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rrwagg New user 7 Posts |
When you are pitching the Svengali deck, do you reveal the secret before the customer buys the deck? I watched the Don Driver pitch DVD....I know he has sold thousands of decks.....and he gives away the secret before they purchase.I can see the reasoning behind it....make it seem very easy so people buy.....but I could also see it working against me because the mystery is gone? I would be interested in hearing your thoughts on which way is the most effective? Thanx!
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peppermeat2000 Elite user 428 Posts |
Don Driver sold thousands of deck using his pitch. That should answer your question.
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federico luduena Loyal user Spain 248 Posts |
Good question. I would say the secret revealed before the sale makes the audience see that they can do it, that the trick is within the scope of their abilities.
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merlin5150 II Elite user Aurora, IL 414 Posts |
………so did Marshall Brodien 😜
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Satire New user 88 Posts |
Most people will remember how incredibly fooled they felt, and link the experience back to that even after the secret is revealed. Revealing (as someone above said) also demonstrates that they can do it (a big plus, particularly with how unbelievable the effect is), and makes the spectator feel like you've done them a bit of a favor (which makes it that much more likely they'll buy). I know most tricks I've bought in-person where after the "secret sauce" was revealed to me.
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dyoung Special user 898 Posts |
When I used to pitch them, I would sort of reveal it. I would do my routine, then words to the effect of "anyone can do that with this amazing deck, flick them this way, all different, and flick them this way all the same. So if you can do that, you can do all the tricks I did and more" type of spiel. So sort of revealing it, but at the same time not. Just giving them enough to see that it's easy.
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rowdymagi5 Inner circle Virginia 3614 Posts |
I never did when I sold them at flea markets. In my sales pitch, I promised anyone who purchased that I would provide personal instruction on how to do the trick the moment after they buy, and if they couldn't do it, I would give them their money back. I said they would be fooling their friends and family that evening. That usually sealed the deal. Never had anyone who wanted their money back!
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rowdymagi5 Inner circle Virginia 3614 Posts |
Usually I would sell several decks at a time. I would put up a sign and go behind the curtain to teach the purchasers. Almost always I would have a curious crowd gathering to see what was going on. And when the purchasers came from around the curtain with smiles on their faces, it seemed to fuel more sales.
In all honesty, I never made a lot of money with the Svengali pitch. It was fun, and it opened more doors for me as I would have my business cards out and signs offering shows and "classes" in magic. And I didn't limit it to just the Svengali decks, also included stripper decks and other beginner effects (paddle sticks etc.) |
Poof-Daddy Inner circle Considering Stopping At Exactly 5313 Posts |
Years ago, when I drove truck cross country, I would buy the Fox Lake strippers and svens with the instuction sheet wrapped around it by the gross (ea) I would also get a gross of regular decks. I put 1 ea (set of 3 decks) of the same color (blue or red) in a baggie and would pitch the set for $25 (I paid $1.14 a deck by the gross) after my free shows in the truckstop. I always ended with a strong ACR then told them they could do a routine equally as good with "this set" (pull out a baggie). I would quickly show one driver how to riffle them each way, he would show he could do it for a few cuts then riffle both ways. Boom, they sold out fast. (Those were the good old days).
That story told, in my opinion, sharing the secret with at least one person in the group helps more than hinders.
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