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MagicalPirate Special user Shamokin, PA 828 Posts |
Mike Spark:
I did a quick google search out there on your book from Joshua Seth and came up empty. If we are to know about it we'll need a link. Thanks Martin
Martin Blakley, CSH, DASH, CMSA
http://www.thehypnoguy.com/HYPNORESOURCES http://www.docgrayson.com/ How To Sell Anything Online http://tub.bz/?r=1z Copyright to my own words retained 100%. |
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MikeSpark New user 42 Posts |
Mr. Martin:
I'm guessing you did not do a google Search on Joshua. I just simply typed in Joshua Seth myself and his website is the number 1 return. I'd bet you even looked at his website and didn't find a book there. No fancy mini-site sales letter or anything of the sort. No. I imagine one would need to do a little bit of Leg work to find his program. Here's a shot in the dark suggestion: eMail him. One caveat though: his program is for professional entertainers only. tHe guy knowS more about trades hows than anybody here. even Mr.Bnana. Mike |
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cardtricks New user 46 Posts |
Since this is the case no doubt he won't mind coming here and sharing his knowledge.
If he doesn't then I suppose we will all have to make do with whatever pittance of information can be gleaned from other sources. |
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MagicalPirate Special user Shamokin, PA 828 Posts |
Mr Spark:
Yes I did do a Google Search on Joshua Seth and I did find his website. What I said is I didn't find his book. Quote:
You've all suggested books to read and not one has suggested Joshua Seth's book. Perhaps the reason we did not mention it was it is not advertised nor known to us. Quote:
Here's a shot in the dark suggestion: eMail him. If it really is all that I shouldn't have to go begging Mr. Seth to sell me his book. He sounds like he needs to learn a little about marketing books. If you don't have a sales page they won't come. But thanks for the heads up, when Mr. Seth really makes his book available I'm sure we'll be happy to discuss it and recommend it here. After all knowledge is king. Martin
Martin Blakley, CSH, DASH, CMSA
http://www.thehypnoguy.com/HYPNORESOURCES http://www.docgrayson.com/ How To Sell Anything Online http://tub.bz/?r=1z Copyright to my own words retained 100%. |
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bobser Inner circle 4178 Posts |
I must say I really do like this site. If I'm not receiving help in some way from my bro/sis magicians (many thanks by the way) then at least I 'm left smiling.
ps: couldn't find drayage in my dictionary, but under dray I got: "something which carries a heavy load", and I immediately found myself thinking about you Topbanana. (only joking)
Bob Burns is the creator of The Swan.
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cardtricks New user 46 Posts |
I am beginning to wonder if Mike Sparks IS Joshua Seth.
I know. I have a suspicious mind. I must say that I do not approve of people coming on boards under false names. A most reprehensible practice. |
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MagicalPirate Special user Shamokin, PA 828 Posts |
Dray: A long low sideless cart used for hauling.
Drayage: The fee charged for the hauling. Quick search on Dictionary.com ;>) If you have ever been to a convention center you have probably seen them in the back delivery area. However, I can't see why they wouldn't have put all six boxes on the cart at one time and made the delivery. Deliveries are sorted out by booth, so this was irresponsible on the part of the convention center and its employees. Obviously TopBanana was the one who acted as agent for the performer otherwise he wouldn't have such an anger issue over the matter. I'm sure his backside was shaved off considerably after the client got the bill. Now that we all know the meaning and value of the word drayage we will know to pack our whole show into one case and carry it in the front door with us to the booth.:>) Martin
Martin Blakley, CSH, DASH, CMSA
http://www.thehypnoguy.com/HYPNORESOURCES http://www.docgrayson.com/ How To Sell Anything Online http://tub.bz/?r=1z Copyright to my own words retained 100%. |
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TheTopBanana New user 47 Posts |
I was not the agent for said magician, I was not involved at all, except as the next performer that wanted to work for the company. Put it all on one cart? Aparently you havent been around tradeshows much. every piece delivered to a booth is counted individually and the greater of the minimum fee or the weight charge is applied.
