|
|
Ryan 101 Regular user Hawaii 164 Posts |
If you finish doing your act and someone wants to talk should you stay and talk. If so how long should you stay.
Some people would talk to you for 10 minutes if you let them. Ryan |
abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts |
It is a good networking opportunity so Yes talk, but analyze the person. If they want to learn magic or just talk nonsense then cut it short. If they can book you for a show then talk.
|
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
Abc's absolutly right. I suppose you need to make a quick decision as to who is a potential client and who isn't. sometimes it is impossible to tell, even a fter a few sentances. but if they are talkin nonsense then right, you've gotta cut it short.
normally a question is "how long you've been doin this for" to which you can reply "ever since I was a boy, and I now do weddings, parites, etc etc etc..." I feel that stayin and chatting to the person after is a business oppurtunity. |
EricHenning Loyal user Laurel, Maryland 218 Posts |
Ok, this is really important. People who want to talk are paying you a compliment, so you don't want to brush them off. At the same time, you may have gigs right after each other and you may need to leave. It's a delicate balancing act.
Years ago, I saw Harry Blackstone, Jr. in Washington, DC. He and Gay did a 2 act, 2 hour show and then afterwards came out and signed autographs and chatted for more than an hour. It was a huge inspiration to a young magician (me). Years later, I asked Gay about this and she said that she and Harry had a term for it - the "third act." In other words, they considered it an important part of the show. They were showing respect for the fans and it really paid off. When I am at other shows and the performer does not come out afterwards to talk, I hear what people say. They assume the performer has a big head or thinks they are too good for the crowd. It may be not true at all, they may be sick, but in the absence of other info people take offense. Even magicians who should know better will sometimes make their audience wait for a show that starts an hour late and then still not visit afterwards (not to mention any Copperfield names). I try to remember that even though we have heard the same questions a million times, they are new for the audience. So I do three things: 1. I try to schedule gigs so that there is plenty of travel time in between shows and time to visit built-in. 2. I know the most common questions, and I have some small, quick tricks ready that "answer" them in a magical way. Now the person has had a special trick just for them. 3. At almost every show, one kid comes up and tells me that they are a magician. I have a special package with a small magic book in my case to give them as a present. If it's in my local area, I include info on joining the local magic clubs. With a little thought, it's easy to turn what seems annoying into a real opportunity to create raving fans who will tell everyone they know how great you are. All it takes is a little kindness. Hope this helps. |
abc Inner circle South African in Taiwan 1081 Posts |
Just to add to teh above post.
Never turn a compliment down. There is a huge difference between a compliment and chit chat. The reason I say cut it short is because there may be someone that wants to talk to you that could prove a valuable connection. I also agree that you always carry something small to give to aspiring magicians. The reason being is if they are serious about magic then they will study and learn from as mentioned above your booklet and which ever books you refer them to. If you read Jim Snack's material about teaching magic this is once agian a perfect marketing opportunity for one of your income streams. |
Mogwai II Veteran user The Alpes 314 Posts |
It really depends on the situation. If the restaurant isn't too busy at the moment, I like to kind of take a brake and just chat with the people. Of course If they just ask you always the same questions, its kind a boring. Sometimes I ask them what trick they liked most, if they understood all the routines well or if I could do something better.
IMO Customers sometimes are the best critics. They don't "think" magic or "see" magic. So the're kind of on the other side. A side we left when we started in Magic. So sometimes it really helps me to talk to them for a while after the show. When there's a nice girl...even better...
"You'll wonder when he comes, you'll wonder more when he's gone..."
|
Rob Johnston Inner circle Utah 2060 Posts |
After a show recently I had a teenager came up to me and express his happiness in seeing the show. I talked with him a while...but not for 10 minutes. I was polite and talked with him...but when I felt the conversation start to die, I ended it (politely) and took off.
If I met someone who I like to talk to, then I would talk with them much longer. It just depends on the quality of the conversation...not the quanity.
"Genius is another word for magic, and the whole point of magic is that it is inexplicable." - Margot Fonteyn
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » Chat (0 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.02 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 < |