Magician Business Podcast

Stephen Gillham and Leon McBryde are two entertainers who work year round as Santas. We caught up with them in a noisy corridor at the Kidabra Kids Magic Convention in Tennessee.

In This Episode We Discuss:

  • The difference of Santa not being a magician but magical things happen when Santa is around.
  • Using the stage that exists in people's mind to take them on a journey back into their childhood.
  • Living up to society's ideals of what Santa is.
  • The 3 types of Santa: family, community, professional
  • What you need to be a Santa
  • Creative ideas to add to your Christmas magic shows
  • How to educate clients to the benefits of employing a Santa character
  • The HUGE marketing advantage Santas have ... and how to play this to your advantage
  • Even Santas need up to date marketing photos
  • What is a Smart Santa? Find out
  • A simple way to grow an audience of children from a few to hundreds
  • What is the power of wrinkles
  • Career opportunities for Santas
Direct download: MB_34_Professional_Santa_Work_for_Magicians.mp3
Category:Santa -- posted at: 5:09am EDT

Stephanie Lee Harper aka. Super Steph was driving to gig in her signed up van. At a traffic light a car pulled alongside and the man driving enthusiastically waved a balloon sword at her. She could have driven off but she didn't. This strange meeting led to Stephanie creating a business where she recruits, trains, books and takes a cut of the performance fee of Super Hero party characters. Find out the nuts and bolts of ....

 

running a business model like this and discover the importance of 'outsourcing', whether it is finding people to take extra bookings you have earned or finding people online who will do administrative tasks that you dislike doing. Lots to learn in this information packed episode withe Stephanie Lee Harper.

 

In This Episode We Discuss:

 

How to move towards a protected income as an entertainer

 

Should you create different price points between a magic act and super hero characters

 

Can you outsource your phone enquiries? Playing to your strengths ... can you actually get someone to take phone bookings because you don't like phone work

 

Where to find entertainers to be on your books

 

Who are the best type of people to hire?

 

Which age is best?

 

How to interview entertainers for the positions.

 

How much should you pay 

 

The first steps you should take to begin outsourcing bookings to other entertainers

 

Secret Tip to help you secure more bookings

 

 

Direct download: StephanieLeeHarperEDITED.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:25pm EDT

Eric Citron went from doing corporate trade shows to performing kids and family shows, the opposite of most magicians stories. The life on the road worked until the stresses on family life made him seek work closer to home.  Then the  300-500 show a year workload of the kids/family market wore him down too. Looking for a happy medium Eric found mentalism . He discovered local hotels had empty function rooms that were not bringing in money. He simply asked if he could play his Totally Mental Show in these empty rooms. The answer might surprise you ....

 

In This Episode We Discuss:

 

  • Working and travelling with a wife and a young family ... the upsides and the downsides
  • His Totally Mental Show he does weekly at a local hotel
  • It's a one-man, family friendly mind reading  parlour show
  • Finding venues for your show is probably easier than you think
  • What do hotels want?
  • "Cure For The Boring Mondays" ... What is this?
  • Starting at the top with the general manager and working down
  • How long should your show be?
  • Creating the opportunity for hotels to serve food and drinks
  • How to split the money between the performer and the hotel
  • Using the hotel facilities to market in-house
  • Using 'rack' cards to market outside the venue
  • How to create 'ambassadors' for your show
  • Using your local chamber of commerce
  • Using the hotel's mailing list to your advantage
  • Getting paid to showcase your act for private bookers
Direct download: Ep32EricCitronAUPHONIC.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:28am EDT

Dominic Reyes set out to help people improve their magic performing skills and to earn a little money on the side. Sales took off and the all consuming work of fulfilling orders and getting them out the door squashed his immediate dreams of helping other magicians. After 14 years in the magic shop business he has found ways to create a good balance between giving and providing security for his family. There is so much we can all implement contained within this interview with Dominic Reyes ...

In This Episode We Discuss:

  • How helping others is good for you both ethically and to improve sales / bookings
  • The concept of reciprocity in business
  • A KILLER email tip that you can use today
  • Are you struggling maintaining your interest in magic? Are you alone on this?
  • Mentoring is vanishing along with brick and mortar magic shops. Are you affected by this and don't realize?
  • Hear Dominic's advice for magicians starting out
  • His relationship with TV magicians like Dynamo and how he got to be in this position
  • Do you want to start a magic shop? What are the hurdles? What are the benefits?
  • The biggest problem beginners face
  • Dominic talks candidly about his biggest failure in online business and what he is doing to overcome it.
Direct download: Ep31DominicReyesAUPHONIC.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:17am EDT

In 1992 James Songster went to Disneyworld. Something happened and he was taken with the 'Disney Philosophy'. 23 years later he left. In this episode of the Magician Business Podcast James lets us in on the 'team spirit' that Disney expects all its employees to adopt; the focus being on the customer experience. What can we as magicians learn about customer relations from this? Ask yourself this question right now ...

