Magician Business Podcast

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

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