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BondJames628 Regular user Alabama 110 Posts |
Hello everyone. I've been interested in and involved in magic all my life, and have recently come to the conclusion it is something I would love to do as a profession/income/job. We all hear about the famous magicians: Copperfield, McBride, and others. But the question still remains, how do you get started on that path? What I'm saying is, how do you move from having magic as a pastime or occasional income to a full blown onstage job. Where did all of the famous ones start out and how did they get to where they are now? Do you go through an agent? And what degree would you major in if you wanted to go to college? I just need some help planning for my future. Thanks a dozen!
p.s. sorry if this isn't the right thread, but it seems like it was the best choice Taylor |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Taylor,
There is definitely a career ladder that you can climb in the world of magic. Start with an assessment of your situation. You say you have been involved with magic all your life, but what does that mean? Answer questions such as: How old are you? Where am you now in your magic career? What kind of magic are you best at – close-up, comedy magic, cabaret, or illusions? What do you know about the markets you are working in, or those you want to get into? How can you increase your credibility as a professional entertainer? Are you willing to take risks? What do you know about marketing magic? Are your promotional materials professional looking? Where do you want to be in one year … three years? There are many possible paths to success in magic and the route you take starts with an honest assessment of your current situation. For example, if you are married with two small children, I would probably not recommend that you focus on an act for cruise ships, since it could take you away from home for long periods at a time. Before you can plan for the future, be clear about your current situation and what you really want. Next, you need to develop a commercial act. That's 30-60 minutes of great entertainment focused for a specific audience, whether that is a family audience, corporate audience, college, school, etc., that can play just about anywhere. Then you need to market that act and start to get paid bookings. I suggest that you build your part-time business while keeping your current job. Book 50-75 dates a year close to home and you will have a great part-time business and will be getting flight time in front of audiences, polishing your act. After reaching that level, you can start focusing on going full-time, trying to book 150 dates per year at an income level high enough to support your business. You will want to write a business plan, that includes goals and strategies for the coming year. Keep learning as much as you can about starting and running your own business, and keep moving up the career ladder as your skills improve. That's just scratching the surface. I'm sure others will jump in with ideas. Magically yours, Jim |
Colin Gilbert New user 77 Posts |
Basically Taylor you are asking the wrong people. If anyone on here had the answers to your questions they would most probably be to be busy themselves to be reading them let alone answer them! No doubt there are some magicians that come on here whose sole income is from performing magic so hopefully you (and others of which I guarrantee there are many) may get some good pointers. The simple truth is, if you have got what it takes, and are hungry enough, you will make it. There isn't a manual you can read. Whether you get your own show in Las Vegas is another matter. Try creating your own unique style and or effects. Be new. Be different. If at first etc. Re-invent yourself again. And again. However, you do need more than the ability to perform great tricks. Personality and appearance count just as much these days. There were some *** ugly pop stars in the 60's and 70's you know, not many make it today without they posess exceptional talent. Just another unfortunate fact of life today I'm afraid. Try buying some autobiographies of the people you want to emulate. Never give up, you may be the next big one!
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Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Colin makes several good points, although I disagree with a few of his assumptions. You do need to research people you want to emulate and learn from their experiences. And that includes people who have achieved some degree of success in magic, as well as in other pursuits.
You definitely need more than the ability to perform great tricks, including personality, a good appearance and, I would add, savvy business acumen. Some of that can be learned from manuals. Myself and others have written rather extensive manuals documenting what has worked for us in the world of magic that can answer some of your questions. But don't overlook general business books on running your own business. Most of all, you need an entrepreneurial mindset. Are you prepared to run your own business and spend as much, or more time in the office marketing your show than actually performing? Are you prepared to take risks, and what are you willing to sacrifice in order to achieve your dream? Jim |
Colin Gilbert New user 77 Posts |
I do apologise Jim! Most sincerely. I honestly wasn't aware there was a book available to get you to the top! I hadn't looked for one so that is where I maybe came unstuck! Well to all of you out there craving fame and fortune Jim has offered you a good starting point. I for one have learnt something from this topic already and I thought I knew everything!
