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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
I have done a search for some ideas on this, but if you have experience in this area, what are 3 nuggets of wisdom. I have done a few of these over the years, but not enough to be comfy with it.
Categories can be anything from tips on tricks to use, approaches to sell the show, BOR items, promotion etc...Thanks |
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Have you tried this
Confidential Day Care Booking Manual This exciting manual could unlock a new career for you! Learn “insider secrets” of selling and marketing shows to child care centers, kindergartens, pre-schools, and after-school programs. The Confidential Day Care Booking Manual will teach you exactly how to get started in the fun and profitable business of booking and performing these shows. Step-by-step, Samuel Patrick Smith explains his complete system, developed over a 17-year period, which he has never before released. Learn the system and the philosophy behind the system which will keep you on the right track and help you avoid pitfalls. (A studio-recorded CD accompanies the manual so you can master these techniques even faster!) Highlights of The Confidential Day Care Booking Manual include: How I Got Started Day Care Background Day Care Philosophy Variations on a Theme What Type of Show? Advantages of Day Care Shows Disadvantages of Day Care Shows The Day Care Audience The $100,000 Possibility Repeat Bookings Put Your Competition in Time Out (Six Steps) Pricing Contracts Scheduling Procedures Confirmation Calls The Easiest Way to Get Started Keeping Expenses Low Referrals Advertising Other Ways to Get Shows Life on the Day Care Circuit Cooties and much more! So valuable, it’s padlocked! ______________________________ You can read an excerpt from the Confidential Day Care Booking Manual by visiting the Sample Chapters in our News area. (SPS Magic) Price: $25.00 from http://www.ginnmagic.com/ or http://www.spsmagic.com/products.asp?product_id=b002
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
Looks like a great resource, anyone here actually got it, and can post a quick review?
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
I've found it straight-forward to read and very helpful.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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The Mighty Fool Inner circle I feel like a big-top tent having 2140 Posts |
Man I was hoping for more input on this thread! But I'll take the book. Thanks!
Everybody wants to beleive.....we just help them along.
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wbzwolinski Loyal user 232 Posts |
Daycares are a specialty of mine. Here is my 2 cents (or 3 tips). Some of these may be very obvious but very important.
Tip 1: If you haven't already, purchase "The Daycare Magician Book The Magicians Guide To Working Preschools" by Tom Boleware. This is a great resource that I still reference years after purchasing it from Tom. Here is a link: http://www.tomboleware.com/daycaremagician.html Tip 2: Have a great show(this is the obvious tip). Keep the tricks simple, short and to the point, bright and colorful, funny, and interactive. Tip 3: Do not expect a lot of money for these types of shows. This is the bargain basement of shows (and I do not mean that in a negative way). Do this show because you genuinely love kids and not for the money. It is very rewarding in entertaining the children themselves. Future business may come from parents who have seen you perform at the daycare or because the children love you so much that they just have to have you at their birthday party. Wolly
Keep it Simple...Play it BIG!!!
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
I think daycare shows are wonderful because I DO like kids. As Woolly said above -- you don't do them for the money because there isn't much...but those kids help you hone your act. Two pieces of advice:
1) Keep the marketing materials clean and dynamic -- simple and to the point. They go to busy people who are on... 2) ...very tight budgets. Keep the price low -- roughly around what you'd charge for a birthday party. And...you MUST have a great show. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3162 Posts |
Wolly, Thanks for the link and nice words. I do appreciate it.
My tip is. 1. Keep it clean, be polite, have fun. 2. Learn all you can about the daycare business before you walk in the door. 3. Do every one you can because the daycare center can be a gold mine to the local magician who does birthday or other shows. You can get a lot of free advertising from them. Also see what I said about daycare shows here: http://kidshowmagic.blogspot.com/2011/06......ows.html If I can be of help with the daycare business questions, just let me know. I've owned one for many years. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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jimhlou Inner circle 3698 Posts |
Daycare shows are fun, but they're not the "basement" as far as income is concerned, at least not in Kentucky. That award goes to the Senior Citizens homes.
Jim |
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wbzwolinski Loyal user 232 Posts |
Wow Jim,
That does sound like the opposite of what we have here. I know some Senior Homes here, not all but alot, that pay pretty darn well. Location, location, location...I guess. Wolly
Keep it Simple...Play it BIG!!!
