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The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Step right up! » » Pitching Readings and the Kicker Book (0 Likes) Printer Friendly Version

willhunter
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Providence, RI
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I am thinking about pitching 5 minute readings and tic chart after doing a brief mentalism bit. (Not full 20 minute readings.) I was done in department stores in Nelson's time. Can it be done again on the fairground? I want to have a kicker, a booklet about, astrology, palmistry etc. I played with this before at a few venues, I used a self-written 8 page booklet, but I want something nicely typeset. I know Carlye and others had 30-60 page back of the room sales books, but I want something smaller and cheaper to print for a give-away kicker."With each reading you not only get in site in to your personal future, but also a free book." What I want is a cheap little D. Robbins pamphlet like "101 Easy Magic Tricks", but about a psychic reading topic. Any ideas on a source? Any ideas on the pitch? (I actually have seen the perfect booklet at a Botanica but it was only available in Spanish.)
aka Billy Boston
DonDriver
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Just a thought...maybe sell the book and give them a short reading as the kicker.

Later,Don
willhunter
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Providence, RI
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That's got me thinking!
aka Billy Boston
Fitz
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I think Docc Hilford has a system doing just this. I'll see if I can dig anything up but I think it's already available.

Fitz
I have a daily web show all about magic at http://FitzMagic.info
DonDriver
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I'm sure Docc does.I taught him how to pitch years ago.

Don
sescarny
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Hey Will. I'm with Don on this one. Pith the book and use the short reading as the kicker. That would probably be the best route, IMO... Let us know what you decide buddy!

Ses
sescarny
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Hey Will. I'm with Don on this one. Pith the book and use the short reading as the kicker. That would probably be the best route, IMO... Let us know what you decide buddy!

Ses
Fitz
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I know I have an audio tape from him regarding outdoor shows (fairs) and he does part of your tip building work. He also gives you credit saying you taught him many years ago. The tape is from the eighties I believe.

In Docc's book "Secret Venues" he talks about doing readings in hair salons but I think if you do some research you will find his Psy pitch stuff.

Fitz
I have a daily web show all about magic at http://FitzMagic.info
sescarny
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Sorry gang. I have no idea why that posted twice!!
willhunter
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The basic idea is Docc's, but I trying to make it mine, my style. The idea is on his two Volume VHS tape - Psychic Pitch. He even gives you a booklet to give away. It is dated, the art is cheesy old photo shop art. I did my own before, but it is dated also. I like to find a cheap booklet to use.

Docc's gives the reading for free w/ another product (sorry, if lurkers want to know the whole system they should buy it from Flora and Co.) and he uses the booklet and a coupon for a kicker. My idea is using his method with the coupon for addition product sales. The whole thing, the free reading, the "product", the free booklet, and the coupon is going to be pitched as a intro/promo for another related product. "Introducing to this market my . . . "

Docc does use a bally to build a tip in the "Selling and Playing the Outdoor Show" c1985, it is a small part of the tape, but it is there. He credits Mr. Driver in the explanation.

Regards,
Will Hunter
aka Billy Boston
aka Billy Boston
willhunter
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Providence, RI
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At Ses:

Hey Buddy! Let's find a Festival and set-up on opposite ends and have a pitch contest - I call the right side of the midway - the carny with the most cash wins!
aka Billy Boston
DonDriver
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Billy,
"He credits Mr. Driver in the explanation"

Mr. Driver was my fathers name.Everyone calls me Don(and a few other choice names) but thanks just the same.

Later,Don
sescarny
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I hope you're ready to pack A LOT of product!!! You're on buddy!!! Can I call my spot on the midway???

Ses
willhunter
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At Don:

Sorry, I'll remember "Don" or other choice names, just not "Mr. Driver".

At Ses:

Let's pick the spot and do it! MY product is paper and reading - the reading is the real seller and pack pretty tight. Also, I am curious, are you pitching at the Halloween Event in B-water? or are you to busy with the show/organizing? If so how is it going? I got Halloween Balloon gigs coming up, I thinking of picking up the pitch for the winter holiday season - craft fairs, bizarres etc.

At Anyone:
Any ideas on a source for cheap horoscope, palm reading book?
Or, I am just going back to the one I wrote and used before.

Regards,
Will
aka Billy Boston
aka Billy Boston
sescarny
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Hey Will...... Ok, fair enough.... I want a county fair AND I get to set up right at the start of the kid games from the general midway, cornered to both. Let's rock!! Smile
sescarny
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As far as the gig in B-Water, nope, not this time around. I'm way too busy right now between the show, my bro's haunted house and planning my yard haunt.. Hey, email me... I've got a proposal for ya!!
willhunter
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Providence, RI
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Okay, sent you a email, and let's start looking for a venue for the contest!
aka Billy Boston
sescarny
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Will, did you email me at my comcast addy or my gmail one?? The comcast address has been acting weird lately so I pretty much use just this one: sescarny@gmail.com . Try emailing me there...

Ses
julieannjohnson
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Will, I have a few ideas for you, but I don't know your level of expertise with desktop publishing (typsetting) so I can only be fairly general here.

There are 12 zodiac signs. Three signs per page = 4 pages, and believe me, this fits nicely in 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 format, including a yearly outlook, lucky numbers, lucky days, lucky stone, lucky colour, lucky flower, ruling planet, etc. in table form for each sign. Then you can add Lucky Dream Meanings and Numbers, an alphabetical listing, 4 pages. Then a quick Numerology of Your Name and Birthdate on 2 pages. That's a nice 8-page package.

I craft this sort of thing with yearly changes for a publisher I shall not name and it is quick and simple work. I use Quark XPress, a professional typesetting program, but I have seen decent results from other DTP programs as well.

If the Lucky Dreams are not your cup of tea, expand the Numerology to 4 pages and go with Lucky Omens and Hunches or Beliefs and Superstitions for the final 2 pags.

You can find text for these latter two topics anywhere in old public domain books. I have literally hundreds of such pitch books in my collection, many of them recycling material from others.
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