Belzian Magic

Elitism in Magic

2008-06-18T13:06:00.000-07:00

Being a younger magician who has experienced relative success in his entrainment career, I've been exposed to the elitist attitude of some of the older magicians. However, it's not just me who has been exposed to this elitism. Many younger magicians who experience success or come up with new ideas are faced with this annoying situation.

During the course of writing these essays, I've been told on numerous occasions that I'm not old enough or experienced enough to give the information that I have. In other cases, I'm told that my advice simply wouldn't work, even though it has been proven to be effective by the success I've had, along with the success of the others who have put this advice into pracice. Other's simply criticize me for not spoon feeding this information, which I refuse to do as people need to use common sense and experiment a little in order to find out what is most effective for them. What works for one person may not work for another person, and as a business person, it's essential that one uses common sense and a little experimentation in order to succeed.

As I've said though, I'm not the only one to experience this elitism. In Luke Jermay's recent book (3510, which I highly recommend for any experienced mentalist, Banachek, in a short introduction, speaks about the elitism that Luke Jermay experienced when he first started. The older elitists said that his methods simply couldn't work. Yet, those who tried the effects which Luke Jermay created can stand up for his methods. They work and work wonders. He's a very talented performer, but because of his age, and him being new on the scene, he was exposed to this elitism.

Now, I didn't write this just to air some greviences, but to give advice. That advice being; don't be dissuaded by these elitists. If you have an idea and know that it can work, run with it. Don't be afraid to try new things, or give advice you know workds. Don't worry about what the elitists have to say. There are many other people out there who are more than willing to give you advice.

Sorry for the Delay

2008-04-25T04:44:00.000-07:00

I've been gone for the last couple of weeks. I've just been overly busy so I haven't had a chance to update this. Next Friday though I will start it up again. So stay tuned until next Friday.

*Edit*
Because of some additional promotional needs, I will have to skip one more week for these essays. I will begin again in May. Thank you for your patience.

Restaurant Magic: Part 1

2008-04-04T06:22:00.000-07:00

Over the previous couple of weeks, I've see a lot of bad advice given on the subject of restaurant magic. To hopefully correct much of that misinformation, I've decided to write a series of essays on the subject of restaurant magic. Over the next couple of weeks, I will be delving into this vast subject. Hopefully, by the end of this series, you will have the knowledge that will prepare you for a career in restaurant magic.

In this first essay, I will be discussing a couple subjects in restaurant magic that I've seen brought up quite a bit, as well as a couple of other subjects that people don't completely understand.

Ambassador.

When many beginners think of restaurant magic, they think of it as if you're just a performer going from table to table performing magic effects. They are surprised when they are told that this is not so. Being a restaurant magician is much more than just performing magic. You are an ambassador to the restaurant. You are there to make sure the customers are enjoying their dinning experience.

Now you may be wondering what being an ambassador means; what does it entail of you? It is true that you are expected to perform magic for the customers. Besides that though, you are also there to make sure people are having a good time. That sometimes means that you just strike up a quick conversation with a customer (I've found that the elderly prefer this to magic much of the time). You also make sure that they have everything that they need. However, this does not mean that if they need a glass of water, that you go get it for them. You are not part of the wait-staff. Instead, what you would do is inform that tables waiter/waitress that one of their tables are in need of a glass of water (or whatever it may be).

You're also there to make sure that people don't leave. On busy nights, that cooks can get behind. You're there to make sure the customers don't notice this. If they do notice, then they can get upset, and spread negative reviews about the establishment. In the case that the cooks get behind, you are there to distract the customers by entertaining them. Another situation that happens on busy nights is that there is a long wait to get seated. A restaurant doesn't want to see customers leave because they are waiting too long. So, again, you are there to also distract the people waiting to be seated. By entertaining those people, they are more likely to stay as the wait doesn't seem as long. Also, they are enjoying their time.

You are there to make the restaurant look good. By doing so, you make yourself look good. You want people talking about the restaurant in a positive manner, because it also reflects on you. The more people who frequent that restaurant, the more exposure you will get, and in return, the larger potential for additional gigs. So remember, you are an ambassador to the restaurant.

Age.

This is a point that is discussed quite often. There are somethings about this issue that must be known though. Some magicians are very talented at a young age. Yet, they still aren't ready for restaurant magic. The reason being; restaurant magic is more difficult then just doing magic. It requires a certain level of maturity, and knowledge on the subject.