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
This is a great topic for me because I'm relatively new to performing with only a dozen or so shows behind me, but I'm finding that I really like performing for the kids. I don't do magic for a living, but for fun in my retirement from the corporate world. My last two shows were day care venues for free, just to get my name out there, and they were more fun than I've had before. The kids and staff liked me, and I loved them. That said, I haven't a clue as to what to charge. I live in lower Delaware and there is a dearth of magicians down here. I literally have no competition and can pretty much do as I wish without having worry about stealing work from anyone. But the economy has suffered here probably more than a lot of places because it's a rural agricultural area with seasonal highs from summer beach tourism, and lows for the rest of the year.
So, let's say a professional magician might charge $150 for a half hour to 40 minute birthday party, given that scale, what should a day care performer expect to charge, based on comments here so far. Thanks in advance for your advice. And Randy, back to your original question on tips, the Die Box, or now, the Smokey Mountain Pizza Box (the 21st century die box, in my opinion) are wonderful for the pre schoolers in my limited experience. Also, mis made flag and change bag is lots of fun. Dove Pan with candy production is always my closer for kids and never fails. Each of these three offer lots of by-play and participation, and if you get the Silly Billy DVD (Seriously Silly) you can't go wrong with the kids. Thanks for posting a great topic and I'm anxious to see what else comes in......
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
Hey Bob,
I have silly billys book. I like die box, BUT it totally depends on how it is presented, I don't like sucker tricks, played as sucker tricks(they can all be set up to play better than that) but that is another thread . I read on Sammy patricks site a price of $100-150 for the show, not sure of when that was printed, and if it accurately reflects todays market. I am the only magician in my area also, there is a clown, but not worried about comparing what I would charge with them. I am really looking forward to doing daycare shows, I think it will really pay off in bday referrals. I have a mismade Canadian flag, I should totally dig that out and try it for this age group, thanks for the tip. I loved the tip on Toms site of the easy pack show.I think that is a great key, to be able to drop in, set up quick, do a quick paced show, pack up quick and on to the next one... |
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idomagic Loyal user Denver, CO 255 Posts |
My two cents. I know we all need to start somewhere but when I hear people doing free shows I cringe. Free shows are rarely a marketing tool and usually just set up future expectations of no cost shows. Please, anyone starting with any type of shows, do your research and set a price, even if it's below market.
That said, find a market price. It may mean making some calls, even in disguise. I know I've been "secret shopped" by my "competition" before and frankly, I do it when I new magician shows up in my market. Daycare pricing for me is based on several factors. Chains get my advertised price just like my birthday shows (non-negotiable). Other centers I quote based on the neighborhood and how large the center is. I always get an address when they call and hit Google maps while I'm on the phone with them. A home daycare gets a lower quote than a large strip mall based center. Of course I always bid my advertised price so I can drop it down if necessary while I'm negotiating. I live in a larger market and service a huge area so I need that flexibility. Even though I totally understand why you want to, don't do free shows. My preachy exception. I donate shows to a family homeless shelter in my area. Even though I know they are fully funded, I would rather their funding go to the families than into my pocketbook. I also take free magic tricks and toys every three months when I visit. That's where to do free, where it makes a difference in someones life.
Chad Wonder (Chad Wonder Magic, Inc)
Past President SAM 37/IBM 131 (Mile High Magicians) www.idomagic.com www.iDOMAGIC.dev |
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-10 23:16, randyburtis wrote: Randy, I abhor sucker tricks when used in that manner. But for the magician in trouble, you can't beat 'em! Kids go nuts over them, especially when YOU're the fool! That's why mis made flag works great too.....you drop the silk to the floor and let the kids scream at you that you dropped it! YOU're the fool, not the kids! And then the fun begins! Add a couple of gag wands and let the kid create the magic and it's a winner! Same with using a break away fan to cool a "cooking" dove pan when producing the candy.....the kid does the magic and YOU're the fool! It doesn't get better than that! And I checked Tommy's link too; he's right on the money for good ideas that I'll be checking out myself.
