:: Issue# 24 :: June 1st, 2005
:: Rick Carruth /editor :: David Breth / contributing editor
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Hello All
First.. a quick, but heartfelt, 'Welcome' to all the new readers
since last issue. I hope you find information you can use to
advance your cause in the Magic Roadshow - Journal of Magic.
In this Issue......
:: 10 Tips for Getting a Profitable Restaurant Deal
:: Blaines Street Magic Tricks video
:: La Séquence du Prestidigitateurs
:: The Ultimate School Show Assembly Program
:: I Have No Competion Within (at least) a 42 Mile Radius!
:: Genii Tricks Anyone Can Do
:: Think Clear
:: Ricky Jay Audio Interviews
:: Harwin - Blurring the Line
:: For Magicians Only
If you enjoy this issue.. tell others! If not.. tell me.
EMAIL
I'm a day late with this issue, but I needed some info to wrap
this issue up, and I couldn't get it Monday as I had planned.
That put everything a day behind.... Sorry..
I'll make it up to ya..
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:: 10 Tips for Getting a Profitable Restaurant Deal
:: R.Carruth
First, this article is not about magic, or how to perform magic.
It's about getting a desirable position in a restaurant setting,
performing your particular brand of magic.
Working as a close-up performer in a restaurant is probably the
easiest way for the inexperienced magician to gain valuable 'face
time'. It's also one of the best ways to develop your close-up
skills and work on your confidence.
Working the same location, week after week, requires a different
strategy and finess from say - working birthday parties.
Approaching friends, family, and co-workers to get a birthday gig
is one thing - approaching the general manager of a national
restaurant chain is something else...
Here is a list of tips I consider "essential ":
(1) Look for the proper type of Restaurant -
It will be your responsibility, among other things, to help the
restaurant cover that period of time between ordering and
receiving the order. Seek restaurants that meet the criteria of
having a legitimate 'wait time'. TGI Fridays and Applebees are
good examples. Pizza restaurants that cook pizza on-demand are
another good example. (Customers typically wait at least fifteen
minutes on a fresh baked pizza)
There are always exceptions to this 'rule', but these type of
restaurants are a good place to begin your search..
(2) Dress Appropriately
- To be taken seriously, dress seriously.
I'm not suggesting you wear a tuxedo, but as Michael Finney is
fond of saying.." dress like you have some place more important
to go later.."
(3) Leave the Case
- Don't walk in carrying your close-up case,
but it certainly wouldn't hurt to have it in your car. Leaving it
outside will give you a few moments to think about what strong
magic you want to show the GM/Owner -IF- they insist on seeing a
sample.
(4) Deal with the Decision-Maker Only -
You're not there to
perform a fr'ee show for someone who can only refer you to someone
else. Although some performers say call and set an appointment, I
say go to the restaurant about one-thirty, eat lunch, and then
ask to speak to the general manager/owner;
A) You already have a table occupied.
B) The GM is glad that you are asking questions instead of
complaining about something. and..
C) It makes it more difficult for the GM to brush you off, as
they could on the phone.
Go on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, and try to talk to the GM
around two-thirty - the slowest part of the day for most GM's.
Ask the GM to have a seat.. it puts you both on an equal level.
Be confident..
(5) Be Prepared -
Give the owner/gm a promo package of some
sort. If you have to go to the mall and get a good photo of
yourself at the glamour photo place - do it - and attach a
business card to it. If you have a resume, take copies with you
to give out, as well..
Some of the chain restaurants may want a contract. If you don't
have one - I have a basic contract posted on my website at:
http://streetmagic.info/contracts.html
Print it out, modify it to suit your specific purpose, and run a
few dozen copies off at Kinko's..
(6) Convince the Owner/GM
The owner/gm must be convinced that you
can increase their business on traditionally slow days. If you're
working on salary (or by the hour), you need to show that you can
increase traffic enough to cover your pay.
Don't wait until you're asked- to outline your plan. Have three
or four good examples mentally ready, and look for an early
opportunity to present them.
GM's are in charge for a reason - they know how to separate
profitable ideas from costly ones..
(7) Compromise-
Offer to work one night for fr'ee - if the
management has reservations about your ability or usefullness.
Give the GM a chance to see, first hand, the effectiveness of
your magic.
If you're offered a tip, politely decline, and ask that, instead,
they put in a good word with the GM. This is Very Important...
(8) Pick your Poison -
If you're talented and personable, you can
make more working for tips. Keep in mind that you will be
competing against the wait staff, to a degree, for the customers
money.
Think of creative ways to work WITH the wait staff instead.
Consider offering them a tip if they refer tables to you. I
wouldn't 'quote' them a dollar amount, instead, just tip them a
percentage of your tips. If they can 'pre-qualify' the table, it
will save you time and money in the long run anyway.