Where does my customer service begin?

In This Episode We Discuss:

  • the value of storytelling
  • the importance of showmanship
  • the importance of building an emotional connection with your audience
  • how Disney doesn't have jobs, it creates 'role' for its employees
  • how to create magical moments
  • understanding the customers point of view
  • don't alienate your audience
  • the traps of working with other people on your team
  • what you do is not who you are
Direct download: MB_30_Customer_Service_With_James_Songster.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:26am EDT

What's legal? What's not? What is the value of a contract? Is it worth the paper or pixels it is written. Today's guest Todd Neufeld is a balloon entertainer who comes with the added qualification of a law degree.

Though in no way shape or form legal advice, in this episode he serves up some great insights into contracts and how we can use them to our advantage as magicians.

In This Episode:

  • Business organisation
  • Having the correct documentation
  • What is a contract?
  • Why contacts help customer anxiety.
  • How to deal with disagreements you may have with a client
  • How to stop it getting ugly with a client
  • Deposits - the benefits and disadvantages of taking them
  • How much should ask for a deposit?
  • Can you ask for full payment before the booking starts?
Direct download: MB_29_Contracts_With_Todd_Neufeld.mp3
Category:legal -- posted at: 8:55pm EDT

Magician Business Podcast interviews The Great Zucchini!

How do you get hundreds of people to turn up to public venues on weekends to watch your magic show? How do you do this without having spent any money on advertising yourself in the past 11 years?

The Great Zucchini aka Eric Knaus has done this. Along the way he has become an unlikely magic superstar in his market and creator of The Great Zucchini Live and Kidshow Rockstar DVD's. Families want to be at his shows. Even the family that lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, D.C. That's right, Michelle and Sasha Obama are his fans. Join the Great Zucchini now as he slices up his marketing strategy into bite size pieces for us.

  • 3-7 yr olds - drilling your name into their head ..it's IMPERATIVE
  • Reinforcing your brand name just like Coca Cola does week after week
  • A great way to hand out your business card handout
  • Humanizing yourself ... and the benefits it brings
  • Using your name in the 3rd person ... always
  • How to create a rock star status by spending other people's money
  • Creating URGENCY when clients want to book you
  • How to get 'defenders' who back you up when critics attack
  • Little Elvis moments! ... what are they and why you should have them
  • Why should you give random compliments during the show?
  • When Sasha and Michelle Obama came to the party
  • Image Advertising vs. Direct Response marketing for magicians
Direct download: MB_28_The_Great_Zucchini_-_No_Cost_Marketing_For_Magicians.mp3
Category:Marketing -- posted at: 3:03am EDT

We're seeing 2 common themes emerging:

 

  1. People only spend an hour a week doing marketing so  they don't get work so they lower their prices then it is a big chase to the bottom.

 

  1. they are spending lots of time doing the wrong stuff, year in/year out.

 

We like to say are you spending time on the hamster wheel going round and round in circles or are you digging an oil well for yourself.

 

so if you only spend a small amount of time, what can you do to make that time more productive for yourself?

 

If you are doing the same old stuff and you are wondering why things aren't improving. And it's not good enough to stay steady, you need to be growing, to stay ahead of inflation at least.

 

You know hat they say about the past?

 

The only usefulness for the past is to mine it for raw material to build the future

Don't walk into the future looking backwards telling everyone how much better it was in days gone by.

If you are listening to then YOU are different .... No one is listening to MB because of where they've been they re listening to it because of where they want to go

So lets do some digging. One of the best places to start is with what you already know. How can you squeeze the most out of what you have before you go chasing the next thing.

Direct download: MB_27_Smart_Marketing_-_Are_You_Leaving_Money_On_The_Table.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:29pm EDT

The Business of Becoming A Cruise Ship Magician Part 2

How To Land Yourself a Gig Doing Magic on Cruise Ships

Where do you start? Do you wish you had someone to guide you along the path, or should we say navigate you through the rocky waters of breaking into the cruise ship entertainment industry?

You would be hard pressed to find someone better than this episode's guest. Fred Becker has been at sea performing magic on cruise ships for over 25 years.

Fred shares SO MUCH many great insights you'll be reaching for your towel and suntan cream and heading out the door.

In this episode we talk about:

  • The growth of the cruise ship entertainment market. It's a good time to be doing magic on cruise ships.
  • Are you the right type of magician to be going to sea?
  • Just what sort of act you need and how much time you need to be able to cover.
  • How lighting and sound requirements affect you.
  • The importance of understanding 'theater'
  • The importance of 'cruise directors' and how they are critical to your success as a cruise magician.
  • Just how important your  promo reel is.
  • What makes a good promo reel for cruise ships.
  • How to approach work as an entertainer on a cruise line. Is it better with an agent or going it alone?
  • How much do cruise ship magicians get paid?
  • Practical steps to get started on your career as a ship magician.
Direct download: MB_26_Fred_Backer_-_Magician_on_Cruise_Ships.mp3
Category:Cruise Ships -- posted at: 5:41am EDT

MB 025: Cruise Ship Magician – Part 1

Stephen Cloete is a Cruise Director (Entertainments Director) for the 3rd Largest shipping line in the world.  Stephen has great insights into the Cruise Ship industry and just where the magic act fits in. 

