A quick video message from Dominic Reyes:
Magicians Making Contact – Keeping Clients that Hire Magicians Informed
Magicians put a lot of energy into marketing and getting gigs, but the work doesn’t stop there. It’s important that magicians keep their clients fully updated in the run up to a magic gig.
Dominic Reyes talks about what he does leading up to his magic shows to make sure the client is happy.
Dominic received a booking form from a magicians entertainment agent or from the clients that hire magicians directly. As Dominic takes bookings up to a year in advance, it’s important that he recorded the details of each gig very carefully. He clips the booking form into Evernote and enters the details into his magicians diary.
One week before the booking, either himself or his agent will contact the client via email to confirm the details of the booking. At this point, any last minute changes that the client may have can be discussed.
On the day of the gig, the client gets a text message confirming that he will be arriving at the agreed time.
What to do during a gig
Dominic ensures that he introduces himself to the client when he arrives and also meets the client at the end of each booking. He gives the client some magicians business cards with contact details (either his own, or an agents) and asks if the client would give him some feedback when possible.
What to do after a gig
A few days after the magic gig, Dominic’s agent will contact the client to check everything went well, and to ask for a testimonial about using a magician, and how well Dominic’s magic was received. This is of great value both to the agent, but also to Dominic’s portfolio.
Additional Tip from Bartholomew Simpson
Bartholomew recommends that professional magicians ask the client to give you a short video testimonial on the same day. That way you capture their reactions just after they have been impressed by the magicians performance, and it’s fresh in their mind. This is a great idea, as long as the client is not busy and seems responsive to the idea. It’s important not to be demanding of the client or come across as too self serving. However, many clients will be happy to do this, flattered that you asked and find the process fun.
Related Posts:
Why Magicians Need Public Liability Insurance
Mistakes magicians make when traveling to a magic Gig
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How to Hold Bicycle Playing Cards Correctly – Video Podcast for Magicians
One of the Most common problems we see beginners face involves how they hold a deck of Bicycle Playing Cards whilst performing their magic tricks.
When magicians come to the magic shop for help or tuition, we tend to do an initial assessment. We ask them to perform a magic trick, and take note of what’s working we’ll for them, and what needs more work. This is some of what we say about holding your playing cards: Dominic Reyes talks about how to improve the way you hold your Bicycle Playing Cards:
How not to hold your Bicycle Playing Cards.
If you are a beginner, you may get nervous when you show people your magic tricks. Nerves make you tense. Being tense can lead to you hold the Bicycle playing cards very close to your body, at waist level. This is not a great position for several reasons:
1) A deck position that is low and close to the body means you have to look straight down at the playing cards, instead of making eye contact.
2) The background to the action is you groin. Not as appealing as a background with your smiling face in it instead!
3) Your arms are held close to your body, so you tend to cover up and block much of the action from your spectators.
4) You look nervous and as if you are trying to hard. That transfers to the attitude of the spectators as they focus on how you are feeling, rather than the magic trick.
5) It looks as if you are hiding something. Your body language is giving off signals that danger is present. On a subconscious level, you are telling the spectators they need to watch out for ‘moves’ even more closely.
How to hold Bicycle Playing Cards correctly.
1) Hold the deck of bicycle playing cards with a light touch.
2) Make sure your arms are forward and away from your body slightly.
3) Your hands should cover the front of the deck as little as possible.
4) Any fingers that aren’t doing something should be open slightly and out of the way, so as much of the playing cards are as visible as possible.
5) The deck should be above waist level.
6) Move the playing cards around gracefully with finesse as if you regard it as a precious item that you respect and want to display. Imagine a sales person showing you an expensive watch or antique.
Do This: Take a couple of hours and watch a shopping channel. Pick a show where they are selling expensive jewelry.
Notice how the presenter handles the items and displays them.Look at how you handle your playing cards and imagine they are on show in the same way. Be aware of how your hands handle your playing cards and if they cover the deck.
Related Posts:
How Bicycle Playing Cards are made
How to make your Bicycle Playing Cards Last Longer
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