(9) Get Pa'id Accordingly -
If you decide to work on salary, or
hourly, remember that you will perform a valuable service for the
restaurant - one that no one but you can perform. You deserve to
be pa'id according to your talents.
Good wait staffers can easily make a hundred dollars plus a
night. Shouldn't you?
(10) Negotiate -
To make your job easier, negotiate the right
to place card holders on the tables. Let the customers know
you're working, that you're working for tips or courtesy of the
management, whatever the case, and to request a visit to their
table through the wait staff.
----------
Some of the biggest names in magic perform regularly
in restaurants. Not so much because they need to - but because
they want to. It's the perfect place to introduce new magic in
your repertoire and make important contacts that may lead to very
profitable performances..
Mastering the ability to be personable is equal to mastering your
magic. Both work hand-in-hand to elevate your status as a
performer. Restaurants are the perfect place to develop your
craft, build your confidence, and gain invaluable contacts. Good
Luck!
~~~::~~~::~~~::~~~::~~~::~~~::~~~::~~~
:: Street Magic Tricks... Do you know how David does it?
Watch this short video , courtesy of The Learning Channel, of six
of David Blaine's most popular tricks. Look for new specials
with David this Fall..
link non-working
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:: La Séquence du Prestidigitateurs
Au vu du titre vous vous demandez ce que ça cache ? Je vous offre
en vidéo une technique inédite de Gamer : le secret de son fameux
vol de carte sans empalmage qui lui permet de gagner à tous les
jeux !
Oh, sorry... I forgot that I can't speak French. You and I don't
have to speak French to enjoy this wonderful site. Watch great
video's of some of magic's classic effects, inspired by Paul
Harris, Thomas Garrett, Harvey Rosenthal, Johnny Thompson, and
Nick Trost, among others..
If you don't watch anything else, watch the amazing ' Pièces pour
salon '. It takes a lot to impress me, and I have gone back to
LSP and watched this video about a half dozen times. You will
too...
After you've explored these video's, look in the left-hand column
for 'Les videos', where you will find about two hundred and fifty
additional videos. Since most of these are silent, except for
occasional soundtracks, being a French site is rendered totally
unimportant...
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:: The Ultimate School Show Assembly Program
How to ea'rn thousands of dollars doing school shows even if
you've NEVER done a school show in your life...
Get this information now... before the next school year begins!
link non-working
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:: I Have No Competion Within (at least) a 42 Mile Radius!
:: David Breth / contributing editor
Absolutely! there are several really, really good, quality &
qualified childrens entertainers within 42 miles (and less-a few
are only 3-6 miles from my home). Why did I state …”I have no
competion”…?
First, I do not view what I do (an entertainer) as a cut throat
business, as some do. I enjoy giving shows to other
entertainers, whether they give me any in return, or whether they
think I´m nuts for doing so.
Example: Mrs. Smith calls me and says she wants a magician to
perform for Tykel´s fifth birthday celebration in three days. She
apologizes that it is such late notice and is hoping for my
calendar to be open. To her dismay I am booked all day that day
and there are no tangible, alternative dates available.
Now I could do as some I know do (and do so well) …”nope, sorry
Mrs. Smith I can´t do it I´m all booked up”…
Mrs. Smith: …”do you know another good, local magician that you
would recommend”…?
Entertainer: …”ummmm, lets see you have so and so and so and so
and if you look in the yellow pages you can find them”…
Mrs. Smith: …”do you know there number or web site right off the
top of your head”…?
Entertainer: …”ahh, I think it is bla-bla-bla…I´m not sure, but I
do know they are listed in the phone book”…
Mrs. Smith: (in a disappointed/stressed out voice) …”oh, ok thank
you”… Entertainer: …”have a good day and good luck”… End.
-------------
The above conversation is similar to several I have heard time
and again while being with other entertainers when they get a
phone call.
Mrs. Smith calls me and we have the same conversation, except I
offer her several valuable options. First, I ask for her mailing
address, Email (if she has one), child´s first name (have her
spell it out, husbands name and two contact numbers (if
available).
Next, I open my wallet and or day planner and pull out three or
four local entertainers business cards. I then give her the name
of two of them and then state that they are friends of mine and
since I have a good relationship with them and I will call at
least one of them personally for her (I also talk them up about
how great of a clown, balloon artist, magician, etc. they are.
They are qualified before she chats with them and she states how
enthusiastic I was about their talent(s).
Ring, Ring, Ring…”hello”…,
…”hello Jeff, this is David Breth - how
are you?”…
Jeff: …”fine and you”…,
…”I´m really good, Jeff I only have a moment-Grab your pen and
note pad, her name is Mrs. Smith, her number is”… (etc. most of
the time when I call they have their pen and paper ready because
the majority of the time when I am calling it is to give them a
referral). 98-99% of the time one of the entertainers I reefer to
callers are able to do the show.
