In general, I've never paid much attention to what other folks are doing. If they're bad, more work for me right?

A recent experience as challenged that quite a bit. A guy calls me to perform at his daughter's birthday, typical so far.

But than it went in an unusual direction. He asked: "is the show good?" Not a bad question really, but he used a little unusual wording.

I gave the usual show description, which he responded positively towards. Figured great, let's book it.

He than went on a lengthy monologue about the last time he had a magician, and how terrible it was. From his description, it did sound inappropriate for the audience.

I got him to give a verbal interest in booking, but couldn't go further yet due to him saying he didn't have a confirmed date.

No clue if a booking will actually happen, but it certainly made me think about some people's experience. And this is just a birthday party, imagine the amount of party planners and the like with not so good experiences.

Obviously, if this guy was good, they probably would have had little reason to switch to someone else. But being at least "just okay" would be nice. It would make people less skittish.

Anyway, rant over.

I think you miss the point entirely.

He didn’t like that particular magician. He is reaching out to others in spite of not liking that specific magician. Where exactly is the problem?

I go to a restaurant and don’t enjoy for whatever reason. Do I stop going to restaurants? No. I find another.

YOU couldn’t close him. Period. In your experience do lots of people call about entertainment lacking the dates they want it? Sure some, but indeed most have a date in mind. Your inability to close has nothing to do with his prior experience. He wanted reassurance. If he calls back you provided it. If not, you didn’t. This is pretty simple really.

Event planners use the same crew for a reason. They make money with them and they don’t want to change that. I have hundreds of promo packets of guys wanting work and I used the same handful because I knew the results every time in every situation.

I’ll admit it is easier to blame others and rant on the interwebs than to try to imagine the failing just might have maybe possibly been some little thing you did. But looking inward at how you acquire and close leads might be some introspection worth doing. Your mileage will probably vary.

I'm more concerned about the folks that never call a magician again.

As for people not having specific dates in mind, it is way more common than you might think. Some people like to get information before they commit to specific times and dates.

In this specific case his wife was making the party plans and it fell on him to call around for information.

Two problems with the imaginary people not calling back. Obviously you have no idea they even exist. Second of all it means you are drafting off the work of others. You need others to do good work for you to be able to work? Not how this business works. Put in your own work.

You can’t change the way others do things. Accept that. The only thing you can control is your reaction to it. So the fact that you can’t close this guy, for whatever reason, YOU have the power to fix! Work on that and forget what others are doing that you can’t fix.

Or use it as an excuse for failure. The choice is yours.

I have found competition that isn’t up to par can lead to devoted customers.

I've had people say they did not have a date or time in mind, often because someone else has to give more info. Some call back and book, some don't.

I know some aren't telling the truth, and I failed to sell myself to them, but some are. It is a "thing."

- Mary

This is a very important point that everyone should take note of.

Nothing wrong with being average, but keep in mind; average is as close to the bottom as it is the top. You can’t be average and expect to be in demand no more than anyone else in your field.

The one thing all the superstars have in common is, they’re all different. They each have a ‘name’ and they’re not perceived as being just another magician. When they hire ‘YOU’ there is no competition.

Tom

Nothing wrong with being average? I have NEVER known an artist make this claim. I have never personally known an artist who wanted to be anything less than extraordinary. I don’t know of anyone who aspires to be average.

If you are asking yourself as more than average, there is a LOT wrong with just being average. Unless your promo claims you are average there is plenty wrong with being average.

“Average is as close to the bottom as it is to the top” - That’s Bad.

“Average is as close to the top as it is to the bottom” - That’s Good.

Tom

Not everyone can be Criss Angel.

I’m sure not a fan of his ways or his shows but he has been successful. He has has an impact on our art. One may argue whether it was a good or bad one, but he did impact it.

I did see his show at Luxor and it wasn’t horrible. It was at the end of that run.

Then he moved to Planet Hollywood I believe? It was as bad as ever.

Yeah, he started at The Aladdin (now Planet Hollywood), moved to Luxor, and went back to Planet Hollywood in 2019.

Seems to be doing really well there, frequently selling out.

I don't pretend to understand.

It is not for me but that is what is wonderful about our art. Many hate on Copperfield, I think he is good. I’m not a a David Blaine fan but his appeal to a lot of people is unquestionable.

Which is sort of the point of why bad magic doesn’t impact anyone directly. Do what you do, do it well, and you will have your own success. Be better than average also.

Better to know that one is merely average than to fool oneself into thinking they are just one small step away from being the next Chris Angle!
(I'm not saying anyone here was implying that, btw)

It's a long road. I started out so bad that I had to give myself an ultimatum: get better or quit. (This was a big deal since at that time, I did not think my relationship with my partner would stand me going to a regular job daily and his being a Magician.)
The way numbers and experience work, some magicians will be bad and many will be just OK.
We don't start great but don't have to stay bad or just OK.
I wish we had a Finish line where we were suddenly and irreversibly great.
Bad Magic is a necessary evil and our original sin. Keep that phase short for the good of Magic.

-Mary

This is a fantastic point that is lost on the Magic community at large. Usually it is couched in “brotherhood” or some sense of “magicians helping magicians” but it is truly a great point!

Not all magicians are equal and not all are even adequate. I also am not directing this at anyone.

I know it is hard to improve going to a Magic Club because most of the time you won't get good feedback.

Might be because they can't view it like a "real" person or they want to be polite or they don't have an eye for what looks unnatural or don't know much about Magic yet.

I can't tell you how often I've seen someone who won a Club Contest because they tried something out of their reach (but impressive to Magicians if done well) and not the Magician who did something less "impressive" but did it competently and entertainingly.
A good Kid's Magician rarely wins against a dry and poor manipulator (2 different issues). The manipulator seems more "grown-up and serious so they get more respect.

Clubs ARE a good place to work out nerve issues because most of us are way more nervous in front of Magicians. If I'm going to blow it, it will be in front of a Magician.

- Mary

Here's a wild one.

A couple of hours ago I got contacted about a birthday party. It was for a nine year old's birthday.

She wanted to speak on the phone. I answer her questions and it is going fine. She then brings up that there was a magician at one of her daughters friend's parties.

And she didn't like it. Specifically, he did a routine involving a sex toy.

Read that again.

This party was for, I assume, at the time 8 year olds.

She wanted me to assure her that there was nothing of the sort in my show. I wanted to ask who it was, if there was any footage, and what the item was. That's the kind of thing that you would have to see to process how bizarre it is.

But I thought better. (It was probably that sponge thing that shows up on every eBay search but I don't know)

Anyway, moral of the story don't be insane.

I don’t know how you resisted asking who it was! You’re a better man than I am I’ll tell you that much.

Its amazing how oblivious some people are to what is inappropriate.

The only way I can explain this is I’ve heard many children’s entertainers advertise they can entertain both children and adults at the same time. Maybe he likens this to a dirty joke that goes over the heads of the children.

We recently went on a cruise where there were comedians for entertainment. They had PG-13 show and the next night the same comedian had a R rated show. We saw both shows. Maybe its just me but I thought PG-13 show was much, much funnier.