This episode will put wind in your sails if your are thinking that being a cruise ship magician is right for you. You do need, however, to understand some fundamental differences between land based magic shows and cruise ship based magic shows. Stephen Cloete helps you navigate some of the icebergs that might otherwise scuttle your maiden voyage ….

In this episode we talk about:

Just because an act works land side doesn’t mean it will work on a ship.

Cruise Act … passengers don’t go cruising for the acts … entertainment is secondary …

Reactions from audiences are different between land and cruise and how to know what type of act works best at sea

Cruise you can build rapport with audience … variety shows are like advertisements … if they like what they see they will come and see you but it can work the other way

Much more feedback on a ship … audiences will complain about acts which they wouldn’t don’t bother doing on land side acts …

Closed community that can be hard to break into …. shipping lines will keep using the proven acts as it is a safe option

Cruise needs to be adaptable and adjust their show style.

Cruise acts need a 40 min headliner show plus 8-10 min guest spots

Cruise ships have a budget … won’t pay for 10 minute fantastic acts if there is still 50 minutes to fill on the program

Cruise ships are not training grounds for magicians and magic acts

Get a great show reel. Still needs to be presented as a DVD

Auditioning acts live can be a problem .. references, show reels can be doctored.

Theater on the ship holds 1000 people or more. You need to be able play BIG.

Long Term contract magician works 4-10 months as a crew member … need to attend crew meetings and safety drills. Need to be certified in fire fighting, first aid, survival techniques, crowd control and security threats. Then you need to be medically fit, have the correct passport. Can’t be claustrophobic, need to be able to socialize, need to be able to perform in rough seas.

Short term contract. You come on as a guest. No crew responsibilities. Eat in guest restaurants.

Direct download: MB_25_Cruise_Ship_Magician_-_Tips_from_The_Cruise_Director.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:22am EDT

Marvin Berglas is the man behind the number one brand in magic worldwide, Marvins Magic. Marvins Magic develop, manufacture and  distribute magic products in 64 countries to a range of people from beginners to executives. The company has been in existence for 25 years and has outlets in some of the most prestigious retail outlets in the world including Harrods and Hamleys Toy Shop. Marvins Magic sets have set so many youngsters on the road to magic and I am sure some of you reading this will have started with a Marvins Magic kit of your own.

Marvin Berglas shares his experience and insight in this interview on the Magician Business Podcast. This is a value packed episode lead by a man who has taken his love for magic and turned it into a multi million dollar business. Marvin shares so much in this episode as we journey from the importance of branding to your most valuable commodity, your own intergraty.

Listen, learn and share your comments in the comments section below.

In this episode we talk about

  • Marvin's full name and who he is named after.
  • Learn how attention to detail can take you from good to being the best.
  • The importance of having a sales process that includes asking for business.
  • How to walk in the shoes of your booker and set yourself apart.
  • How to deliver what your booker wants by doing a needs analysis.
  • Multiple revenue steams, what they are and how to create them.
  • The importance of marketing to your existing customer base.
  • How giving credible and honest advice can increase bookings.
Direct download: MB_24_Marvins_Magic_Marketing_tips_with_Marvin_Berglas.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:02am EDT

MB 023: The Magic of Smart Business and Hard Work with Jason and Stacy Alan

Jason and Stacy Alan discuss magic marketing strategies to keep their relationship strong. Another Magician Business podcast

Jason and Stacy Alan from Akron, Ohio – the rubber capital of the world – put into practice what Ken and I call the trio that is becoming a common thread among the success stories we are hearing from people on the MB journey:

Educate …make foundational mind shifts

Activate … take action

Evaluate … measure and adjust your course

 

In this episode we talk about

 

  • How listening to 3 teenage girls helped them fill a 400 seat theatre.
  • Hashtags, touchpoints and Machine Gun Kelly: do you know how they can help you get more bookings?
  • 90% success with a client is about your relationship
  • How to make a magic marriage work
  • How to leave your job to pursue your magic dream
  • Clever ways to use Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
  • Some super tips for setting up your own show
  • The benefits of having your family support you
  • How to improve your act a minute a month
Direct download: MB_23_Jason_and_Stacy_Alan_on_How_To_Land_Higher_Paying_Magic_Gigs.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:47am EDT

Ken Scott has over 20 years of experience, performing over 350 shows a year.   He has   entertained over a million people with his unique cutting edge programs.  Ken Scott shares his marketing with us on the Magician Business Podcast

In this episode we talk about:

  • Landing page relevance
  • The 10 second headline message
  • Your call to action
  • Adwords leakage
Direct download: MB_22_Ken_Scott_New_vs_Old_School_Marketing.mp3
Category:Websites -- posted at: 6:22am EDT

Most successful magicians eg. Mac King and Lance Burton could make a living doing something else because they have understood the fundamentals of business.

