|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 | ||||||||||
Bill Scarlett Veteran user Vermont 366 Posts |
Quote:
I apologize if I came across strongly in my last post, but I am one professional who feels that my time has been wasted by too many “message” driven speakers, not enriched by enough “specific advice” speakers. Still... If someone is going to pay me five grand to do the egg bag and talk about hatching new ideas...I'm There! |
|||||||||
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Bill,
I doubt that anyone is going to pay you five grand to do the egg bag and talk about hatching new ideas, but they will pay you to that much to solve a particular business problem. And they won't care if it takes an egg bag and talking about hatching new ideas to accomplish that goal. This has been a fascinating topic, and the concerns that cloneman has raised have been on my mind for the last couple of days, particularly as I drove to Cooperstown this morning to be the closing speaker for the New York State Economic Development Council's annual convention at the Otesaga Hotel. I thought some of you might like to have a glimpse into the life of a "motivational magician." It began weeks ago as I began researching the organization and thinking about the issues they faced. Then last night, I called the hotel and spoke with the banquet set-up manager to ensure that the room would be set properly in the morning. He had my tech sheet that had been sent weeks earlier. After packing my props, I spent an hour putting a spit shine on my dress shoes as I mentally rehearsed my talk. Then I re-wrote my introduction so it would be more appropriate for my talk and this group. This morning I got up at 5:00 am, dressed in my blue "power suit" with the red "old money" tie - these are business people - and set out for Cooperstown. During the 75 minute drive, I shut off the radio and used the time to do vocal warm-up exercises. I understand the power of the spoken voice, and unfortunately I wasn't blessed with a deep resonant voice that can hold an audience just by its sound. I have to work at it. I arrived an hour and a half before my scheduled talk to double check the room set-up, moved the podium back a bit so it wouldn't block anyone's vision, then got a cup of hot water so I could brew som slippery elm tea as my thoart has been a bit raspy lately. Then I listened to the speaker before me - a man who had just returned from Iraq after spending a year working on economic development there. I made a few mental notes whenever he said something the related to any of the points I intended to cover. During the break just before my talk, I got the hotel staf to remove the table in front that had held his power point projector - I hate abstacles between me and the audience. Then I slipped into a side room to stretch a bit and loosen up, and said a silent prayer asking for guidance in helping these people. Then I was introduced. I did my "Magic of Change" talk, one I've one delivered more than a thousand times in the past decade. In the talk I do three standard magic tricks, - Linking Rings, Invisible Cards and Slydini's Flight of the Paper Balls - and I talk about typical platitudes like having a sense of mission, maintaining a positive attitude and sense of humor, building interdependent relationships and confidence when facing uncertainty. No rocket science here, just an uplifting program designed to send people home on a positive note and ready to face the challenges ahead. I did manage to address some of their specific concerns, and even re-inforced some of the points the earlier speaker had made. But my goal was to make them think. I was certain to included my own thought in the program, not just platitudes I got from an Anthony Robbins book. The program went well. We had a ball, lots of laughter, even a tear or two was shed, and the audience gave me a resounding standing ovation at the end. After the room had emptied the meeting planner came up to me to hand me a beuatiful speaker gift, a souvenier Baseball Hall of Fame bat, and of course, a check. I'll never forget his words as he handed me them to me. "Thank you so much for making me look like a hero today," he said, "I've been in the hall and people have been coming up to me non stop to tell me how much the loved your program. I've heard a lot of speakers, but you are the best we've ever had. We would love to have you back in the future." I don't mean to toot my own horn, but what did I do differently than the speaker that cloneman described above? Besides the obvious things I described in my preparation, I did something else. I gave the audience hope, something they need as they face the uncertainities of our economic climate. Oh, I'm sure that there were a few people who cut out early, those who have heard motivational speakers before, and would rather get a jump on the holiday weekend. But for those who stayed, I know we were able to connect on a level that goes beyond the ordinary. You may not be able to measure the result today on a productivity survey or sales report, but for this group, in this setting, it was worth thousands of dollars. And I have the check to prove it. But that wasn't my only motivation. More importantly, I have sense of satisfaction that I made a difference in a few people's lives, on a level that can only be described as spiritual. That's what this business is all about. That's the magic. |
|||||||||
cloneman Elite user 474 Posts |
[/quote]
Still... If someone is going to pay me five grand to do the egg bag and talk about hatching new ideas...I'm There! [/quote] So would most magicians. The point I'm making is not that it’s a waste of the magician’s time, but that it's a waste of employee time and corporate resources. It's fine if the company bills it as entertainment and makes attendance discretionary, its not fine if a company makes it mandatory and bills it as necessary to improving performance. In my humble opinion a corporation would do a lot more for employee morale if they capped managers salaries at a million a year (I don’t care if you’re Michael Eisner for Chr*st sakes! No one needs more than a million a year!) and used those resources to provide decent health, dental, and day care for the employees. Sorry about the rant, I’ve just read too many obscene executive compensation packages; “motivational” anything seems a bit “Bread and Circuses” to me lately.
