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LBP MAGIC Veteran user 374 Posts |
I do not pay attention to the other performers in my area. I would rather they worry about me instead of me wasting time worrying about them.
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Equity is the performers Union, if you join then you get free automatic cover
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Quote:
On 2011-08-18 10:46, Howie Diddot wrote: Americans are quite litigeous. But the most litigeous nation is the Irish. We sue over anything. Posting the level of your insurance over here would be like an open invitation to the ambulance chaser solicitors.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
My car was recently hit by a bus. The fault was the bus driver's, as my car actually had it's nearside wheels on the kerb, and I'd brought my car to a stop. I suffered very mild whiplash from the impact of the airbag hitting me, as I leant forward to see how close the bus was getting to my car.
Although I had no intention of pursuing any claim for "injury", I was astonished at the deluge of messages I received from lawyers and other agencies wanting to pursue my claim, and even friends advising me to take medical advice, get all kinds of "proof" that I'd been injured, etc. Of course, I didn't do this, as I wasn't actually injured. But quite a few folks have told me I'm crazy not to have gotten at least £10,000 out of the incident. I just wouldn't ever do that, unless I had genuinely incurred some actual injury. I guess the UK is becoming more like the USA. I don't want any part of that kind of thing. |
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Doug,
Well I am glad you were not hurt, not fun going living with pain. I have a problem with the heels of my feet; pain is never good, I have read your posts, and you do give good advice here so I would personally miss you |
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Paul Romhany V.I.P. Canada 800 Posts |
This just in - while I live in NZ and Canada I was away during this recent upset back in New Zealand with the children entertainers. It went as far as getting on national news. Justin does a clown act and as far as I am aware gave out an award to one of the people who work for him and made false claims on his website. It upset a lot of local magicians so they took legal action - and won. It just proves you have to be very careful about how you conduct your business and making false claims IS against the law. You see it more and more now on the internet, I guess the magicians had finally had enough and took action.
Here is the article I was sent: Regarding Justin Lane and his magic clone Magic Matt for making false and misleading claims on awards for publicity purposes. The New Zealand Commerce Commission has concluded its investigation into this matter and has issued Cornflakes Magic World (Justin Lane) with a Compliance Advice Letter. A Compliance Advice Letter informs the trader that the New Zealand Commerce Commission has received complaints, outlines the details of the complaint and informs the trader that the Commission is of the opinion that they are at risk of breaching the Fair Trading Act 1986. Justin has now complied with the Commerce Commissions requests and removed from all his websites, social media and promotional material items that were of concern and he also has apologised. If you have similar problems with dishonest and misleading advertising by performers in your area or country then it is worthwhile looking at what legal channels you can pursue to have these false or misleading advertising claims removed.
"life is like a movie ... you write your own ending" - Kermit the Frog
http://www.paulromhanymagic.com http://www.paulromhany.com |
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
When I worked for AT&T Yellow Pages we had rules regarding this kind of claim. The magician would be allowed to make the claim "Number One" or "Cleveland's Favorite" because there's not really a way to verify these statements and they are kind of vague. But if they said "Voted #1" or something like that, the ad had to say by whom they were voted #1, and in cases of competitive headings, the reps would have to see verification before we'd put it in.
Among certain businesses and in certain cities there are real awards based on votes. The Austin Chronicle, for instance, has a 'best children's entertainer' category and it is coveted and used effectively by the winners in their advertising. Our own local papers in San Antonio don't have that category, but it still wouldn't fly for me to claim it. I believe personally, over many years of experience doing my own advertising and working in the field, that a business should be able to advertise using it's own actual merits, real testimonials and awards if any, and the real value of the service or product. When I encountered an advertiser who wanted to stretch the truth like this, they struck me as not having confidence in their product or service. I follow this advice: "If you can't back it up, don't advertise it". One pitfall of this kind of false or exaggerated claim is that we set up unrealistic expectations. If I advertise myself as a highly experienced, much sought after corporate magician and the advertising gets me a great gig, I'd better have an act that meets the expectation I've created, or I will damage my reputation with everybody who sees the show. If however I advertise as "One of San Antonio's Favorite Family and Children's Entertainers" (which I do) I probably won't get that corporate gig, but I know I'm not going to be a disappointment to my audience or an embarrassment to the person who booked me. I'd love to get the corporate stuff, but I don't honestly have a corporate act. Until I have done the hard work to actually build such an act I won't advertise that I do. False claims or exaggerations in advertising will tend to generate business that isn't good for us in the long run. Advertise honestly, any other approach just sets too many negative repercussions in motion. A good reputation takes time to build and is worth the effort. A bad reputation can take just one disappointed client. People won't always remember the promises you keep, but they will certainly remember the ones you don't. |
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SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
Yup...same crap...looks like I didn't miss much. Can we lock this thread now?