It is legal for a young magician to work as an entertainer at a restaurant. Since they are independent contractors, they are not limited by child labor laws. However, just because it's legal, does not mean they should do so, as there are some problems. The first one is that until you are 18, you can't sign a legally binding contract. A contract is a necessary item while working at a restaurant. It saves you from being used and exploited. This matter can be worked around, by involving your parents. If you have make your parent an officer of your company, then they can enter in on the contract on behalf of the company. The point though, you need a legally binding contract, and until you're 18, you can't sign one.

There is also the maturity level. Think about these situations. What would you do if a woman you were performing for decided to breast-feed her infant? What would you do if the woman you were performing for had a very jealous boyfriend who thought you were flirting with his girl, and wanted to beat you for doing so? What would you do if you ended up performing for someone who was drunk, and they got violent? There are many situations that will occur while doing restaurant magic that a child simply won't be able to deal with. With age, comes maturity. And maturity is needed to work successfully in a restaurant.

Then there is knowledge. To study the subject of restaurant magic, it takes a considerable amount of time. You need to know how what restaurants are worth approaching. How to approach those restaurants. How to successfully sell yourself to that restaurant. How to draw up a contract. What effects to perform once you get the job. Etc. There is a lot of knowledge that you need on the subject before you can even consider getting a job as a restaurant magician. It's not just something you can jump into and think you will be a success.

Finally, there is the stereotype that follows children. Now, it may not be fair, but it's there. Younger people are looked at differently. They are seen as a bother. And when they ask if you want to see magic, they are seen as a cute/pest who can do a couple of tricks. For the most part, you simply won't be taken serious. And because of that, restaurants won't be as willing to hire you. You are too much of a risk to that restaurant. Is this stereotype fair? Not for all young people. But it was young people who created this stereotype, and it is unfair to the responsible and mature young people out there.

So, age does matter. But don't let that put you off. Wait until you're 18 before trying to get into restaurant magic. It will make things much easier on you, and it also allows you to learn everything you need before trying to get a job at a restaurant. Until then, there are other venues that you can do.

Cold-Calling

This is the last topic I will discuss in this essay. In another essay in this series, I will discuss how to successfully cold call a restaurant, but for right now, I want to discuss another subject with cold calling. In my personal opinion, it's a must. It is the most successful way to schedule a meeting with a general manager, and get the job. However, I've seen many younger magicians who tell others to go about this in different ways.

One of the most frequent suggestions I've seen is to go into a restaurant, and just start performing magic for the wait-staff in the hope that they will tell the manager about you. This is a horrible idea. The wait-staff don't have the time to be watching some kids do magic effects. They are busy, and can't be held up at any one table. Otherwise, the restaurant suffers because they will end up being slower and they will get behind. This is not something that a manager will look kindly on. You will be seen as a nuisance and destroy any chance you had at working at that restaurant. Now, there are some exceptions to this rule, but not many. It's a horrible way to approach getting a job at a restaurant.

The other suggestion that I hear often is to simply go to a restaurant and ask to speak with a general manager. This isn't as bad of an idea as the previous one I mentioned. However, it is unprofessional, and you will more than likely end up wasting your time. It's best to call ahead and schedule a meeting with the general manager. Otherwise, you risk wasting your time because they may not be there, they may not have the time to meet with you, or they simply won't want to meet with you. You will also look unprofessional, which will be their first view of you. Again, there are always exceptions, but for the most part, it's not a good idea.

Cold-calling is the best way that I've found to get a job at a restaurant. This way, you can schedule a meeting with the general manager, and you know for sure that they are at least somewhat interested.

Next week, I will discuss the preparation that is required to do before you even consider trying to get a restaurant job. I will build each essay on the previous one, so you have a complete guided to the subject of restaurant magic. But I will also suggest other reading material as well. This week, I just wanted to get some common topics on restaurant magic corrected. Until next time,

Dustin White
www.BelzianMagic.com

A Different Type of Free Show and Magic Kits

2008-03-28T07:39:00.000-07:00

I've made it a point to offer a "free" show to a church of my choice every year. This is something I've done for the last four years. The reason I call it a "free" show is because it costs the church nothing. However, you're still being paid through a cover charge, and free-will donation.

Here's how these shows work. First, it's necessary to find a church that you think deserves a "free" show. Once you've done that, call them up and ask for the administrative or senior minister. You'll want to schedule a meeting with this person. This is not to say that they will be able to give you the authority to do the show. Many times, they will have to talk to the church council to okay the details. But they are your first step.

You'll want to explain what you want to do for their church. Which simply is supplying them a show for no charge. Explain that you want to have a reduced cover charge (as a special gift to the church) as well as a free-will offering, which is to be collected at the end of the show. You will cover the cost for all promotion and advertising of the event. You'll also want to explain how they will benefit from this special offer. First, they get a high quality show for nothing. Second, they get free promotion and advertising for their church. Now, the way you benefit (which you don't need to explain to the minister) is that you get to present a show without having to rent out a facility, and you end up making a nice profit, as well as gain exposure.

