How To Make 6 Figues In Magic

[Mattxdfa]

I'm sure some of you have seen this new release from E. Looks to be a tutorial on the business end of having a magic career. Seems fairly in depth to cover things like taxes and web site building, etc.

I wanted to get the thoughts of the people here. 6 figures seemed like a lot of money to me for a magician to be making. I understand that in show business it is totally possible but still. I guess I am just looking to get some opinions on if you think the is totally feasible. Obviously you need to have the skill set to get to the level of performing your own show and a laymen can't just pay for this and start making $100k. It is going to take some hustle on your end. But just curious of your thoughts

Here is a link to the trailer and what not on their website: https://www.ellusionist.com/how-to-make-6-figures-in-magic.html

 

[byronblaq]

I saw that this morning. it looks interesting but I’m not quite sure how this is going to teach much other than what you could learn online for free with standard business websites and blogs...

I’ve built my businesses with hard work. Not from paying someone $3-400 to teach me something google would.

On the other hand it may include a bunch of information that’s very industry specific but I’d find it hard to believe that it could really be that informative let alone that effective.

But, I will wait and see. It may turn out to be very fruitful to those who purchase it. Time will tell.

B.

 

[RealityOne]

Start with the math. Assume you will work 50 weeks in a year. You need to make $2,000 a week to make $100,000. Let's say you charge $250 for a kids show. That is eight shows a week. At $500 a show, it is only 4 shows. Part of the problem is that you have to be able to books shows during the week, not just on weekends. The question is how do you get those shows?

Part of the equation is developing your show. I'm not sure you would get a lot of advice from the program on that. Having a quality show is more important than having high quality marketing of a mediocre show. If you have a high quality show, you will get referrals and repeat business. That is easier than getting new business.

The next part is differentiation. How do you differentiate from every other magician out there? If you figure that out, you are closer to getting a premium $500 rate than the standard $250 rate. Part of that is marketing, but you have to deliver on the marketing hype. Differentiation is the key to business cards, websites and your sales pitch. Make it so that people want to hire you, not just a magician.

The next part is costs. You need to spend money to make money, but make sure you are getting a return on your investment. Reaching ten high quality (i.e. interested and willing to pay your rate) potential customers is better than reaching 1,000 people who may or may not have any interest.

The next is basic business. Get a book on how to run a business, one on how to do your taxes and get some accounting software and you are good to go. Read three more books - How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Tipping Point and How to Talk to Anyone.

An important caveat here is that any plan you come up with has to play to your strengths. There are many different ways to get to the same point. The problem with many of these types of programs is that they show you the way that worked for that person and pitch it as if the exact same way will work for you. There is a lot of trial and error to find what strategies fit your strengths.

Last and most important is dedication. You have to wake up everyday knowing that you are going to do everything you can to build your business.

There, I just saved you $250.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a full-time magician earning $100,00, but my day job as an attorney requires me to market myself to clients. As a result, I know a little bit about how to do this successfully.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

I'm pretty excited about this one, actually.

Ignore the title and just think of it as 18 hours of straight business advice from top professionals. There's so much I haven't even been able to watch it all yet.

 

[obrienmagic]

I know Scott personally and have had some chats about business with him. Have not seen the video yet but I am going to pick it up for sure!

 

[CWhite]

I'll stick with Jibrizy's mentorship for $1000.
He IS the greatest magician alive.

 

[danielsutton95]

I too am a bit sceptical, but in saying that I am still thinking of purchasing said item for the industry related business advice. Do I think I'll be making £100000? Nope! I do think it will help me start up my own business, which is worth the money. Especially as I will earn back the money after one gig.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

I don't want to seem like I'm pushing sales for this product on someone else's forums, so I'm just trying to state facts.

This isn't a gimmick thing. These are systems that people like Scott Tokar (owner of CorporateFX) use to make their living. His philosophy is "a rising tide lifts all boats" - he figures if he can teach other magicians to work for good money, it becomes easier for all magicians to get good money when performing.

If you study these videos you won't be making 100,000 next week. Probably not next year, either. But it will teach you to set up your business in such a way that you can very feasibly be earning six digits within a few years. That only happens if you work the system, though. You still have to spend time calling existing clients, scouting new clients, maintaining the website/marketing materials, etc. This set of videos will teach you how to do that effectively.

Basically - this is intended to give you a nice full tool box of business practices. It's up to you to use those tools.

 

[cgstorz]

This isn't a gimmick thing. These are systems that people like Scott Tokar (owner of CorporateFX) use to make their living. His philosophy is "a rising tide lifts all boats" - he figures if he can teach other magicians to work for good money, it becomes easier for all magicians to get good money when performing.

This is an excellent point. One of the economic problems in magic is there are always potzers willing to work for chump change which is why you can usually book a really good magician for less than a bad cover band. Get rid of those guys and make the rest more business savvy and everybody wins. Except the potzers.

Years ago, at an IBM meeting, John Mendoza--I live in St. Louis--told us a story about how he got a call from a riverboat casino which was putting on a big grand opening party. They had heard people rave about Mendoza's gambling act so they wanted him to come do it at their shin-dig. After John quoted them his price there was a pause and then a disbelieving, "But that's five times what anybody else wants!" To which John replied, "Well then hire five of those guys. Give me a call if you decide to get serious."

