Magicians Testimonials – How to Ask for Feedback

What's the most effective way for magicians to get testimonials from people that hire them?

You did a great job performing magic at the show. The crowd loved you and you are finished for the night. Before you pack up your magic props and leave the venue, there is an inportant step to take: Set up your magicians testimonials!

Dominic Reyes recorded a short video for the blog whilst at a magic gig. He talks about how he gets feedback when people hire him to perform magic.

Before you leave your magic gig, make sure you speak to the client and ASK FOR FEEDBACK. It's fine to ask for a magicians testimonials because it shows that you care.

Follow up a week or so later. Send a letter, or ask your agent to contact the cleint and get feedback.

Ask for a copy of any photographs that were taken of you performing your magic.

Ask for a copy of the raw video footage of your magic performance. Ask the client as well as the videographer as that will greatly increase your chances of getting the footage. Video companies get very busy, so unless it's specified from the client, it can often be forgotten.

Send the client some business cards with your follow up letter. They may have been approached after the event and can send them on. It also gived client another reason to contact some of the guests at the event, which is valuable to them if the event was a networking exercise.

Remember to publish your magicians testimonials on your magicians website or in a performers blog. Don't just file them away, they are valuable content that gives social proof to your claims.

If you can, take a friend to a few gigs and ask them to record video testimonials from guests outside of the event or in the outer bar area.Ask permission for this, and it will usually be granted. Your video testimonials don't need to look perfect, they should look real, raw and unedited feedback from people that have just seen you perform.

Taking the time to get feedback is one of the most effective ways you can build up your marketing as a magician. Don't feel shy about asking. Most people love giving their opinion, and will be happy to help.

Body Language and Magicians – Confidence to Perform Magic Tricks

by Merchant of Magic 7 Comments

By Dominic Reyes

Amy Cuddy gave an excellent TED talk showing how body language can change not only how people see you, but also how you feel about yourself and your own abilities. For magicians, this is essential advice.

I highly recommend you take the time to watch her talk on this subject:

Close up magicians cold call social groups and attempt to form a relationship many times each booking. As you approach each group, you are making a first impression, in much the same way as a job interview. In the first few moments of your introduction, spectators are making assumptions about you based on your appearance, posture, expression and behaviour. A positive and confident approach goes a long way towards smoothing your introduction into the group and their willingness to give you attention.

Problems for magicians.

When a magician approaches a new group of people, he or she has several obstacles to overcome including:

Capturing attention.
Developing a rappor.
Dealing with alpha spectators in a power play for group attention.
Overcoming stereotypes.
Engaging interest in the magic.

That's a lot of work to do, in the first few seconds of your introduction. Even established professional magicians experience a form of stage fright when they first start performing at a gig. This stage fright can often present itself as a nagging doubt in your own abilities, act, or the audience's interest in seeing your magic. Many magicians experience a fear of 'being found out' as if everyone will suddenly accuse them of not really being a magician. It's not so much about the magic tricks going wrong, but an irrational feeling that everyone will say. 'hang on, you're not really a magician are you!' This feeling stems from feeling that you are just playing the part of a magician, rather than actually being one.

Magicians need to establish their confidence and proficiency as quickly as possible. A slouched, closed posture signals insecurity. Spending time working on your posture, stance, and body language can radically transform your success as a magician.

Our own confidence greatly affects the overall reactions that our magic performance produce. That's why Amy Cuddy's advice is so useful to performers. If we send the time before a gig, ensuring that our own frame of mind is positive and confident, it will resonate throughout our who performance. Amy demonstrates that being aware of your body language, and accepting the ability to 'fake it until you make it' can lead you to 'fake it until you become it!'.

How to Find an Audience for Your Magic Tricks

by Dominic Reyes Leave a Comment

Richard writes: 'I've been practicing magic for a few years, but only performing to my family. How do I find an audience for my magic tricks?'

Nice work Richard! You've been practicing your magic over the long term, and that shows a real commitment to develop as a magician. Like many people, you have reached the point where you have run out of new people to see your tricks. After all, magic needs fresh eyes because a magic trick is never as strong when it's repeated to the same person. Lets look at some ways you can start performing to a wider audience.

Dominic Reyes recorded a short video in which he talks about finding an audience for your magic tricks:

In a nutshell, it's all about reaching out to the community. You already have an audience that would love to see your magic. It doesn't have to be a commercial transaction as the real value for you initially is experience. Start looking for an audience for your magic tricks amongst the charity and support sector. Study the 'what's on' guide to look for events that might like to 'bolt on' some close up magic. Advertised events may be at a stage where they have already arranged the entertainment, but that should not stop you. The goal is to make contact with the organisers and introduce yourself. When the best season of events start to be planned, you can recontact and be at the front of their minds, when they are doing serious planning.

The secret is to MAKE CONTACT. The world will not come to you, all by itself.

Introduce yourself and become known in those circles. If you make an effort to put yourself out there as a possible entertainment choice, you will land some gigs sooner or later.

Remember to be active in the magic community. Join a local magic club and be INVOLVED. You will have fun, learn, and develop an understanding of your local areas market for magicians.