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curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of people willing to sell you a prepackaged system to market your magic and book more shows.
Which ones work and which ones do not work? Also, which ones are worth the money the guru charges?
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aussiemagic Special user 937 Posts |
Jim Snack.
How to become a professional magician:
Click here |
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Dennis Michael Inner circle Southern, NJ 5821 Posts |
That's a really tough question. Who has the money to buy them all?
If you spend the $300.00 for six months advertising using a smaller ad in a "Parent's Magazine", you should get your money back and more for another six months. If you want to make a killing then that is another issue. Here are my thoughts on some of the programs I own. John Kaplan's Fundraising Magic (Over $1,000) along with Night Magic, Stage Fright and the Magic of Christmas (several thousand more) are my favorite. Why because they have proven they have done what they say in their material . A lot to absorb, and determine what you want to do. If you have an illusion team, you can do this. I really love his Material. Lots of ready made clip art on CDs, Music for some stuff, prewritten letters, etc, all would cost a lot more if you paid someone to do it. Buy his $15 dollar book and review it. If this is what you want then invest into one of these programs and follow it out to it's completion. Jim Snack's materials is probably the best for everyone to start out. The ideas are flowing, the venues are plenty, but you must do the work in getting the gigs. I've recommended this to many and have no regrets in purchasing it.
Dennis Michael
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MikeClay Special user Atlanta GA 761 Posts |
I think it really depends on what your wanting to accomplish and what your goals are
each one is specialized in what they do.. and teach to different levels of marketing.. for me when I first went full time as an entertainer I needed something basic to go over the main differences between a entertainment business and what I was used to.. ONLY to find out there is no difference from any other service based business.. so the best "Guru's" I have found have been Dan Kennedy (writing sales copy and content), and Howie Schwartz (seo internet marketing), Seth Godin (General Branding and marketing ideas) Most of the Magician marketing courses I have seen quote Dan Kennedy, and most of the SEO courses only go over the basics (Which is why I love Howies stuff, he ignores the basics and goes into high end traffic strategies)
its ok.. balloon dogs don't bite
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
The best marketing gurus are the ones that you buy from....think about it
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Buster Balloon Regular user 168 Posts |
The alpha and the omega marketing guru for any business is Seth Godin.
All hail the purple cow.
Buster Balloon
Creative Genius, Balloon Twisting Savant, & Pre-Sweetened Breakfast Cereal Connoisseur http://BusterBalloon.com |
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jkvand Special user Johnstown, PA 658 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-09-27 11:45, Bill Nuvo wrote: True! |
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John C Eternal Order I THINK therefore I wrote 12938 Posts |
Forget about Magic Marketing Gurus. They are not any different than Marketing Gurus. Why would they be?
I use a book called: Get Clients Now. It's a 28 day strategy laying out what you need to do to get clients now. J |
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DJG Inner circle The northern hemisphere of Earth 1294 Posts |
To me the best marketing "guru" is one the matches your style and lines of thinking. Some people love Joel Bauer, others think he is abrasive. Same goes for Dave Dee and others. I have learned from many.
One of my favorites is Dean Hankey. Not only does he practice what he preaches, but he has his own online news group and mastermind group. Visiting his site is more or less a "try before you buy".
Your choices in life can be compared to watching a magic trick: You can continue to believe the illusion in front of you, find the intrigue and desire to learn more, or quit paying attention the moment you feel deceived.
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bubbleburst2004 Veteran user 370 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-09-27 04:10, curtgunz wrote: Hundreds???? You know the first thing I do when someone talks about Magic Marketing? I have a look at their website and read about what they actually do. There's a few who go on and on about websites, but when you look at their own - they rate poorly. They usually come back with a lame excuse that their time is spent helping others, or it's an experiment, or just been launched. Likewise there are kids who done a marketing course on making money and they've learnt that to make money they should run a marketing course on making money. So they replicate the procedure and wear the pink tie. Personal preference, I don't like the pre packaged "system in a box" idea, I prefer the guys who make you think a bit, make you work. Dean Hankey is great, as someone said earlier you try before you buy and he has had a wide range of experience. I like Tim Hyde's MagicCoach for it's enthusiasm and the sneak look into the life of a pro at the top of his game. The collection of back issues has to be one of the best buys available. I like Snack's stuff also, ideal for a beginner as it lays out a journey. You don't need to follow it exactly. Non Magic- Get Clients now is terrific as is Book yourself solid. |
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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
I think the question should not be "who's the best" but rather "who's the best for YOU".
