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EXTREMENINJA1
Regular user
134 Posts
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Posted: Apr 4, 2012 2:54pm
Ok I'm 16 and thinking about going into restaurant magic. My age might make it harder to get a venue but if I present myself right, I should have a chance. How should I start though? Should I go into a local restaurant and ask to speak to the manager about a buisness proposition? Or book an appointment over the phone?
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5227 Posts
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Posted: Apr 4, 2012 3:41pm
Start by reading the sticky note on the very top of this forum...
http://www.themagiccafe.com/forums/viewtopic.php?topic=388209&forum=5&48
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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Daz Buckley
Veteran user
Australia
379 Posts
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Posted: Apr 4, 2012 7:00pm
Listen to everything Christopher Lyle has to say and go for it. Don't get hung up on your age. I was 16 when I did my first tv gig, about a thousand years ago. If you're good enough, you're old enough !
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bishthemagish
Inner circle
5582 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 7:38pm
Here is how I like to book restaurants...
First I call the place and ask the GM's name and - I drop off some info about me addressed to the GM - a cover letter saying who I am and what I can do (for them)- and a brosure. I then wait a day or so and call the place and ask to talk to the GM (or owner) and ask if they got the info.
Then I pitch me and my magic to them - and try to book a free night so they can watch me work and make up their minds - also it lets them see me working in front of their customers (guests). And if they like the idea I close the sale - and it often comes down to price.
However before I charged money for performing in a restaurant I performed in two for free for several months to learn - what to do - and what not to do. I also got letters from the owners of these two places to help me sell what I did to the next place.
Then I built it up doing 4 three hour shifts of performing magic in 4 different restaurants...
This is how I got started doing this a lifetime ago and I hope you find the info "food for thought" or at least helpful.
Good luck!
Cheers!
Just a few thoughts and opinion.
Glenn Bishop - Bish The Magish!
Magician, Card Sharp and Master Hypnotist.
http://glennbishopmagicandcards.blogspot.com
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Dannydoyle
Eternal Order
14057 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 7:52pm
This is a killer approach.
Above all don't get discouraged or let anyone discourage you. It is not easy or an easy life. Keep at it.
Danny Doyle
Semper Occultus
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell
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bishthemagish
Inner circle
5582 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 8:01pm
That's funny - because I have never needed to call a group of my non magicians friends to come to the restaurant and clap - just to get a job. Just as I have never needed to prep an audience by asking them to clap or go wow while performing close up in a restaurant.
I think the secret of success is providing a good quality service at the price that is agreeable to the owners and management of the place.
But that seems to be just my opinion.
Just a few thoughts and opinion.
Glenn Bishop - Bish The Magish!
Magician, Card Sharp and Master Hypnotist.
http://glennbishopmagicandcards.blogspot.com
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Dannydoyle
Eternal Order
14057 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 8:15pm
Take it up with Christopher.
Danny Doyle
Semper Occultus
In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell
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bishthemagish
Inner circle
5582 Posts
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Posted: Apr 21, 2012 8:17pm
I think the secret of success is providing a good quality service at the price that is agreeable to the owners and management of the place.
But that seems to be just my opinion.
Just a few thoughts and opinion.
Glenn Bishop - Bish The Magish!
Magician, Card Sharp and Master Hypnotist.
http://glennbishopmagicandcards.blogspot.com
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5227 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 4:33am
Quote:
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On 2012-04-21 20:01, bishthemagish wrote:
That's funny - because I have never needed to call a group of my non magicians friends to come to the restaurant and clap - just to get a job. Just as I have never needed to prep an audience by asking them to clap or go wow while performing close up in a restaurant.
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Glen,
I do not call upon a group of non magi friends to come out and ask them to clap for me. I call upon them to come out to the restaurant to enjoy my show b/c I know how they react to what I perform which is normally applause, screaming, and excited laughter. I don't ask them to do that, I just ask them to come out and support me on my first night at a new restaurant. The good news is that it's seldom find myself in this position. The easy part is booking the gig...the hard part is keeping it! April is my 3 year anniversary at my Monday and Tuesday Night gig and the first weekend of May will be my 10 year anniversary at my Saturday and Sunday Gig. My Friday Night gig sought me out to perform for them...they pitched me. Nuff said...?