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BondJames628 Regular user Alabama 110 Posts |
Thank you Jim, I'll definitely have to reflect on that and check up on some reading. I'm actually graduating in a year, and was putting together my options now (I suppose I should've thought about this earlier, but I just recently made up my mind). I actually am prepared to focus everything on achieving my dream; because without dreams, where would we go? I thank you for your input and hope to receive many more ideas. Also, there is no way I will skip college. What courses or degree(s) would be most appropriate to becoming a professional magician and sharpening the overall stage life?
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Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Thanks Colin, but I don't claim to take anyone to the top..unless it's the top of the small time field! I can't really claim to have reached the top of the business, although the past few years have been very good to me, and it just keeps getting better.
My Success in Magic course is designed to help someone launch their career in magic, and details how I was able to build a successful business as a "small time operator" working primarily within a 200 mile radius of my home. That was my business for many years, but like many performers, I hit a plateau where I could not seem to break the $125-$150,000 gross income level. To break through to the next level, you have to move from doing shows for people with set budgets to doing shows where others are making money off your show and budgets are unlimited. I discuss those levels in my course, but cannot share any personal experiences since I headed in another direction with my business, opting to go into corporate and association motivational speaking. Now, if you want to hear about my experiences in that arena during the past 12 years.....well, maybe another time. Jim |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Yes, by all means listen to Jim.
He has helped many get started the right way. Ask around and you will find nothing but great words about Jim’s success manual. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Thanks for the knd words, Tom.
I almost forgot. Regarding college courses, definitely consider theater training. My undergraduate degree is in theater. It's invaluable. Get some training in voice and movement while you are at it - dance classes, martial arts, etc. Marketing and business courses, especially those aimed at entrepreneurs will be helpful, but keep in mind that show business is rather unique in the business world. Arts administration and management would also be useful. Don't be afraid to design your own program. I designed an independent study second field in the Performance of Magic at my university, putting together my first act, booking it in college coffeehouses and getting credit for the experience. We are all just making it up as we go along. Jim |
RandyStewart Inner circle Texas (USA) 1989 Posts |
Yes Jim has had the harshest of the harshest critics come forward and say good things about his book. Very interesting and very good I'd say!
I recently noticed someone had posted Jim's book Table of Contents somewhere on the Café - just the Table of contents. It's jam packed with very well thought out information. |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Jim's book and tele-seminars are some of the most impactful knowledge you can obtain. It was one of his tele-seminars a few years back that really lit a fire within me to take direct action to not only enter the festival market but to learn all I could.
Many years later I have not only entered the festival market, but my wife kelly and I have been thriving in it by exceeding each years goals every single year since we started. We are proof that success can happen if you are willing to take direct action upon your own success. Is jim's book and course worth it? Absolutely if you want to learn how to gain control of your own success and the stepping stones and tools to get you there. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Randy I assume you mean me when you mention harsh critic!
At least I hope it is me. And indeed many many many times in public and in private I will assert Jims courses as one of only a few I would recomend. If it wasn't me then I need to work harder at some of my harsh critisims. Which brings me to my next point. If I havn't managed to offend everyone quite yet, please be patient, I will get to it soon I promise. Jim's books and ideas above all provide a plan, and a way to come up with your own. This single feature is what is missing from the vast majority of the literature out there. It is why I recomend it highly.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
If having a strong opinion about something you know works because you have tried it yourself, then I guess I am a harsh crtic as well. I know Jim's course works wonderful and it allows the person to take direct action on thepath to their own success. However, no course is any good unless the person is willing to take direct action nbased upon what they read and adapt it to their own markets.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Kyle that is really the point.
The whole secret in a nutshell. Take your but cheeks and plant them somewhere where you can work hard, work hard, and when your done work a little harder. It takes the dedication to make a plan, then to impliment the plan. And the tenacity to adjust and make adjustments and refinments and realise at times you may have been incorrect. It is a journey, not a destination.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Absolutely right. No course or book is ever going to do you any good unless you read, learn adapt and then get off your butt and take action to get the success you are after. It is not going to be handed to you. Success takes work and it takes hard work but if you are devoted to your own success, this hard work is something you do that then becomes habit forming.
Will you fail? sure you will from time to time. But any success-minded person knows that failure is only failure if you fail to learn. if you do learn from the experience, then failure is a stepping stone to success. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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