Magic is simply a tool to make a living. In this episode of Magician Business podcast, magician/business owner /business lecturer Jim Keplinger takes us through the all important first steps of making a business plan. 

How To Make Money As A Magician is a fair sub-title; you are really planning out how you are going to make your money. The value of a business plan is that is a roadmap for your success. Just like a Monopoly board.

In this episode we talk about:

Creating an executive summary ( a big name but super simple to do)

Mission statement .. keeping them simple and placing them where you can see them

About honesty and how it can only benefit you

A list of the top things you can do right now

Setting goals as part of your plan

The importance of Google +

The importance of having a good email address

Should you incorporate as a company?

A simple way to do market research

Knowing the true costs of your business

Expenses vs. investments

How much are you really worth?

Insurance or no insurance?

Direct download: MB_21-_Business_planning_for_magicians_-_Jim_Keplinger.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:11am EDT

Joe Romano runs an operation called Ultimate School Shows out of the east coast of the USA. His marketing strategies share a common simplicity and directness. He sums this up in a formula called CIA: Content, Image, Appreciation

In this episode we talk about

  • Understanding the school market
  • What motivates principals and teachers to book
  • Striking a balance between message and magic
  • Taking pride in your shows and the benefit to you
  • The importance of having a good show to start with
  • Measuring your results
  • His super simple but most effective marketing tip
  • Looking to industry leaders outside of magic for marketing inspiration
  • Building a following of raving fans
Direct download: MB_20_Joe_Romano_Ultimate_School_Show_Marketing_Secrets.mp3
Category:Marketing -- posted at: 8:40am EDT

Magician - photographer Michael Messing shares how to find the right photographer for magic publicity shots. Save time & money, get the formula for your shoot.

This weeks episode of the Magician Business Podcast is a talk with Michael Messing and Tom Vorjohan on what is important when considering your publicity shots.

 

They share how to find the right photographer in your area and what questions you should be asking before committing your money. Michael speaks about what pictures work best and how they can be used as tools to get you more bookings.

 

You will save your self untold time and the lost money that goes along with time. You will look great to your clients. You will save yourself untold stress. You will will also grow as a small business person.

This is a perfect time to start taking off the super-hero cape, the one that makes magicians think they have the power and ability to do it all, to create a show, direct the show, promote the show, do the accounting for the show and on and on it goes. Sure, some of us might be able to do this. Can we though, do it as well for the best return on our investment in time and money?

 

In this episode we talk about

•just what a professional photo shoot can do for your magic business

•what questions you need to ask a photographer to see if they are right for your needs

•how long you can expect a photo shoot to take

•just what goes on in a photo shoot

•how you need to prepare for a smooth and successful photo session

 

•where you should start looking for a photographer who understands entertainers

 


80% of what your booker remembers when they visit your website is visual. This means your images, graphics and the videos are your most effective tools to covert browsers into bookers.

Colette Kelly is a professional photographer with a special skill. Colette has bee photographing magic shows and magicians for over a decade and she has discovered the formula for catching the emotion of the show in an image. Colette shows us how certain images create an subconscious buying desire and how you can use them to get bookings.

Colette is married to a magician and she herself  works as Doodle the lady Magician. Colette is a performer and lecturer and the official photographer for the UK Kids and Family entertainers convention Trix In the Stix.
Colette shares the secrets of big business advertisers as she describes just what it is that bookers are looking to buy from entertainers. See how a single image generated over $1000 in bookings in a 28 day period.

In this episode we talk about

  • Why bookers don't want to book a magic show
  • Cute aggression, the concept and how to use its power
  • What the money shot is
  • How to get the money shot
  • How to use the money shot to get bookings
Direct download: MB_18_The_Money_Shot_-_Colette_Kelly.mp3
Category:Websites -- posted at: 4:46am EDT

Jeff McBride - The Mystery of Marketing Magic -

An historic episode of the Magician Business Podcast. After thousands of words spoken via Skype and thousands of air miles travelled, this is the first time that Julian and I (Ken) have come together in person to present an interview.

You are the winner with double the value. This week's episode is a great interview with Jeff McBride and a report on our first meeting. Plus a special bonus so be sure to stick around until the end. You'll also find a few pictures referenced in the podcast including one taken 30 seconds after Julian and I met for the very first time.

Today's main act is Jeff McBride.

Jeff McBride, a three time award winner at the International Grand Prix of Magic in Monte Carlo, is widely recognised as a foremost innovator and most exciting performer in contemporary magic. Naming him “Vegas’ Best” Magician several years ago, the Las Vegas Review Journal wrote: “Light years ahead of the pack.. McBride is easily the most exciting and mesmerising magician I’ve seen in years.”