Our individual personalities, goals, level of skill and experience, target markets, competencies, geographical location, and SO many other factors make no two performers the same. Each person expects and/or needs something particular from a program and you may not even know yet what that is. The only person who can answer the question of "who's the best for you" is YOU! Unfortunately, you will need to try some systems out before getting to know what fits you best...and ultimately sourcing it out. Personally, I find that every investment I make tends to be smarter than the one before it. Thus is the case with learning. Much like everything else in business, there will be some trial, error, and adjusting before finding your place in this business. But where to start? Check out the websites, teleseminars, sample book chapters, email newsletters, and all the other accessible materials from those you know of out there. Evaluate the materials as to what YOU think would fit you best. You may make a good decision or a poor decision (for YOU) but this is a good way to start. Make the investment, DO something with the information, and learn. If you find it is lacking in some regard, now you can search it out! You are well on your way! I hope this helps. I believe that most - if not all - of the people out there selling these products are genuine and have a product that will help you. |
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
Scott,
I think you said it best, "who's the best for you?". And this CAN change at any particuler time based on where you are in your business/career, and where you see it, or want it to go. In my case when I left my full-time job after 25 years and went full-time, Eric Paul met my needs. But since that time I have been exposed to many others, and I enjoy reading many of their materials. I think one thing a lot of us forget who are on this "business" side of the Café is that many who go into magic full-time, or part time for that matter, have absolutely no business experience, or marketing knowledge. To pick up a book in the business section of Amazon would be foreign to them, and in many cases the ability to actually apply the material to what they are doing could be difficult. This, to me, is where the magic marketers fill the need. Almost like a company that sells a franchise, you may be a hard worker, know what you are doing (in magic) but have no business smarts, this is where the "head" office comes in, supplying you with the marketing, direction, etc. etc. An example above was the Kaplan material, anyone who wants to go into fundraising shows would be doing a disservice to themselves in not getting his materials. If only to see what one succesful performer has done, and how he has shaped his business. The $$$ upside in this market is huge, so the investment in John's material is a pitance. I once said that if you bought every piece of material on fundraising out there (from the magic guys) you would still be less than $2500.00 (Kaplan, Kramien, Snack, Paul and a couple of others) Before anyone dives in by buying a marketing person's program, check them out. Get their free stuff (newsletter, reports etc.), listen to their free teleseminars. What's the fit? Then invest. Blair
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Personally, I think it is an error to look for the “best MAGIC marketing guru”.
Although you perform magic, you are first and foremost a Service Business, so I’d look for the top “small BUSINESS marketing gurus”. This not only broadens your field and options, but can set you apart from what most magicians are doing. My thoughts, Walt |
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
Walt you say look for the "top “small BUSINESS marketing gurus”.
In my town anyway, these guys charge way more than the ones in magic! Unless you are talking about just the "free" stuff off of their sites and newsletters. But to actually have someone sitdown and apply to YOUR business what they are teaching, would cost mucho $$$. The knowledge is easily and freely attained, ie. the library, Amazon etc. it's all in the application! B
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
I think most of the "top guns" have put their wisdom into very worthwhile books, my point was a "guru" is in my experience a better source than a "magic guru".
Thanks for the insights, Walt |
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MikeClay Special user Atlanta GA 761 Posts |
Walt,
I agree with you when I made the transition from corporate america into entertainment full time (and sadly I am making the transition back for many reasons..) the entertainers only had VAGUE advice.. while some business owners who I am friends with where a wellspring of information and help.. then came Seth Godin "Purple Cow" and I was goin strong.. BIG TIME.. and I'm not bashing any of the Magician Marketing Guys.. I've bought a lot of their stuff and have gotten good things out of it to use and have been successful with them. But sometimes you need more than a Rehash of Dan Kennedy's copy writing course.. so you go BUY Dan's stuff and not the magician who has read all of his stuff and rewritten it for magicians.. sometimes the foundational knowledge that the IN Industry Gurus have from learning what they know.. they forget to share..
its ok.. balloon dogs don't bite
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geneurban New user Santa Barbara, CA 21 Posts |
Marketing is a case by case event. One must identify a market or markets and create a plan that is effective for each audience of buyers.
