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Utah Showmen Regular user Utah Showman 135 Posts |
Doug,
I know that your zibits have made folks money. When I read the Title of the article I could have guess the rest. SIDESHOW CHAPTER CLOSES. My first thoughts were I guess it isn't in the blood!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know when Pacific Galleries contacted me, they weren't even sure what they had. Then there is the article, I wasn't surprised with the content. I don't think they have noticed that the sideshow is having a come back. Two or three times a week there is something on the TV, in the news etc. It's my understanding that Gary spent the two week run at the Florida State Fair when it closed sold out and went home. Said it wasn't for him. All I've heard from anyone that knows him is that he's a great guy. It's not Gary, But sometimes I think the perception of those that don't know bother's me.. Sure it's a hard sell but if it's in the blood well you know what I mean. John
John Robinson
Sideshow World Preserving the Past....Promoting the Future of the Sideshow Step Right Up It's always Alive on the Inside of Sideshow World So Go In Now! |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
At least Gary admitted it to himself and others that it wasn't for him rather than stick it out and really go down the tubes. I did that with my big museum...stuck it out when I should have bailed. Like I said he's a smart guy.
The enthusiasm can get to you though...I try and calm down a bit the ones I detect have the stars in their eyes a little too brightly. If ANYONE out there thinks they can do what Ward does or Bobby Reynolds or Jack Contantine or Jeff Murray (not the Jeff I mentioned above) without a TON of backup and experience they will learn quickly. It takes more than desire and a cup of guts and a spoonful of talent...a little success is so much better than a big raft of flops and disappointments. The Big Pond is so much more forgiving to the Little Fish than the big Whale unless that Whale knows the tides and can take the scars...just the way it is. Higley
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
I shall be travelling with a multi biz show this season,,,and I know that it will be a success!!!
That`s because I am the greatest, most talented showman in the UK. Also I cover my A*S and don't take too many chances. Remember a fool and their money are soon parted,,,with most of it comeing to me. I love this biz??? Ken. |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
You got that right...You ARE the Greatest! You cover your ass and you love this biz!!!!!
Talent? I'm waiting for your book to come to decide that one. ONLY KIDDING oh great one! Here's my 50p....
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Cholly, by golly! Loyal user 251 Posts |
Why does a single zibit work better than four or five?
I think it's because ONE zibit is unique. It's easy for people to believe some guy found ONE strange creature in a swamp somewhere. ONE zibit is special and one-of-a-kind. When there are SEVERAL zibits being shown, it's no longer so believable. The zibits stop being unique. He has a mermaid, atomic fish, chupacabra... AND a pygmy mummy? How many strange creatures did this guy find in that swamp? They must ALL be fake. Why should I waste my time looking at a bunch of fake stuff? Would the Mona Lisa be as special if there were four or five of them? |
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T-RAY Inner circle 1539 Posts |
Well, I got the Unicorn, 2 different 2 headed raccoons, a 2 headed quail, and a few other things(some other taxidermy) at that auction. I think he messed up by what he had in the show. The condition of most of the stuff they were selling wasn't good and some of it looked too obvious. I was one of the two guys battling for that 2 headed calf.....but the other guy was a nutcase and had a big wallet!! All I know is that when I was a kid, the sideshow was the $#@%! I can't help but to love this stuff!!
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Cholly, by golly! Loyal user 251 Posts |
Sounds like you've got quite a collection, T-Ray.
Nothing wrong with owning all those pieces. I've got several myself. I just don't think that trying to take them ALL out on the road at one time is a smart idea for a newbie. |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Cholly...nothing at all wrong in having a lot of stuff IF you are running a 'Museum show' or on the bigger Fairs etc. And T-Ray has the true BUG we all have...we LOVE this stuff! But my concern is not with a Big Museum Show...and I have proven (with Bobby Reynolds help) that a Single-O can not only keep pace but beat a bigger show at the same venue! But that's another story for another day.
But your answer is sort of correct but really does not have much to do with WHY a Single-O works better to GET the $ at a Flea Market or small Fair. It has a bit to do with it...but it is more about TIME INVESTMENT than believability and CLUTTERED SIGNAGE as well. It's a bigger picture that one needs to read my stuff to get properly. But your Q in a nutshell... At a Flea Market for example they are not there to see a Show...they are buzzing the place to find a 50 cent wooden spoon. So a brief peek at a single weird thing on a table ELIMINATES the Time Investmet and it doesn't enter the mind at all. No one thinks 'I don't have time for this'....It's not about 'wasting time' in the brief 3 or 4 second span of seeing your show front and deciding if they should go or not it's more about 'having time'...thus when I advise that the 'tent' be WIDE OPEN and all they see is a table with a box on it, there is NO time consideration at all in their minds. Question Eliminated. As well, your signage (no pictorial banners!) is kept to a few KEY words with powerful psychological impact (again you have 3 to 6 seconds to grab 'em as they go by!) rather than a laundry list of what's inside and a clutter of signs and pictures etc. All that is fine for the big shows...but we are dealing with a different type of venue and a totally different crowd...my plan is to attract EVERYBODY'S dollar, not just a few punks and sideshow fans...EVERYBODY, including women with kids (who make up a huge part of the Flea Market attendees.) We do this by ELIMINATING ALL Questions by using the right few words and a set-up diabolically designed to ELIMINATE any thoughts but YES or NO. Again, this is in depth in my How-To as to WHY it works and Mistakes To Avoid etc. Also, they don't consider on the OUTSIDE whether it's Fake or Not...mainly because the Signage doesn't give them that option! That thought does not materialize...period because of what is said and how it's said outside. I don't care to seperate the info with thoughts from the How-To because it all works together with many elements that blend and work because of each other to create a working unit that frankly, fly's in the face of the old ways. There really is no WRONG way...but there sure is a BETTER way. That's why legendary Don Driver (who knows a few things abou snagging crowds said: "Brilliant! This information hit me like a rock!") Don is recuperating... and making plans...