In this episode we talk about

  • What advice Lance Burton gave to a group of young magicians at the IBM SAM. This tip alone would save any magician a whole pile of money if implemented so well with a listen.
  • About magic as a career and a life path and how the McBride Magic and Mystery School is a way of learning from those who have walked the road.
  • His philosophy of what makes magic commercial and sellable.
  • About the importance of balance and a rich interior life.
Direct download: MB_17_Jeff_McBride_The_Magic_of_Marketing_Magic.mp3
Category:Show Production -- posted at: 11:56am EDT

David Ginn speaks openly about the 4 pillars that underpin his magic business and how he manages to balance performing, writing books and manuscripts, lecturing and running a mail order magic shop.

This episode of the magician business podcast is packed with information that is tried and tested. David speaks about how he refuses to share anything that he hasn't field tested and that his success and longevity in the business of magic is partly down to sharing what works.

In this episode we talk about

  • The balance between passion for magic and the real world
  • The book that got David started in Magic
  • David’s part in the Fantasio Cane and Candle Book
  • Tips on lecturing
  • Back-room sales techniques that seeks the high ticket items
  • The importance of being a specialist in your magic business

PERFORMER:  David performs 300-400 shows yearly at schools, libraries, conventions, churches.

AUTHOR: Over 80+ books, audio tapes, and videos/DVDs on magic, comedy, entertaining; particularly children; and about promoting yourself as an entertainer. 

David Ginn was a pleasure to interview and a true gentleman.
His generosity and willingness to share his wealth of information is truly inspirational and for those who listen, there is much wisdom in this episode.

 

David let slip that he has a new book in the pipeline where he will be compiling a lifetime of unpublished routines and material. I will be putting my name at the top of the list.


Barry Friedman shares his thoughts and philosophies and the wisdom flows freely.
Believe me you don't want to miss this episode of the Magician Business Podcast.

You may know Barry Friedman best as one half of the Raspyni Brothers.

Since 1982 the Raspyni Brothers have appeared at sales meetings, product launches, trade shows, and user conferences as emcees or headline entertainment. They have kicked off morning general sessions, and entertained after-dinner for meetings in every industry imaginable from pharmaceutical to financial, from insurance to automotive. 

Barry speaks honestly about what it takes to work the corporate market. 
He shares how the biggest barrier between the high ticket gigs and the big pay checks is ourselves.

In this episode we talk about

•Taking personal responsibility by owning what you say. Does the example Barry gives sound like you?

•How using free Google Alerts     http://www.google.com.au/alerts  can give you the competitive edge when pitching to potential clients.

•The use of funnels, especially after the show. You are missing golden opportunities if you don't do this.

•why producers need you as much as you need them

•why you should get a Linked In Business Account to research potential clients

•Remove limiting beliefs by addressing the stories you carry through your life that hold you back

•The value of mastermind groups

Direct download: MB_15_Barry_Friedman_-_Better_Thinking_Better_Business.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:44am EDT

Do you do magic at weddings?

 

The business of magic at weddings is worth big money in the United Kingdom. In this episode of Magician Business Podcast, one of England's top working pro magicians tells you how he successfully targets the wedding magic market and how you can do the same.

 

Wikipedia describes Andi Gladwin as “a professional British close-up magician, lecturer, publisher and performer. He has appeared on television numerous times, has lectured for magicians throughout the UK, US and Europe and written / published several books on magic”.

 

Although the wiki description of Andi is accurate, it fails to capture his generous nature and his dedication to the betterment of the art we know as magic.

 

When I emailed Andi to ask if he would be willing to share some business advice for magicians on the topic of doing magic at weddings he replied with a yes in less than 5 minutes. 

 

We speak about a range of topics including Andi’s writing, he shares about the upcoming column called “Magicana" for the Genii Magazine and about the 4 books scheduled for publication this coming year.

 

Andi Gladwin understands the business of being a magician. He successfully balances close-up and corporate performances, wedding magic and runs his publishing company called Vanishing Magic.

 

In this interview Andi reveals how he uses his downtime productively and you will learn how to turn a car journey to your show into a time of professional development for your magician business.

 

You will Learn the insider tips from a professional wedding magician. Hear firsthand how Andi Gladwin differentiates himself from his competition and how he personalises his correspondence to increase bookings.

 

 

in this episode we talk about

 

The “film on the cutting room floor” concept

The importance of substance over style

The new trick that Andi Gladwin is planning to bring to market and why he waited 20 years to release it.

What the rest of the world can learn from UK wedding magicians.

