|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4 | ||||||||||
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Don't worry they will find Mark soon and he will be banned again LOL.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
zinser New user 38 Posts |
They may well find him but I can assure you he isn't me. All the moderators have to do is check the IP address. It has dawned on me who you are talking about though. He has written a fascinating book which is ... Link removed
But back to Doug. I hope he didn't find my musings too depressing but it is important to have a balanced and realistic view of the struggle ahead. However, with determination, persistence, business savvy and talent he will make it. And a large reserve of cunning helps too. |
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Allow me to provide you with some inspiration from someone who is and has been a full-time performer for a very long time now. My first piece of advice is don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something only you know what you can do and what you want to do. This forum is filled with a lot of trolls who don't perform they just post all day and night and try to rain on everyone's parades. Or they are retired, and jaded and have nothing better to do then discourage others on magic forums. But I think you can sort out who those are yourself. Everyone and every situation is different, so their success or lack of success does not have any bearing on you at all. You can only try to learn from all that you read.
Having been in magic now 34 years and almost 25 as a professional, I never had any coach or mentors, namely because I never needed one and I was the only magician that I knew of in my area within at least 60 miles which seems to still be true today. I am and was my own harshest critic and never presented a show that I did not think was flawless or 100% ready. I saved every dollar I got as a kid for a long time to buy magic, and then started working a full-time at Burger King, mowing lawns, selling stuff at flea markets, etc to fund my magic hobby. My goal was to one day be a full-time pro and have a magic shop as there has never been one in my area, not even today. I still hope to change that soon even if only as a labor of love and to promote interest. I had a lot of cynical doubters even teachers who laughed when I told them my dreams. That motivated me even more to pursue them. Who is laughing now? Well maybe them sitting on their fat nest egg retired doing nothing, but I still love my hobby/job. Most of those people were brought up to be like everyone else, "puppets" of society if you will, and lacked the desire and motivation to truly go after what they wanted to do. Instead they did what others "expected" them to do not what they really wanted to do. But 34 years later I am still doing magic, still making a great living with it. It was not always easy, especially at first as I had to buy a lot of equipment especially for kids shows who love big, magical, gleaming props which is actually what attracted me to magic as a kid. I remember being mesmerized by the colorful, glittery boxes, tubes, silks, top hats, shiny cups etc. I knew then that I HAD to do magic and I HAD to do it as a job. After a few years of hard marketing I no longer even had to market as much any more as I was getting so many referrals and repeat customers that it took care of itself. I did not want to travel all over the place I wanted to do a lot of shows in my County as opposed to sitting in a car for hours in traffic. So that worked out well for me. I had to learn a lot of new material but I learned it all very well because I was a full-timer I had all that time and experience which made it easier and faster to learn. I used to have one show that I did for a long time until I had to create a new one, but that works out a lot better if you do travel and don't get many repeat customers. So I had several shows ready to go at any time, and I practiced and rehearsed them all day and night until my next gig. I am still just as passionate and motivated today about magic as I was at age 6. So yeah it can be done, ANY THING can be done if you set your mind to making it happen. It is not always easy but nothing worthwhile is easy anyway. I wanted it and went after it, and I did not need anyone telling me what to do. I learned all that I needed to start in The Amateur Magician's Handbook, Mark Wilson's Complete Course, The Magic Book, and the Tarbell Course. I videotaped my performances, studied myself, took notes, had my GF at the time give me her advice etc. I then met with some other magicians eventually at magic clubs when I did travel to a few other towns and exchanged advice and tips etc. I wrote scripts a lot but I also did entire shows using improv, which I had quite the knack for and allowed me to be more flexible chatting with the audience and not have to worry about following a script and ironically that improv later became my script as it worked well and was developed by real-world experience. So there are many ways to skin a cat. As some others said just do it. Be sure that you are ready and then go after the dream that is what I did. But I also was sure to put in all the work for many years, even as a kid I did a lot of birthday parties, shows at Church, at my house, friend's houses, etc. I also used to do several tricks a day at school on the bus in the morning, in class, (I had my cards taken away a lot ) at lunch, recess, class shows, talent shows, and on the ride home. So yeah I had A LOT of material and experience for about 9 years before my first paid show by a company. Although I did make money from all those other shows and "tips" which helped to fund my magic addiction. Every dollar that I made through magic I reinvested back into magic. Once the adults knew this they gave me even more money as they wanted to see new stuff in a few weeks. So it worked out well for me. I was technically a