Now we've all been to lectures, conventions, shows and brought lecture notes but how many think they value for money? In the past, I have paid around £10 for around 5 tricks. I look back and find a book like Cardzones that cost me £38 has well over 100 tricks, be it all cards, surprise, surprise.

Do you think we should expect more from notes? Before you say, ah, but you paid to hear the lecture, that was covered in the entrance I believe.

What do you all think?

Groovy

Whenever I've bought lecture notes at a lecture they've been an add-on - I've never seen them included in the entrance fee.

Value for money differs widely. At least (presumably) you've seen the tricks demo - ed and have (presumably) liked them enough to want to try them, but couldn't be bothered taking notes yourself! As with any book or video, if you find stuff that you actually use in money-making gigs, then you can consider that they've paid for themselves.

A different sort of category is the notes that you buy from dealers - notes from lectures that you didn't actually see. Some of these are like fully fledged books and others are so cryptic as to be almost useless. I got one once, in a bundle of stuff, that was little more than a list of topic headings for the lecture.
But again, if you get something you can use out of it, then it's worth it.

When I'm working on a new routine, I like to go through everything I have on the subject. The more cross-references the better. My finished routine is usually jigsawed together from the best tips from everything - so even just a snippet, an idea, a bit of business can be worth it.

Cheers,

Bill

As for mini books, Lennart Green's Snap Deal booklet is fantastic. Such a great routine and it's just $10.00 USD. I really enjoy the routine and the booklet is well written and illustrated.

Take care,
Bobby.

The nice thing about lecture notes for me are:

They are better than the notes I took,

It reminds me of what I saw if I didn't take notes, or missed something,

I already have a good idea of what is in them, so I know if it is worth knowing,

I would rather spend 20 dollars on notes I know have good stuff in them than 30 on a book that I might not use anything from.

Plus I like to have things not too many other people have.

Here is another way to look at... Not everyone who has a great idea or innovation has another 100 ideas to accompany it... Would you rather by that idea in a lecture note/mini book.... or be deprived of it, because they couldn't put together the 60+ other routines to justify publishing a full on book?

OK, just to elaborate on my original post, my friend purchased Alfonso's lecture notes last year at the International Convention. Each priced at £10 and a couple of months later, the same organisers release the lecture on video at £25.

So, what would you do? Wait and pay an extra £5 and watch the performances from the performer or save £5 on illustrations and instructions. I think we all agree, it's a little cheeky for the organisers to cash in but some of the stuff on show need to be taped!

Granted, not all lecturers will release videos.

Groovy