How to sell a show into the wedding market

how to work with other wedding professionals and get exposure

 

What to put on your website and why

Direct download: MB_14_Andi_Gladwin_-The_Business_of_Wedding_Magic.mp3
Category:Wedding Magic -- posted at: 8:52am EDT

Ever laid back and daydreamed about having your own magic show? A theatre with your name in lights? Keith Fields did. More than that, he did something about it.

Keith Fields has appeared in New York’s Broadway, London’s West End and the Las Vegas Strip, but not in his own show, doing it his way.

Keith’s new show “A Brit Of Magic” is a multimedia extravaganza of comedy and magic that plays at the Iris Theater in the tourist town of Gaitlinburg, Tennessee. This show exists because Keith had the drive and persistence to make it happen.

In this episode:

  • Find out what busking taught Keith about business?
  • Why he is an alien with extraordinary ability (no joke)
  • Do you devise a show and try to find a venue or do you find a venue that needs a show? Is one of these better?
  • How do you pitch your show idea? Do YOU need to have the business plan worked out in advance for the theatre?
  • Who decides of the length of the  ‘run’ of the show?
  • Who decides on ticket cost?
  • Who pays for advertising?
  • Who is responsible for drawing up a contract?
  • Are there any advantages to playing outside your native country?
  • Can you do back of room sales?
  • Is it financially viable?

This is everything you need to think about if you want to know how to pitch, promote, advertise and create a magic show.

Direct download: Ep_13_How_to_Produce_Pitch_and_Promote_Your_Own_Magic_Show.mp3
Category:Show Production -- posted at: 5:10am EDT

In this interview Scott speaks about the power of your branding as a magician. He shares the psychology of how our bookers think and how we can gain the advantage over our competition by using the same marketing techniques that used to leach a hundred million dollar feature film.

 

Branding is all about creating a uniform feel and synergy across the platforms you use to communicate and correspond with your bookers. 

If a potential booker visits your Facebook page, follows a link to your website and then received a quote from you, they should experience a seamless  progression with matching colour scheme, logo, font type and feel. Top companies spend millions on branding consultants because that know that effective branding leads to increased brand loyalty and more sales.

 

Scott has designed logos, branding  and websites for hundreds of entertainers around the world. He is an expert is the use of colours and pictures to sell your product and he shares what you should be aiming for in your stationery, website and logo.

 

This interview is packed with real world marketing information from a top graphic designer giving you actionable tips to help get you more bookings.

 

 

In this episode we talk about

How selling blockbuster movies is no different to selling magic shows.

Why the saying “Don't judge a book by its cover.” is not true

How branding is a process that needs 

Design tips for your website

The golden first impression

 

How your branding is an investment, not an expense

Direct download: MB_EP_12_Graphic_design_tips_for_magicians_by_Scott_Evans_copy.mp3
Category:Design -- posted at: 6:48am EDT

What is the purpose of a promo reel?  Who needs one?  How long should a promo reel be?  Do they have to look really professional to be considered?

We all hear about needing a promo video reel but there is little information on how to actually go about constructing one. Cue Steve Russell! Steve is an entertainer who also understands the ins and outs of a great promo video because he produces them working magicians, jugglers, ventriloquists, stand up comics, dancers, hypnotists, musicians.

In this episode we talk about:

Steve says "Video is perhaps the most persuasive tool in the performer’s marketing arsenal. It is your chance to give your potential clients a taste of who you are and what you do. Sadly, most performers put up a clip that is badly edited, overly long and without a focus on selling."

  • Making a professional video that is memorable, to-the-point, and targeted.
  • What is the purpose of a promo reel? Understanding this is crucial to it being successful.
  • What does the potential client expect to see? What messages do they expect to hear?
  • What camera shots you need to get? Where to put up your camera?
  • How to create voice overs that will get heard..
  • Where to put your calls to action.
  • How to use testimonial quotes that get responses.
  • 2 things NOT to put in your video that scare off potential clients.
  • What parts of your show to include and where to put them in the video.
  • Steve's big tip for creating promotional videos

 


When I first thought about contacting Doug for this podcast I jotted down 'school magic shows' next to his name.

Then I read his new book titled Entertaining Education: a comprehensive guide to creating and performing educational magic

Wow, wow , wow.  It is an eye opener. The use of education in magic or more correctly, magic in education, is much more em-compassing than I had imagined. It's so much bigger. This book is an education in itself  relevant to:

  • Trade Show Performers
  • Motivational Speakers
  • Corporate Training
  • Sponsorship Performers
  • School Show Performers

In this episode we talk about:

  • Doug's 18 years of trade show magic following in the footsteps of Karrell Fox and Johnny Thompson
  • What is success in magic?
  • Why laser focusing on a target market brings benefits
  • The 5 categories of educational magicians
  • Why doing educational magic is just as hard as performing comedy magic
  • How to write effective educational presentations
  • How to use the Substitution Trunk illusion in educational shows
  • 5 ways to present educational routines so the magic supports the message
  • 6 elements of drama critical to your show's success
  • How to market your education show to schools
  • Should you call yourself a magician??
  • Creating effective promo videos for your education show website
  • Publicity photos: what should you use on your website?
  • How much should you charge?
  • Should you put your prices on your website?
Direct download: MB_10_Doug_Scheer_and_the_Business_of_Educational_Magic.mp3
Category:Educational -- posted at: 6:56am EDT

Have you ever considered doing trade show magic for a living?

