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Tom DV Special user 694 Posts |
I'm looking for an agent to book me for close-up venues and some stage work in the future. Most companies I have contacted will add me to their 'books' and wait for the phone to ring. This is not what Im looking for, Im looking for an organisation/individual who will seek out venues/organisations for me.
What are your experiences with such organisations/people? Many books available on marketing oneself, but what is your advice? Thanks a lot for any info', Tom DeVoe. |
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shrink Inner circle 2609 Posts |
Do your own marketing!
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Ken Dyne Inner circle UK 2268 Posts |
Agents have their advantages and disadvantages. I have said thus far I would not tie myself down exclusively to one agent. Many of them have strange things in their contracts like exclusivity rights, high percentages etc etc.
Generally if an agent takes a high percentage from each show it will mean that they do not expect to get you many shows and thus want lots of your ££ for the few he gets you. This is just my experience so far anyway. In terms of marketing there are a million and one guides on the net for marketing and some specialy designed oens for magicians too. I hope this helps, Kennedy
MR GOLDEN BALLS 2.0: https://mentalunderground.com/product/mr-golden-balls-2-0/" target="_blank"> https://mentalunderground.com/product/passed-out-deck/
BAIRN: Named 'Best Mentalism Product Of 2014 by Marketplace of the Mind is my collection of more than 40 mentalism routines in a beautiful paperback book: http://www.mentalunderground.com/product/bairn |
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Tom DV Special user 694 Posts |
Thanks Kennedy, very practical advice - well appreciated.
And I guessed I'd get a few comments like yours Shrink, thanks anyway |
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
A rule of thumb is, they don't want you, until you don't need them any more. But there are many advantages to them also. If it takes 10 phone calls to sell one show, that's 10 calls. If it takes 10 calls to an agent, who then gets you 10 shows, you've made your life a bit easier.
If you find one, and (s)he wants exclusivity, be sure that it's not a one-way street. In return for your professional loyalty, they need to make some guarantees also...things like income, number of shows, price per show, good routing. Without those, it just means that they can take advantage of you, and you lose.
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Tom DV Special user 694 Posts |
Great advice, thanks Harley. I will ensure certain factors meet my requirements.
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Stephen Long Inner circle 1481 Posts |
Go to uni.
Hello.
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salsa_dancer Inner circle 1935 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-19 10:40, Stephen Long wrote: Why? So you don't have to worry about going out into the real world? |
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Stephen Long Inner circle 1481 Posts |
Your question presupposes that universities do not exist in the real world. In that respect, it is heavily flawed. Indeed, I can think of little more 'real' than moving away from home for the first time to live with strangers and study something that interests you for several years.
Hello.
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MagoStevo Elite user 478 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-05-19 10:40, Stephen Long wrote: what do you mean by going to Uni?i am doing my final year now,so could I get a agent or somethnig out of uni???or are you saying book yourself to uni,doing show for college like Banachek?Cheers, MagoStevo
Never ever have bad thought,you never know who is listening....
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Stephen Long Inner circle 1481 Posts |
MagoStevo,
Tom was (maybe still is) thinking of going to uni. I think it would be good for him to go, especially since it's a great training ground for magic and mentalism. Hence my advice. Hope that clears things up a bit.
Hello.
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Tom DV Special user 694 Posts |
Lovely memory you have there Stephen, but Uni or no Uni - any advice on agents/promoters etc>
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salsa_dancer Inner circle 1935 Posts |
Tom, Do it yourself. Who better to sell you than you yourself, plus you don't have to pay agency fees.
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Tom DV Special user 694 Posts |
Great, thanks salsa - strong advice, Tom.
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salsa_dancer Inner circle 1935 Posts |
Another option is to visit places that you think mght be suitable for you to work and talk to the owner/manager. Explain what you do and offer to demonstrate a couple of things.
Some people say do the first one for free, but I am not a big fan of that - each to their own I suppose. You could give a discounted price for your first time and take it from there. Most importantly, don't sit around thinking about it just get out there and do it. You will get rejections like in any sales job, the key is to work through that until you get to the point where you can turn jobs away, or quote silly money. |
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A.G. Special user Vancouver- Canada 960 Posts |
Agents can be great.. to find a great agent is another thing.My guess is many bad agent out there will give the overall idea that all agents are bad,not so.
As a matter of fact Most of the venues you will perform at (resorts,cruise ships hotels ect..)will not deal directly with a performer as agents will have established contracts with them. If you plan on becoming a full time professional,start dealing with all aspects(agents included) of the buisness now. If you are doing a hobby/part time thing(nothing wrong with that) at restaurants, ect.. Then you can deal with the manager.. I will tell you that when you approch the manager of ANY venue, more often the assistant manager will be the one you will be dealing with the most,so impress him with your manners and smile, not tricks. when the manager leaves the assistant will take over and you will be set for a while.Any one can book a gig,it takes a smart performer to keep it. Often I have gone with my manager into lounges for dinner/drink an hour before a show and the waitress /bar staff will see me and ask if I am a perfrormer and I will do something for them... they always ask if I perfrom in places like theirs,I take a card and book the show.Not to mention its a great "warm up" before my real show. Performing for free is a dead end,all you will get is more offers for free shows.Offer what is called a "showcase" price, this should be 25% less than your regular fee.Not to confuse a showcase with a "one off" show. good luck, AG
Well then...
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Tom DV Special user 694 Posts |
AG, thank you kindly for your advice on getting bookings as well as maintaining them. Salsa, tomorow I will go to places of interest that are farely local and discuss close-up and stage opportunities; though the places that are best near me deal with musicians, but the stage/PA is perfect.
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Missing_Link Elite user 442 Posts |
I second the go to uni bit - not that it has anything to do with anything here.
(now waiting for the usual University of Life, School of Hard Knocks pish) |
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RJ_Silmser Regular user Quebec 160 Posts |
Hi Tom...
Please let me tell you from experience...you have to be the one calling the agents. These people are so busy and have so many clients...they just forget sometimes. The best thing to do is to call them twice a week...ask if there is something coming up that you can help out with. Tell them that you will go in at a cheaper price so they can get a little better cut as well as you'd like them to experience the work you can do for them. Once you are in the door...get a wack of their business cards and spread them around at your gig...agents appreciate that stuff. Again...forget about them calling you until you are known, tried and proven with the agents. YOU have to call them ! ~Rick~
"A man is only as young as the woman he feels"
-Groucho Marx- |
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J ack Galloway Inner circle 1309 Posts |
Good idea Rick, cut your price to the agent.
Agents appreciate you being the best they can get. Being held over your contracted time at an engagement and generating more income for them and the hotel or meeting planner. Proving you are worth sixty percent more than your competition. Showing up early and dressing better than the client. Being requested by clients repeatedly! Jack (I never call the agent and sometimes don't return their call. You know they always call a second time.) H.O.A.X |
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