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MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
First, this is really happening to me right now.
Second, I can handle this myself, but I think public discussion of the situation is better for me (band of brothers, missed idea, better thoughts away from the conflict, etc). So, put yourself in my spot, and lets reason together. I have been a "tame magician" for many years. I am told what schools to go to, and I perform. No fuss no muss. I have been told the company will be ending my contract December 3rd and that is it. No need to go into reasons. I have shows from now until then. However, the only shows from 12/3/04 on will be the ones I book myself. HORRORS! NO JOBS!! NO MONEY!!! Ok, what do I do first? Second? What should I be looking at for market areas? If this were YOU, (sudden change and end of current jobs), what do you do? This should be fun.... |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
If you want to stay working in schools, you should consider investing in the 9 DVD set of instruction videos that are going to be released very soon from those fine folks at http://www.magicsuccessseminars .
Okay, I'm one of the guys, but really, we videotaped nearly ten hours of instruction from four full time pros last year and the DVD's are packed with information on booking and working the school marketplace. PM me if you want more information. |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Mark -
You have extensive experience performing school shows, and performing other shows. You do some of your own booking for other shows. So, I am confident you know enough to go and pursue schools on your own. Are you allowed to approach your old customers, even though they were booked before through an agency? Is the agency closing, or is a matter of ethics involved at all with approaching them in another way? Are you allowed to market to any schools in your area before your current contract expires, or will that violate it? - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
OK, I guess I wasn't clear, my fault.
I know what I am going to do, I just thought it would be a fun exercise to kick about how we would handle this. I will be mailing to every school I have ever done. After 20 years of schools, with all due respect to those who have made other materials, I have a large enough client base that this won't be a problem.... ...in September! But from December till then.... now what??? Lets play the game! |
paulajayne Inner circle London England 1160 Posts |
Mark
When I contracted entertainers, in their contract was a clause that they could not approach a venue that I had booked them at until one year after their last performance at that venu. Do you have that sort of restriction? Paula
Paula Jay - Magic to Remember -
--------------------------------- I once wrote a book on elephants, I think paper would have been better. ---- |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
1. Since you’re already an educational entertainer, why not daycare centers. They’re the next best thing to schools.
2. Work a completely different market than you’ve been doing. 3. Take a long vacation. (Maybe write a book, “what it’s like being out of work.”) lol You will do well, Good luck with it, Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Mark, Call Jim Snack NOW and get his Success In Magic Course. I did and followed his advice. Doubled my income. And that's just the first year. Next years realistic projections look like I will at lest double again. Yes some of it is that I got off my dead A%^ and worked, but Jim showed me HOW to work and WHERE to look for work.
Best investment I ever made. Peter |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Unless you have the restriction that PaulaJayne spoke of, why not mail the schools mid year, such as January? I mail schools in different months throughout the school year.
- Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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wizardofsorts Special user Chicago, IL 935 Posts |
Or how about, every school you haven't done? Are their any left? Also, I would be contacting varity agencies that do other venues (country clubs, malls, etc.) and get in with them. You could be booked through December 31 and then take that little vacation we call January. By then, it's Easter time. Sorry to say, but welcome back to the world of scratching out that next gig.
Edd
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts is a corporate magician available for your next trade show, hospitality suite, client luncheon, or company event. http://www.wizardofsorts.com
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MarkTripp Special user Michigan 618 Posts |
The contract with these people is complex, but the bottom line is what they did to mess with me and the IRS bites them now as I can do as I please.
Yes, I can and will mail to schools now, but most have their schedules set until next year. Why should I buy Jim's stuff? Sooner or later we will lecture together and his materials will be liberated... : P Seriously I KNOW his stuff is good; like I said, I just thought this might be a fun mental exercise to kick around. |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Mark, I'm not really going to encourage you to buy any books or courses. You have been there, done that. You should be writing some of these courses and products.
You may find something of value, but it isn't an essential for where you personally are now at in your career. As to what markets instead of schools, some of the family / kid show markets that book without a lot of lead time are daycares and birthdays. You can pursue those first. Then pursue ones with a medium amount of lead time, like banquets (OK, this is more of an adult show market, but you have that show), malls, festivals, etc. Then approach the schools and community theaters, who have the longest lead time. BTW, I have found, from my experience, that not all schools book with a long lead time, so it is still worth advertising a show available this school year, as well as next year's show. Are you specifically looking for shows to do on weekdays daytime, to fill those empty gaps when the schools are gone? - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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