 

International corporate magician Scott Wells has been entertaining top business executives for  over 30 years.

 

In this podcast Scott shares what it takes to be a trade show magician and he shares his method for getting booked. Scott tells you why you should never say you are a magician and he gives away a golden nugget about walk around magic that may change the way you operate a room.

 

This is an entertaining and highly informative session with a man who is no stranger to podcasts. Scott has produced over 100 episodes for the Magic Word Podcast and he is famous for his “Now You See It with Scott Wells” live interviews at magic conventions.

 

In this episode we talk about:

•Scott Wells shares his favourite episode of the Magic Word Podcast and why

•Scott Wells reveals his "hard-nose" business of magic philosophy

•How Scott got to perform with George W Bush

•What do businesses who book trade show magicians actually look for?

•Why you should never say you are a magician

•How to get a trade show booking and what to avoid

•Professional fees for trade show magic

•Scott's  golden rule of walkabout cocktail party magic

Direct download: MB_09_Trade_show_magic_for_a_living_-_Scott_Wells.mp3
Category:Corporate -- posted at: 4:34am EDT

Website Guide for Magicians

A website guide for magicians and Performing artists. A truthful look at what makes a great website that converts visitors into bookings. Julian and Ken explore what works and what does not work based real life experience.

Right and Wrong approaches to building websites for magicians:

  • your competition is not other magicians
  • it is the default thinking of the market that is your competition
  • Just as much as one dozen tricks does not equal a magic show, so too a handful of handful of pieces of online software do not equal a strong magic business
  • Building a site yourself is often not the smartest move. You don’t buy a kit car, assemble it, then drive it to your show (we hope not).  Why are we as magicians reluctant to getting a professionally built magic business website?

Magicians lack  real planning

  • focusing on the individual parts but forgetting to step back and look at the whole
  • Writing a magician’s life plan
  • making a business plan for your magic

Web designers don’t understand magicians

  • So much bad advice out there

But also magicians don’t understand the web

  • Just what is Google and how does it affect your magic website

Running a website is a daily job

  • email
  • stats
  • comments
  • software updates
  • software renewals
  • WHO IS checks
  • scam domain name renewals … beware the mailing scam
  • social media
  • broken links

Companies do what is most profitable

  •  80/20 rule  it’s about making more money for working less

Best Practice is to test test test

  • The importance of learning to test and why your website is worthless if you fail to grasp this basic concept.
Direct download: MB-_08_Is_Your_Magic_Website_Getting_You_Enough_Bookings-.mp3
Category:Websites -- posted at: 12:35pm EDT

Corporate magician Brian Glow has worked professionally earning a living from trade shows, launches and corporate magic for decades. Brian shares what it takes to be a corporate entertainer and he outlines the true cost of large production shows.

 

 

In this episode we talk about:

•The amount of money corporate magicians earn

•The different styles of work a corporate magician will do in a year

•Feeding your clients ideas on HOW they can use your magic services

•Is the most valuable training a magician could do is a degree in business?

•How to balance your family life and why it's so important in having the right partner to support you?

•The stress and burn out of life on the road

•Big shows that don't go to plan

•The benefits and disadvantages of working with large cast and crew

•The expenses vs. profit of large shows

 

•Marketing for magicians

 

Direct download: MB-_07_Behind_The_Business_of_a_Corporate_Magician_-_Brian_Glow.mp3
Category:Corporate -- posted at: 7:34am EDT

How To Advertise on Facebook for Magicians and Entertainers

 

We live in confusing times. Google is trying to become a social media platform (witness the rise of G+) and Facebook is trying to become a search engine. How? By letting you type in search terms into their HUGE database you can search for people, the exact type of person, the person who think would be your ideal customer, and design an ad for just them to see .. and hopefully they will act upon it.

What is confusing is how to use Facebook ads in a way that doesn't automatically empty your wallet with little results. In this session we will to give you some clear strategies how to avoid this. Our guest is Bryan Fulton is Director of Digital Marketing at  Bullet Point Branding who knows all about constructing facebook ads specifically ones that will help entertainers. This all about targeting your potential clients. Targeted facebook ads for magicians DART

 

Bryan Fulton is a comedy juggler who now mixes performing with helping clients get results through their Facebook ad campaigns. It's great when people use their chosen technology on themselves, that they practise what they preach.  Bryan has and he talks about the ?/% rise in his own show bookings.

