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Steve Brooks Founder / Manager Northern California - United States 3780 Posts |
A few years ago I had the pleasure of spending a few days with Eddie Tullock.
Eddie, as many of you are aware, is considered by most as the father of corporate magic. He is one of the most kind and knowledgeable magicians I have ever met. He really knows his stuff. Not only that, but just listening to the many stories he had to tell regarding the many corporate shows he's done over the years was a real blessing. Though I haven't seen him since, we do correspond from time to time. If you were starting in the field of "Trade Show" magic, how would you begin? Anyone?
"Always be you because nobody else can" - Steve Brooks
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Dorian Rhodell Inner circle San Francisco, CA. 1633 Posts |
Great question Steve, I'm sure a lot of magicians would love some really solid advice should anyone have it.
Dorian |
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John Zander Loyal user Downey, CA 247 Posts |
Steve, Dorian,
Tough, tough work. I’m not sure that I could do it. You have to really be a salesman as well as a magician. Plus for a magician there are long hours. But, you do get well paid for your time. I would imagine that is why Trade Show work is such sought after work for magicians. Dorian, you have the perfect personality for it. Greg Wilson called me last night and told me that he had to do eight hours at a trade show job on the day of the Trade Center attack. He was stuck in Houston for two days. Anyone who is interested should check out the Mike Rogers video from Stevens on trade show magic. It is a real eye opener. _________________ Thank you, John Zander *************************** The Award Winning Comedy Magic of John Zander http://www.ZanderMagic.com http://AllMagic.net ***************************
Thank you,
John Zander *************************** The Award Winning Comedy Magic of John Zander http://www.ZanderMagic.com http://www.AllMagic.net |
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Dorian Rhodell Inner circle San Francisco, CA. 1633 Posts |
Here's a piece of advice I am now starting to fully understand. I am currently back in school getting a degree in Business Management. I remember watching a video with Don Alan. He said something to the effect that if you are going to perform for a certain group of people, (business people), you had better be able to "speak their language."
pretty good advice if you ask me....... Take care, Dorian Rhodell |
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I do some trade shows. Before being a full-time magician, I was a restaurant manager, salesman, manager and trainer for a large health club chain, and worked in radio, as an announcer, copy writer, ad salesman and marketing consultant.These jobs prepared me for trade shows, and as has been said, your business skills are much more important than your tricks.
Can you draw a crowd without being obnoxious? Can you make a compelling sales pitch while tying it into a magic effects and maintaining interest? Are you articulate? Are you flexible? Are you able to work with the understanding that you are not the "star," but the product or service of your client is? Can you put up with salespeople who may or may not resent you and consider you a clown, and then win them over? Can you stand on your feet for hours with no breaks and look as fresh and energetic at the end of the day as at the beginning? Can you function for several days and still be "Mr. Personality" with very little sleep? If you can answer yes to the above questions, trade show work may be for you. Otherwise, stick with birthday parties, etc. _________________ Scott F. Guinn Great Scott! It’s Magic!
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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RayBanks Special user Nassau Bay, TX 533 Posts |
There are many good trade show magicians out there. However, if you can ever catch Dick Stoner you will see how it is really done.
I see Dick each year at the National Association of Broadcasters meeting. He performs for Belden Wire and Cable and has been just about forever. His show is about ten minutes and completely holds the attention of the audience as they stand around the Belden booth. He very cleverly works in the pitches to get some literature and see a salesman. He usually closes his act with the ID and just before he makes the revelation, he puts the deck down and reminds everyone to get some literature from one of the salesman with some really good, funny patter. Then he makes the revelation and the show is over. If you ever get a chance to see him on the trade show floor (anywhere Belden has a booth there is a great chance of seeing him) take the opportunity to watch his show--several times.
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Pick a card, any card...No. not THAT one...THIS one Ray Banks |
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corpmagi Special user New York 725 Posts |
Another good resource for trade show magic and corporate magic in general is Michael Bailey's 'The Magic Business'. It is an excellent reference guide and there is a well written chapter on trade show magic.
I also agree that the Mike Rogers tape from Steven's is a very good resource if you listen to what he has to say, not so much what he does on the tape. Mike was one of my favorite performers on the trade show circuit and he really knew how to work the crowd. The Steven's tape doesn't really do his performance justice, but his advice is right on target.
A Modern Trade Show Handbook
www.trafficstoppers.com/handbook |
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
The Dick Ryan confidential reports are also very good.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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Joe M. Turner Loyal user Atlanta, Georgia 248 Posts |
Interestingly, none of the replies in this section actually addressed the question of how one actually STARTS in the trade show field.
