On Jun 23, 2015, Tim Friday wrote:
There is another thread about this here in Tricky Business with good info. I recommend searching it out...

On Jun 23, 2015, Mindpro wrote:
I'm trying to distinguish from the posts and poster's above if the success or failure expressed is more based on consumer markets rather than professional markets. Still not sure since Brett posted what he did. Brett are these more for professional bookings or consumer leads you are referring to? Also I wasn't aware that you did strolling. Mentalism or magic? Are your leads coming form consumers or professionals?

I could perhaps see it for kids parties, scouts and other consumer events but not as much with professionals. Interesting.

On Jun 24, 2015, saysold1 wrote:

Quote:

On Jun 23, 2015, Mindpro wrote:
I'm trying to distinguish from the posts and poster's above if the success or failure expressed is more based on consumer markets rather than professional markets. Still not sure since Brett posted what he did. Brett are these more for professional bookings or consumer leads you are referring to? Also I wasn't aware that you did strolling. Mentalism or magic? Are your leads coming form consumers or professionals?

I could perhaps see it for kids parties, scouts and other consumer events but not as much with professionals. Interesting.

Mindpro me Amigo - I've been doing strolling Mentalism work for over 5 years now and it is probably at least 60-70% of my business. The YELP calls I get are typically for private parties or smaller company gigs, and strolling is more typical of what they seek.

I do zero magic - only mind reading.

I carry a leather European man bag/purse (or whatever you call it!) with me when I stroll and have a large selection of possible material for 2 to 3 hours work - usually for groups of 100-400. I won't stroll for less than 75 as those smaller size shows naturally become mini parlor shows with everyone gathering and I charge more for a Parlor show as it requires more material to fill the time.

I would say that with YELP these are probably more consumer leads (at least 50%) but believe it or not MANY companies do book me or refer to YELP as the planners more and more seek out online reviews which they generally trust.

I take zero kid parties and won't do any gigs usually for under 18 (although I did do my first Bar Mitzvah party some months ago and it reminded me why I don't like weddings much or bar/bat mitzvahs - people are usually too $$$ stretched and hiring a guy like me is an afterthought).

I know some poo-poo the strolling Mentalism but I have found that bookers, DMC's and the public like it and it has allowed me to cut my teeth over the past 5 years by doing a large number of 2-3+ hour engagements. This has let me earn a few sheckels and test ideas out in real time. I'm also and have been (living in Phoenix) a regular beta tester for PM and some of Craig's unreleased products and the strollling allows me many more "at bats."

I'm hitting a stage (pun intended) where I'm now getting a little tired of the strolling and pursuing the more lucrative stage and parlor shows and also raising my rates (which I've done every single year anyway). My strolling rates now are higher than most of the Magician's in my town but it is still not in the same league as what one could get for typical stage shows or the emcee work.

But as I said the strolling lets me get more practice and work routines to a finer point. I am able to use that in many cases to carry over into my stage work.

Back to YELP - like I said it has been a godsend for my strolling work (listed in the Magician category).

On Jun 25, 2015, Mindpro wrote:

Seems Brett uses the strolling mentslism often as a vehicle in his business for larger or greater opportunities. But my concern would be in other areas with this. Likely he or a mentalist could get a higher rate than a magician for the corporate markets. Yet at the same time I'm not sure why one would (other than money) reduce mentalism to a closeup or strolling environment, which screams magic to most people and in my opinion could reduce your perception and value as a mentalist.

At one of my agencies we often refuse such bookings (strolling mentalism) for this very reason. It seems to work for Brett, at least in his perception but I wonder about the bigger picture of earning potential and long term business and relations with the clients?

I'm guessing he charges more than magicians in his area. The bigger key to me if if in doing so he's doing straight mentalism or mentalism mixed with magic, which of course makes it all magic in the eyes of many.

Also Phoenix has always been a great mentalism market so I'm sure that plays a role into what he charges. I also think business operations is and likely should be different for a mentalist than a magician, just as it is for a hypnotist and a magician.

This probably should be it's own thread, but I do think this all plays am important role how it relates to audiences and Yelp positioning, feedback and credibility.