professional at age 7 and on as I was being paid for shows just not a lot. But back then $40-$75 was a lot! But I did not ask anyone what I should do, I went after my dream and did not look back. Back then if there was a magic shop I would have been there all the time and asking the counter guy for advice, provided that he was at least as proficient as I was and not just a sales guy. I probably would have worked there eventually. But I did not have that luxury. It was not until I was driving at age 16 that I traveled to some magic shops but at that time I already knew a lot and I knew what I was looking to buy. But nothing beats walking into a shop and seeing the stuff first hand, and seeing it demoed and chatting for hours. I still would love to do that one day just for the love of doing it provided I would not "have to" depend on it for an income and still had the time to do all my other gigs. But it is hard to even start because I am so busy already but I hope to one day be rich and just own my own shop for the mere fun of it, even if it is in my house. I really don't care. But it would be fun to keep the tradition alive and not cave into what the economy decides. Many still love magic and kids especially, so having a shop in small lot in a mall would still very a very viable attraction and I actually am in the process of seeign about it now. I would not ened it to do well but I know I could make it do well and promte interest in many ways as well as market myself even more even though I don't really need to. But it would definitely stand out as a main attraction at a mall, how many other shops have things floating around, have shiny gleaming props, fire comine out of wallets, kids floating on tables, etc? Would be a blast. Of course any time that you make a hobby a professional it loses some of its fun factor that is just natural. But in my case it sure beats working as a wage-slave for someone else as I did that before. Being self-emplyed is a 24/7 job also, soy uo can't just work 8 hours and go home and be done with it. But the good news is you love what you do, you are your own boss, and you make your own hours. You just assume all the responsibility. So yeah just go after your dreams. You may fail a few times at first but if you are determined enough you will find a way eventually to make it happen. I am one stubborn, and determined person so no one or nothing will stop me from getting what I want.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
zinser New user 38 Posts |
A magic shop in a mall? In this economy where magic shops are going out of business right, left and centre? Especially with the competition from the internet? And with the high rents they charge in malls? While running around doing shows at the same time? In a business which is new to you and that you know nothing about? In a business where Denny of Denny and Lee confided to someone I know that "Opening a magic shop was the worst thing I ever did!"
Methinks you had better garner your positive thinking attitude to it's full extent and learn to ignore naysayers like me in the same way you were able to do when you were much younger. Of course you had the energy then to ignore people like me. Let us hope you still have it. If you are as successful as a performer as you say you are then I strongly advise you to not to bother. It will end up being a nightmare for you. At the very least you will find it will take up your time so much keeping things afloat that you will neglect your performing and it will go down the tube. And the magic shop will go down the tube too. Don't do it. If you do then within two years (probably one year actually) you will realise how right I am. If you go ahead you will find out what a nightmare scenario you have entered. You might call this trolling, naysaying or negative thinking. I call it realism. If you go ahead you will find out soon enough how right I am. |
|||||||||
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Yes Mark it is called trolling.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
zinser New user 38 Posts |
Danny. I know a lot about selling magic. And so do you. Do YOU think he should open a magic shop? Be honest. And remember your answer could affect what he does.
|
|||||||||
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Sirbrad,
Back in the early 90's I wanted me a magic shop too. Everybody told me it was a crazy idea. That it was impossible. Not to mention I lived in a very small rural town without a single magician. But I had learned that when faced with the impossible, you can always go to Plan B. So, I did the next best thing. I opened a ‘Fun Shop’ that sold novelty items, comic books, trading cards, party items etc. And of course I had a small magic dept in it. One of the first things I did was get a few kids hooked on magic, started a magic club, and went from there. Long story short, without the Halloween and other seasonal items it would have closed soon. But it stayed open a little over eight years. Never got rich off it, but it did pay for itself and it turned out to be the perfect place for my son to work. He paid his way through college working there. While most didn’t think of it as a magic shop, I did. It was a dream come true for me. So you can have your cake and eat to, if you don’t mind rearranging the icing a little. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
I kinda doubt that anyone who was a successful business person would have time to go on a forum and shoot others down and troll them. Mark is probably a miserable failed business person so he just wants to bring others down with him. I have been successful my whole life so I don't have the time or need to tell others what they can't do, I believe you should try to elevate and encourage ideas not break others down unless of course you are a miserable failure yourself but that is probably your own fault. They want others to fail because they failed, otherwise why would they even care?