Direct download: MB_06_Bryan_Fulton_Facebook_Adevrtising.mp3
Category:Social Media -- posted at: 7:44am EDT

Tamar Kimmons has examined Facebook Fan Pages in detail and she shares how to best use this free resource. Tamar  is a performing artist so her focus in this interview is how you can engage with your potential bookers. Not in some broad scatter gun approach approach but within the areas you are looking to get booked.

Listen to this episode and get a targeted, tried and tested blueprint that you can implement into your business no matter what type of entertainment you deliver. The best part is this does not take any special coding skills and, this will put a smile on your face, this process is free.

Tamar has lectured at magic clubs and conventions throughout the UK and in the USA and her lectures have received rave reviews.

In this episode we talk about

  • The power of the cover photo
  • Giving your page the WOW factor
  • How to attract new fans
  • How NOT to get new fans (the dangers)
  • What should you post on your page?
  • How to track whether it is working
  • Your personal invite to join an exclusive, members only, group where entertainers discuss what is working.

Josh London, is a San Diego magician who has done all the hard work for us. It might have taken a few years but he has cracked the code and is successfully using Google Adwords to create a relatively automatic stream of potential clients coming to his websites. In Josh's words, "I really don't need any more bookings unless they create more days in the week for me to fit them in."

In this episode we talk about:

  • Just what is Google Adwords (in language we can all understand)
  • How fast you can set it up and how fast you can lose money if you go onto it blindly. (Josh shares how his bank account bled $800 in just 2 weeks)
  • How you can cleverly minimize the amount Google charge you for every 'click' someone makes on your ad.
  • The difference just one small word can make to your booking rate.
  • Tips on smart ways to use key words to make sure you get the right people clicking your ads.
  • Simple ways to test if your ads are hitting the mark.
Direct download: MB_Ep04_Google_Pay_Per_Click_Advertising_with_Josh_London.mp3
Category:advertising -- posted at: 3:11am EDT

Have you ever had an idea for a new trick and wondered how you would go about getting the idea out of your head and into the magic shops? Or have you ever felt you have something to share with other magicians and wondered how you would go about planning a lecture?

 

I spoke with Trevor Duffy, a South African magician who is known for his quality range of magic products and for his informative and entertaining lectures. Trevor and I chat about how he got started in magic and he shares where the insertion came from for some his products. Trevor speaks openly about getting a product to market and gives some tips on how to get dealers to carry some stock.

 

Trevor Duffy travels the globe lecturing and sharing his unique philosophy of magic and sharing some of the bread and butter routines that have served him well. Trevor tells it as it is, sharing some actionable tips on lecturing including how to get on the circuit. 

 

In this episode we talk about

 

Where Trevor started magic and why a pack of cards was his only prop.

Why entreating magic competitions is useful for a professional magician.

How reciprocity underpins Trevor’s philosophy in magic and in life.

How a log term residency hones skills and how these skills transfer into valuable experience.

Trevor’s thoughts on packaging and quality when bringing a product to market.

How innovation is constant and the evolution of Smokey Magic V2.

The important things to consider when entreating the lecture circuit.

 

Trevor Duffy’s top tip that you can action now.

 

Direct download: 03_Magic_Products_and_Lecturing_by_Trevor_Duffy.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:24am EDT

The guests on this episode are two working magicians with successful Youtube channels. Jay Jay from Free Magic Live Videos and Eric LeClerc from Project 365. Julian of course runs Julian's Magician School. Both Eric and Jay Jay share with you how they have used Youtube to benefit their magic careers. The discussion may surprise you. We talk candidly about amounts of income made from these channels. I'll give you a hint, no one of us are going to retire early, not right at the moment at least.

Success though, is measured in more ways than just money. You'll hear about the exposure a channel can give you and the work that can come from that.

You'll also discover what statistics like # of subscribers and # of views actually means. Like everywhere else online, these change and staying in front of the curve means you can produce content to suit the viewing habits of your watchers.

Probably one of the biggest take aways from this is that you need to approach creating a channel with a business strategy. It was interesting how Eric took his allocated marketing budget for the year and used that to fund the running of Project 365. He had a plan before he started.

If you want to get started with youtube and you have little or no experience with even the most basic of video then there is only one place for you to start

Video and Youtube For Magicians - The One-Stop Toolkit for Improving Your Magic Income


MB 001: How Much Should You Charge with Andrew Smith

Our first guest is Balloon Entertainer Andrew Smith from Hong Kong. Andrew shared that he had some reservations about increasing his fees except rather than just think about it, he did it, and by no small measure.

 

He took his family/private kids party fee of $350 and matched to his corporate fees in the $1000 to $2000 bracket. Did all of a sudden the phones stop ringing? Listen to this episode and find out the 3 things clients said to him when he charged $350 and the 3 things they said when he charged $1000.

 

 

What a great discussion to have as out first episode as the information within is potentially career changing for many of us.

Direct download: 01_How_much_do_you_charge.mp3
Category:Fees -- posted at: 12:45pm EDT

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