"Anything is possible... if you don't know what you are talking about."
|
|||||||||
Jim Snack Inner circle 1338 Posts |
Thomas,
I'm in complete agreement, you don't need to apologize for the rant. You are right when you say "so would most magicians." In truth, so would many speakers, but not those at the top of the heap. They would never waste anyone's time, not their audience's time, not their own, for a one time pay check. We don't get into this business just to make a buck. We do it to make a difference. If youcan do that, you will always be invited back. |
|||||||||
David Johnson New user 15 Posts |
Jim,
I can't say "THANKS" enough for your thoughtful shares on this topic. (Acres of Diamonds, right here in our backyard.) As an Entertainer and Speaker, I am constantly trying to connect with my audience on that MUCH deeper level, to not only address the situation but offer a relevant and easily acheivable solution. Pointing out the problem is and always has been the easiest part for all involved on both sides of the platform but understanding (through dedication and research) the "client" is the only way to be a part (welcomed) of the (pro active) outcome and solution. Your message SPOKE loud and clear to me in a way that I understood, accpeted and will take action on. The sign of a true Professional. Thanks again, David |
|||||||||
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
I am sooooooooo with Jim and you guys on this… It is truly sad that any industry that supports mediocre “anything” let alone a magician who thinks that speaking is an easy 5K!
Like ANY industry, there are more lucrative sides of the business… it’s life, BUT it is NOT a good reason (all by itself) to chase the buck as apposed to “Doing What You Are Impassioned & Called To Do!” Now I understand that not everyone, how-ever genuinely ‘passionate’, will always be the amazing be-all, end-all in the business, but it is a much better star and reason to do what-ever it is that we choose to do in life. I have seen ‘average’ speakers who, BECAUSE of their burning passion to serve other with their message and mission were much more engaging, effective and powerful (not because they were the best, but) because they were on fire for their mission and message. …again, no guarantees, but still a much better starting place for sure. - - Congruent conviction and powerful passion can elevate an average message almost every time. ON THE OTHER-HAND; I have seen super slick speakers who have all the bells, whistles and refined ‘speech’, hitting all the so-called marks, (Platitudes and Cleshes) who insult our intelligence and/or bore the crap out of me… we’ve all seen it. THAT ticks me off! I have had the very distinct privilege and honor of speaking with and sharing the stage with Jim (We both spent time sharing Steve’s “Magic2Motivate” Stage & Events, and I would 2nd what JIM Said Steve… call and I’m THERE for ya’ buddy!) and in my own humble expense and observation I can tell you (having worked, staffed, trained and/or spoke with Tony Robbins, Werner Earhart, Joel Bauer, Maryanne Williams, Bill Cosby, Zig Ziggler… etc) personally that JIM is one of my most favorite and “EFFECTIVE” Speaker/Trainers in the industry, in-part BECAUSE of his “Congruent Passion, Expert Level Conviction, Caring For The Real, Deliverable Outcome of His Audience and Buying Relationships, and YES, His Entertaining and Engaging Presentation Skills Applied as well as so much more. JIM is everything GOOD about this industry… just ask ANYONE who has ever has done business (and otherwise) with the man. Now my own personal strength is NOT as a “speaker” per-say; (a 20 to 90 min presentation) but rather as a Content Driven, Solutions Outcome Specific TRAINER who speaks ‘using the acquired and experienced skills of a life-long performer.’ A “Solutions Provider/Partner and TRAINER” who USES Magic, Speaking, Persuasion, Performance (etc…) to deliver real results, but NOT as a “Magician Who Speaks”. …and certainly NOT for the money alone! Sure the money is just fine (THAT is all relative as well…) but it is NOT the thing that keeps us up late, gets us outta’ bed early and DRIVES US to do what it is we do to give-back and make a genuine difference in the world! There IS a difference! Our JOB (though we are hard-pressed to call it that really) is to offer and deliver “Very Specific, Actionable, Massive Value” to our audience and family of followers… pretty simple really. JIM is an expert communicator, a gifted presenter as well as a passionate professional who is (to me) the total package and embodies the meaning of what it is and WHY it is we do what we do! - - That is a good thing! All that said, I hate (sorry if that sounds harsh…) the over-used, hack-kneed “MOTIVATIONAL” Speaker that spews fuzzy, fluffy, feel-good platitudes and then treats the their spouse and family and friends like a second-class citizens… UGG! What about this “Motivational” presenter?: Yeah, I know ‘it CAN be done’ and I have seen quality, inspirational speakers who ROCK but I think I would hurl if I hear another so-called speaker