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

I always use Fresno as an example of this issue.

Fresno has a LOT of performers in it. I'm not sure why, but it does. Few dozen magicians, probably a hundred people calling themselves "fire performers", bunch of clowns, etc. all in a city of 400K last I checked.

But, so many of them are amateurs that like to get paid occasionally. Basically, they're doing something they enjoy doing, and if they get paid, cool. The problem is, because they don't care about the money, they'll quote potential clients peanuts - $50 for a birthday magic show was not unusual. $20, or just tips, for fire performance was not unusual.

Because so many of them were willing to work for next to nothing, when someone came along that had a professional grade show it was like pulling teeth to get a decent fee.

Oh, and if you wanted to charge people for lessons? Heaven forbid. Out come the pitch forks and torches.

We worked for years to get performers the respect (and fees) they deserved, always against the tide, in that city. Others have taken up the torch so to speak, but it's still a fight to try to earn a living in that city if you want to be a full time performer.

 

[CWhite]

All kidding a side. I'm very skeptical about this. Murphy's released a similar "course" a few months back I believe.
These "Get Rich" courses have popped up online in a dramatically increasing rate.
I realize everyone is trying to grab their piece of the internet pie. I just feel however, having done a few of them, these are, as a whole, slightly misleading. By the end all they have told you is to "put in the work". You'd have to do that whether you bought a "get rich" course or not.
Just my two cents.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

Something I've noticed - No one who's seen it is skeptical about it.

This isn't, "Put in the work" - this is "Here is the work you need to put in, to build a successful business."

If you are in the area of your career where you're just starting out, or aren't sure how to take your career/earnings to the next level, this video is full of advice on how to do that.

If you're already comfortable with CRM, marketing, general business principles, budgeting, etc. then this isn't necessarily going to help you all that much. But if you don't understand what I'm talking about when I say those words, then this will probably help you out.

It's not a "get rich quick" thing. It's a tutorial for creating a foundation for a solid business.

 

[CWhite]

All I'm saying is these tutorials are a dime a dozen nowadays. When it comes to your money, you Should be skeptical.
Now I haven't purchased this tutorial, however as I stated above, I've spent money and time on a few of the same type.
It all boils down to.. you get what you put in. Irregardless of the book, video, seminar or webinar.
A lot of the people on this forum are young and sometimes need to save money from two birthdays just to purchase an effect or deck of cards.
I just want them to research before spending the money. Sometimes the trailer isn't necessarily what the product is. Ellusionist has a bad reputation for that.
I'm not saying this product is bad... or good. I'm just stating to be mindful of where you in general put your money.

Cheers.

 

[RickEverhart]

Start with the math. Assume you will work 50 weeks in a year. You need to make $2,000 a week to make $100,000. Let's say you charge $250 for a kids show. That is eight shows a week. At $500 a show, it is only 4 shows. Part of the problem is that you have to be able to books shows during the week, not just on weekends. The question is how do you get those shows?

Part of the equation is developing your show. I'm not sure you would get a lot of advice from the program on that. Having a quality show is more important than having high quality marketing of a mediocre show. If you have a high quality show, you will get referrals and repeat business. That is easier than getting new business.

The next part is differentiation. How do you differentiate from every other magician out there? If you figure that out, you are closer to getting a premium $500 rate than the standard $250 rate. Part of that is marketing, but you have to deliver on the marketing hype. Differentiation is the key to business cards, websites and your sales pitch. Make it so that people want to hire you, not just a magician.

The next part is costs. You need to spend money to make money, but make sure you are getting a return on your investment. Reaching ten high quality (i.e. interested and willing to pay your rate) potential customers is better than reaching 1,000 people who may or may not have any interest.

The next is basic business. Get a book on how to run a business, one on how to do your taxes and get some accounting software and you are good to go. Read three more books - How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Tipping Point and How to Talk to Anyone.

An important caveat here is that any plan you come up with has to play to your strengths. There are many different ways to get to the same point. The problem with many of these types of programs is that they show you the way that worked for that person and pitch it as if the exact same way will work for you. There is a lot of trial and error to find what strategies fit your strengths.

Last and most important is dedication. You have to wake up everyday knowing that you are going to do everything you can to build your business.

There, I just saved you $250.

DISCLAIMER: I am not a full-time magician earning $100,00, but my day job as an attorney requires me to market myself to clients. As a result, I know a little bit about how to do this successfully.

Ahhhhhhh....but you forgot about the fun part Your hard earned money spent on the following:

House Mortgage - $1,200
Car Payment - 400
Car Insurance - 75
Gas for Car - 100
Phone - 100
Water/Sewer - 100
Trash Service - 45
Heating/Electric 150
Food&Clothing for - 400
the Family

Hmmmm..... - $2,570 and that's not including Extra Curricular for the Kids, Nights Out, etc.

I'd love to talk entertainment and six figures for someone raising a family. A lot of these young guys don't look at this part of the equation. I know you understand all of this David, but most of these guys with the big dreams do not.

Ohhhhh....that's right...you are going to travel and have your own big show....lol. Well...good luck keeping the wife and kids happy when you are on the road 300 days out of the 365 if not more.