Magician Business Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ziv Raviv
What can Magician Business do for you?
If you’re a working magician or children’s birthday entertainer, the Magician Business Podcast is filled with actionable tips and hard earned wisdom straight from the mouths of your successful peers. If you’re serious about your own professional development as a magician (we are) then the Magician Business training courses might be just the thing you need to take you to the next level. Got an entrepreneurial streak running through you? We run partnerships to develop new products that improve the income and well being of magicians and their families.
In this final episode of this season, Gemma Parker had a brief coaching with Zivi on what to do to manage her tasks effectively, including multitasking and task switching.
Zivi's suggestion could be applicable for your business too, listen now!
Zivi and Gemma share important things about Search Engine Optimization that can help get more traffic to your website.
In this Episode we discuss:
- For some, task switching is now good but it depends on your mindset
- Multitasking is okay as long as you get the job done
- The problems with multitasking
- The book "The Gift of Done"
- From multitasking to single focus
- Some important pointers like pausing your inbox
- How to effectively use the scheduler or calendar
- How to be efficient while having family and business
- When to start hiring help
- There's a TON of VALUE here so make sure you listen to this final episode!!
Directing Traffic to Your Site In this episode, Paul Cochrell aka Tall Paul had a brief coaching with Zivi on what to do with his his website to drive more traffic. Zivi's suggestion could be applicable for your business too, listen now! Zivi and Paul share important things about the email outreach that can help get more traffic in your website.
In this Episode we discuss: * Paul has been performing since 1998 even before SEO was born
* Paul wants to improve his Google rankings and learn SEO
* What is white hat and black hat approach and which is better
* Why Youtube is the best place to get info about SEO
* What is Keyword and how to best use it and what tools to use
* What are Long tail and Short hand keywords
* The hours that you need to spend for your SEO
* The importance of the number of words in your content with your keyword
* The Skyscraper technique that you can use for the content
* The importance of your site load speed
* The things to do to make the site faster
* What is Google Analytics and how to use it
* There is a TON of value in this episode that you can use to leverage your business in a new market, so LISTEN NOW!
* Links mentioned
www.boostermonster.com
www.youtube.com
Making Your Site Congruent With Your Needs
In this episode, Chad Jacobs had a brief coaching with Zivi on what to do to his website to get more bookings and interest from customers.
Zivi's suggestion could be applicable for your business too, listen now!
Zivi and Chad share important things about the changes that can be made on a website.
In this Episode we discuss:
- Chad's main goal here is get more shows
- How to structure the website so that customers know what they will get
- The importance of the text font size
- The importance of adding a blog in the website
- Ideas for blog posts related to the customers
- How to be social in your blog posts
- The biggest three questions that your have to answer and show in your site
- There is a TON of value in this episode that you can use to leverage your business in a new market, so LISTEN NOW!
Selling Workshops for Corporate In this episode Jonah Babins had a quick coaching with Zivi on how should be the approach in offering somekind of workshops for corporate teams or business teams. Zivi’s suggestion could be applicable for your business too, listen now! Zivi and Jonah share important things about the new market.
In this Episode we discuss: * Jonah wants to start with small companies and eventually go into bigger market * Where to start finding companies to offer it. * The problem that’s going to be fixed by his workshop * Jonah’s motivation is he knows that he can give better experience in his workshop * How is the experience going to be better for the customers * How to effectively do the follow game * How to start email outreach and what’s effective * How to evaluate the pricing after the start phase * There is a TON of value in this episode that you can use to leverage your business in a new market, so LISTEN NOW!
How To Enter a New Market
Once a business is established and thriving in its home market, it is often seen as the right time to branch out into a new market.
Zivi's guest today is Jelly and Matt Otis who is looking into breaking into a new market, listen now!
Zivi and the couple shares important things about the new market.
In this Episode we discuss:
- The importance of blog posts in your site
- Make sure the important things are seen like the safety procedures
- What is Outbound Marketing and how it can help
- The Email Approach and the Phone Approach
- The power of a follow up call or email
- A book by Jim Kemp that you can read
- There is a TON of value in this episode that you can use to leverage your business in a new market, so LISTEN NOW!