As for Pirate's assertion that there was nothing about unproven...Bobser in his second post said he knew nothing about tradeshows.... Cardtricks, how would you like me to substantiate it? what about Joshua Seth's book? And #1 according to whom and what standard? Number of shows performed? Not hardly. Length of time in the business? It wasn't long ago that he was making all his money from kids shows. Fee per performance? Unless he has recently raised his rates he is right in the middle of the fee structure. His book is a great book but do not try to pretend he is #1 in this or any market. |
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christopher carter Special user 660 Posts |
I found a website for a Joshua Seth who is a voice-over actor, comedy hypnotist, and trade-show magician. Is this the same guy? If it is, based on all the stuff on his website, what I really want is his book on time management!!!
--Chris |
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TheTopBanana New user 47 Posts |
He is the one...very talented, very busy.
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PaulGreen Inner circle 1133 Posts |
I offer this essay for those that are interested. It was originally published in the Magic Menu, #60. I contacted Bobser privately but never received any response. These are my views and are not meant to be followed by anyone else.
I am constantly amazed that many performers want to enter the world of Trade Shows but really have no concept as to what the "real" job consists of. Do your homework--research the art of selling. Be ethical and only accept the job if you have the skills to do the job! I accept all the responsibilities for the statements you are about to read. If you don't want to read the long post--skip it. Regards, Paul Green A Day in the Life of a Trade Show Performer By Paul Green Doing the Magic is easy! After all, I have been performing for over 40 years. I have performed in people’s homes, schools, shopping malls, bars, planes, trains, buses, cruise ships, movie theaters, the Magic Castle, and on and on. I was hired to entertain—and I have always done my job. But when hired to perform as a Trade Show performer, there is an extra layer that must be included. Welcome to world of Trade Shows. It usually begins with a phone call from a client. We set up a meeting where we discuss the client’s purpose in displaying in a particular trade exhibition. Sometimes this is a very difficult decision for a client. They may not have a clear “vision” of their purpose. It may be to launch a new product. It may be to try and establish name recognition in a new market. It may be to show the industry that the company has solutions to problems. This is my first-step with a client. I have to get them to focus on their purpose, and yes, I do consider this a portion of my job. Next, we have to determine what the client wants from me. Is it to provide a “draw” so that the company’s sales staff can interact with prospective clients? Is it to act as a spokesperson for the company? Is it to deliver a technically oriented report to the attendees? Is it to pass out literature? Is it to collect prospective “leads”? Am I appearing in the booth to provide a break for attendees from the rigors of the show? Again, I must try and focus the requirements of the client in order for me to understand what my purpose is. And yes, I do consider this a portion of my job. We will discuss the venue. Where is the show being held? What is our position in the trade show hall? Does the booth have a viable space for my performances? Will the performances be in a theater style area? Will I perform in a freestanding area or will I perform behind a podium? Will the company and its booth design team build the podium or do I have to provide my own? Will there be needs for lights or a sound system? Will I be sharing the area with other aspects of the booth as in a demonstration area? You guessed it—I do consider this part of my job, too. Now it is time for me to get the information I need from my client. Typically, I like to have a company history. This lets me get a “feel” for the client. I ask them to provide me with a product and service list. This lets me find out what the company is selling. I insist that they provide me with a list of benefits that the company provides. They need to provide a list of five or six “industry buzzwords”. I file this information to help me develop the presentations and choose the routines that will enable me to meet the needs of my client. And you thought the job was simple! More details are discussed, such as, what do they want me to wear in the booth? Is it a tux, a business suit, or a polo shirt with the company logo? What are the hours of the show? Is there a hospitality function after hours? Will the company have any promotional premiums that they will be giving to attendees? These can be anything from pens or pencils, paper pads, hats, shirts, tension relievers, prepaid phone cards, candy, tool kits, flashlights, rulers, decks of cards, computer programs, wire puzzles, paper weights, flying disks, little fluffy balls with eyes, stuffed animals, water bottles, travel coffee mugs, magic tricks, and on and on (I have actually given away each of these items over the years). We need to discuss how I am getting to the show. Will I provide my own transportation, or will it be arranged through the company travel offices? Where will I be staying? Is the fee to include a per diem or an expense account? When will I arrive and when will I leave? Will I rent a car or will I take taxis? Details, details, details and not even one trick done yet! Back home, I start to develop the various tricks and routines that I feel will serve the purpose of delivering the company message. Sometimes customized things need to be created. Calls to the printers and craftspeople that I have used before are made. Mock-ups and tests are made until a finished product is obtained. Scripts are written and discussed with the company marketing people to make sure the proper terms are used and the message is clearly illustrated. Show