I'd love to hear the steps that some of you have have gone through in order to secure their first trade show bookings, plus some specific recommendations or action items that others could follow... if they dare. There is no doubt that trade show magic is among the most demanding arenas of our industry. Best, JMT P.S. This is only my 2nd post since I joined last September! I will try to be more active. |
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Scott F. Guinn Inner circle "Great Scott!" aka "Palms of Putty" & "Poof Daddy G" 6586 Posts |
I think we have given excellent references. I'd rather not spell it out on this board, making it easy for people who aren't ready or willing to put in the necessary energy and investment of buying these resources (like I had to) to go in and book themselves at a show before they're prepared, therefore making it that much harder for the ones who DID put in the time and effort.
Buy the books, do the work, and you'll figure it out.
"Love God, laugh more, spend more time with the ones you love, play with children, do good to those in need, and eat more ice cream. There is more to life than magic tricks." - Scott F. Guinn
My Lybrary Page |
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Steve Hart Veteran user Cocoa, FL 388 Posts |
Yes, I was very impressed with Michael Bailey's work. I saw him lecture at the IBM convention in Little Rock.
Dick Stoner is a true professional trade show magician. He knows exactly how to work the crowd at any show. How? Believe it or not, my first trade show experience was back in 1986 when I used the advice of Paul Diamond from his book, "It takes guts, D*****". I was performing in the building next door to the show. I asked someone who was leaving the show if I could have their badge so I could get in. Yes, I crashed the show. I wandered around until I found a booth that I wanted to work. I made my offer and I impressed the **** out of them, they hired me to come back the next day. Ok, I know this may not be the proper way of getting started but it gave me the confidence and the letter of recommendation that got me started. Once you get your foot in the door to a show. You will be asked by other vendors to work other shows, if you are good. I use to do trade show booths and work the suites in the evening. You know what........ the money is good but it is hard work. I don't want to do it anymore. The last show I worked was for three days, at six hours each. I tried to get out of it but they threw extra $$$ at me and I gave in. I am only 48 years old and Hey, you younger guys can work those long hours. I would rather work my keynotes and my seminars, I get paid more and my performance time is cut way back. I will be glad to help anyone who wants to do both. Steve Hart Cape Canaveral, FL
www.SteveHartSpeaks.com
www.magic2motivate.com "Motivational Magicians are some of the highest paid magicians, find out why?" |
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p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
HI,
I attended a day long seminar with Paul Stone Here in the UK some years back on trade shows and Corporate magic and it was superb just 8 attended (it was ltd). Following Pauls instruction of how to enter this market I got 2 trade show bookings from Just 5 trys. However, I did not really enjoy performing in the trade show enviroment even though I was offered more bookings (which I passed to someone else) I still do corporate gigs but not trade shows. The short of this is, you may not actually like the work regardless of the money but if you want to try. Look up Paul Stone phillip |
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Missing_Link Elite user 442 Posts |
Out of interest, do trade shows (in the UK) make use of juggling acts?
ML |
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Geoff Williams Special user St. Pete Beach, FL 617 Posts |
Those interested in trade shows will want to add the "Tullock - The Phantom Founder of Trade Show Magic" to your library.
Recommended.
"Saját légpárnás tele van angolnák."
(Hungarian for "My hovercraft is full of eels") |
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Steve Friedberg Inner circle 1402 Posts |
I hired a magician to do some work at a trade show about 18 months ago...to find one, I went down to the local shop near our office...and asked who they'd recommend. They gave me three names, and we ended up with a great guy, who did a wonderful job at the show.
So, the advice from this corner would be to make yourself known in the local magic community...or at least at your local shops. You never know where the references will come from... Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Steve "A trick does not fool the eyes, but fools the brain." -- John Mulholland |
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Todd New user 67 Posts |
Can someone tell me a good place to get Mike Rogers Video from Stevens on trade shows?
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Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts |
You kinda answered that yourself didn't you? I'd guess Stevens Magic would be the first place you should try.
http://www.stevensmagic.com/ Tell Joe I sent ya! You won't be sorry. Also, you might check out the Dick Ryan Trade Show video, it's really good too. PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat |
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Joe M. Turner Loyal user Atlanta, Georgia 248 Posts |
After a lot of hard work, I have sold my first trade show as a solo magical performer.
Whew. Now the real work begins. JMT |
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Shimi Regular user Israel 107 Posts |
Hello Joe
Tell us how was it? Are you going to do more trade shows? Were there many magicians at that show? By the way: great review of the Skinner tapes Shimi |
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Joe M. Turner Loyal user Atlanta, Georgia 248 Posts |
Haven't done it yet. It's in a couple of weeks.
JMT |
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