I also do not beg for people to applaud for me. Injecting subtle hints in a comical way is a great way to keep the fun going and is entertaining. My guess is that your persona may differ from my own so I'm sure that you're mileage may vary. What's right for you won't be right for me.
Just sayin...
Christopher
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5227 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 4:34am
Quote:
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On 2012-04-21 20:17, bishthemagish wrote:
I think the secret of success is providing a good quality service at the price that is agreeable to the owners and management of the place.
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That is exactly what I do and what I'm sure we all strive for...
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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Aaron Smith Magic
Inner circle
Portland, OR
1193 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 4:20pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-22 04:33, Christopher Lyle wrote:
April is my 3 year anniversary at my Monday and Tuesday Night gig and the first weekend of May will be my 10 year anniversary at my Saturday and Sunday Gig. My Friday Night gig sought me out to perform for them...they pitched me.
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Clearly Christopher's techniques have been working out very well for him. And I, for one, am grateful that he is kind enough to share his secrets with everyone here. Thank you Chris!
For a Good Time Click Here...
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MeetMagicMike
Special user
Gainesville Fl
979 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 5:57pm
ExtremeNinja1,
Christopher has some great advice in his sticky thread. I just wanted to tell you how I got my first job as a restaurant magician.
I got a job in a restaurant preping food. I was not a magician at the time. Evenentually I moved on to waiter. I began showing my customers magic once in a while. The customers started requestiong it more and more. Soon the other waiters were having to run my food.
One night the manager said he wanted to talk to me about the magic. I thought he was going to fire me or tell me to knock it off. Instead he asked me how long it would take for me to put togethor a few tricks so that I could go table to table JUST doing magic. I told him I would need about a month to get ready. He said "you start this Wednesday".
Now I have four restaurant Gigs and Magic and Juggling are all I do. Most of the time some one approuched me about doing magic for their restaurant.
Whenever I am out and about I try to let people know that I am Magic Mike. I have lettering on my vehicle. I'm always happy to show people an impromptu trick and always have my business cards with me. This lead to my most recent restaurant Gig.
If I had been a magician when I was first looking for a job maybe I would have gone straight to restaurnat magician but in my case I don't think so. Working food prep and being a waiter got me in the door but also taught me about the restaurant business.
Good Luck
Magic Mike
MeetMagicMike.com
I took the Pledge
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TheMightyQuinn
New user
15 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 6:17pm
AWESOME! Thanks Christopher Lyle
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bishthemagish
Inner circle
5582 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 6:36pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-22 04:33, Christopher Lyle wrote:
My guess is that your persona may differ from my own so I'm sure that you're mileage may vary. What's right for you won't be right for me.
Just sayin...
Christopher
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Christopher all I do is good quality sleight of hand magic (the classics) in a low key and entertaing way. And I give the places I work good quality entertainment for a price. I sell a service and in every place I have worked I have built a fallowing of people that come in time and again to see me work.
In booking these places I have found it helpful to have the "owners" friends or the friends of the GM there to watch me work - rather than me stacking the deck with my friends. I have found in many situations that if the "owners" friends like me - it helps me get in.
But then again like you said milage may very for someone else.
By the way I have been booking and performing in restaurants since about 1979... And I have never had a problem keeping a job and often leave because I move on to other venues.
Cheers!
Just a few thoughts and opinion.
Glenn Bishop - Bish The Magish!
Magician, Card Sharp and Master Hypnotist.
http://glennbishopmagicandcards.blogspot.com
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5227 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 7:51pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-22 18:36, bishthemagish wrote:
Quote:
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On 2012-04-22 04:33, Christopher Lyle wrote:
My guess is that your persona may differ from my own so I'm sure that you're mileage may vary. What's right for you won't be right for me.
Just sayin...
Christopher
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Christopher all I do is good quality sleight of hand magic (the classics) in a low key and entertaing way. And I give the places I work good quality entertainment for a price. I sell a service and in every place I have worked I have built a fallowing of people that come in time and again to see me work.
In booking these places I have found it helpful to have the "owners" friends or the friends of the GM there to watch me work - rather than me stacking the deck with my friends. I have found in many situations that if the "owners" friends like me - it helps me get in.
But then again like you said milage may very for someone else.
By the way I have been booking and performing in restaurants since about 1979... And I have never had a problem keeping a job and often leave because I move on to other venues.
Cheers!
