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King Of Pop Veteran user Estonia 392 Posts |
I know how to advertise myself and how to earn money by doing magic on stage or in hotel Cafés etc.
But how could I make money by doing street magic? I won't just go and ask money from total stranger for just some tricks, or will I? How to ask? For good advice I can only offer on me.
God Bless You, I Love You From The Bottom Of My Heart
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Well, I do not personally do this type of magic, but I have heard a few lectures from Chris Capeheart. He had been a street performer for many years and became very good at it.
He said there are a few things to consider. First make sure you check to see if you need a permit to perform in the area that you want to perform in. Some places require it. Secondly, he said to make sure your act packs small, plays big and can be carried easily. This is essential. Lastly, he said your show needs to be dynomite and visual. You need to make the effects not too drawn out because you want to keep the crowd. Put out a hat or jar that says tips and PRIME it with bills. When you prime it, it helps the audience to know that change is not right and that bills are appropriate. Hope this helps.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Get Cellini's Art of Street Performing DVD.
Also check out Gazzo Uncensored. Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
The Cellini DVD is a good place to start if you want to make money street performing. It is not enough, however, to simply put out a hat primed with a few dollars. The secret to earning money street performing, also called "turning the tip," is to make it an integrated part of your show.
Veteran street performers spend as much time polishing what they say to let the audience know they will be passing the hat as they do the rest of their act. A good "hat rap" can double or triple the amount collected. Here are a few tips: ==> Don’t make it your primary focus. If the audience thinks you are only interested in getting money, you will alienate them. Make sure you communicate your love of performing first and foremost. If you are only performing for the money, the audience will sense it, and feel manipulated. Your tip will reflect their feelings. ==> Sprinkle a few references to passing the hat during your show. If someone gets up and leaves during your show, you might joke, “Well, I guess that guy won’t be putting anything in my hat later.” This way you will be letting the audience know that you will be passing the hat at the end of the show. ==> Make your “hat rap” part of the show. Just before your final trick, explain that you perform for a living and will be passing the hat after the next trick. ==> Keep talking and use lots of humor while passing the hat. Use lines like: “All proceeds go to a worthy cause….food and rent!” “I accept Visa and Master Charge.” This keeps the show going so people won’t leave before getting a chance to contribute. ==> Perform a closing trick that involves borrowing money from someone in the audience. Restaurant magicians often include at least one routine that uses borrowed money as a way to increase tips. Because the audience becomes comfortable seeing someone hand money to the magician, they are more likely to model that behavior later when it is time to tip. In Volume Two of Success in Magic: 64 New Ways to Make Magic Pay, I include scripts for two "hat raps" that I have either seen or used personally in street performing. One is a complete closing routine that uses money borrowed from the audience. The first time I used it I tripled the amount of money collected in my hat at a festivel! If you want to make money street performing, learn how to pass the hat. |
King Of Pop Veteran user Estonia 392 Posts |
Thank you very much Jim Snack, that was exactly the message I was waiting for!
God Bless You, I Love You From The Bottom Of My Heart
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Jim:
Great stuff and very helpful indeed. Thanks for sharing that information with us. You always seem to have a wealth of information and I know for me I am greatly appreciative that you share it with me. Thanks again.
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Neale Bacon Inner circle Burnaby BC Canada 1775 Posts |
I may get rapped for this, but I find it hard to justify a large fee for a corporate or other gig if someone sees me perform on the street for tips, which is why I don't do it.
Thoughts?
Neale Bacon and his Crazy Critters
Burnaby BC Canada's Favourite Family Ventriloquist www.baconandfriends.com |
Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
Neale,
You're right. I think we all know that if you play certian markets, you can't play others. On the other hand there are some markets that go hand in hand. |
King Of Pop Veteran user Estonia 392 Posts |
Thank you all!
God Bless You, I Love You From The Bottom Of My Heart
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
I disagree. You certainly can be on the street and then perform for a corporate market. It's all in how you position yourself.
Take what you do on the streets and turn that into a benefit for your buyer. Because of the vast variety of people you perform for, you're able to perform for any culture group, etc., etc... Also, position yourself as one of the best street performers in the world (don't worry, Gazzo won't mind). I do it quite successfully. Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Good point, Robert. I once booked a luncheon program for a company after being seen as a strolling performer at a county fair.
On the other hand, I had a woman approach me after my program at an employee recognition breakfast for an HMO in my town a few years ago and her comment was, "You were great, but I have to admit, when I saw your name on the program, I wondered why they had a children's entertainer for a business meeting." It does come down to how you position yourself. Since, I moved into the realm of "corporate speaking," I have been careful about how I'm seen in the marketplace. Now when I do a children's magic show, I typically have my fee donated to a charitable cause. That way I can do a children's show without compromising my corporate speaking fee schedule. |
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Jim,
I don't do work for children's programs any longer. However I can definitely see why you'd want to be cautious in your positioning and where you're seen. Any other time someone approached you with the same comments, you'd be able to say, "That was a terrific event and I was happy to donate to the charitable cause" or something to that effect and hold your corporate position. With performing on the street, I've even positioned it along the lines of, "If you're tired of stuffy magic shows, bring a new exciting form of magic to your party, street magic." It's worked with fairly good results. Again, positioning. Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
That's a good strategy, Robert, particularly since "street magic" is hot as a marketing buzz term right now.
I worked an outdoor festival last week in downtown Troy, NY last week, just to work with two jugglers I am good friends with. I used to do street performing in Miami Beach with them for the Art Deco Festival every January. It was a blast...of course, Jim Snack wasn't performing...it was "Maxwell Treat!" |
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
Let's not forget that you can perform street magic and be paid for it. You do not have to busk for tips. Phillip |
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Phillip's right. For that booking in Troy, NY last week, we each received a fee for performing. In fact my friend from Miami was impressed because it was double the amount he could get in Miami. Sometimes all you have to do is to ask.
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
I've done that too. I have performed "street magic" at city fairs and festivals. In fact, I have another coming up this weekend. I am also allowed to pass the hat at these events, which helps make it worthwhile.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
Hi,
To be honest it is the only way that I street perform, I would never work for tips. Phillip |
King Of Pop Veteran user Estonia 392 Posts |
For you Jim and Robert I would like to say one thing: street magic and kid shows are totally different things!
Doing street magic you can always promote your shows, by saying something like, "Hey did you knew that I am going to perform...bla, bla...tomorrow. And you all are invited," during or after your performance. It's like singers promote their records and albums. It's like free commercial, sorry let me correct myself—it's like THE BEST; THE EXCELLENT free commercial for yourself or for your show. BTW—and if you can earn some money also by performing and promoting yourself, what else can you want? :)
God Bless You, I Love You From The Bottom Of My Heart
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Quote: There is a big difference though. Jim and I are talking about commanding a fee for a PRIVATE corporate event.
Doing street magic you can always promote your shows, by saying something like, "Hey did you knew that I am going to perform...bla, bla...tomorrow. And you all are invited," during or after your performance. Not public. Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
King Of Pop Veteran user Estonia 392 Posts |
Sorry so I wasn't paying enough attention to your posts and didn't read them correctly!
God Bless You, I Love You From The Bottom Of My Heart
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