>>>>DO NOT STOP DOING WHATEVER YOU'RE DOING. Even with the worst idea in the world a grafter will make money.<<<

I think the gist of what Bob is saying is good advice but only with a good idea. I think the above line should be ignored. ( hes talking sh*te )If something isn't working stop and find something that is working and replicate it. Replicate it can mean do it exactly the same even then if it doesn't work do something else.

You only make money from things that work. And although Bob is right most people give up too soon don't keep flogging a dead horse.

If everything worked the same everywhere we would all be doing the same things. Markets also change. Timing can be so important when getting success. Timing getting into a market and sometimes out before all the copycats come along and ruin the market. Only a fool would keep flogging a dead horse long after the live one has bolted out of the stable.

I also know Danny has some kind of system worked whereby any other acts that come into his area haveto be booked through him. Which is brilliant. Although I have never known that to be the case in Europe where bar owners will usually employ individuals. Ive not known anyone who sewed up a whole area.

Yes we work with a very large resort company and directly with the owner.

I can not imagine a bar doing this sort of thing.

As far as I am aware there is no situations like the one you have created in Europe.

I have never heard of one. This is what I mean by willing to uproot yourself and move to where they are.

The Canary Islands offer some opportunities of this nature. But that is quite seasonal.

I went to the canary islands many years ago. Again there were no opportunities like the one you describe. There was opportunities to work in tiny bars for a pittance. There were a few cabaret style bars which were a bit better. But the money wasn't that great. But the biggest problem I found was I just hated the place. Most of the "locals" or those brits that had moved there were a very bitter hard nosed bunch. Drugs and alcohol were rife with herione and coke being passed around. There didn't seem to be a normal way of life out there. I found it quite depressing so I just came back. Perhaps there were parts that were better I don't know it just wasn't for me. Behind the scenes it didn't look like a good life to me.

That was quite a few years ago now...though.

I am in similar scenario to Danny but not quite. As far as I know he gets paid from the resort to provide entertainment, I don't.

For me, I rent a 300 seat showroom, and sell my own tickets. Yes a 4-wall. Funny how most entertainers in my area, thumb there nose up at me because Im not on the venue's payroll. I don't want to! I am doing exceptional well. I do a show Saturday nights and average 80% capacity for the past 3 years. Tickets are $20 and all the expenses are covered by me. The venue helps with some light marketting but not enough to sustain a show. I perform one night a week but work on the business side of this one show for another 5 days of the week. The "show" in show business in the easy part, the "business" is the challenging yet rewarding part. The downside is I don't do very much corporate work. I get plenty of offers - mostly for Saturday nights - but I feel they cant offer me enough to get away from my business or even cancel a Saturday show.

Last spring, I thought I could easilly duplicate my Saturday night success on a Friday night in a nearby city. No luck. Like Danny said, its finding the right place. Luckilly for me its in my home city. Eventually this well will dry up and I will have to move on. I which case I have two areas already picked out. There are plenty of opportunities out there. Its just of matter of finding them, and having the patience and money to make them work. If you don't have a good business mind, don't attempt a fourwall. Just because you are the best entertainer in your area doesn't make you a star businessman. Good luck!

I actually agree with you, even though most of my work is hired by a venue or promoter, I too have had very good luck and success with a two/four wall arrangement. They key is the right venue, terms, location and resort, tourist or consistent high-traffic area. Just this week I was approached again for another offer here on the Las Vegas strip at one of the main premier showrooms. But for me it's just the opposite than for you, as I was on the road performing 42 weeks last year, so to take a deal from on venue for a run longer than six weeks must really be worth me giving up my long-standing road work. I like resort areas and actually have three different performances I can do so I'm very versatile to them. Same for cruise lines. I get regular offers for 13 or 26 week runs which I just can not do as it takes me out of my overall business for too long of a period of time. It's all about choices and what's best for each of us, but when I can I have done well with the majority (not all) of 2/4 wall deals, which in the long run can be very lucrative while allowing you to maintain much more control over the arrangement and the related elements.

Also, Mindpunisher wrote: "By the way gigs in pubs are not what I think of as a proper gig"

I agree with this at least here in the states. I don't consider pubs or bar gigs real gigs either. To me a real gig is a theater or showroom, where the audience is there to see a featured performer, whether it's a theater, showroom in a casino, cruise ship, or resort. The closest thing I would consider is a "pickup gig" as a headliner in a Comedy Club, and again the audience is paying to see you, the performer.

I think this is a lot of the problem I and some others have here on the Café when so many talk about their "performances" or "gigs" when in reality they are tiny pubs, clubs informal or street things. To me these are not what I consider "real" or "professional" gigs.

Ok so I need to get out of the UK how do I get into the your part of the world? Any Ideas?

You could try and get deported? Or at least have fun trying... ;-)

Can't get deported out of the UK maybe back to the UK when they see the show though!

Don't bother. Things are the worst I've seen it here in a long time in most tourist areas - Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Tahoe, Branson, etc. since gambling casinos are now in most states, combined with a bad economy, now is not the time to be looking at starting a show here. That's why I work the road so much.

Plus it seems many UK entertainers have had a very difficult time making it here. I believe due to different mentalities and sense of humor.

You could be right Mindpro we do have subtle differences. And not so subtle too.

Yea things are BAD to say the least.

Not much good news anywhere is there?

Dunno, I sold my grandmother yesterday(father's side, as the one on my mother's side is too good at making haggis)and I'm gonna buy a second-hand microlight with the proceedings.
So, y'know....

Question: How much money can one REALLY make with "hypnosis and/or hypnotherapy?"

Answer: Not enough.

BONUS ANSWER:

;)

-JF

Jørgen Rasmussen might not agree with that statement. He runs a hypnotherapy practice with a "no result, no fee" policy. The "result" is stipulated (agreed with the client) before the "therapy" begins. (Although he doesn´t use the word therapy).

Granted, he also does training courses - http://www.umamiuk.com/courses/