I believe it starts with creating a consistent brand no matter what kind of magic you perform. Your web site, promo, cards all have to speak to your audience. So often you see a performer going after corporate business with marketing materials that look anything but corporate. I like the work of Jon Ward with Trump University. You can google his name and get contact info. He is a true wizard but not cheap. However, the rewards far outweigh the costs. There are a number of books on marketing that can help you develop and write a marketing plan. Just search Amazon and start reading. It's not brain surgery. The goal of any good plan is simple... get your name and information in front of as many potential buyers as possible. The key is knowing who your buyers are and how they are best approached. I am a big believer in hiring a marketing/business coach. When I went after the trade show market, I hired Brian Tracy, a top corporate business coach in the 90's. He was not a magician, he taught and coached top sales executives from Fortune 500 companies. It cost a bundle, yet helped me achieve dramatic results. The real key to marketing, besides having an effective & appropriate system, is working it on a consistent basis. A coach can help you with accoutability and keep you on track. That's my 2 cents worth. |
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Blair Marshall Inner circle Montreal, Canada 3660 Posts |
"It's not brain surgery" LOL To a lot of performing ARTISTS, marketing is as foreign as brain surgery! And the more artistic the performer, the less they want to know about it.
"It cost a bundle" and that's often the point. Most magicians are cheap (myself included - LOL) A good university textbook which you have to read, and learn how to apply, can alone cost $100's but why would someone pay that same amount to have a fellow magician detail how they manage their business and make $$$. As a note....If it was a simple matter of picking up a book and reading it, why bother to go to university?? Just buy the books and apply the knowledge. Boy could I have saved a bundle with my 3 kids!!!! Blair
Visit My Facebook Fan Page At
www.Facebook.com/BlairMarshallMontrealMagician www.BlairMarshall.ca www.ShaZzamShow.com www.MontrealMagicien.com |
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Oscar999 Elite user 401 Posts |
Artistic people tend to forget they are running a business.
It's like the old maxim, "Build a better mousetrap ... and the world will beat a path to your door." Unfortunately, in the real world, marketing your business is a full-time endeavor even for creative folks. I mentioned somewhere else in the Café that your show is merely the vehicle that delivers the benefit your customer is seeking. If you take that to heart and really think about what it is you do and what your client wants from you then specific tactics will become evident. It's been my experience that most marketing guru's and courses say pretty much the same thing. So, as Blair says, find the one that's best for you. Oscar |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
You are right Blair,
that many “artists” are afraid of sales/business/marketing, and many are tight with their money (I’m always amazed at the guys who will spend $300 on a new trick, but not $300 on business cards or a suit). I posted this before, but for well under $300 one could own/read/use all these books and get “edumacated”. It s Not Who You Know It s Who Knows You!: The Small Business Guide to Raising Your Profits by Raising Your Profile ISBN: 978-0-470-48324-4 November 2009, $24.95 Prepare for the Worst, Plan for the Best: Disaster Preparedness and Recovery for Small Businesses, 2nd Edition ISBN: 978-0-470-55617-7 July 2009, $24.95 JK Lasser's Small Business Taxes 2010: Your Complete Guide to a Better Bottom Line ISBN: 978-0-470-44547-1 November 2009, $18.95 This is Social Media: Tweet, blog, link and post your way to business success ISBN: 978-1-906465-70-4 December 2009, $19.95 The Small Business Bible: Everything You Need to Know to Succeed in Your Small Business, 2nd Edition ISBN: 978-0-470-26124-8 September 2008, $19.95 Small Business Financial Management Kit For Dummies ISBN: 978-0-470-12508-3 July 2007, $24.99 The Never Cold Call Again Online Playbook: The Definitive Guide to Internet Marketing Success ISBN: 978-0-470-50392-8 October 2009, $19.95 Winning the Professional Services Sale : Unconventional Strategies to Reach More Clients ISBN: 978-0-470-45585-2 July 2009, $24.95 Selling Luxury: Connect with Affluent Customers, Create Unique Experiences Through Impeccable Service, and Close the Sale ISBN: 978-0-470-45799-3 June 2009, $29.95 Lifescripts for the Self-Employed: What to say to get what you want in life's toughest situations ISBN: 978-0-02-862621-5 March 1999, $14.95 Make Your Business Survive and Thrive!: 100+ Proven Marketing Methods to Help You Beat the Odds and Build a Successful Small or Home-Based Enterprise ISBN: 978-0-470-05142-9 December 2006, $19.95 Business Plans Kit For Dummies, 2nd Edition ISBN: 978-0-7645-9794-7 September 2005, 34.99 |
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