10-13 year old crowd" - I'd click THAT link. I'd also ask all my friends who are also Mom's if they've had any great party entertainers they could recommend. My kids might also have some recommendations to make for me...so you need to be wherever all these folks might be looking, and to reassure them you'll provide a professional and fun show. |
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