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Howie Diddot Inner circle San Francisco & Los Angeles California 3288 Posts |
Jim,
I don’t remember what the original question was. Is this a yellow pages thread, a car accident thread, a New Zealand thread. a Jungle Joe thread, |
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
What are you talking about "SoCalPro"? I wasn't bashing anyone. Perhaps you weren't referencing my post, but it was the last one so it looks to me like you were. I think honesty in advertising is a reasonable subject for discussion. I was in advertising for almost thirty years full-time, and part-time as an entertainer almost forty years, so I think my comments were relevant to what I would consider a reasonable discussion. Where's your contribution?
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Mr Pitts, I couldn't have said it better myself. SoCalPro has problems with this thread - so don't read it, my friend! Perhaps you're experienced enough that you don't need to learn the very important lessons about promotion and ad copy. Actually, there is a lot of very solid advice, based on experience, which it would well-behoove a budding entertainer to consider. Far from crap, this thread is one of the most informative, and possibly useful, that I've seen in "Little Darlings" for some time.
Advertising copy which creates expectations beyond one's abilities means only one thing - you will fail to meet expectations, and be forced to endure a hard ride. At the same time, you'll embarrass clients, and quite possibly will end up deciding that this profession isn't for you. On the other hand, if you're honest, and your prices reflect your experience, you will go from strength to strength, and your business will do well, as you really do gain the experience, get the testimonials, and learn to be a first-class entertainer. By the way, the lady who was referenced in the original post has made significant changes to her website, and now her ad-copy is much, much better. Evidently, she wasn't too proud to accept the advice of those with a lot more experience. And I will say "well done!" The lady in question now has a website which I think reflects her abilities far better, without making any claims that might cause her trouble in the future. Potty |
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SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
No problems at all good sirs. Just that...IMO...the original poster started with one topic and like usual...the topic has seemed to change a bit and bickering has ensued. All I was stating is that I have been away for a while and nothing has changed. I wasn't putting anything r anyone down. Carry on.
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Potty the Pirate Inner circle 4632 Posts |
Personally, I think this thread has followed a rather logical course. You can't expect a discussion to remain centred around the original proposition without some progress. We still appear to be discussing the wisdom of making false or exaggerated claims in your ad copy. My only regret about the thread is that one particular individual was singled out, without her request. But I hope the discussion has moved on to general thoughts about the subject.
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sspanks Loyal user Atlanta GA 241 Posts |
She is now the friendliest magician in Ohio.
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Bill Hilly Elite user 449 Posts |
And still using someone else's copyrighted song in her promo, which is supposed to have the copyright notice and "Used by permission" in the promo. Assuming permission was granted.
Yes, just as magicians are sensitive to certain things such as exposure, theft of intellectual property, etc., I, as a registered BMI songwriter who has been ripped off in the past, am sensitive to the copyright, licensing, and use issues. |
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Futureal Inner circle 1695 Posts |
Must admit that's the first time I've ever seen anyone vanish a silk hankerchief WITHOUT SHOWING THAT IT'S VANISHED. What a rank amateur.
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
Brevity may be the soul of wit, but digression is the heart of conversation.
I like the new copy, I think it's far more appealing. I think what you're saying Futureal is unnecessarily harsh. I myself use precisely three "magic tricks" in my act, none of them difficult. But my act is entertaining and I am not an amateur. I think we have to look at other qualities to get a real picture of a children's entertainer's ability. I also think, despite the copyright issue (many are guilty of that, Beano) it's admirable that she made changes to her site, improved it and clarified it. She took some harsh criticism and acted on it to make her marketing better and more honest. Good for her I say. |
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
I am (perhaps) unfortunately often known as:
“The Second Most Hated Magician in San Francisco.” However true this may or may not be… I’ve not used it too much in my marketing. In the 21st Century, I personally find “The Great,” The Magnificent,” “The Most XXX,” “Award Winning,” Voted XXX” all fairly lame and meaningless. These days there are far more effective and convincing ways to market than with clichés. To be thought of as the Great by your kids, the Best by your spouse, or Voted Tops by your friends and neighbors does not lend credibility or integrity to your reputation, and if asked to prove it you’re in a bit of a stew. At least in my opinion. Mark Twain said: “If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything.” That does not mean you can’t toot your own horn, it means keep your horn in tune and don’t play it so loud as to be annoying. Okay, now you may understand why I’m well hated… Walt |
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Mr. Pitts Inner circle David Pitts 1058 Posts |
Just to be clear, "The Astonishing" part of my name is intended to be funny and ironic.
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SpellbinderEntertainment Inner circle West Coast 3519 Posts |
I think it absolutely great to be "astonishing" (if one is)
but, maybe not the "Most Astonishing in the Whole World" right? <grin> Walt |
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