I've found that most churches are interested, but you must remember to offer this show early. Churches do book up quickly with different events, and you want to make sure you get a good date or to be fit in at all. Sometimes, you won't be able to be scheduled on the day that you were looking at. But they will usually be able to squeeze you in sometime. You just want to make sure that you try to schedule this as early as possible. This way, the church will have time to discuss the idea, and fit you in.

Sometimes, the minister will direct you to other people that you will need to talk to. This is alright, and just go along with it. Other times, the minister will have to get back to you after a council meeting. It's always a good idea to call a couple of weeks later to just give a check up on how everything is going. They will usually get back to you in a timely manner though.

Once you've gotten the show, make sure that it's a clean show. You want to make sure that it's family appropriate. Also, keep religion out of it. It's best to avoid the topic all together. You don't want to offend anyone. But that also doesn't mean you have to have a G rated show. Just don't go too crazy. Use common sense. As you will end up getting additional work, if you have a quality family show (as families will be the ones who will most likely be coming to a show like this). The church may even end up hiring you for additional events, and churches have a non-ending supply of events throughout the year.

The other thing I want to mention in this essay are magic kits. Now, the type of magic kit I'm talking about is more like an emergency magic kit. This simply is a magic case that you keep in your vehicle at all times. Inside of it are the props you need to perform an entire show at a moments notice. I believe Andrew Mayne also talks about using a kit like this.

I've found that these magic kits can be very helpful. For instance, on Monday I decided that I would go to a local hotel and drop in on a business gathering there. I mingled with a couple of groups of people, and ended up steering the conversation to magic. I performed a little comedy magic with sponge balls and had great reactions. So much so that one of the groups ended up introducing me to another group of people which included the owner of the company, and the person who was in charge of the entertainment for that particular event. They requested that I did a little magic for them, and I did so. They were amazed by what I did, and asked if I would stay around and perform at the end of the night. Since I had my magic kit in my car, I was able to accept the gig, and do a show for them. I'm now working out a contract with this company to do a couple of additional shows. So having a kit like this can be very beneficial, as you're always prepared to perform.

Now, if you only do large scale illusions, this isn't going to work. But for those who can pack small, but play big, this is a great idea. I've utilized this kit countless times, and have had great results. I just just fill it up with the props I need, and throw it in the back of my car.

To finish up this essay, I want to discuss one last thing. Beware when you go on magic forums. Yes, there are some great ones out there, but others are filled with people who have huge egos. For a beginner magician, frequenting one of those forums will do you no good. And even for younger magician (age wise), you have a high chance of being attacked if you try to offer any advice. Which is sad, because many younger magicians can give out great advice, but are being stifled because of arrogant magicians. Now, I have found that the PenguinMagic forum is a great place to be. It's the one I've frequented for the longest. There are a lot of young magicians there who basically spam, and don't know what they are talking about. But there also some magicians there who are very well informed, and are more than willing to help and listen. Those people more than make up for the faults of the young magicians there. I've also found that TheMagicWoods, even though some of the members are a little protective, offers another great forum. They have frequent big name guests there. And they have a lot of good information. However, I would say beware of TheMagicCafe. Yes, there is a lot of great information there. But there are also a lot of members there who have overinflated egos, and have a tendency to attack anyone who is younger, or disagrees with them. The negative there outweighs and positive that they offer. So I say that it's not even worth going there.

That's it for this essay. Next week I will talk more about restaurant magic. Until then, take care,

Dustin White
www.BelzianMagic.com

Booking Gigs: A How To

2008-03-21T08:45:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to go about booking gigs. Some of them are very effective; others not so much. Here are just some of the ways in which I've found to work.