Facebook advertising is an important way to connect with your audience on the world’s largest social network. Zivi and Julia had a chat about how she can take advantage of Facebook marketing, listen now! Zivi and Julia shares important things about marketing on Facebook.
In this Episode we discuss: * Julia posts high-quality photos at least once a week * The Page name and Topper should look amazing from the get go and answer three questions * The best graphic that can be used for a post is explained in the show * There should be a way to measure the result of boosting the post * The visual elements, how to create them and why they are so important * The services that you can subscribe to and get good result * There is a TON of value in this episode that you can use to leverage your business using Facebook marketing and boosting, so LISTEN NOW!
Choosing Your Next Big Thing
Deciding on your next big move could be hard if you do not know the steps to take.
Zivi and Flossie had a chat about the next best move to do in her business and shows, listen now!
Zivi and Flossie shares important things about deciding you next big move.
In this Episode we discuss:
- The clarity on what destination to choose on her shows
- Deciding on the right time to stop a day job
- How to map your business plan if you have more than one business
- How bundle and packages can improve your income
- Facebook marketing and Google Adwords
- Optimizing marketing efforts
- There is a TON of value in this episode that you can use to leverage your business using email marketing and newsletters, so LISTEN NOW!
Automation is the best thing that happened in online marketing in recent years. It saves time and efforts.
Zivi and Gareth had a chat about how to start automating your business, listen now!
Zivi and Gareth shares important things about Automation.
In this Episode we discuss:
- The process of pre-sale and why to automate it
- The importance of interaction per individual
- Why you don’t want to delay sending your quote
- What tools to start with your automation and when (hint - at least 100 customers per year)
- How to get the attention back by just the subject line you use
- The importance of the metrics to interpret the effectiveness of the email
- What follow up does and the importance of it
- Tips like: Emoji Keyboard, Preview Line
- How to read the parameters inside your email automation tool
- There is a TON of value in this episode that you can use to leverage your business using email marketing and newsletters, so LISTEN NOW!
Getting into Close Up Magic
Magic and Mentalism is two different things but Matan Rosenberg does both passionately.
Matan from Israel shares the interesting story of his journey, listen now!
- Matan has been into magic for 13 years now
- Obsessing into something is a skill for him
- Matan went into military and still had the deck of cards with him
- He was called ‘Matan Houdini’ after the military bootcamp
- Matan practiced up to 8 hours a day and in weekends even more when he was starting
- Matan’s first magician offer was $100 and it boosted his confidence as a magician
- Matan joined the Society of Israeli Magician when he was in the military and 19 yrs old
- Matan’s mentor is a comedy mentalist and a close up magician
With the domination of the digital world, it is important that you innovate, no matter what business you have, you should leverage it. Kids entertainer Kyle Groves from Colorado, USA had a chat with Zivi about how she how to leverage you business, listen now!
Zivi and Kyle shares important things about leveraging your business through email marketing and newsletters.
In this Episode we discuss: * Zivi shared tools you can use for email marketing and newsletters * How your mindset affects the emails or newsletters you send to people * What 3 topics that is significant to the upcoming events you can use for your business * Scheduling of events to talk about in the monthly newsletters * Adding images for the newsletters that add value to the events * How important 'Call To Action' is and it's purposes * How adding a story that can attract people to read your email * How you can you 'Focus on the reader and not you' * The power of sharing the exciting stuff that happened and how it can be valuable to the reader * There is a TON of value in this episode that you can use to leverage your business using email marketing and newsletters, so LISTEN NOW!
Handling Negative Reviews Negative reviews are a part of your growing business but you should know how to handle this. This will help you deal with it now or when the time comes. Kids entertainer Lauren Ann from Sydney Australia had a coaching session with Zivi about how she how to handle negative reviews, listen now!
Zivi and Stacie shares important things about negative reviews and how to properly respond to them.
In this Episode we discuss: * Zivi shared processes where you don't have to change your show * Zivi shared how he does a feedback form that can have a good impact to the review * How coming early to the show can effect how the guests give feedback * Why building a relationship with your clients have a very good effect on the reviews * Why the contractors also need to build relationships with the clients * How you can deal with contractors to have a good relationship with the clients * How acknowledging, apologizing and amending works * There a TON of value in this episode, Zivi did a great job helping Lauren overcome negative review and to minimize the risk of a bad review, so LISTEN NOW!
