talkmagic.co.uk

Markdini wrote:Question is are you talented enough for the Number 1 in the UK.

Not only the above, also, an agency won't want you to have all your contact details on show, this goes for all your publicity including your website. I've seen so many performers who have their contact details printed on their brochures and photos etc, the agents will just bin them.

When developing your publicity make sure you leave an area for an agent to attach their contact details (usually a printed sticker) or if you do most of your work with a certain agent have their contact details printed on there.

You will also need an agency friendly website (contact free website), the details of this site are then sent to the agent, now if the agent gets an enquiry for you they can point the booker to your contact free website.

There are some excellent on-line websites which to advertise on, many are free for a basic listing, some charge different rates for different packages, while some are just a total rip off! List your act with as many of the free ones as you can, this will in some ways give you the same results as google ads, i.e. it will make your website more visible in your area.

As for public speaking, you can have the best website in the world, the best marketing in the world but if the product is of a low standard it will all be a waste of time and money. It's quite easy to get the first booking, but it's the repeat booking which really counts. So get every tool you can get your hands on, public speaking is one of the best.

It can takes years to build up a reputation on the circuit, the real world isn't like X Factor, it takes time and commitment, you have to build strong foundations. As the saying goes "It's taken me 10 years to get this overnight success!"

Just one more thing, to short cut this long but enjoyable journey many agents put on showcases, get yourself on a few of these, trust me on this, don't talk a good show, go out and show the people who matter that you can walk the walk! I'm doing a showcase on the 5th Oct, yes I've been a pro since 1991 yet I still do at least one showcase a year, often more, why, well because you just never know who may be watching. Oh and a representative from the Stage will always be there so you will get a write up in the mag and on Stage on-line!!

Best of advice ever, "Use every tool in the book but also, enjoy the often bumpy, but wonderful journey!"

Regards,

Gary Jones.

Craig Browning wrote:

IAIN wrote:before this thread goes into 25 pages or something - why don't we just let tom self-educate, try harder at googling and ringing round...

and just let him get on with it...nothing we're going to say will change his mind, and give it a week or so and he'll forget he even asked this question and go back to his stage show/close up/resturant stuff...

or possibly something new and shiny....

he's been given advice - lets leave him to decide what to do with that...if anything...

Wise Words

Agreed!

Speaking of Web Sites... here's one of the most concise professional sites I've seen in years and it belongs to one of the busiest, highest paid mentalists in the business

http://www.jonstetson.com/

Craig Browning wrote:Speaking of Web Sites... here's one of the most concise professional sites I've seen in years and it belongs to one of the busiest, highest paid mentalists in the business

http://www.jonstetson.com/

Oh god, I do hope you're joking...

kolm wrote:

Craig Browning wrote:Speaking of Web Sites... here's one of the most concise professional sites I've seen in years and it belongs to one of the busiest, highest paid mentalists in the business

http://www.jonstetson.com/

Oh god, I do hope you're joking...

Why's that?

Jon's site is to the point and not filled with rude music and horrid MTv styled video footage that has NOTHING to do with the product. It loads readily for dial up as well as fast connection which is a very important point (agents will click to the next talent if your site don't load fast. They are busy people who haven't the time, nor the desire to wade through the junk and on top of that, they don't need to; there's a 101 others out there that want the same job).

Stetson is one of the top rated showmen on the circuit and he works constantly at fees most would consider to be exceptional and nearly all of his work is with major corporate groups... the very venue the majority of today's wannabes & hopefuls want to be a part of.

His site was developed by one of the top PR companies in the country and designed to sell a single product -- Jon Stetson! A man that does one thing and one thing only, Mentalism with a dose of comedy.

So given hist success and level of commercial demand, why would my reference to him be "a joke"? Why would one view his web site as being anything other than a well thought out, well presented PROFESSIONAL web site... one with large enough font to comfortably read... one that is rife with flash elements or low quality home videos... and the list goes on.

The bottom line is... if you were to advise someone of Jon's caliber in how to gain the same or even better web advantages, what would you tell him face to face? And too, what's your track record when it comes to sustaining said views... the background that would compel someone of Jon's ranking to actually weigh your insights in a manner that is proper in the business & marketing world?

And Yes... Jon and Loren both are quite aware of the community's disappointment with the Brown Paper Project, but let's not crucify someone for a flop their first time out in creating a poorly planned out presentation. All of us have been in similar shoes at one point or another.

Craig Browning wrote:

kolm wrote:

Craig Browning wrote:Speaking of Web Sites... here's one of the most concise professional sites I've seen in years and it belongs to one of the busiest, highest paid mentalists in the business

http://www.jonstetson.com/

Oh god, I do hope you're joking...

Why's that?

Because it is isn't at all concise. He says 100 words when 1 would do. He has 14 odd pages when 3 would suffice.

Craig Browning wrote:The bottom line is... if you were to advise someone of Jon's caliber in how to gain the same or even better web advantages, what would you tell him face to face? And too, what's your track record when it comes to sustaining said views... the background that would compel someone of Jon's ranking to actually weigh your insights in a manner that is proper in the business & marketing world?

Whoa.. steady on, Craig. I gave my opinion on a website. If Jon was to contact me, and if I'm available to take on extra work, I will quote him for any work he might want doing

His website is fine. It's obviously getting him jobs, so it's suiting its purpose. I'm not some web snob who thinks only professionals should be making and publishing websites - indeed, I've seen a few very good websites made by magicans themselves and I wouldn't dream of telling them to get it done profesionally. I don't think one particular site is better than another. A certain site might not be to my taste, but at the end of the day that's none of my business

But is it professional? No. Should it be used as a good example of a magician's website? No. Will I outline the reasons why? No, because it will bore 99% of people reading this thread

anyone else find that the jonstetson website automatically resizes your window? bad form

Jing wrote:anyone else find that the jonstetson website automatically resizes your window? bad form

That was all the rage in 1992.