Have others promote you. Word of mouth is probably the best way to get your name out there. However, when you're first starting off, this can be a difficult task. An interesting way I've found t overcome this is to give people an incentive to promote me. I've made it a practice to give anyone who refers a client to me, a 10% commission. Essentially what I'm doing is employing anyone interested as a booking agent. To make this practice even more effective, it's wise to go to party supply stores, and inform the people working there of your deal. Employees of party supply stores don't make a whole lot, so they are more than willing to inform customers of your services. And since those customers are already shopping for party supplies, they are likely to also be interested in your services.
Online Directories. There are many online directories. These resources can benefit your business immensely. However, others will do nothing but waste your money and time. Because of that, you need to be careful while picking which directories to choose. Personally, I would never pay to get into an online directory. This is because you can get the same services for free, and I haven't found one worth paying for. For starters though, I recommend www.gatheringguide.com. I joined it awhile ago, and have had great results.
Go to Trade shows. Trade shows can be a high source of income, but getting into them can be difficult. One way that I've found that works it to actually just go to trade shows and get to know people. It's simple, but it works wonders.
Join Local Clubs. Joining local clubs such as the Eagles, Moose, Elks, Masons, etc, can be a wise idea. It allows you to meet many people, as well as find out about scheduled events. Being a member allows you to keep your services known by those clubs, and simply looks good on resumes.
Hotel Banquet Rooms and Conference Halls. The next two suggestions deal with hotel banquet rooms and conference halls. Many people seem to overlook these venues. However, much can be gained by paying a little more attention to this opportunity.
The first suggestion will require you to be a little gutsy. It is because you're going to be "crashing" business parties, in order to meet people who have the power to book you for different events. If handled correctly, you'll be the hit of the event, you'll get an "in" with the company, and you'll meet people who will be able to help advance your career. Now, you may be wondering how you find out about these events. This is actually relatively easy. Many hotels have a calender of events that you can check out. Otherwise, you can ask the person at the front desk, and they will usually be able to give you some information. Here's some additional tips. Dress nicely; suit and tie. You want to make a good first impression. Act like you belong. Steer the conversation towards magic, and perform a couple of quick tricks. This will get people talking, and leads to you getting an audience with the people in charge (you must suggest this yourself. Just steer the conversation in that direction). Most importantly though, act professionally. (Joel Bauer's Hustle Hustle includes this method, along with many other great ideas. I highly recommend it).
Suggestion 2. The other suggestion allows you to perform a full evening show at hotels. Many hotels have banquet and conference rooms that go unused; meaning those hotels are loosing potential income. Which is a great reason for those hotels to allow you to utilize those rooms at no charge to you. What's even better is that one, you will get exposure; and two, you can charge a cover and end up making a nice profit. Here's some additional tips. Get a hold of the person in charge and arrange a meeting with them. Explain that you want to set-up a parlor show in their unused rooms. How do they benefit? One, they gain exposure and publicity. Two, they can sell drinks and meals, meaning they make a profit as well. Third, they have nothing to loose, as those rooms weren't being used anyway. (Carl Andrews also suggests this idea).
Take up Golfing. The reason for this one is very simple. The wealthy golf. And the people in big businesses are wealthy. This is actually a piece of advice I got from Michael Finney, and it's one that has worked great for me. Going on golf trips with CEOs, presidents, and managers of companies can get you very far.
Cold Calling. This is one you should already be doing. Cold calling will bring in many shows. However, you will also get many rejections. But you just have to keep going with it. So open up a phone book, and start calling businesses. You should be calling at least 100 per day.
Websites. A well-designed website can help you quite a bit, especially if you're a national performer. It will allow you to redirect people to your site so they can learn a little about you and what you do. Also, people can stumble across it while searching for entertainment. One thing you must also do though is make sure you submit your site to search engines and web indexes. I suggest going to www.selfpromotion.com to learn more about this, or email me at DustinWhite@BelzianMagic.com and I will help as much as possible.
Newspapers, TV, and Radio. These three forms of media can have great benefits, and many times you can get advertising in these media sources for free. You just need to know how to work it. THe first step is to contact the people in charge of your local media outlets. Tell them about yourself, and inform them about what you do. Invite them to lunch, and discuss how you can help them. I know I've left this method a little vague, but I will soon be writing an entire essay on just this. As for this essay, there's just too much information on this method to include it all at this point.

You now have 10 methods to promote your business and yourself. Those are by no way the only possible methods, and later on, I will explain many other additional methods. I suggest trying each one of those methods, and see what works best for you. Until next time,

Dustin Boyd White
www.BelzianMagic.com

Free Shows: Part 5

2008-03-14T08:24:00.000-07:00

This is my last essay in this series. My next series of essays will deal with promotion and advertising. Before I start though, I do have to say what comes next is simply my opinion. I know some magicians and entertainers will disagree, and say that it's never a good idea to do free shows; but I don't share that opinion.

Once you've completed creating a routine, improving that routine, and getting the legal work done (contracts, insurance), you're ready to start performing. Starting off, I suggest doing a couple of free shows. It's important that you don't over do them though. Just a couple will suffice. Otherwise, if you perform many free shows, you run the risk of gaining a reputation of being "that magician who does free shows." This is something you want to avoid.

The venue you choose for you free shows will depend on what type of performer you are. For kid shows, local libraries are ideal. Churches are another good option for a variety of shows (I suggest if you do do a free show with a church, ask for a good-will offering). Local clubs such as the Eagles, Moose, Elks, etc. can be another option. Personally, I wouldn't do a free show for a local club though, as they often do hire entertainers. If you've done a free show for them previously, they may not want to pay you later on. It's just not a risk I would personally choose to take.