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Kondini Inner circle 3609 Posts |
There is always the exception to the rule.
I will be going out with Higs Zibs (Multiple)This season due to a contracted and requested agreement to do so. The cash involved is huge the returns will be unbelievable,,,but all is under guarranteed payment. At the end of this season I shall be given all 100 zibs! Will I display multiples again>>>> NO, because I have worked the single and it works very well here in the UK. Also these type of shows are known as oncer`s over here, so to exchange the zib with it`s signs each season meens I can work the singlo for the rest of my days,,,also if required, I could take out 100 singlo zibs at 100 venues each week!!! Look at the profit here? Franchise would work. In the UK, multi exhibits would not earn a living,,,why>>>> Size=Frontage=Huge rents=less profit. I am a one man band with a stage,zib,swag stall and single truck with trailer.I can man a stall use the stall as a cash desk for the zib and still perform 3 times daily on a fee. My frontage is only 35ft. So I have 3 bites at the cherry which is better than relying on one. Ken |
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
I'm keeping your enterprise under wraps BUT this IS a special occasion and a MAJOR EXCEPTION to anybody's rules! I wish I had a percentage! You will be able to retire old bean. Glad I could be a small part.
What I'm most proud of though is that I was able to play a big part and get you into the Single-O frame of mind for last season so you could see what I was blabbing about. And I must say, you trusted my words and you stuck to my instructions to the letter! I felt good about that...especially when you surprised yourself and did really well! hahaha. You are with out a doubt the highpoint (considering what's coming up no kidding!!!! I wish we could tell...but maybe after the gigs in June...) Also you are smart enough to go back to the Single-O after the big tour...good for you. And my friend...Franchise my ass...Partnership! I'll be right over! (I wish) Higley
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Harley Newman Inner circle 5117 Posts |
Retire? When there's money to be made?
Does anybody here actually know someone who's retired from this business? Chupacabras? Improbable. Mers? Improbable. Retire? Impossible!
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus” -Mark Twain
www.bladewalker.com |
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Bizarre New user USA 23 Posts |
Doug, after talking to you and reading this, it makes a lot of sense not to go with a multiples. Have you ever paid a responsible kid to work a flea market for you? The reason I ask, is this: weekends are big performing days, which I LOVE.
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
Good Question Mr Bizarre. No. I never have and wouldn't...BUT that's me...I consider myself as much a part of the show as the Zibit...not that I sing and dance...but because it's the attitude and the welcoming smile and the ability to field the questions and the doubts etc., if any, that will get in a percentage of the passerby that might other wise not spring...a friendly joke or positive response can work wonders to getting a reluctent family member to not hold the others back...having a surly inarticulate kid out front who hasn't a clue is not YOUR show...it's like all the other shows. Get it? I'm answering for myself now when I say I would do it for the FUN rather than the income so that would make no sense having someone else run the show. Plus come on...the kid is dealing in cash...um...as in counting the take...nah.
There might be people I could trust to do it though...but why should they get all the fun? And if it's a crappy day, much of the take. You do hit crappy days...and it's so much better to blame yourself than having someone else to rag on and stick in your craw. The beauty of the Flea Markets is you work one when you can...when you're not performing elsewhere...and where you are performing you bring your Zibit and do a blow-off (like the Blade Box). But all I can do is advise folks...and if you think it will work go for it...but it wont work just because you WANT it to work...ducks must be lined up in a neat little row to hand off the show to someone who doesn't 'get it'. A cure would be to have someone work it and hide across the way and watch...that won't last long I can assure you!!!
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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Doug Higley 1942 - 2022 7152 Posts |
By the way...for those who followed this thread and read Kondini and myself babbling about a UK experience that's about to happen...well...I just got off a very long (read that $OUCH$) call to Ken in 'Jolly Old'...even I had no idea of the scope and historicaly significant endeavor about to take place. The thing is, for those who are asking, and wondering, we really can't divulge the details...maybe never will be able to, which is a shame on many levels. I have refrained from even bringing it up here for these reasons...but Kondini being a more entrenched OLD TIME showman than me, couldn't help tweaking the population of the Café with a tease.
The fact is...the truth IS beyond belief to the point that if we did divulge the details most wouldn't believe it anyway...but it has NEVER been done before...it will NEVER be done again...maybe in June I can say a little bit about it...if your curiosity is boundless, blame Kenny. Let me just say, it is to GrindShow what the Moon Landing was to NASA...we are going where no Zibits have gone before. There will be nothing more said...for now. Questions will remain unanswered...for now. Higley
Higley's Giant Flea Pocket Zibit
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