tell me to ‘Think Outside Of The Box’, or any number of adage-driven platitudes with zero real, deliverable solutions to the party! - - It just makes me want to get a hold of that BOX and lock them up in it and toss it into a pool and see how “MOTIVATED” they become to get outside the box! No THAT would be international! (Hehehe!) Sorry for the rant… I LOVE this family of friends and this industry, and sometime we don’t always do the right thing for ourselves and the industry. We’ve all seen it… (or even done it…) promotions for “Magician, Party Clown, Mime, DJ, Hypnotist and Corporate Speaker” and others “Performances For Any Occasion” type marketing and it makes me want to kill something theses days! (Man, am I becoming violent or what?! – Jeesh! – Hehehe!) YES, I’m sure we all know someone who CAN do a few things very well… I am sure that LOTS of Us have been ‘that guy’ (The GP; General Practitioner Entertainment Survivalist) throughout the course of our careers and over the years) at one point or another… or may now as we try and figure out “Who & What We Are” in our skin and in our industry… right? Hey, we all get it, but at some point we have to ‘COMMIT To and Become Truly Passionate About Something’ to truly serve someone (a Target Audience) as well as out business and family, right? I hope so… For all of us it is a JOURNEY, not a destination! (Hehehe… had to throw one for a laugh eh’? Ha!) Anyway… THANKS for all the healthy. Adult conversation on the subject. VERY Nicely Done Everyone! Please let me know what I can do to be of value, serve, support encourage you and your success my friends! - - One way I can do that is to encourage you to check-out what JIM has to say and offer… first class, high quality all the way! (Especially his Audio Training On Motivational Magic! – I happen to KNOW the guy who interviewed him on my “Success Madness” Show some years ago… Hehehe!) I am at your service and in HIS Service, Deano (Serving YOU & Your Success) in Reno <><
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
|||||||||
SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
Jim speaks from a “been there done that” perspective, and he’s hit every nail on the head.
And Donald makes a good point about avoiding this field just because you have dollar signs in your eyes. I’m in this business, I’ve had Fortune 1000 clients who’ve brought me back year after year, and some for a decade. (I joke that I was the magician that made Bear Sterns disappear, as they were one of those long time clients. I think I know *exactly* who the gentleman was in the very first post, if not, I’ve worked with his clone. No, he’s not very capable as a magician or a moving speaker, but his marketing package is quite good. Here “the proof is in the pudding” anyone can land a gig the first time, the test of your effectiveness and skill is that they invite you back repeatedly and tell other business about your programs. This demands a very heavy and detailed skills set. For instance my path was that I was a theatrical magician, then a corporate trainer, but that was not enough in the mix. I had to learn how to seamlessly blend these two avenues, which can be like blending oil and vinegar. If you go for the obvious tie-ins with “motivation speak” and “commercial magic” you’re not going to cut it. It’s the specifics of knowledge and a organic seamless melding that build value, and booking fees. This is an expanding area for new-bees, but the expansion is not necessarily about quality but quantity, and yes, another cliché “the cream rises to the top,” as most drop out or drop off, the pros stay the course. Not only must you have something meaningful to you and specific to say, along with original magic that hits your points out of the ballpark. your audiences and clients must find your theme vital too, and be blown away by your magical blend. I won’t say this is brain surgery, but if you haven’t been to med school first, don’t go into the operating room. The economy is tight, corporations are being conservative, not with fees, but with the care they take shopping around. My two-cents, Walt |
|||||||||
MrHyde Special user 810 Posts |
Walt, thanks for your insightful input into this.
I had forgotten about this thread, heck it's been 6 years. And quite a lot has changed in those 6 years. I think the most telling point in the original post is ... "His patter was geared toward thinking outside the box, improving productivity, acceptance of change, etc." |
|||||||||
TheDean Inner circle Reno, Nevada 2164 Posts |
Yep... good stuff gang. Even if it was 6 years ago! - Whoo Hoo! - Thanks Dave for popping it back up again.
Dean Hankey, *M.D. - The Dean of Success Solutions!
Serving & Supporting YOU and Your Success! "Book More Shows... Make More Money... SERVE MORE PEOPLE! - Not Necessarily In That Order…" (*Marketing Doctor) |
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Corporate magician questions (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2 |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.07 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |