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curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Open ended question here.
I’ve been performing for about 10 years. Not my full time job, just a birthday party, corporate gig or volunteer gig for a non-profit every few months. I’m about to move to a new area and try to make a go of it full time. If you had an act, 45-min. solid stuff, tested and ready to go; and you were moving to a new area where no one knew you; how would you go about building a full-time performing business? I’m not really looking for “Include this type of trick†or “Be sure to look for kid volunteers who…†type stuff. What I’m really looking for advice from you pros on how to go at it full-time in a new area. (I will be working in a non-entertainment job in the beginning to bring in other income as I try to build my client base). Any thoughts?
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Jeff Haas Special user 929 Posts |
Look into the discussions here about marketing your act. There's a lot of info on what used to work and what works now...for example, the Yellow Pages appear to be dying off and just get you price shoppers only; you want to put up a website that sells your show, specifically targeted to the new area you're moving to; for kidshows, the Parent Magazines appear to be falling off, too; and so on. Then there will be discussions about which of the various marketing books are worth the time.
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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
Even though I perform all over the midwest I have often thought that if I moved it would be hard to restart, even if I stayed in the midwest. Does that make sence?
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curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Okay, I have looked at a lot of the messages about marketing your show.
Does anyone want to post a list like this... 1) As you unpack boxes in your new house be sure to post a flyer at every supermarket bulletin board the first day. 2) Visit every card and party store with your business cards. 3) First week do this and this. 4) Second week do this and this. Thinking of that kind of thing. There are so many good ideas but it is hard to know where to start. Thanks.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I know the subject has come up before, but I couldn't find the threads with a quick search.
However, I did find a few threads with good info on them. Cafe thread titled... Help: Booking New customers Cafe thread titled... Kid's Show Marketing Cafe thread titled... How can a 14 year ......xposure? Wow, there is goodness in old threads. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Don’t be a stranger to magic/clown clubs in your area. Look up the pros in your area and send them a friendly email. Professionals are always looking for people they can recommend that they trust. If they do recommend you, it might be a good idea to send them a check for 10% as a thank you. This is a classy and respectable thing to do and will leave an impression on them.
If you have and act that is, like you say, “ready to go” and is a good act, then once you get the ball rolling you should have no problems, as long as you do all those smart things like hand out business cards, etc. Good luck!
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Once I posted a list of marketing things you can do, on this thread, titled... How Do You Market Your Act/Yourself?
It is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should be helpful. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
1. Try street busking. Hand out your flyers/cards while you are doing it. It helps pick up more customers while making an income the same time. That is what my plans are until I have my marketing together after I move.
2. Hire a teenager to deliver your flyers door to door. 3. Ask owners/managers at gas stations and party store about leaving your flyers by the cashier window. 4. Look for a restaurant to start performing in immediately. Once you find one, it will help you with finance while you are being recognized. 5. Search for the free local ads on the internet. There are a few good paid ones too. 6. Send brochures to the schools and daycare centers in advance before you move. If you do not have your new phone number yet, have the old number transferred to your new for a year so the prospects will still be able to contact you. I'm sorry I can not give you any more because I am at a magician's convention right now. |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
I've been thinking more about this.
Really, there are a couple of questions you'd need to ask yourself. 1) What shows / markets do I want to serve? 2) What markets can I penetrate the quickest with my marketing efforts (which ones will have the quickest pay off)? Then, how do I go about marketing to get those shows? For example, it seems to me that busking and restaurants can produce the quickest income / results. Then, daycares and birthdays can be booked with fairly short notice. However, for all 4 of those, you get the shows in different ways. So, you're going to have to apply multiple actions. And also remember, that active marketing will produce better results than passive marketing, when you need results quickly. So instead of leaving flyers and business cards, make some phone calls and some visits, network with people, get some press coverage, etc. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Get Jim Snack's Course - it gives you lots of ideas to do immediately to get you up and running. Highly recommended.
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curtgunz Special user Only 99% of users have more than 784 Posts |
Besides Jim Snack's course, what are some other good resources out there?
Click for Free Resources for Performers
YouTube channel specifically for family & kids show magicians. Click -- You need to subscribe. |
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