Google Analytics is an important part of your business especially if you have a website. Kids entertainer Stacie Ashlet aka Hyper Clown had a coaching session with Zivi about how she can use Google Analytics to improve her business. A TON of Value in this episode, listen now!
Zivi and Stacie shares important things about how to make use of the free app Google Analytics and how to use it to improve your business and website.
- What Google Analytics is and how it works
- The best timeline to check the analytics, like 30, 60 and 90 days
- Data from Stacie’s March to July was analyzed
- How important valuable content can vastly improve your website traffic
- The time that visitors spent looking at your site and how important that you know how to interpret the data
- The different things Stacie can do to improve the visual of her website that can greatly affect the time spent by the site visitors
- Zivi gave tips on how to make the website interesting
- How to interpret the bounce rate and the recommendations to improve
- How Google reacts to your improved bounce rate and traffic
- The tabs to focus on when studying the data from Google
- There a TON of value in this episode, Zivi did a great job helping Stacie improve her website and business, so LISTEN NOW!
Packages and Giveaways for Your Show Planning and branding are a result of your packages and giveaways. Preparing you giveaways and packages starts with choosing the right materials. Kids entertainer Louis Wells had a learning session with Zivi about how to choose the right materials, being creative and different that will leave a lasting impression.
Zivi and Louis shares the important things about giveaways and packages.
In this Episode we discuss: * The consideration of biodegradable products for your giveaways * Giveaways should be something that is related to you show or magic * The best places to buy your things to be used for giveaways * Choice of materials that made out of organic and biodegradable products and how you can be creative with them * The show packages that you should offer to you customers * The Hotel metaphor on how they decide on their prices * How you can give your customer to give flexibility * The value added stuff that you can use for you packages * What you can create using a Paper that will enhance the audience experience * The games you can relate to the packages to add value
It's not as simple as you think, email marketing requires knowledge to some tools and some humor. Kids entertainer and Balloon Storyteller Mark Fuller had a coaching session with Zivi about how to market his new balloon story and workshop to schools and libraries.
Zivi and Mark shares the important things about marketing and the tools necessary to achieve results.
In this Episode we discuss: * Zivi and Mark discussed the marketing assets needed * The tools that are needed to start email outreach * The difference between having many costumes and just one costume * Choosing a costume and how simple alterations can make it better * Importance of email marketing and what tools not to be used * The best thing to do when starting email marketing * The steps on an effective email marketing sequence * How important humor is in an email outreach * A joke as an example that you can include in your emails * Zivi also mentioned “The idea of animated gifts” * The key takeaways from this coaching session
Nowadays a website is a must if you want to sell your services. Creating a website might be hard for a beginner but it you know what to do it will make it a lot easier. Kids entertainer, ventriloquist and puppet master Colin Dymond shares the things he wants to happen in his website.
Zivi and Colin shares their short coaching session on how to improve Colin's website and the important things about marketing.
In this Episode we discuss:
- Colin and Zivi discussed about the importance of having a website
- How a website helps you book more customers
- The downside of not having a website
- How a website should be part of the flow of your business to grow
- How you put more on you website makes you do less work
- How an email marketing automation helps you organize your bookings
- Marketing strategy in your website using Search Engine Optimization and Content Creation
- Zivi discussed how content creation helps your website
- Marketing options that you can do through social media and keywords
- Colin shared the things he need for his website to improve it and Zivi gave his feedback
- Zivi then shared a story about Seth Godin - The God of Marketing
- The exercise of minimalism for Colin’s website
- Zivi’s 5 most important things for the website and the importance of them
- Some tips and advices for you website from Zivi
Writing a magic book for magicians is well established. Writing a book that has magic in it for a general audience is another. Magician and author Stephen Cloete discusses turning your experience and knowledge into a consumable product for a non magician audience.
We have all been scammed at one time or another, with or without realising it.
People have been scamming others for thousands of years, and scams work because of two uniquely human traits – greed and gullibility.
Stephen Cloete’s new book: Scammed, looks at uncovering the techniques of scams, hoaxes and cons.
In this episode we discuss:
Stephen talks about his new book titled “Scammed”
How Scammed bridges the gap between the magicians and average person.
