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Psychological Mind Reading Illusionist Regular user 151 Posts |
Hi, I'm not new to Mentalism or Magic, but I am new to the business. Where can I go to get started being a professional entertainer? Where should I start?
P.S. I'm not too fond of entertaining children because my presentation is for the older demographic. -Johnny |
Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
What groups/markets have responded well to your offerings? Start in the markets where you have already have experience.
Plus...learn to think and be a business person. Concentrate on educating yourself in the business aspect. I would argue that it is easier for a good business person to make it in this business than "just" being a good performer. Obvious, it is ideal to be both. |
jackturk Elite user 463 Posts |
Ditto on Scott's note.
Your first step is to nail down your market. It's clear you don't want to do kids. That's fine. Pick some market that does have a burning desire. Too many businesses make the mistake "product first, market second" -- as in, "I'm going to do a black art show for corporate banquets." Well, that may be marvelous. I don't know. But before investing dollars in props, rehearsal, music, scripting, etc., it would be wise to nail down your target prospect a bit more carefully. For instance, how big a company? What industry? Where are they located? Who makes the decisions for entertainment or training or motivation in that business? How is that business doing these days? What problems / challenges are they facing? What are their buzzwords and slang? The more you can nail down your customer and understand them and their needs, the better prepared you'll be at not only creating a solution for them that involves your skills, but also in finding a way to communicate effectively with them via your marketing. --Jack
"59 Ways To Recession Proof Your Entertainment Business -- FREE!"
http://www.GetLeadsLikeCrazy.com "How To Make $25,000 a Year Doing Birthday Parties Part-Time" http://www.magicmarketingcenter.com/birthdayPT |
Psychological Mind Reading Illusionist Regular user 151 Posts |
Thank you for all of your responses.
Scott you said I should educate myself in the field of business, do you have any books or supplements you recommend I could use? I was looking at Highway to Success: The Entertainers Roadmap to Business by Elliott Smith and Ian Quick. Jack, is there a specific way I could find out or get a better idea of the different types of markets out there for my type of entertainment and which of the options might be more profitable? -Johnny |
Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Learning is a long and never-ending process. The best resource for YOU is the tool that addresses most specifically how to get to your specific goals. Definately identify your target market first. Finding a learning resource will be much easier once you have determined that.
Personally, I'm university educated on the areas of marketing and business. However, I still didn't have a clue on how to start in this business until I invested in some programs marketed directly to entertainers. My first program was by Jack Turk (the other gentleman above)and may be a good one for you too: http://magicmarketingcenter.com/90daydigital. One of the more affordable options as well. However, please know there are MANY courses out there! Other options may be better for YOU. Search around and make sure the choice fits you the best. PS - don't discount your local library for valuable education tools - especially if money is tight. |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-10-11 19:17, Psychological Mind Reading Illusionist wrote: Put together a website. |
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Assuming you have a good show to start with get ahold of Jim Snack, he is a member here and get his "success in Magic" course. I got mine several years ago and followed his suggestions. The course paid for itself in one month. Kicked my income up dramatically to where I even suffered a 4 month period where I could not work due to health reasons but still had the money to make it thru that period without any help from anyone. I really believe it was what I learned from Jim that allowed me to succeed.
Peter |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Thanks for the kind words, Peter, and I'm pleased that I was able to help you build your business.
I sent Johnny a PM about the parts of my course that would specifically benefit him. While the course was written primarily from the perspective of a family entertainer, the business principles and strategies apply to any performer's business. Specifically I pointed out that the Marketing for Mentalists audio seminar would explain the top five markets available to him. Also, the CD and Report on Booking Corporate & Association Events would be good for him. For a limited time, I've lowered the prices on all the downloadable audio seminars, plus there is a free one available on the resource page at http://www.success-in-magic.com/reseources.htm . Jim |
Psychological Mind Reading Illusionist Regular user 151 Posts |
Thanks everybody for the brilliant feedbacks.
Scott, I tried to go to the site you recommended but the link does not work. Yes, I have looked around what my target market might be. Currently I am leaning towards the Corporate & Association Events and possibly some theater, but I'm still in the process of my research. Do you have an opinion about doing Corporate events? Because it seems like a great market not a lot of magician cater to; is there a catch I'm not aware of yet? Jim, I went to your site and the material seems wonderful. I am planning to purchase Booking Corporate & Association Events and marketing for mentalists. I was also thinking about going into theater, but do you know if the theater market is a prosperous place to get into? What the pros and cons might be when going into that type of a market? -Johnny |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Johnny,
The theater market is one of the five markets I discuss on the Marketing for Mentalists audio seminar. The challenge is that you have to be able to promote the show and sell tickets. If you can draw people to a show, then you could either 1) sell your show to a theater outright, 2) produce the show yourself or 3) partner with a theater. I suggest that you start locally at a small theater(under 200 seats). It could a non-profit or community theater. Find a time in their schedule that doesn't conflict with other shows or rehearsal schedules and offer them a show on a "slit the door" basis. Then promote the heck out of the show and try to fill the house. That's exactly what long time Magic Café member, Kyle Peron, did with his first venture into working theaters. He was able to sell out two shows in a small theater before moving up to a larger high school auditorium. The skills you will learn at that level will prepare you for trying to break into the theater market on a larger scale, whether that means booking larger theaters or moving into small theaters in major markets. Jim |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Thank you so much for the kind words, Jim. It is very much appreciated.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Oh, Kyle, I almost forgot to tell you Jim Straub told me to tell you "Hi". He works in Michigan on the weekdays.
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TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Jim's stuff is definitely the way to go in this case, 100% for sure!
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
RichardShure Veteran user 344 Posts |
Another question for you is...
Where have you worked before. What kind of audiences and shows have you done. Do you have promotional material, website, video, references? To see where you want to go...it is good to see where you have been. |
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Johnny, one of the things I do is go to networking meeting like BN! and business club meetings like Kiwanis, masonic lodges and Rotary and offer to do a free speech. Mine is on magic history and I sneak in how I can help draw crowds at consumer and trade shows into the talk. Doesn't have to be long, maybe 15 minutes. This has helped me get business.
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