On Sep 13, 2017, TomBoleware wrote:
Well ok then, since this is just a friendly debate and all opinions are freely welcomed here I guess I could share my thoughts on market research.

Number One is: I would rule out talking to any failed hypnotist that you might find on here 24 hours a day 7 days a week trying to play a successful internet magician. Reach out to the real professionals to gather your information. If you need help, I can put you in touch with some outstanding working pros that will bend over backwards to help you anyway they can.

Number Two: Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Asking is the key to learning. Ask, Ask, Ask. And remember, you can always ask, who should I ask? Never just ask anybody.

Number Three: Don’t stop until you get the information you need. Just Do It!!


Tom

On Sep 13, 2017, Dannydoyle wrote:
Geeze you are just unbelievable.

On Sep 13, 2017, charliecheckers wrote:
Walter- I would like to hear more about your market research as it applies to a Magic business.

I see where Danny is coming from, because as I read his posts in this thread I immediately thought of my friend Eric Knaus, The Great Zucchini. His insights seem inate with respect to knowing his audience, customers, market and such. He does things most would never dare to do and any "school" would frown upon and never teach tactics that he leverages to his advantage. In his own way he taught me so much about target marketing, branding, and a winning formula. Never the less, this is The Tricky Business section and where discussions such as your topic of market research should be welcomed and encouraged. In reality, those of us who do not possess such inate talent are the ones that benefit from relying on sound principles. Despite what Danny wrote, 99% of artists are not just fine doing what they are currently doing, and certainly not those who come here looking for ideas and advice.

On Sep 13, 2017, WDavis wrote:

Quote:

On Sep 13, 2017, Mindpro wrote:
[...]
Before we can even begin this discussion you have made a very important distinction. You approach it as a business, most magicians don't, or not at least initially. This is a huge foundational difference. Most magicians are...well, magicians. They want to do magic. They're interests, at least initially, are not starting a business or even being an entertainer. They want to be a magician - an executor of magic.

Same for comedians. They just want to perform comedy so they all usually follow the same path - open mic nights, comedy clubs as an Opener/MC, then after putting in their time over years, maybe become a feature. They ride the coattails of other comics to get gigs or "tagalong gigs" as I call them, and hope and dream someday of being a comedy club headliner. Also in their mind is to have their own cable special and a sitcom, but no likely way, path or plan to do so. That's as far as it goes with most of them.

This is the default approach and because of this, no they no not do market research. Once they get their magic to a point of feeling like publicly performing it they then create what they think is "show" and then seek bookings - usually any type of bookings they can muster.

There is no specific market selection or specialization, therefore there is no market research. Only once a shift has been made to their business model or an interest in advancement do they even begin to think of markets in such a way.

[...]

This is my disconnect, how can someone in good faith repeatedly offer services and take money for them without treating it like a business? That doesn't make sense to me. But it's outside the scope of this thread. Maybe it could be a new one...

On Sep 13, 2017, TomBoleware wrote:
No I am not going to post any reviews.

I see no need to, I will let the conceited folks do that.

Tom