Yeah Tom I thought about adding jokes/gags/comics etc and I am also a huge comic book collector but those fabulous pieces of art prints do not seem to be as appreciated in todays digital age as much as they used to be. But I still collect them and used to have over 100,000 comics and baseball cards but I sold all the cards long ago and about half the comics. But as I said I could afford to keep it strictly as a magic shop for a long time if I wanted to as I have a savings and a constant stream of income from several sources. I am the only magician in my area that I know of and I get all business and far too much of it to keep up with it all but it would be a fun prospect even if it did cost me money in the long run. I would not be opening it to struggle and have to make a living from it like many did it would be strictly for the love of it. I wanted to do it 25 years ago but did not want to rush it and get loans and I am glad I didn't. So trust me I have thought about it long and hard for a very long time, and prepared for it since then. My only issue is finding the time to do it all and figuring out the schedule. But in my area it seems that people love magic a lot being that I am still in business 25 years later with no signs of slowing down. Whether they want to buy magic is another story. I kinda want to just keep it all to myself but the demand is so high here that I could use about 10 more magicians to take the load off. But I know it is small niche market and I like it that way. It is my job as a magician and entertainer to keep magic alive no matter what, and not cave into what the economy and others do. It is easy to take the easy way out and sit back and do nothing, or not even try. But I have always tried and did what I wanted to do as I would rather try and fail and then not try and always wonder what if. But for the most part I have succeeded with all that I have wanted to do so I got a good streak going. And like I said if it got to be too expensive and I could not do it anymore it would not be a big deal at least I tried and had fun for awhile and can say I had a shop. But I have a very detailed business plan that I do believe would bring in a lot of customers, and be a lot of fun and end up being a hang out for magicians once I got the club established which would also bring in dues etc. So this is not something I just decided over night without researching it, it has been a process spanning over 20 years and I was just waiting for the right time and situations. Ideally I hope to win the lotto to make it REALLY easy and just buy my own building. But it is definitely very doable and I am very optimistic that my business plan would turn a nice profit and attract a lot of people to my mall, as well as be a stand out attraction compared to the other typical clothes and toy stores. Kids love magic and I would have a lot kids beginner magic tricks, books, stocked as well. But I just want it to be a fun magic shop and a source if material for those serious magicians who want to walk into a shop and see what they are getting, a luxury that I never had in my local area and had to travel to experience. If I HAD to do it to survive then sure there would be other more viable avenues if business. But as Mark "failed" to read I don't HAVE to open it I WANT to. There is a BIG difference between the two. It would be a lot more fun not having to worry about having to make money and to just enjoy the experience and interaction. That is why I waited so long to be sure that the timing is right instead if rushing into it back then. But as of now I am still working it all out and still performing frequently so there is still no hurry. But I think 25 years was al ong enough wait to prepare. Worse case I could retire working in the shop part-time which would be even more fun. But that won't be any time soon as I am having too much fun.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
But even if I wanted to do it for a living and failed I would still rather have tried and failed than not have tried at all and wondered if it would have succeeded. Look at all the successful businesses today that make millions to billions per year, they went after it and did not sit back in fear thinking they would fail they went forward and made it happen. Maybe they even failed a few times first but ultimately they succeeded. I know many "realists" as well and they never accomplished anything in life, they sit scared in their house playing PS3 all day and night.
However I am not in that position as I said for me it would be strictly a labor of love and with that generally comes profit anyway at least in my case it has always been that way. Anyone with a genuine love for magic would encourage anyone to try it not discourage them, except for as I said failed business people or possibly magic shop owners who are afraid of anyone else having a shop and think it is competition. As an old school guy I will not cave into others expecations or let online discounters stop me. I can have an online store as well. But my mian goal is to preserve the brick and mortar shop which I believe is still very viable in this age, and generally what is old becomes new again. So for me there is no pressure as I would not need to make huge profits anyway and if I do it is a bonus.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Quote:
On Aug 10, 2014, TomBoleware wrote: That is great! By the way I also think that having a "Magic Daycare Center" here would be genius and so far I love your book on the subject. I have done Daycares in the past and will be doing more soon, possibly A LOT more so it is still a great source of information nonetheless. A business like that would kill here even though there are plenty of regular daycare centers this would be a MAGIC DAYCARE CENTER. I wonder which one kids and parents would want to go to? Lol. But I would rather have a magic shop as of now, as it would be a little less work and a lot quiter. But who knows maybe one day I will have both. I tend to dream BIG and maybe that is why I have been successful my whole life and continue to be. I am also well prepared and actively pursuing my goals while others stay home on the sofa telling everyone what can't be done and why. I don't have time for those types as I am too busy succeeding.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
Yeah he proved my point when he said he would be "laughing" at my alleged failure, which only proves that he is a miserable failure himself that never had a magic shop or could maintain one. It also proves that he does not love magic otherwise he would encourage its survival at any cost. But he right about one thing his "Alzheimers" must be really bad and he camnnot seem to comprhend or remember that I said that I could run a shop easily and not need to sell one item for many years simply for the fun of it. Not only do I have enough in savings but I still have a great income coming in. I am glad that makes him furious though and only encourages me to go through it even more. Maybe he can come and do the paddle trick all day at my Grand Opening and sell Svengali decks if he can "remember"how to do them.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Glad they cleaned up the nonsense.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
I am sure "his friend" will be back soon. That is one dedicated friend to create so many accounts and defend Mark all day, must live quite the exciting life.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
That would be a full time gig defending that guy.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
And I bet the pay is lousy.
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
But, he knows all about a magic shops. I mean, he sold trick decks, didn't he?
|
|||||||||
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
He knows all about everything. Just ask him.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
|||||||||
sirbrad Inner circle PA 2096 Posts |
It's all "in his book."
The great trouble with magicians is the fact that they believe when they have bought a certain trick or piece of apparatus, and know the method or procedure, that they are full-fledged mystifiers. -- Harry Houdini
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Magic Coach?? For Real ?? (26 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.09 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |