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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
I think everyone makes this process too complicated. Go to your target restaurant, have lunch at 01:30. By the time you're done, it's after 2 PM. tell the server how fantastic everything was and leave a 20% tip ( do this for servers anytime they give good service ). Tell him or her you'd like to tell the manager how wonderful everything is ( they will RUN to the manager and get him ).
When he comes to the table, introduce your gust and yourself. Tell the manager how great the food and service was. Tell them you've taken care of the server, but you'd like to thank them ( the GM ) as well and perform an absolutely baffling magic effect. Not a 30 minute card trick, not a looooong, boring, magician in trouble effect, but something they will never forget. I always do a card to wallet type of effect. Why? because while there card is being removed, I'm also going to give them my business card and tell them what I do. Do NOT spend 20 minutes on what a great magician you are. You already proved that. I then tell them I know how busy they are after the lunch rush with paper work, getting ready for the next shift and with deliveries ( it drives home the point that I understand how a restaurant works and appreciate what they do) and just wanted to introduce myself and thank them for a great experience. I then ask them for their card ( they always have one ) and shake hands and LEAVE. I then, that day, send them a thank you letter for the wonderful experience I HAD that day and include a promo package. I do not mention a fee in that package. I'll do that when I do my follow up call 2 days later and ask them if they received my letter. I then go into my pitch.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Keith Raygor Special user Naples, FL 968 Posts |
Your method is more complicated than any other I've seen.
. . . and it includes the charge for two meals and tipping at each of the restaurants you desire work at. . . . and it takes a chance that the person responsible for entertainment decisions happens to be at the restaurant at the time you choose to dine. . . . and it takes a normal dining experience and turns it into a sales call. If you put yourself in the shoes of the GM, someone wants to perform a trick for you as a way of saying thank you for a great meal, oh, and by the way, here's my card. A normal, thinking person will understand the dynamics of that moment (a sales opportunity), and it casts the magician in the light of someone who's pulling out the tricks at every opportunity (just to say thank you?). The previous method I mentioned has the GM expecting a visit from a professional vendor, if you will. It's the mode he's already in, in the afternoon, and the mode you are always in - professional. And it results in longterm, high-dollar relationships. What is less complicated than that? You've just spent about a hundred bucks, with a chance the GM may be there, to send a thank you letter to thank him for the food (you already did at the restaurant with a trick), to follow up 2 days later with a phone call, to go into your pitch. Candini, The audition consisted of spending about a half hour going to 4-5 tables and performing tableside, or at the bar. Of course it's only done on a night the decision maker is there to watch. After the audition, a conversation with the decision maker SHOULD result in a schedule, as they probably wouldn't have you there trying this, if there wasn't some sincere interest. |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
I managed a restaurant and have done almost every job thewre is from busboy to bartender. The method I described works. As far as the cost, I go out for lunch 4 times a week, why wouldn't I use it as an opporetunity.
A chance the GM will eb there? You call ahead and find out. Sheesh. Keith, have you ever gotten a rest. gig?
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Keith Raygor Special user Naples, FL 968 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-10-29 14:53, MagicChris wrote: You call ahead to find out if the GM will be there? This is the technique I suggested prior to you saying everyone makes it so complicated. Quote:
Sheesh. Keith, have you ever gotten a rest. gig? A cursory review of my website would have provided the answer if you really had an interest. Otherwise, save your goading and one-up-manship for others. |
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Curmudgeon Loyal user Iowa 245 Posts |
Quote:
You do a disservice to those who come here seeking sincere help, those who are using the forums for their intended purpose. I agree with you Keith, I don't have a restaurant job yet, but it is something that I do want to do and because of that I have bought a couple of books and I know that doesn't give me real world experience but I can say that what Keith says here goes along with Kirk Charles' and the Magic Menu (6 through 10 ) advice and makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the sound advice Keith. |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
It's so obvious to call and get the GM's schedule. Sheesh.
You've offered nothing new. In fact, you've made it more complicated for folks that would like to work restaurants.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Chris Keppel Special user Kansas City MO 544 Posts |
I had the same thing happen to me. I was charging the normal rate of 100.00 per night for 2 hours. I worked at RED ROBIN for about a year. I was doing 2 different locations 3 times a week. I was doing magic and balloons and had many happy families that I saw every week. Some moron comes in and offers to do it for 75.00 a night and he doesn't even do magic. He only does balloons. Needless to say they went for this guy which I went and watched a few times and he's the biggest joke of a balloon twister I ever saw, not to mention he did not one bit of magic.
