So...
You've amazed your friends, fried your family, and have destroyed the minds of strangers. Everyone around you can't believe you're not in Vegas and all insist that you are given your own TV special. You feel you're ready for the next step- cash. the big time. moohlah. bling bling. But how? Money doesn't seem to rain down upon you no matter how much you wish it. And your inbox seems to be missing those signed contracts...
Well, I guess it's time to go to work.
Start by asking yourself:
A) How many people, locally, know that you're a magician?
Have you answered that? Your friends, your family, etc, right? Okay, next question:
B) How many people, locally, know that you perform magic for money?
This is a different ballgame, yeah? And it's the absolute crux around which you're going to build your business. Youtube and forum posting can provide us with necessary feedback and offer an awesome social community but, at the end of the day, will give you the following amount of Benjamins:
~0.~
Actually, let's make that .00
I can pretty much guarantee that none of you are going to hire me for your next Corporate gig. That doesn't mean that I don't think you're all great, it just means that you aren't going to be paying for my (insert ballin' vehicle here). So if you're not, who will?
The people in your own city.
So, knowing now that I need to market myself to my neighbor- how do I actually do that? I could give you a lot of mumbo-jumbo, but that's not how I roll. Here's some specifics:
1) Every single person you talk to needs to know you perform magic for money.
"Jamie, how are you?"
"Amazing! I just did a gig last night and it was an absolute blast. What's that? You didn't know that I was a magician, but now that you do, you think I would be perfect for your party and you'd like to shower me with cash? Well, okay."
2) Google event planners in your area and e-mail an introduction.
WARNING: You better make sure your e-mail is bulletproof and proofread.
3) Start volunteering as much as possible- look in your local newspaper for charity events and offer your services. Word of mouth is the best advertising money can't buy.
I like that last sentence so much I'm going to repeat it:
Word of mouth is the best advertising money can't buy.
You need to get people talking! And I don't mean, "Hey, isn't Jamie amazing." Meh. That does nothing. We're looking for, "Hey, I hear Jamie does magic. Wouldn't it be great to have him at our party?"
So, going on these theories, let's make a 1 week mini plan:
1) Work into a conversation that you perform for money. These conversations need to be with people that have money. Friends don't count as they'll never book you for a gig.
GOAL: 5 Times.
2) Find the e-mails of five event planners.
GOAL: Obtain e-mails and write a rough draft of your intro e-mail. Eg. "Hi, I saw your business on Google and would love to take a quick minute of your time to to introduce myself. My name is, etc."
3) Book three gigs for next month.
GOAL: These can be volunteer. Just remember that it's imperative that you're introduced as "the entertainer" and not just hanging out doing card tricks. And I know I don't have to tell you that no one leaves that room without either a business card or the idea in their head that you'd be perfect for their next event.
That should help get you started!
Your pal,
jamie (Master Magician and the perfect solution for your next event!)
Further Reading~The Essays:
Rates FAQ 2.0 (how much to charge) by Jamie D. Grant Essay #1
The single most important thing you can do... Essay #2
How many tricks should you learn? Essay #3
Tips or Wage? ~more thoughts from JDG /Essay #4
How to design a business card~ Essay #5 by JDG
Who I am~ Magic Friday ~ by Jamie D. Grant
Developing Your Sets - Essay #6 from JDG
Do you need a stage show? Essay #7 by JDG
Crushing the Haters! Essay #8 by Jamie D. Grant
Shaky Hands & Falling Cards. Beating Anxiety. Essay #9
Deflecting Thoughts, and False memories. Essay #10
Stage Show Thoughts. Essay #11
How To Promote Yourself. Essay #12
You've amazed your friends, fried your family, and have destroyed the minds of strangers. Everyone around you can't believe you're not in Vegas and all insist that you are given your own TV special. You feel you're ready for the next step- cash. the big time. moohlah. bling bling. But how? Money doesn't seem to rain down upon you no matter how much you wish it. And your inbox seems to be missing those signed contracts...
Well, I guess it's time to go to work.
Start by asking yourself:
A) How many people, locally, know that you're a magician?
Have you answered that? Your friends, your family, etc, right? Okay, next question:
B) How many people, locally, know that you perform magic for money?
This is a different ballgame, yeah? And it's the absolute crux around which you're going to build your business. Youtube and forum posting can provide us with necessary feedback and offer an awesome social community but, at the end of the day, will give you the following amount of Benjamins:
~0.~
Actually, let's make that .00
I can pretty much guarantee that none of you are going to hire me for your next Corporate gig. That doesn't mean that I don't think you're all great, it just means that you aren't going to be paying for my (insert ballin' vehicle here). So if you're not, who will?
The people in your own city.
So, knowing now that I need to market myself to my neighbor- how do I actually do that? I could give you a lot of mumbo-jumbo, but that's not how I roll. Here's some specifics:
1) Every single person you talk to needs to know you perform magic for money.
"Jamie, how are you?"
"Amazing! I just did a gig last night and it was an absolute blast. What's that? You didn't know that I was a magician, but now that you do, you think I would be perfect for your party and you'd like to shower me with cash? Well, okay."
2) Google event planners in your area and e-mail an introduction.
WARNING: You better make sure your e-mail is bulletproof and proofread.
3) Start volunteering as much as possible- look in your local newspaper for charity events and offer your services. Word of mouth is the best advertising money can't buy.
I like that last sentence so much I'm going to repeat it:
Word of mouth is the best advertising money can't buy.
You need to get people talking! And I don't mean, "Hey, isn't Jamie amazing." Meh. That does nothing. We're looking for, "Hey, I hear Jamie does magic. Wouldn't it be great to have him at our party?"
So, going on these theories, let's make a 1 week mini plan:
1) Work into a conversation that you perform for money. These conversations need to be with people that have money. Friends don't count as they'll never book you for a gig.
GOAL: 5 Times.
2) Find the e-mails of five event planners.
GOAL: Obtain e-mails and write a rough draft of your intro e-mail. Eg. "Hi, I saw your business on Google and would love to take a quick minute of your time to to introduce myself. My name is, etc."
3) Book three gigs for next month.
GOAL: These can be volunteer. Just remember that it's imperative that you're introduced as "the entertainer" and not just hanging out doing card tricks. And I know I don't have to tell you that no one leaves that room without either a business card or the idea in their head that you'd be perfect for their next event.
That should help get you started!
Your pal,
jamie (Master Magician and the perfect solution for your next event!)
Further Reading~The Essays:
Rates FAQ 2.0 (how much to charge) by Jamie D. Grant Essay #1
The single most important thing you can do... Essay #2
How many tricks should you learn? Essay #3
Tips or Wage? ~more thoughts from JDG /Essay #4
How to design a business card~ Essay #5 by JDG
Who I am~ Magic Friday ~ by Jamie D. Grant
Developing Your Sets - Essay #6 from JDG
Do you need a stage show? Essay #7 by JDG
Crushing the Haters! Essay #8 by Jamie D. Grant
Shaky Hands & Falling Cards. Beating Anxiety. Essay #9
Deflecting Thoughts, and False memories. Essay #10
Stage Show Thoughts. Essay #11
How To Promote Yourself. Essay #12
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