The dangers that deception poses
The difference between con artists and magicians
The History of Magicians calling out scammers
Ways Harry Houdini originally debunked psychics
Techniques that psychics use to deceive their audience
How Facebook is the biggest gateway for modern scam artists
Stephen explains how clickbait’s are becoming more popular with scam artists
The difficulties of the writing process explained
Stephen shares some stories from his new book “Scammed”
Without a doubt the topic of how to raise your fees as a professional magician is one of the most talked about and yet it is likely the least acted upon.
Israel magician Zivi Raviv has doubled his performing fees within 5 years and here he shares what he calls his Champion Building System that turns bookers into brand evangelists by giving them to tools to sing your praises as a performer.
Zivi is a children’s and family performer. The process he outlines here can be adapted to suit many styles of magic performance. The power of this marketing process lies in its simplicity.
In this episode we discuss:
The magic market in Israel where a standard price for a Children’s birthday party is US$250
Zivi averages $500 to $700 per booking once he stopped playing the price competition game
What is the Champion Building System?
Value adding what you offer
Creating a personalized movie clip that summarizes the event for each birthday.
Customizing and personalizing the service you offer your client
How you can turn a one day event into a 3 day event that keeps your marketing front of mind with your clients.
You’ll hear the story of the family watching the video 250 times.
It's the same amount of effort to think small as it does to think big.
The reasons not to include this as an upsell
How to overcome the problem of getting permission to video client’s children
The power of using a marketing script.
Using an iPhone to shoot, edit and upload a video of your magic show
And get this – it takes 20 minute to do.
What are the key shots you must get? What shots get the best reaction from parents?
Do you need a 2nd person to video for you and how to find them?
Who are you? How are you branding yourself as a magician?
Billy Diamond opens up about the obstacles and struggles that we all face in creating our magic careers and how this can lead us to thinking about what it is that makes us unique and how we can capitalise on that as magicians.
In this episode we discuss:
Billy Diamond’s first magic book he purchased at 12 years old ... you’ll be surprised at what is was
At age 12 Billy realised he had to stand out as different. How old were you when you had this realization?
Deciding what is important in your life and letting this guide you in making your career decisions.
Branding and creating a consistent theme in how you present yourself.
Using the idea of product placement to get your message across in a subtle and effective way.
Can you improve on your signage, stage banner and backdrops?
Are there ways you can include your branding in your tricks?
Can you create photo opportunities that help brand your magic business?
Are you using QR codes and tags? What are they? Do you need them?
Are you thinking just about you, or are you thinking about what your client thinks and needs and using this in your marketing?
Hear about how Billy designs props to include magician’s names.
Hear how the trapdoor gag evolved into a range of products that promote magicians.
Using Facebook and social media in your branding.
What are the stumbling blocks for magicians and entertainers when it comes to branding? Do you need a lot of money to brand?
Why would a magician want to be a MC Master of Ceremonies? What special skills does a magician have that pre dispose them to standing on stage as a host or compere of an event? According to experienced MC Timothy Hyde they have already have a skill that gives them a head start that many others will never access: the ability to control a crowd.
Timothy Hyde has worked in this market for over 20 years. It now makes up the majority of his work. He's been paid to travel all over the world to run events, including assignments in - Hawaii, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa, Cambodia and of course every possible city in his home country Australia.
For the last 10 years he has also been mentoring and coaching other entertainers who want to break into this lucrative field.
In this episode we discuss:
Just what is an MC MC, Emcee, Master of Ceremony, Host or Compere and what do they do?
How the job of being an MC relates to the world of magic and the experience magicians have.
Learn the typical events an emcee would be booked for.
Learn how Timothy Hyde progressed through drama studies, street performing, theme parks, stage illusion shows and mentalism to work an Master of ceremonies and why this rich experience helps in the emcee role.
Find out the positive aspects he brought from the world of magic into the role of MC?
How does being an MC stack up against being a corporate magician / mentalist in general terms?
What is the #1 quality you should look for within yourself if you are thinking being an MC?
What are the misconceptions about the role of an MC?
Can magic be incorporated into MC work? Is this a good or bad idea?