Now this is a place that I actually gave free nights to every once and a while because they took great care of me. I told them that they get what they pay for but they still went with this guy. Even if Red Robin called me back, I would tell them to screw off and forgett my number. I even told them that I enjoyed working there so much that if there was a money problem that I could have worked with them and brought my price down to match his just to keep the work. They didn't even give me a chance. They gave me some bull **** line about sales being down even though they were packed every night I worked and I always had table waiting to see me. Then I got to thinking. Why should I undercut myself as a working professional just to keep a job where the people were trying to let me go. Its just not worth it. There are many restuarants around that would love to have live entertainment. There is no need to charge really cheap just to get them to take me back when they screwed me in the first place. Oh well, after that I told everyone I knew how much RED ROBIN restuarant really does suck. I made it very clear to fellow magicians on what to watch out for. To this day I still think RED ROBIN SUCKS and I wouldnt give them cheapskates a penny of my money or a second of my time, or the joy of happy customers being amazed. Ive since went on to bigger and better things with my time and my life. I have 2 dvd's coming out. The first one is called "AGAINST THE GRAIN" and it should be out this month. The second is called "CHOPS". It should be out a few months following. Im also starting my restuarants up again. As a way to cover myself, I now have one agreement that the restuarant must agree and sign to. They can let me go at any time for any reason, but they cant let me go for another entertainer that is hurting people like me by undercutting. Any reason they want but that. Its seemed to work out fine because the managers see where your coming from. Even more once I tell them this story and why I do this. So for all you people out there. Forget RED ROBIN. don't waste your time in there crappy restuarants, with there horrible customer service, and there even more horrible work ethics. Find a company that really cares about you as much as you care about working for them. Oh yea, did I mention RED ROBIN SUCKS A FATTY.
www.chriskeppel.com
Kepp's Custom Carbon Fiber |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
I worked a Red Robin ( they ended up closing because the mall they were in was torn down to bulid a stadium ).
It was a great gig. I think you have to get a thicker skin. Like the Godfather says" It's not personal, it's strickly business".
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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Chris Keppel Special user Kansas City MO 544 Posts |
Yea, I really didn't care because I took 2 weeks off to film the dvd's and they didn't want to let me off all them nights either. I would of had a buddy cover but still, I think they didn't want to mess with it. No biggy to me though, I would rather get my name out and have some product out anyway. that's more important to me at this time. I never new they had them in a mall. Well, we only have 2 in missouri. I really did like working there because I did the balloons and the kids are just an insane amount there and the tips rocked.
www.chriskeppel.com
Kepp's Custom Carbon Fiber |
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Daegs Inner circle USA 4291 Posts |
Psst there are 5 in Missouri Chris
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Chris Keppel Special user Kansas City MO 544 Posts |
Man, you learn something new every day. I thought the ones I worked at were the only ones around here. I knew they had many of them all over the usa but though these were the only 2 in mo.
www.chriskeppel.com
Kepp's Custom Carbon Fiber |
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RonCalhoun Special user Independence, KY USA 599 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-10-23 14:01, MDS wrote: Matthew I think you let your pride get in the way. You had 'em in the plam of your hand and then you wiped your butt. Now you're both in a stinkin' mess. Dude what where you thinking. If it was me, I would shallow my pride and go in as a customer one day and see how she treated me.
Founder Heroin Doesn't Care. Find us on https://www.facebook.com/heroindoesntcare
www.heroindoesntcare.com |
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MDS Special user USA 528 Posts |
Good advice. I have since talked with her and found out that it was a corporate decision to try and save money, but it didn't work out for her. The other guy is still there and she doesn't like hi, but corporate does. What are you gonna do.
Matthew |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
See , it was a BUSINESS decision.
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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MDS Special user USA 528 Posts |
Yeah, but I still need a restaurant.
Matthew |
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Magic.J.Manuel Special user I have danced upon 663 Posts |
If they were paying you $45/hr for 2 hr on 2 days=$180.
And pay him $30/day for 6 days= $240. How does that save them money?
Nothing would get done at all, if man waited so long that no one could find fault with it.
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MDS Special user USA 528 Posts |
They aren't really saving money, they are just getting more bang for there buck. Your math is a little off though ($30 x 6 nights = $180.00).
MDS |
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Keith Raygor Special user Naples, FL 968 Posts |
Not much has been said about the performer that approached your restaurant.
Out of curiosity: Did you know him previously? Have you had a chance to educate him? |
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Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-02 11:37, MDS wrote: GROW UP!!!!!!!!!!!
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
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MDS Special user USA 528 Posts |
Quote:
On 2004-11-02 22:21, MagicChris wrote: HUH? Why would you say that? Keith, Yes, I knew the guy before and as a matter of fact I thought that we got along pretty well. He is probably about 55-60 and used to do another restaurant in town until it went out of business. I talked to him about it and he just changed the subject. Matthew |
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