Hey Guys,
I started working gigs around a month ago and since then i have had 2 gigs. Besides giving out my business cards at the gigs, what is the best way to market myself. I am looking to perform more often and try to get my name around but im not sure how to do it.
Thanks
Think I might be able to help out here. I haven't frequented the forums too much lately but I'm always willing to jump into a god thread and help a brother out.
Right now I am 15 years old, have been performing magic for seven years, and of those seven I have performed professionally for two. I love to watch people be amazed and have a good time, as well as have a good time myself, but I also enjoy the buisness side of performing magic. (Promoting, Finances, Budgeting, Marketing, etc.)
From the very start I have been on my own in the field of promoting and marketing myself, which I feel has better helped me understand many things such as the economy. By working on your own you develop life skills that are imperitive to your future not only as a magician, but as a person as well. Now, as I stated I have handled all this by myself since day one and have done very well considering my age. Roughly, I get 4 to 5 gigs a month, usually business meetings and important events. I make 100$ an hour at these performances and love being able to do everything myself.
So I am going to give you some of my own advice for marketing that I have picked up while working on my own...
1: Business cards are fantastic. Local magic and/or joke shops sometimes will take some of your cards and leave them for customers to take. They can also be handed out at events so that hopefully you might get another gig.
2: Promotional packages. These are nice if you have the time and money to make them. Often you could include a breif informational DVD. A bsiness card, A flyer.
3: Volunteer work. I volunteer at a childrens hospital on occasion. I bring old decks f cards and go room to room performing, leaving each child with a deck. You don't make any money but it's a great thing to do and very rewarding indeed.
4: Web Sites. These are good but people won't really find them unless they know who you are and how to look for you. So these are for the more well known, sought after, magicians.
5: Twitter, Facebook, and Myspace can all be used for business and marketing purposes and are great for that, just as long as none of your friends start tryng to chat it up on your page.
WORD OF MOUTH!!!!! I cannot stress this more. The number one way to market and to get noticed is by word of mouth. One client hires you and they tell their friend. Now, you have another gig. This is another reason things like volunteer performances are good for. They show you as a good person and word gets out. Same thing if you were to give a newspaper or new station a free story about you. They always need interesting things to fill the gaps and would be delighted especially if they didn't have to pay you.
Just some thoughts,
Dylan P.