The right material for MC's. The types of jokes, gags, interactive time fillers, quotes and lines
Who the people are you need to work with at events and how to deal with them to make the whole experience better.
What itis that the people booking you want? The things you can do as MC to value add to their event and make yourself more book-able.
The importance of how you dress for the role.
Ken Dyne has an established career as one of the worlds leading mentalists and he joins us on the Magician Business podcast just days before his Penguin Live lecture.
Listen in as Ken shares thirteen years of his personal learning experience gained marketing into the corporate, after dinner and cruse ship market.
Ken has coached many performing artists and helped them take their business to the next level. In this episode he shares some of the insights from GigFlow which is the distillation of his most effective coaching techniques.
In this episode:
Find out what the number 1 mistake is that many magicians are making in their marketing and just how to fix it.
Learn his secrets as he openly discusses what marketing strategies he uses to keep his diary full.
Discover the most underused marketing method and how you can leverage it.
Find out the truth of why marketing can sometimes be difficult for magicians and how you can turn that around.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Ken Dynes’ GiG Flow where you are guaranteed gigs in 30 days or your money back.
Bairn by Ken Dyne :The book that was voted “the best mentalism product of 2014”.
A free Business Planning tool for magicians http://www.magicianbusiness.com/business-planning-for-magicians/
In this Episode we discuss:
Much of what he has experienced is directly transferable to the world of magic and through his eyes we can maybe see something about ourselves that we don't understand.
Is adding variety to your act a good or bad thing for the types of shows you perform?
Who are your favourite magic/juggling acts?
How difficult is it for a new person to break into your markets?
Has language ever been a barrier for you?
Did you have to work on your English as much as your juggling to move your act outside of your country onto the larger world stage?
What are your 3 top tips with regards to your technique, your show and your marketing?
What is the ONE thing you should never do?
Get a look behind the scenes as the hosts of the Magician Business Podcast, Ken Kelly and Julian Mather, are put in the hot seat.
This is a Magician Business Podcast episode with a difference! Ken and Julian usually host the show and bring you guests but today the tables are turned as children’ entertainer Colette Kelly gets to interview the interviewers.
Ken and Julian speak openly about the first year of running Magician Business. This episode takes a transparent look at what goes on behind the scenes and you get to hear what it takes to bring you 50 episodes of the podcast to air.
In this episode:
Ken and Julian tell how it really is (warts and all)
Hear the truth of what has worked and what has not
Get actionable tips that Ken and Julian use
Hear Magician Business members questions answered
Get a peek of what the future hold for Magician Business
Every year an opportunity arises to take your magic business to the
next level. Successful corporate entertainer Barry Friedman shares
tips , practical booking strategies and life changing insights from
his Show Biz Blueprint course in this candid chat with Julian Mather
and Ken Kelly.
In this episode we discuss:
Using the network you already have before paying for advertising
Increase your telephone conversions with this simple mindset change
What type of entertainers is showbiz blueprint suitable for?
Do you have to be an experienced entertainer to benefit from this course?
Is showbiz blueprint easy?
Can I get a refund on my money if showbiz blueprint is not suitable for me?
Hear how showbiz blueprint changed Julian Mather's career.
In this Episode we discuss:
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Discovering what the lecture circuit is about.
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Ways to establish contacts with people in your field of magic.
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The struggles of breaking into lecturing in the connected generation.
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Identifying the differences between a lecture and a dealer demo.
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How to find a balance between giving and selling during your lecture.
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Diversifying your subject matter during your lectures to improve your chances of getting booked.
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How to discern the key differences between a club and a convention lecture.
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Following the proper performance sensibilities while performing.
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How you should prepare for a small, medium and large environment.
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Learning how to collect vital information about your target customers.
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Understanding the common mistakes made by up-and-coming lecturers.
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Being on the lookout for rising talent as a lecture booking agent.
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The ups and downs of touring full time on the lecture circuit
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Ways to start earning money as a lecturer or a booking agent.
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Dealing with fans when you are selling them a product.
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Why using a lecture to sell a product is essential to success.
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A guide on how to best price and package your products to maximise sales.
In this episode we discuss:
What is flash paper?
What are the chemicals?
Where else are these chemicals found?
How serious is correct handling and storage?