A free show can be a very good idea, if handled properly, and not over-used. It will allow you to get honest feedback from laymen. Face it, friends and family often will try to spare you your feelings. They don't want to be mean, so many times they will say you did better then you really did. However, a stranger doesn't know you. They don't have to worry about hurting your feelings. So they will be more honest. Which is something you need when you're beginning. It's the only way to grow as an entertainer. Free shows also give you experience, as well as a chance to get testimonials and references. Clients want to see that you have done previous shows, and that people have liked those shows. So getting testimonials and references is a must. Finally, free shows allow you to get your name out there, as well as gain contact information.

Like I said before though, you don't want to do too many free shows. You don't want to get a reputation of being an entertainer who works for free. It will come back to haunt you, as people will expect you to work for free. Which is why I also advise not to perform free private shows. Never do a free birthday show, or free party (there are some exceptions to every rule. But for the most part, I do advise to never do free private shows). Doing free shows for family is also debatable. Personally, I rarely do shows for family in general. If I happen to do a show for family, they are usually for free, but given as a gift to the family (this way there is still a monetary value to the show). The problem I see with doing free shows for family is that they may end up expecting you to continue doing free shows for them. Which can also lead to them assuming you will do free shows for their friends. Family has a tendency to unknowingly take advantage. They don't do it on purpose (for the most part), but it happens. Which is why I stay away from doing free shows for family, unless they are given as a gift.

There are pros and cons to doing free shows though, as I've shown. Personally, I did free shows when I first started. I only did 5 in total. I wouldn't suggest doing many more than that. Just enough to get your name out, get a little experience, and a little feedback. Now, I rarely ever do a free show, unless it's a rare circumstance. For instance, I've done impromptu shows at parties, simply because I know important people are in the room, and that if I impress them, I can look forward to a nice paying booking. A circumstance like that doesn't happen often. I would say in the last 4 years that I've been performing professionally, it's only happened twice, maybe three times at most. My point is, don't get into a habit of giving away free shows. A couple when you start off isn't bad. However, after that, unless is a special circumstance, don't do them.

One last thing about free shows. If you decide to get into restaurant magic, free shows can be a little more acceptable. After talking to the general manager, and they seem to be interested in your services, but are a little wary; it can be a good idea to offer to come in one night and perform for their guests. Now, you would still accept tips, and it would be just a demo (meaning you wouldn't be doing a full night, just an hour or two). But it is a way to sell your services to a general manager who is on the fence about hiring you. Only offer a free trial though if it seems as if the manager is interested in hiring you for a more permanent basis. Sometimes a general manager will just need that little extra push to be completely sold. If the general manager doesn't seem interested though, don't bother offering. It's a waste of your time.

That's it for this series of essay. What I've given you is just a basic outline. You're now ready to go out and start booking gigs. However, remember that promoting yourself is an ongoing process that you can never stop doing. Which is why in my next series of essays, I will be focusing primarily on promotion and advertising. I will be giving you methods that have worked wonderfully for me. Until then, good luck in your new endeavor

Dustin Boyd White

Promotion and Advertising, Part 4

2008-03-10T20:02:00.001-07:00

This is part 4 of my essay on how to start a career in magic. In this part, I will be continuing on promotional material and how to get your name out there.

After you've completed your promotional kit, it's a good idea to create promotional flyers. These will be used to promote the show you will eventually book, as well as advertise your services. What you should have on these flyers is an action photo of yourself, description of you act and services, and contact information. one you have this done, it's easy to add date, time, and location to the flyer when you need to.

Once your flyer is complete, post them anywhere you can; churches, libraries, schools, grocery stores, music stores, etc. make sure you get permission to do so first though. It's best to keep on friendly terms with local businesses. It will make it much easier on you in the long run.

Another good idea is to create small handouts. Basically what I'm talking about are miniature flyers. You've probably seen these around from time to time. Local bands seem to really like these to promote their shows. You design these just like you would a normal flyer. These are nice to put in different stores as handouts. If you make friends with different store clerks, they are usually more than happy to hand these out to any customer. Plus, if you do a good job on designing these, I've found that teens and young adults will even hang these on their walls. One last plus about these is that I've found people are more willing to keep these compared to full size flyers. They take up less room, so people don't mind hanging onto these.

