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TKE Veteran user FL 346 Posts |
So you're table hopping. you just did a set of 3 tricks. They're astonished. Blown away. Clapping. Tip you. You get the idea.
Although you would think people can see you at their birthday party or other private event...they sometimes they just don't. So the question is: how do you tell people, "hey guess what...if you thought I am great here imagine having me for all of your friends at your next cocktail hour!" Obviously your business card will lead to them seeing what else you do. They will also see your website which should market your venues. Is it appropriate to drop a line or two indirectly saying that you also do private parties? |
twistedace Inner circle philadelphia 3772 Posts |
I tend not to drop any hints. People that ask for my card or ask if I do parties are usually the ones that hire me later. In my opinion, if somebody doesn't ask, they're probably not going to hire you later. Also, I usually don't give out my business cards unless asked. I say usually because I do perform a few tricks that use my business cards as giveaways.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
As long as you're not being blatant, I think it's good business to drop a hint or two in a conversational manner or as part of your patter.
"I got that very same response at last night's cocktail party!" "My trade show clients always ask for this one!" "The Lenovo CFO saw me do this in their hospitality suite. He asked I could make Dell disappear." "The bride at last week's reception spent the entire evening looking for that card! She never found it, either." If you don't casually toot your horn, who will?
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I was going to suggest exactly what Skip Way just did. There are ways to get the info out, without becoming a commercial for yourself. I've never been a fan of overtly selling when one should be entertaining. Initial exchange of contact info is ok, but there is a line that shouldn't be crossed without becoming tacky.
Although twistedace made a good point, he overlooks the fact that some people may not put two and two together. They sometimes need just a nudge to get them to see that they very well may have a future event that could use a magician. Handing out cards to everyone is usually a waste of a lot of cards, and a certain amount of time. Done correctly though, this more subtle conveying of info will often let that next potential customer think it was HIS idea all along. This not only produces a qualified lead, it produces one that is more highly motivated. A good magician knows how to get inside the heads of other people!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
T_C_Magic New user 74 Posts |
I always have some effect in my act that leaves my business card as a souvenir. Jay Sankey has quite a few tricks that use your business card. I have a real good effect that I developed that uses the new FriXion pens and my business card. Also I make up a few different type business cards to use according to the venue I am working at. One might be for birthday parties or another might be for business functions. Try to think outside the box.
TC |
jonathandupree Loyal user 238 Posts |
Well I'm glad you guys enjoyed the magic. By the way here's my card. If you ever have an event and want your guest to experience close-ip magic lime you just did give me a call. Enjoy the rest of your evening.
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Skip Way Inner circle 3771 Posts |
Leaving your card is okay - 95% of the time it will be lost, thrown away or tossed into a drawer and forgotten...but that's another thread.
The fact is that they'll probably be thinking, "When will I ever need a restaurant magician?" I'm primarily a family and children's entertainer and you would be surprised how often I'm asked: "Do you do birthday parties?" "Do you perform at schools?" How many don't bother asking or simply don't THINK about the jobs you might be perfect for. If you don't nonchalantly plant the thought in their minds, they may just walk away thinking, "Wow, what a great restaurant magician!" and nothing more. In my opinion, leaving your card is never enough.
How you leave others feeling after an Experience with you becomes your Trademark.
Magic Youth Raleigh - RaleighMagicClub.org |
Sir Richard Special user 650 Posts |
1st off, I'm a firm believer that if I 1st "sell myself" in a positive way then I will be asked if I do other things. A couple weeks ago I was doing a 3-hour non-stop close-up show for our community. During my performance a young child came up to me & said that his mother wanted my card. I told him "sure," right after I finished the trick I'd just started. He agreed & even reminded me after I finished. I also would hand a card out to a child when their parents were right there & say: "Here ya go, just remember that when you're ready to have your next birthday party tell them you absolutely gotta have this magician!" They would all laugh. If they like you well enough they might just call you to perform.
Sir Richard.
"In the land of Murphy there is but ONE law!"
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Not only do I hand out magician cards but I hand out videographer cards and a few others too.
Unfortunately, in America, most people like to pigeon hole someone and when they see you do Strait Jackets and Mentalism can not possibly conceive that you also do fun children's parties. I know that a restaurant worker can make the transition to parties or corporate shows. It's common practice.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
Benji Bruce Special user 930 Posts |
The best "closers" like Anton Zellman, Joel Bauer, James Malinchak, etc all do the same thing....they give you TONS of value and then make an offer. So you have to give them value by performing at the table and at the end all you have to say is, "If you guys ever have an event or know of someone having a big event then give me a call."
But you will also notice that where you perform has a huge influence on where they THINK you can perform. If they see you perform in a restaurant then it will never cross their mind that you can perform on a stage with an audience of 5,000. If you are seen performing in a restaurant then they will just assume you only perform in restaurants. That is why it is very easy to get high profile spin-off gigs by performing at a high profile event versus getting a high profile gig by performing at a restaurant. Everything is seen from a horizontal standpoint and not a vertical one. A cocktail party for the President will easily book you cocktail parties for Politicians, etc. But |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » How do you inform people you can do magic at other venues (0 Likes) |
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