How does spontaneous combustion happen?
Is it necessary to have flash paper wet to transport it?
Where and how should you store flash paper?
How long will they last?
What quality products exist?
How do you know if you have good quality? or not?
Safety ... outline the steps you carry out
Insurance: Where is fire banned? Where is it allowed?
Aside from cut/ no cut scissors, black capes and the need for a sharp haircut, magicians and hairdressers share the common bond of being small business owners. Hairdresser Greg Whatling shares insights and painful lessons that every magician will benefit from hearing. What can magicians learn from one hairdresser's customer catastrophe?
In this episode:
Greg talks about connectors, people who will be your advocate to get other customers. They love what you do so much, they have completely bought into your story and they WANT to go out and promote you.
The importance of 3rd party endorsement.
Talk strategically to customers, stay on task and on message but do it with integrity ... your guide to staying honest Greg says, "if you don't believe it, don't say it."
Do you really understand your customer? Greg has a clear mental picture of how his customer dresses , what shoes they wear, what cars they drive.
Are you just employing yourself or are you securing yourself a future?
June's Story: Are you losing your most important customers without even knowing it.
5 things Greg applies to his business daily:
Hone your product
Sales
Education ... Gain knowledge wherever you can
Marketing
Everyone has to have a win .. you, your staff, the media
Success leaves clues. Get in a mastermind group with people who know more than you.
Develop friendships and networks with influential people and learn to listen.
Beware of Google .. it can easily act as an echo chamber and give you back the answers you want to hear.
Andre Grove started as a magician and wanted to be the next David Copperfield until he saw a stage hypnotist and his performing career changed forever.
Does walking on stage with only a microphone as a prop interest you? Then stage hypnosis is possibly a way you can pack theaters.
It takes a lifetime to be an overnight success and there is nothing easy about it.
Developing your brand by paying your dues, treading the boards for many years.
Never take any audience for granted for your next big booking may be watching you.
It is so important that you every show as happy as your audience.
Learning to let go of marketing and hand it over to a professional.
The day to day work schedule of life on the road when touring.
Dealing with theatre owners and local council regulations.
Understanding the attendance habits of theatre patrons.
Listening to your audience's conversations after the show.
Choosing your market and sticking to your market.
Andre tells the reality of a career on the stage.
Don't do a stage hypnosis course if you are not a performer first.
Learn the ropes in comedy clubs.
2% of stage hypnosis are actually hypnosis skills. 98% is showmanship.
John Kaplan has been touring Canada for 35 years riding on the back of the fundraising needs of schools and community groups. These groups get a fun way to raise their much needed funds and John gets to sell his family show at corporate rates to a market used to budgeting lower fees. Maybe this win / win business model will appeal to you.
In This Episode We Discuss: * Understanding the old tele marketing approach to promoting fund raising shows to better understand why there are better ways to approach this market. * Understand the apprenticeship system that can exist in magic * What sort of show do you need to enter the fundraising market? * Do your need to tour a show? or can you make this work for you locally? * How to get into doing fundraising events * What different ways are there to financially structure fundraising events * What is the market for fundraisers? * What are the methods that best reach this market? * Who is your competition? * What options to you give your clients to raise money? * How do you create a compelling reason for your potential clients to book you. * How to brand yourself in the fundraising market * What do you need to bring for the event. * What do you provide to clients to help them market and raise money * Why testimonials are so important * What paperwork is required & how do you manage it * The importance of auto responders
Feeding a Hungry Media The Sensationalism They Thrive On
What are publicity stunts and where can they benefit magicians? Magician Joe Diamond shares his tips on capitalizing on the media's insatiable need for content.
You don't need to go over the Niagara Fall in a barrel or stay for 44 days in a box like David Blaine did to get the media's attention so you can get a free ride on their extensive reach into the audience who you want to serve with your magic.
Joe Diamond shares his wins and losses at this aspect of marketing his magic career.
In this Episode:
How to use publicity stunts to benefit you and the venue hosting the stunt
Do you have to be a big personality to do stunts?
Understand the difference between radio, newspaper, TV and online media platforms
Do you have to be a BIG personality?
What type of personality works best?
What do you think it is that stops people trying stunts?
Where do they sit in your arsenal of marketing tools?
