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lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
My most recent blog post has to do with your most effective marketing tool - Your Show!
The better your show, the easier it is to book gigs, get referrals, and get clients to hire you again and again. But what makes a good or even great show? I realize we have all types of performers in this forum. We have everything from children's performers to corporate entertainers and close-up magicians to stage performers. But I think there must be some common ideas that separate the great from the not-so-good. In my most recent video, I share some ideas on how to develop a show that stands out from the competition. You can check it out here: The Most Effective Marketing Tool Even if you disagree with my views, I'd love to hear your own thoughts on what makes for a great show. Respectfully, Lou Serrano |
TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
Nice Video Lou. Good Advice. Well Done.
Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
Logan Five Inner circle Northern California 1434 Posts |
I am a tarot reader who would like to break into the " psychic party " market.
Any tips on how to do this? I do a stand up tarot Q & A for speaking engagements.
Self concept is destiny..
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lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
Tom,
Thank you for the comment. Logan Five, I didn't know a there is such a thing as a "psychic party" market, but the same marketing principles that apply to every other business also apply to your business. Breaking into any new market can be an arduous task, but I will leave you with an excerpt that comes directly from my marketing course for magicians, The REAL Secrets. Lou’s Four-Step Formula For Breaking Into A New Market 1. Educate. Before you can break into any market you must first educate yourself on all aspects of that market. For instance, when I decided to break into the trade show market, I read everything I could on trade show magic. I attended as many trade shows as I possibly could. I watched other entertainers, including magicians, draw a crowd and deliver their pitch. I analyzed how they implemented their pitch into their routines and how they kept their audience for the duration of the show. I analyzed the set up of their performance area. Were they on a riser? Did they have a table? Did they use a PA system? The same is true for any other market you want to break into. Analyze what others are already doing, and ask yourself what makes them effective or ineffective in their job. 2. Declare. The second step is to declare that you are a specialist in that market. Using the trade show market as an example, you would declare that you are a trade show magician. You will let everyone know that you are a specialist in that market. 3. Focus. All of your marketing efforts should be focused on that particular market. You can specialize in several different markets, but you should have separate marketing campaigns for each. For instance, you don’t want to have a website that states that you specialize in trade shows and bar mitzvahs, but you could have separate website sites for each as long as they don’t link to each other. 4. Create. Create an environment that is conducive to reaching your goal. Surround yourself with others who are successful in that market. Attend seminars and networking functions that involve people who can make decisions in hiring you and create the success you desire. I hope this helps, but this is a subject that would best be addressed in an entirely different thread. Wishing you the very best, Lou Serrano |
Tim Friday Elite user 485 Posts |
Thanks for this post Lou, it got me thinking and I have some questions.
One of my worst fears is being hired by someone to perform at their party, but they end up feeling like I wasn't as good as the fee we agreed on. For this reason I have kept what I charge much lower than some of the numbers I see here on the magic Café. I hope to charge more one day but not until I have a level of confidence that my show delivers consistent positive results in how the audience responds. I would be very interested in hearing more about when you realized your show was worthy to be valued in the upscale market. What was the process you went through to achieve that level? I remember in your book you discuss how we often undervalue ourselves so forgive me if you specifically address more on these thoughts in your book and it slipped my mind. I will read it again this year. But if you have more thoughts on this area since you wrote the book I'd really like to hear about it. I think it would be a great topic for another one of your blog posts if it's more than you want to get into here. |
Logan Five Inner circle Northern California 1434 Posts |
Thank you for that wise advice Lou!
I have a book called Tarot Face to Face by Marcus Katz and Tali Goodwin which discuss's doing readings for parties and groups. These kind of social occassions kind of remind me of Tupperware parties. However the book doesn't tell you how to market these tarot parties, or book them. Richard Webster has a book on doing psychic parties, maybe I should start there, or get into the business doing walk-around mentalism, and making contacts there. Thanks again for your wisdom! Rick
Self concept is destiny..
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lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
Tim,
I think your question is a great topic for a future vlog post. I may even do that later today. What you are asking boils down to “Mindset”. TheFreeDiictinary.com defines Mindset as: A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person’s responses to and interpretations of situations. You will never be able to charge more money for your shows until YOU believe you are worth it. When you believe it, so will your clients. That belief comes with experience. When you consistently provide value for your clients, they will let you know, and that confirmation will in turn increase your confidence, which reinforces your beliefs. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle. Almost twenty years ago I was charging $250 per hour for strolling close-up magic. I was told by other professional magicians that I was charging too little, but I didn’t have much experience, and I didn’t want to charge more for fear that my clients would think I wasn’t worth the fee. (Sound familiar?) Over time I got enough confidence to raise my rates. Seven years ago I was charging $2500 per day plus expenses to perform at trade shows. One day I received a call from Warner Bros. Pictures about representing them at a trade show in Las Vegas. I had been thinking about raising my rates to $3500 per day, but I was unsure if I was worth it. (By the way, the client only wanted me for 2 hours during a VIP event on the trade show floor.) Later that evening, I was performing at one of my weekly restaurants, and I was talking to one of the regular customers about my predicament. I was surprised to hear him say that $3500 was way too little for my talent and expertise. He convinced me that I should be charging a minimum of $5000 for that event. It was HIS belief in ME that changed the way I thought about my own value. The very next day I gave my sales presentation to the client, quoted my new rate of $5000, and I was immediately hired. The show went off without a hitch and the client loved me, which in turn reinforced my belief about my value. All this to say, keep doing what you’re doing. As your confidence builds, take the plunge and quote rates that you feel you’re worthy of receiving. It takes courage to take a stand for yourself, but if you won’t do it, who will? Wishing you continued success! Lou Serrano |
Tim Friday Elite user 485 Posts |
Quote:
On 2014-01-27 19:25, lou serrano wrote: Thanks Lou, that is a great post! |
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