How To "Sell" your kids show?

[CasenW]

Hey guys, I've almost put the finishing touches on my kids show I have been working on, and I was wondering, now that I have a show, how do i get a gig? all posts are helpful, unless they aren't helpful at all. hahahaXD

PS: I found bikes 2 for 2 at walmart, regular rider backs, one red, one blue, on black friday, normally they are two lazy to unwrap them from the two pack wrappers, so they stay there till they sell them all, might be worth checking your local walmart.

 

[William Draven]

Search threads: "How to Get Gigs and Keep Clients" part 1 through 8. Not trying to shameless self plug, but I've already typed out my thoughts on this subject.

 

[mehar]

For my regular, not kids, show's I just go to craigslist and post a few ads. When my teacher can't make it to a show, he'll usually tell them that I'm his student and that if they want, they can book me instead.

 

[SimplyMagic14]

I DON"T recomend you hang out at the play grounds...

 

[RickEverhart]

Take the time to read Draven's material / thoughts. It is well worth it! I've read all of them.

Also from my own experience, you need to make yourself visible out in the public eye so people can actually see you working. They need to know what type of product or show they will be getting. For example: go to your local library or church and volunteer to do a free half hour show and I guarantee that if you are any good you will have adults coming up to you afterward asking if you do birthday parties and can they have a business card or two. ALWAYS have business cards on you no matter where you are. I have been out to eat with my wife or at a movie and someone will come up to me and say, "Hey...I remember you do magic and I saw you at such and such....Do you have a business card on you?" Other times you can get booked through someone else who hires you out like an agent. For example: If some of the big name guys in my IBM ring get a call for an event, but they are already booked that day, they will refer the client to me and 9 times out of 10 I land the show. You need to know how to be confident on the phone when people call and sell yourself. They are not just booking a magic show...they are hiring you as an entertainer.

It may take a few FREE or low cost shows until you get your feet wet and eventually you will start to see some decent money coming in as the bookings continue. Remember to also keep a journal and take notes after EVERY show. Write down what went really well and what might have completely bombed and how you will modify the effect or ditch it completely.