How do you come up with ideas?
How much money do you have to spend on creating a publicity stunts?
What makes a good trick suitable for the different media platforms?
What are the downsides to stunts? What happens if they go wrong
How do you get the attention of the media?
What's the best time of day to send press releases?
How do you write a press release?
Tips for getting the medias attention: radio: TV: press: online
How do you turn press into bookings and/or ticket sales?
How do you use press to negotiate prices.
How do you use radio & press appearances in your social media.
The importance of creating a 'hook' to hang your story on
How to play to the media's need for content
What tricks should you use in your stunts?
David Ranalli started young performing magic in restaurants. From age 14 he has been table hopping building up strong work practices and an appreciation of the restaurant industry and how magicians can better position themselves to get the most value from a restaurant gig.
In This Episode We Discuss: * Is there a personality type best suited going table to table? * Acting as an ambassador for the restaurant. * How restaurants have changed. * Some great ways to get started * The dangers of talking to 'assistant managers' * How to get paid * How to make the restaurant work to your full advantage * Setting up a contract. * Where to find restaurant associations? * The rise of chain and franchise restaurants and how this can work for you. * Using local media to benefit the magician and the restaurant owner. * Using the restaurant as a showcase for your magic skills to private clients. * Use the 'selfie' craze to your advantage
When you are talking about getting to know someone new you often hear it's what's on the inside that counts. If you want to take your magic into the festival and fairs market then it's what's on the outside that counts and by that we are talking about the weather.
Kevin Heller weather proofed his act and put his mind into all seasons thinking to create a business that capitalises on the fair and festival market for spring and summer and works equally as well when the weather turns him indoors.
In this episode:
Just what is the fair and festival market
What type of act works for the fair festival market
Flash is Cash ... a truism for this market
The value of creating an outdoor act
What a fair/festival audience looks like
The types of stages you can expect to perform on
How to turn your $300 kids show into a $1000 festival show
How to take your and 'tailor make' show for this market
Who books the acts for fairs and festivals?
What is the importance of building long standing relationships in this industry?
How many festival/fairs are there in your area? You might be surprised.
What are Fair Festival Associations and Fair Manager Associations?
How to stand out at your trade show booth while pitching to Festival Bookers
How improve your VALUE in the eyes of festival bookers.
What extra services you can offer to make yourself more attractive to festival bookers
Understanding hoe fair managers think
How to move away from 'pitching' merchandise to 'performing' merchandise
The psychology of pitching merchandise
Recognizing outdoor opportunities
Outdoor Audience Management
Mega-merchandising – “The Pitch” Selling the Experience!
Adjusting and modifying your props and clothing to endure the unpredictable
Preparing for “natures great heckler” – the weather!
The Marketing - how do you get into this market
This is a story about Caroline Ravn's focus, drive, ambition, self discipline as much as it is about strategies that magicians and other entertainers can employ to effectively use social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Youtube.
In This Episode We Discuss: * Making weekly and monthly plans for social media * What to avoid posting on social media accounts * Separating your personal and social media accounts * The importance of hash tags * How to evaluate the effectiveness of your posts * How to identify potential customers through social media communities * How often to reach out to journalists to feed them possible stories about you * A great tip for giving good interviews to journalists * How to maximise relationships with journalists * Hear Caroline's story of getting to perform at the Magic Castle in Hollywood in less than a quarter of the time she had planned to it. * How many hours a day do need to rehearse to fast track your performing ambitions? * The benefits of using a manager * Mentoring with Tom Stone
Agree or disagree with Roger Blakiston, he raises interesting questions that we all can benefit from by finding answers to them.
Can finding a sense of inner peace make you a better magician?
Hear about Roger's commitment of service to the field of magic
What happened when Roger met Tina Turner and Bob Hoskins?
What part do humbleness and humility play in being a magician?
What happens when Prince William of England injures himself at Jolly Roger's magic show?
What does it take to write a book? Tips to self publishing
Living in the moment to get the most out of your magic
What can taking the word 'worry' out of your language do for you?
Is fear inhibiting you? What can you do about it?
The influence of Field Marshall Slim ... always take the bold choice
How do you find success? It's easier than you think.