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Glenn,
I too provide good quality sleight of hand magic (everything from classics to modern day techniques) but there is NOTHING that is low key about me. I wear a bright yellow suit when I perform. My voice carries and I care more about comedy than the magic. I always go for the LAUGH and could care less about the WOW! If they're amazed, then that's just gravy. Thankfully, my magic is direct and strong so it all flows very smoothly together.
I too sell a service (like all of us do on here) and like you and all of us, I have worked I have built a following of people that come in time and again to see me perform. Can we zip up our fly's now? I'm not low key, but it doesn't make you wrong for being that, just like it doesn't make me wrong for performing how I do. A question was asked on how to get started in restaurants so I directed him towards my sticky note.
One last thing...in 1979 when you began, I was only 5 years old...so you got me there!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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Zombie Magic
Inner circle
I went out for a beer and now have
6562 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 8:36pm
I've watched Christopher Lyle's performing videos. When he speaks, I LISTEN!!!!
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bishthemagish
Inner circle
5582 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 8:56pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-22 19:51, Christopher Lyle wrote:
One last thing...in 1979 when you began, I was only 5 years old...so you got me there!
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I am not saying anyone is wrong and have always said everyone has their own way of doing things - and that is OK. However I really started performing in restaurants in 1975 - but I did not block book them till about 79...
Cheers!
Just a few thoughts and opinion.
Glenn Bishop - Bish The Magish!
Magician, Card Sharp and Master Hypnotist.
http://glennbishopmagicandcards.blogspot.com
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bishthemagish
Inner circle
5582 Posts
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Posted: Apr 22, 2012 9:23pm
I also don't do balloons - I used to but quit doing them about 5 years ago.
Just a few thoughts and opinion.
Glenn Bishop - Bish The Magish!
Magician, Card Sharp and Master Hypnotist.
http://glennbishopmagicandcards.blogspot.com
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Daryl -the other brother
Special user
Chicago
577 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2012 11:59am
Quote:
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On 2012-04-22 19:51, Christopher Lyle wrote:
I wear a bright yellow suit when I perform. |
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I remember it was a couple of years ago when you were looking for that bright colored suit. I believe you said " I usually dress in black or grey but I need a bright colored suit for ONE gig. I'll rarely wear it because it makes me look like a road cone".
Now that bright yellow suit is part of your branding. Isn't it funny how our characters evolve in directions we never expected them to go?
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5227 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2012 2:20pm
Quote:
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On 2012-04-23 11:59, Daryl -the other brother wrote:
Quote:
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On 2012-04-22 19:51, Christopher Lyle wrote:
I wear a bright yellow suit when I perform. |
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I remember it was a couple of years ago when you were looking for that bright colored suit. I believe you said " I usually dress in black or grey but I need a bright colored suit for ONE gig. I'll rarely wear it because it makes me look like a road cone".
Now that bright yellow suit is part of your branding. Isn't it funny how our characters evolve in directions we never expected them to go?
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VERY TRUE INDEED! The yellow suit was for a one time gig and (at the time) I hated it. But then I began thinking about branding and it just kinda fell into place. If people don't remember my name, they'll remember "the guy in the yellow suit!" which by the way I own the domain of (www.theguyintheyellowsuit.com) 
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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Christopher Lyle
Inner circle
Dallas, Texas
5227 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2012 2:34pm
I have even altered my "summer wear" to stay true to my branding. I wear a Yellow Bowling Shirt with "Got Magic" on the left chest and my logo on the back (see logo below). I wear black cargo shorts and bright yellow Chucks (converse) with "Got Magic" etched on the back heal stripe.
Logo on back of my yellow bowling shirt:
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle
Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius
For a Good Time...CLICK HERE!
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Daryl -the other brother
Special user
Chicago
577 Posts
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Posted: Apr 23, 2012 3:05pm
What a pro!!  Great Job!
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Ray Bertrand
Special user
674 Posts
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Posted: Apr 26, 2012 5:52pm
Great job Christopher and great logo. I believe to be a successful magician (or anything else for that matter) you must first become a sales person. You have truly managed to do that. Your sticky note is the stuff sales books talk about all the time. Do your homework (research), qualify your prospect, find the people who are capable of saying yes and do the `puppy dog close`. Let them try your product for free. Once they see you in action they will purchase your services. Kudos to you for your success and for sharing a very worthwhile piece of advice.
Ray
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