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
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Bob1Dog Inner circle Wife: It's me or this houseful of 1159 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-10 23:48, idomagic wrote: Chad, your advice is well taken. I've been told by lots of other experienced folks not to do free shows, and y'all are absolutely correct, unless you wish to do a charity show. That said, I've only been doing free shows for practice and for feedback. At this stage of my performing, I am indeed ready to charge for my magic. I'm tired of doing free shows myself because they've taken a LOT of work and time. But, I wouldn't be where I am now without the learning, experience, and exposure to real audiences without my free stuff and the year I put into it....and I expect my next show to be a paid one. Once again, since I'm not doing this for a living and I'm having more fun with it than desire for money and fame, as it were, I can pick and choose my venues. But I do need to market myself better and that's my next challenge.
What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?
My neighbor rang my doorbell at 2:30 a.m. this morning, can you believe that, 2:30 a.m.!? Lucky for him I was still up playing my drums. |
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kenscott Inner circle 1869 Posts |
It does depend on where you are located as to the money one can get. But with that said daycare business as far as the show goes can be ok. If you did them for what say is the low side 150.00 per show , that is 300.00, you would hard to find a reg. job to pay that kind of money. Doing daycare shows is all about volume. So pack smart. Carry a sound small sound system. You should be able to load in and set up in like 5 mins and the tear down the same. BE ON TIME! Daycares hate when perfomers are late. Often they have you down as a field trip and and in some cases they may have even charged the parents a field trip fee. If you don't show or late then they have to go through the process and give this money back to the parents.
It is very possible to give educational shows at daycares but (KISS) keep it simple silly. Keep the show engaging, fun, and try to include the teachers some how. Often they the teachers see it as a break for themselves. Offer after school shows for the older kids that come there after they are out of school. Also consider offering a magic class for the school agers. The magic class is a HUGE thing for daycares in the summer. Have fun. Ken |
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randyburtis Inner circle 1256 Posts |
This may derail this thread, but what do people say in light of Jeff McBrides advice to do free shows. He still does stuff for free now...
That said(as much as I enjoy Jeff), I think there is a time and a place for free, and it should be more the exception than the rule. My biggest argument is that magic is seen as cheap already by people. I was doing a bday show this weekend, 25 kids there, the family put on a big spread of food, rented a facility to house them all...they put some $$ into this. When she booked me she asks"can I get a discount..." while there her friends are coming up to me asking for business cards because they are loving the show so much, she again says to me after, "since my friends are going to book you can I get a discount?" My reply was a polite no. I then pointed out I stayed an extra half hour to do balloons for the adults who kept coming up and wanting them and that since everyone enjoyed it so much it certainly must be worth what I charged... And anyone who has done shows for any time will tell you of the phone calls they get when a price shopper says" so and so only charges $X for their show..." and it is an absurd price. Free shows are good if ti is a cause close to your heart and you want to give back, or if you are just getting started and need your show to have "flight time". |
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LMLipman Elite user Falls Church, Va. 443 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-08 11:03, randyburtis wrote: I have it and found it highly useful. |
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Leland Inner circle St Louis 1180 Posts |
Do keep the magic simple and make it as colorful as possible. You're dealing with very small children that have very limited attention span. I use lots of silks to please their very busy eyes. They seem to eat it up and be ready for the "I want to touch." I always let them touch my props after wards. Keeps everyone happy, especially the teachers.
I havent tried any BOR. Maybe someone can chime in on that subject. any ideas out there?
Life of Magic!
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3162 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-07-15 18:21, Leland wrote: The problem with BOR is the parents won't be at the show. Maybe a handful, but usually not many. And honestly, most daycare workers that I have talked to, don't sell at the shows. Still, a couple of thoughts to kick around: Those that sell kits, wands, books, etc, could send a flyer/brochure home after the show with an offer to purchase by mail later. After the show, you could do a pitch, show samples, and push for orders by mail. Those that use a rabbit or other pet could sell photos. The daycare could send home a letter explaining that the magician with be taking pictures after the show. A cheap camera is all you need to produce a $5 or $10 photo. My daycare booked a small animal act years ago and he did really well selling a photo of the child and a monkey together. I think he used his own printer and delivered the orders back the next day. Instead of photos, make a video of the show and offer it for sale by mail. Be sure to give the director a free copy. Kids would love watching it later. Just some thoughts. Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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