Roger Blakiston's book 'The Spiritual Stage'
Mark Williams is a LinkedIn trainer for top level business executives. Mark shares cutting edge ideas and strategies that magicians can use to bypass some common mistakes and to speed up your networking that leads to bookings.
In This Episode We Discuss:
- Where does LinkedIn fit? Is it a social media tool?
- How important is building relationships and growing a network?
- What has LinkedIn got in common with a pirate ship?
- Mark's business card story that explains some of the benefits of having a LinkedIn account.
- This can be your first impression for many business deals. Make sure you make a good one.
- How to set up your LinkedIn account so you craft and build an effective profile
- What image should you use in your profile?
- Should you use your stage name or your birth name?
- How you should optimize the 120 characters in your headline?
- What are first tier and second tier connections ?
- Can you use your promo video more effectively?
Have you ever wondered what an agent thinks, what a booking agent wants, what will turn a booking agent away from wanting to represent you? In this episode Ken Lindsey from Dreamtime Agencies in South Africa ,who wears two hats as performer and agent, tells all.
In This Episode We Discuss:
- Becoming a magician is more about applying a process than having the ability to do magic.
- Selling yourself in the third person. The pros and cons.
- What do you need to know before approaching a booking agent?
- Is there a relationship between entertainer and agent?
- How to set up your own booking agency for entertainers
- Clients always wait till the last moment to book. Be prepared.
- What regulations exist for starting an agency?
- What tax implications are they?
- Contracts and what you need to know.
- Dealing with refunds to clients
- Can you hand out your business cards if you have been booked by an agent?
- Entertainers have a gift. You have a skill that you can always use to earn you money. Never forget how valuable that is.
Get a big ol' dose of work and life inspiration with Deano from Reno. The Dean of Success, Dean Hankey, takes an all you can eat buffet of knowledge and wisdom and packages it into a bite sized 'podcast to go' of actionable tips.
In This Episode We Discuss: Is there a better way to answer your phone than to say Hello, How can I help you?
How To be more interested than interesting.
Why you SHOULD be using the power of video to emotionally connect with future clients.
Dean tips his alternative to phoning potential clients on the phone that can build upon the advantages that clients like to do business with people they know like and trust.
Success is a verb that requires action and it doesn't care how you feel
Knowledge is only as powerful as the action that is applied to it.
Successful people do what unsuccessful people are unwilling to do.
Speak teach and preach ... make it better for your audience .. don't be a boring speaker.
What's stopping you getting off your big fat couch?
Your show should be a 30-60 min vacation for your audience
MAGIC: Make A Giant Impact Charis - magically
Resolve to Evolve .... grow your career and keep growing and evolving.
Never leave the site of a human interaction without creating value.
VIP Value Impact Profit
KEYS Keep Educating Your Self
Marketing for Magicians
Will magic support you and your family well into the future? What can you do to branch your magic business into other areas? Paul Romhany is a performer, creator of magic effects, lecturer and he edits and produces VANISH magazine. He’s also a parent (as you will witness at the beginning of the podcast). Listen in as he shares insights and tips that might get you started creating extra streams of income.
In This Episode We Discuss: Paul’s Charlie Chaplin act that has been the backbone of his performing career.
What is the ‘real magic’ that Charlie Chaplin capitalised on all those years ago? What can you learn from this too?
How long does it take to create and episode of Vanish?
What is the future of niche / magic publications?
What opportunities are there for magicians in niche / magic publications?
If people want to start a newsletter, blog, video blog, niche publication … What are some of the steps they should take?
Do you have to know your audience and their needs?
What do contributors to VANISH magic magazine need to understand?
Should contributors be expected to be edited?
What are the common mistakes you see with contributions?
What makes a good piece?
If listeners want to market a magic trick, how important is the promotional copy?
What tips can you give listeners on writing for their websites / copy / blogs?
Who makes the biggest cut of the money from a trick you put onto the market?
How much money can you expect to make from releasing an effect onto the market?
What can Bill About teach you about releasing effects onto the market?
Piracy in magic? How does this affect you?
All this and more about Magician Business ideas and tips.
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
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
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
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.
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
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?
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
We're seeing 2 common themes emerging:
-
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.
-
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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?
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
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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?
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
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
- 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.