“David, man you are crazy”!!!
“Really”?, see what I have not told you before you stated that I
am crazy is that when I ask for the callers mailing address, that
evening (no matter how tired I am) I hand write a Thank You card
for her giving of her valuable time to consider utilizing my
services. This is mailed the next business day!
While I have the caller on the telephone I also offer them
(whether they have another entertainer perform or not) goody
bags, magic books, magic tricks, and I also send them one of my
FR'EE ultimate, stress-free party planning ideal kits.
The combination of the Thank You card and the FR'EE party planning
kit has always received an amazing response from each one that I
have sent them to. NOTE: If you begin to do these things ‘just´
to get their business, one they can sense this and two you will
not feel as good as if you were to do it as a favor (doing
something special and nice).
Months ago I received one of these calls, after going through the
process I have just shared with you she called me a few days ago
and hired me to perform a school show. Sure she was extremely
satisfied with the entertainer I referred to her, but she was
rather intrigued by the “EXTRA” mile on my part. -------------
P.S. Each month Mr. & Mrs. Smith (and Tykel) receive my valuable
newsletter in their mailbox. Next year I send the Smith´s a post
card, two follow-up letters and a phone call one month before
Tykel´s sixth birthday. 98-99% of the time they use my services,
they OFTEN state we are so appreciative for how you treated us
like we were celebrities last year and the neat newsletter and
post cards you have sent to us throughout the year…wow.
-------------
Hope this helps…this is part one in a series of marketing ideas
that I have learned and then added on to for enhanced
effectiveness. I only share what works...no fluff.
P.S.S. If you are ever in the Baltimore area you are more than
welcome to come to a real-life show, where I perform for both
adults and children - and even chat with one of my clients (call
ahead and I will arrange this) www.davidbreth.com
David
~:::~:::~:::~:::~:::~:::~:::~:::~:::~:::~:::~
:: Genii Tricks Anyone Can Do
Explained and illustrated by Richard Kaufman, editor of Genii
magazine, this series of nine effects include both card and
mental magic. Seeing Red, Made in the Shade, Tear It, and The
X-Ray Tube, are four of the nine effects Mr. Kaufman has
generously posted online for anyone with a magical inclination to
enjoy...
I hope you do...
http://www.geniimagazine.com/tricks/tricks.html
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:: Think Clear
Let Fido read your mind. Sponsored by Seven-up, this
graphic-intense little site is ideal to bookmark and show a
friend later on...
I know... mind reading sites are a dime a dozen, but this one is
a notch above the rest. You not only get your mind picked, but
you're left with small pearls of wisdom like, " Individuality -
great in everything except police line ups"..
~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~
:: Ricky Jay Audio Interviews
Sleight-of-hand artist Ricky Jay has astounded audiences with his
physical abilities. And readers have also been impressed with the
wealth of facts he has gathered from the world of carnivals and
conmen. Jay has also acted in the films of David Mamet -- who
produces his stage shows -- and in the HBO series Deadwood.
National Public Radio has made Ricky a perrenial interview
favorite. Searching the archives at NPR will turn up several
audio interviews with Mr. Jay, three of which I've included
here..
http://snipurl.com/rjay1
http://snipurl.com/rjay2
http://snipurl.com/rjay3
Search a little further, and you will also find interviews with
both Penn and Teller, as well as informative discussions and/or
articles about Houdini and David Blaine..
--------------------------------
:: Harwin - Blurring the Line
Don't ask questions. Just bump up your speakers, click the link,
and watch the video. Pay close attention to the site
'Putfile.com' and what they have to offer - if you have videos
you would like to publish online.
~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~::~~
:: For Magicians Only:
Discover Insider Secr'ets For Booking More Gigs and Making More
Mo'ney...
( PS.. Thank You! to those of you who took advantage of this
jaw-dropping information two weeks ago... I would like to know
what you think of it. Drop me an email... Rick C. )
----------------------
How come we choose from just two people for President and fifty
for Miss America?
----------------------
Well folks.. that's all for now. It's been my pleasure...
Email Me with your request, rants, and raves. I love to hear
from you, just to know that my newsletter is making it to it's
intended destinations.
If you have a suggestion for a resource, let me know what you've
found. And, if you have a magic related article, send it to me
(no attachments please) and let's see if we can't send your ideas
to readers around the world. If it needs a little editing for
spelling or because english isn't your given language, don't
worry... I'll take care of that...
Forward this newsletter on to others, if you have friends you
think may be interested. I enjoy watching my subscriber count
rise each issue.
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Don't forget to visit my blog at...
http://streetmagic.info/blogger.html
Street Magic Bullets.... http://streetmagic.info
Magic Roadshow........ http://magicroadshow.com
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May my next issue find you well...
Rick Carruth
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May my next issue find you well...
Rick Carruth
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