There are other promotional ideas that you can use as well, from having your car custom painted, to getting on your local television channel. But for now, you've gotten the basics. Again though, I do provide a service that creates all the promotional material you may need. Just send me an email at DustinWhite@BelzianMagic.com and we can work something out. Later on, I will be going over additional ways to promote yourself, but you should have enough ideas to help you get started.

The last thing I will discuss in this essay are the little extras that you need to consider before you start performing. They may seem like small details at first, but are actually very important. First, if you haven't already, I suggest looking into joining magic fraternities like the Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. They really do help in the long run. The benefits are great, and the advice is even better. Second, you need to look into getting entertainer's liability insurance. it's a must as things can happen; accidents do occur. Having insurance is a precaution that must be taken, as it will save you in the long run. Finally, you need need to have some contracts drawn up. This is just another precaution that you need to take. Plus, it assures you that you don't get screwed over by a client. I suggest you also require a deposit (50% of the total cost of the show) at the signing of the contract. If you need assistance with drawing up your contracts, for a reasonable fee, I can have them written up for you. I have three lawyers on my staff who have over 30 years of combined experience. If you are interested, email me at DustinWhite@BelzianMagic.com, and we will get everything worked out.

That's it for this section of the essay. In future essays, I will discuss additional ways to promote yourself. As for the next section of this essay, I will discuss the pros and cons of doing free shows in order to get your name out there, as well as gain some experience. If you have any questions until then, feel free to contact me at DustinWhite@BelzianMagic.com.

Promotion and Advertising, Part 3

2008-03-07T06:50:00.000-08:00

This is part 3 of my essay on starting a career in magic. In this section, I will be discussing promotional material, and how to get your name out there.

Now that you've got your show created, it's time to start promoting yourself. This includes creating a promotional kit, business cards, a promotional DVD (which may come later, after you have some live performances), promotional pictures, etc. This can be a difficult process, especially if you don't know what you're doing.
Personally, I suggest getting your promotional material created professionally. The reason for this is because it is a difficult process, and many entertainers simply don't know how to go about it. You need these products to look professional. So it's not worth trying to do them yourself if you aren't talented in the area of creating promotional material. It's also not worth trying to do yourself if you don't have the right tools to create these materials. As for the price of having your material professionally created; in the long run it's not much. You'll get the price back in one or two shows. Plus, you'll get many more shows with those promotional materials. So in the end, it's well worth the price.
Some of you may be well equipped to create these promotional materials though. However, I still advise that you have your materials professionally printed off. The reason for this is because it's cheaper in the long run, and the quality is generally better. Using a home printer simply is not a good idea. It's not cost effective, and many home printers simply don't have the quality that a professional printer does.

Now, if you're looking for someone to create your promotional material, I do so for a reasonable price. I have three artists on my staff, as well as two advertising/promotion consultants. I've also taken various courses in advertising and marketing, as well as worked for different companies with their advertising and promotion. Together, we have over 75 years of experience in our particular fields. If you're interested, drop me an email at DustinWhite@BelzianMagic.com or BelzianMagic@aol.com, and I'll get back to you shortly.

If you happen to choose to do your promotional material, you should first check into printing services. Office Depot is one option, and they do have decent prices and are high quality. You can also check your phone book and find local printing places as well. Finding a professional printer though is important. They provide better quality, and are more cost effective.

After finding a printing service, you'll want to start creating your business cards. Remember to keep them simple. I've seen many business cards that are just cluttered with a lot of useless information. The majority of them end up in the garbage because they look unprofessional. This is no need to complicate things with a bunch of unnecessary clutter. So like I said, keep it simple. All that you really need on your card is your name, contact information (phone number, email, etc), website (if you have one), logo or picture, short tag line (keep this short. A quote from a client is always a good idea), and brief description of what you do (simply stating that you're a magician, entertainer, etc.). You just want to put basic information on your cards. Your potential clients will get the more detailed information during the phone calls, emails, or when you hand them your card.

Next, you'll want to start working on the material for your promotional kit. Here's what I suggest including (other's may tell you different, but from my experience, this is what works):

A short biography
Awards and honors (including societies and associations you belong to)
Quotes from satisfied customers (this may have to wait until you do a couple of shows). Also, including a short letter from a previous client can also be a good idea.
Client list (I personally don't include private shows in mine).
A picture of yourself (try getting an action photo. The picture is simply so they can see what you look like, which is important).
Description of your show (just the basics. Try to answer any questions they may have).
Business card.
A short DVD show casing your talents (best to get live footage from a show you've done. This way potential clients can see audience reactions. This may have to wait until you have a couple of shows).
A cover letter. (Introduce yourself and explain why you're sending the kit, as well as what you plan to do for them).
From time to time, I'll also sent a flyer and/or a postcard. It's a little something extra, but can get good responses.