time is approaching, but we’re not there yet. Time to pack—make sure all the props are here; make sure the proper attire is packed; make sure you have your itinerary and tickets. Go to the airport, get in line, go through security (a real nightmare now and I usually have to do a trick for the security people). Get on the plane and try to rest. All the time, going over and over what the show will be like. Arrive at your destination, get your luggage, arrange for transportation to the hotel, call the client to let them know you have arrived, unpack, iron your shirt and slacks, try to relax (ha!). Dinner in your room, manicure your hands, repack your props that were messed up when you went through airline security. Call home, go to bed early (ha!) and sleep with your presentations rolling around in your mind. The show opens at 9:30 AM. You arrange for a 6:30 AM wake-up call. Jump (ha!) into the shower, get dressed, have breakfast and get yourself to the exhibition hall. Get your show badge and step into the exhibit hall. It is a colony of busy ants trying to get the last minute details taken care of at their booths. The sound of vacuums and staple guns hums throughout the hall. Find your booth and say good morning to the design team members as they rush to finish before show time. Make sure your podium has arrived and is in the proper location. Make sure the audio people have delivered the sound system and make sure it works. Load your props and make sure you have your premium items ready to go. Quickly walk around to find out where the bathroom is. Say hello to other performers doing exactly the same thing you are doing. Go back to your booth and recheck the sound system. Take a breath as your clients arrive and see that you are ready to go. It is 8:45 AM and the booth prep meeting begins. The vice president of marketing announces the booth schedule and goes over the final push for the sales staff. You are introduced to the staff and you explain how you work and how the staff can make use of you. It is 9:25 AM and the booth looks great. The displays are clean and dusted; the brochures are all lined up. You have a smile on your face and the opening announcements are made—SHOW TIME! In the distant, near the entrance, a hum is heard as people start to file in. You wait, ready to spring into action. Your cards are ready, the coins are all polished, and you wait. Five minutes, ten minutes—the hum of the crowd gets louder and finally you see the convention attendees. You wait until you see the “whites of their eyes”. They approach—you are ready—you make eye contact—you are ready to wow ‘em—they look up and say, “Do you have any bags? Do you have T-shirts?” You offer a card trick and they say, “Sorry, I don’t have the time now.” I spring my cards from hand-to-hand and one guy stops dead in his tracks and asks to see that again. The cards fly and I know I have someone to start with. Another flourish and another curious person stops and looks. I start out slowly—and intimately. I am making friends, not only for me, but also for my company. There are chuckles traded as we trade pleasantries. A card selected appears mysteriously in my pocket. The wrong cards changes visibly in my hands to the selected card. There is no mention of the company or its products. Each trick seems to draw more people. Now there are five and then seven people surrounding my podium. The time is right—I extend the pack towards the most attentive spectator. He touches a card and I exclaim that this is the company card. With the mention of the company, I look out at the crowd and almost apologize for the blatant commercial. The card continually appears in unusual locations. Just like my company—wherever the problem exists, the company has a solution. A few people walk away, but more seem to crowd in, anxious to see what has drawn a crowd. I decide to do the “pitch”. My tone changes and I become “the” spokesperson for the company. I extol the virtues of the new product or services offered by my company. Those buzzwords fly and I see that some of the audience nods as I ask them if they are looking for solutions to the problems that my company’s products can solve. The finale comes when seemingly impossible is done—right before their eyes. I ask the audience if they would really like to see their problems disappear and I introduce the real magicians of the industry—the sales staff. It is their turn now. Five to seven minutes have gone by. I have done four, maybe five tricks. There were laughs, there were gasps of amazement, and there were a few contacts made that eventually turn into positive sales for my client. Throughout the next three to four days, this scene is repeated time after time. The props may change, the tricks may change, but the laughter and amazement continue. People bring their friends back to have them see the guy that did this great trick. The booth population ebbs and flows, filling with observers that turn into business partners with my company. My boss strolls over with a huge smile on his face as he relays that they just closed a big deal. He even says that the new client stopped just to see a trick—and was hooked. Each day ends with me tired, yet exhilarated. Sometimes it is five to seven hours of standing on my feet behind my podium. I have an hour or two break between the end of the show and the hospitality function that will fill a hotel room with more potential clients. They don’t recognize me because I am dressed in my tuxedo. They tell me that they saw a magician at the trade show that was quite good and then they realize I am that guy. We trade jokes and they watch more tricks. At the end of the night, they leave well entertained and happy. My company and I have new friends. My boss asks me to work for them on their next show. Life is good! |
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MagicalPirate Special user Shamokin, PA 828 Posts |
Actually that was a few weeks in the life of a Trade Show performer but it was really great information. If you haven't already, sounds like you should write a book on the subject.
