The Magicanada Project

Liam · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 424

I think it would be a great way to hand out some business cards
my two best ideas so far are air step off the edge of the pool
or maybe buy the cloud busting book, show up at one of the street festivals we have in my town, and get wred of the clouds

Michael Kras · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 2:27 am Post subject:

Sounds great, but may I advise against using cloud busting. The whole process is extremely long and boring.
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BrianMillerMagic · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 543 Location: New York State

Performing is a great way to hand out business cards, not publicity stunts. Get some gigs, hand out your cards, ask the clients for references.
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Ethan the Emazing · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 160

I personally don't like "publicity stunts", just get some gigs and hand out your business card and get your name out there works just as good, sometimes even better, and you have much less chances of getting in trouble for not asking for permission to do the stunt, and don't have to worry about getting hurt doing it, etc.
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Liam · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 424

well if i were too step onto the pool, i would ask for permission first.
And as for handing out cards at gigs, this would be my first attemp to get a gig. How did you guys get into proffesional magic?
Maybe i could do something attention grabbing, like stepping on water, and then after i have peoples attention on me, i could do a free show

and mike you said
"Sounds great, but may I advise against using cloud busting. The whole process is extremely long and boring."

by that do you mean the clouds would slowing and boringly go away, or before i could even start, i would need to do something long and boring?

BrianMillerMagic · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 543 Location: New York State

Don't do a free show, ever. As soon as you do a free show, you become known as the magician who does free shows. It's a bad business decision. Get your first gig by talking to friends, your parents friends, teachers, and anyone who might have an event. Offer to do it cheap, but not for free. From that first gig, ask your client to please refer you to others who might be interested in having you. After a couple gigs like this, shows should just start coming to you. It takes at least a year to get a consistent string of gigs.

One other note: you must have a show before you get a gig. I mean a real show that you've rehearsed, written the script, revised, and worked on. Not just a list of tricks. If you don't have a show, it will come through in your first couple gigs and you won't get any more after that. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

EDIT: Let me clarify my first statement about free shows. Don't do free shows ever, unless it is charity work, or volunteer for hospitals, nursing homes, etc. You get the idea.
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Liam · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 424

okay, i'll take you advice because you've actually made it into the feild.
one thing you said though, about performing free at nursing homes.... well i already preform at nursing homes (dance) and maybe i could just like, leave my card with a receptionist next time i go. Say something about it being free for nursing homes. And i could end my show with handing out business cards to all the old folks. They might tell there childer/grandchildren about me.

BrianMillerMagic · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 543 Location: New York State

Make sure you have professional business cards, not cheap ones or ones that you printed on your computer. Your business cards are your marketing team, and just like you wouldn't send a marketing representative to a client unshaved, dirty and in raggy clothes, don't give out poorly designed or unprofessional business cards.
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Ethan the Emazing · Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 160

If you have an office max near you, I use them and have gotten great service, great products, and awesome quality for business cards. And they're not that expensive.
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Liam · Joined: 30 Dec 2007 Posts: 424

ya, i read the article at magiczine about bussiness card