All of this should be printed on your won custom stationary. Your stationary should include your contact information (mailing address, email, and phone number. If you have a fax number, which can be handy, include that as well). It should also include the name of your business as well as your logo (if you have one). The reason for having everything printed on your stations is simple to keep your general information (name, contact information) in your potential client's head. It also looks professional.
Now, I mentioned the use of a logo. A log can be a very useful tool. It can make a client remember you for a long time. Just think of the Nike logo. Nike spent millions of dollars on that logo, and now, it's a logo that basically everyone recognizes. To make an effective logo, it's best to keep it simple. I believe in simplicity. This way, it's easy to remember.
Something else worth creating is a brand message. Simply, what this is is a short message telling people who you are, what you do, and why you're different. once you have your brand message created, you want to include it on everything.

Something else you'll want to include in your promotional packet is a call to action. This should be included in the cover letter. The purpose of a call to action is to make your potential client feel like it's necessary to contact you as soon as possible. You don't want potential clients to lay your kit aside, and forget about it. By putting a call to action though, they will be less likely to lay your kit aside. Personally, I include a call to action in my cover letter, as well as the brief description of my show (which is the last page of my promo kit). This way, they see it twice; at the beginning and at the end.

Now, you'll need something to put all of your information in; in order to keep it organized, and add a little extra professionalism to it. I suggest getting black, hi-glossy folders to start off with. You can also have specialized folders made for you, which can be an added benefit to you. Also, having a slit in the pocket of the folder, where a business card can be placed, is another good idea.

One last tip for your promotional kit. Use a stapler or a paper clip to secure everything together. You don't want a bunch of loose papers everywhere, as potential clients may end up loosing them, or misplacing them. You have to consider that some of the people you will be mailing these promotional kits to are receiving many other promotional kits as well. It's easy to end up loosing loose papers. So just stable the papers together, or use paper clip. (All you want to staple to paper clip together are the actual papers. The cover letter, quotes, client list, awards and honors, and description of your show).

That's it for this section. You have a lot of information to consider, and enough work to get done. Promotional kits are a lot of work, but they are necessary. In the next section of this essay I will be dealing more with promotional material and ideas, including flyers, handouts, and free shows. Again though, if you need someone to create this material for you, feel free to contact me at DustinWhite@BelzianMagic.com or BelzianMagic@aol.com. Or if you just have some questions, don't hesitate to drop me an email.

Building a Show; Part 2

2008-03-03T06:12:00.001-08:00

This is part two of creating a career as a magician. It deals with building a show. I hope you enjoy.

Now that you've thought about what type of magician you want to be, and the type of people/venue you want to perform at, you can start building a show. At first, it's best to just start out with what you already have, and work from there. Take the effects you want in your show, and set the rest aside. You want to end up with about five routines/effects for your show. Now, this may vary depending on the type of shows you do, but I'd say generally, five routines/effects should be enough. This isn't to say you can't throw in a couple of quick, simple effects in between your main routines/effects though.

The type of effects you want to select should be ones you enjoy doing. Since you aren't selling your show yet, it isn't necessary that you can perform all of the effects you have chosen though. You will still have time later to practice and rehearse everything. Also, don't choose only very strong effects. You want the audience to be able to relax a little bit, and by having only your strongest pieces of magic won't allow them to do so. It can also take away from the magic, as it may seem to perfect. It can become too much. I also suggest that you add a little bit of comedy to your show. Even if you're a serious performer, a little bit of comedy is still good. It breaks up the tension that can build. It gives people a little relief. So really do think about adding just a little bit of comedy.

As for arranging and picking out effects, I suggest you get a rating system of 1-5. 5 being the strongest effects you have, 1 being the weakest. Rate all of your effects accordingly. Personally, I would set aside all of the 1's. To start off the show, I suggest using an effect you rated as a 4. From there, go to an effect rated as a 2, then a 3, then a 5, and finish with a 4. So here is the sequence I suggest using: 4-2-3-5-4. This way, you get everyone's attention, but you don't blow them so away that the rest of the show isn't impressive. From there, you have a build up. You then wow them with a strong effect. And then bring them down just a little, so they are wanting more. After that, you can always go out with an encore, if the audience seems to want one, and if you feel up to it. For that, I would suggest an effect rated as a 4, maybe a 5.

Once you have your routines /effects chosen, it's time to routine them all together. If you have chosen to use the rating system I suggested, it should be a little easier to do so. But creating a routine is something you have to do yourself. It's a task that will take sometime to get correct. Be prepared to change and improve your act multiple times before you are done. You may end up finding some effects that work better. Don't be afraid to switch out effects. And don't rush this process. It will get done in time. It is a time consuming process, but it's well worth it in the end.