Martin
Martin Blakley, CSH, DASH, CMSA
http://www.thehypnoguy.com/HYPNORESOURCES http://www.docgrayson.com/ How To Sell Anything Online http://tub.bz/?r=1z Copyright to my own words retained 100%. |
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TheTopBanana New user 47 Posts |
Excellent description Paul. I am a great admirer of your work....
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G. Batson Regular user 147 Posts |
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RonCalhoun Special user Independence, KY USA 599 Posts |
All I can say to Paul Green and Top Banana is Amen, preach it Bro. I think Tops' question about drayage was meant as a test. For example, if you don't know what I/D is at an exhibit, you may want to read a trade show book or two. WHY? So that you can get into the head of the show manager, sorta speak the same lango. Get on the same page.
In my anything but humble opinion, and its only my opinion, the best trade show "infotainer" working today is the guy the Wall Street Journal, called "the chairman of the board of trade show attractions" Joel Bauer! Go to infotainer.com. I've worked trade show when Joel is at the show. I'm never happy to be on the same floor. He's simply unbelievable. So Top and Mr Green thank you. Oh, and as for me... Well I've done OVER 8,000 product presetations just for the record. Oh, and as for Anton Zellman and Mr Paul Green's work at trade shows... Since I have NEVER personally worked the same shows as them, I honestly can not comment on what I am sure are huge talents and great skills. I can only tell about what I have seen.
Founder Heroin Doesn't Care. Find us on https://www.facebook.com/heroindoesntcare
www.heroindoesntcare.com |
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itsmagic Inner circle middle earth 1117 Posts |
Wow...I just visited Joel Bauer's website, and the guy seems like he can draw crowds like no one.
I'm not plugging him...but I just purchased his book. I'm hoping to learn some tools to help me with my regular day job. |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
One of Joel Bauer's other books, "Hustle! Hustle!", is a magic business classic. Seek out a copy. I got some very useful ideas from it.
- Donald.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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MentaThought Special user 615 Posts |
On 2004-07-15 08:16, bobser wrote:
"Listen guys don't worry. topbanana and I have an understanding. I take care of the skills, presentation and entertainment and he takes care of the drayage." Now THAT was a great comeback.
"A good mentalist ... will teach you a miracle because he understands the subtleties ..." -- Banachek
"If this works it'll be BEAUTIFUL!" - The Amazing Kreskin on a stunning effect he performed on his 1970s television series (PS: it worked) |
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Joe M. Turner Loyal user Atlanta, Georgia 248 Posts |
I've been scraping my way into the tradeshow industry for about two years. I think I am just starting to develop some momentum and, frankly, starting to get reasonably good at what I thought I was already good at.
I have worked local expos, consumer shows, home shows, and have also worked large regional/national trade shows. The only way I know to get started is to get out there and start plugging away. Make sure you have some good communciation skills, excellent corporate interaction/presentation skills, and solid magic chops. The better writer and speaker you are, the easier you'll find it to incorporate the marketing messages into your presentations. You must also realize that the trade show industry has struggled greatly in recent years. No less than Tim Conover told me that he is doing FAR fewer trade shows and more dinner shows these days. I have averaged two or three trade shows a year for the past few years. But in the next five months, I've got four trade shows, plus hot inquiries from two others. Part of it is simply doing a good job and networking effectively at a show where you are doing good work. As a market for magicians, I have found it the toughest nut to crack. It is a relatively small community. It's hard, tiring work and the money is not always the flowing milk & honey you may think. Just my experience so far, JMT |
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Sammy Haydn New user 7 Posts |
Why is it not always the "flowing milk and honey", Joe? I always got the impression that it was well paid and that even expenses were covered by the company.
Or have there been changes because of the struggles in the industry that you mentioned? |
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