Once you have your routine down, I suggest that you record it. Practice your routine in front of a video camera. One, this allows you to actually see your routine from an audience's perspective. Two, it allows you to upload the video on to the internet and post it on different sites so that you can get other magicians to help with improving your show. Be ready to get honest feedback though. Sometimes, it may seem rough, but if you take the advice, your show will see improvements. Just don't take the advice personally. The majority of magicians are more than ready to help. However, many do come off as abrasive. But their intentions are good. And they truly do want to help you. So just take what they say with a grain of salt. They don't mean any harm.

If you ever want additional help with your routine, feel free to contact me and I'll do what I can. Just drop me an email at BelzianMagic@gmail.com or BelzianMagic@aol.com. If you have a video, feel free to send that as well, and I will give you and advice that I can. Just have a little patience though, as I do get quite busy. But I'll usually get back to you in just a couple of days.

In the next part of this essay, I give advice on how to start getting your name out there. So check back soon.

Dustin Boyd White

Creating a Career as an Entertainer/Magician

2008-02-29T07:21:00.000-08:00

To follow will be a series of essays on how to start a career as a entertainer; more specifically looking at magicians. I'm breaking the essays up in parts so that they don't become overwhelming. Also, I will be releasing various booklets soon also dealing with this subjects. These essays will be included in them, but will be rewritten and expanded on. These essays were written somewhat quickly, so they may not be written in the prettiest manner; but the information is there. So here we go.

Many new magicians are under the impression that making a career out of magic is an easy task. They learn a couple of effects, and then figure that they deserve to be paid. But it doesn't work like that. So, in this essay, I've decided to offer my help on the subject of beginning a career in magic, as well as how to keep that career going.

The first step, on in which is often overlooked by beginners, in becoming a professional magician, is having a quality product that you can sell to potential clients. This may seem to be obvious, but I've seen many magician sell a client a show, even though that magician had yet to create one. It is very important to first create a quality show before you accept any bookings. I know it may seem tempting to be paid for something you love doing, but it's not worth ruining your reputation as an entertainer because you decided to accept a job you weren't prepared for. And don't worry, they will be many more bookings in the future.
Before you can create a show though, there are a couple of things you have to decide on. What type of entertainer do you want to be? Do you want to specialize in just one area of magic, or do you want to dabble a little in multiple areas of magic? What type of shows do you want to do? Do you want to do just kids shows, or do you want to be able to perform a variety of shows? Are there certain venues that you want to specialize in such as bars or clubs? Do you want to do stage shows, or are you more of someone who like doing close-up? Do you want to add other forms of entertainment to your act, such as juggling or dance? You really need to decide on what type of performer you want to be, and the type of audience/venue you want to perform for.

Personally, I've chosen to expand my options and offer a variety of services. I do school assemblies (lecturing on multiple subjects), psychic entertainment, psychic lectures, comedy shows, comedy mentalism, escapes, consulting, pantomime, clowning, ventriloquism, juggling, balloon sculpting, kid shows, etc. I'm constantly expanding my services. Right now, I'm expanding to custom made props and clothing. However, others decide in specializing in a couple of fields of magic. Both are options to look into, as both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Being a specialized performer, your able to focus on those specific fields of magic that interest you. By doing so, this can give you an advantage over the competition. It can also save you money in promotional material, as you can design everything around what you specialize in. Plus, you can focus your advertising to specific groups that are more likely to hire you. However, this can limit your performances . Meaning, there simply will be some shows you can't do. You limit your availability.
On the other hand, if you offer a variety of services, you don't have to limit yourself as much. Your availability increases as you are more diversified. So you are able to provided shows for a larger number of people. However, cost goes up in promotional material. For instance, I have multiple promo DVDs, business cards, promo kits, etc. Each one serves a different purpose, and tells about a specific service that I offer. It was something I decided I need to have done. Doing so though increased the time and money I had to put into these materials. Also, you may run the risk of spreading yourself to thin. This will cause your shows to suffer, and can really wear you out.
There are other disadvantages and advantages of each. However, each of you have to decide what's best for you. Also, take into consideration what you personally enjoy. If you don't like kids, don't do kids shows. If you really enjoy one branch of magic, specialize in it. Make sure you enjoy what you are doing. This way your performances will improve, as you will be enjoying yourself. Also remember, just because you are a magician, doesn't mean you're required to perform whenever someone asks. Do not be afraid to turn shows down. It's better to politely decline a show, than ruin your reputation, and the event your performing at, by providing a poor show.

That's it for now. My next post will deal with building your show. Until then though, think about the information just given. Hopefully it will help.