talkmagic.co.uk

Just a quick word of advice to all those just turning pro in this crazy biz that we call magic! Always always carry loads of business cards and/or flyers with you! When I started out I missed out on loads of potential bookings simply by running out of biz cards. It's a cardinal sin, and one I quickly learned from.

In fact, if you're working wedding receptions, restaurants, etc., hand out biz cards to everyone you perform for. You never know when they'll think "Ooh, a magician would be nice for my party. Now where's that business card I had?"

Also, always carry your diary with you. People may want to book you there & then. If you haven't got your diary with you, they may change their mind if they have to call you the next day or whatever. Be prepared to strike while the iron is hot.

And if you're in the UK, join Equity. Really, if you do nothing else, join Equity. Then you'll be insured and have a big strong union behind you if anyone tries to sue you when your favourite flash routine goes horribly horribly wrong.

i don't do business cards just cos when i do gigs, they're always little after dinner gigs and i get work from word of mouth...

however - i always thought it would be a nice idea to get your contact details printed on the face of a deck of cards...

then you can just use 'em in your final effect and leave the card with them...

I actually used to put small stickers with my contact details onto the backs of cards. I was never very sure whether the sticker aspect of this made them look unprofessional so I packed it in. I guess that a professionally printed pack of cards would be good - expensive though I would have thought?

ah, i was thinking more of having them on the front of a deck...im sure it wouldnt cost that much getting it custom cut on a pack of sticky labels...

there's even some software isnt there from cards4magic...

Surely you shouldn't have to give them a card, they should just find one in their pocket

Or perhaps I should psychically implant the info into their mind? Or at the very least suggest it to them using some NLP technique or other?

"When you drive home this evening, you'll have pleasant memories of the event. As you begin to feel yourself smile, so you'll remember that it was the magician that ..."

Most of my gigs are through agents so handing out business cards is generally frowned upon, that said I do get work from handing them out in other circumstances.

if you do want to use business cards then here is a great website for you VISTAPRINT

business cards are free but here's the kiddie.

Register with them and then log off. Wait a short while and you will get an email with 99% off offers as a thank you for registering. take advantage of these emailed offers to get premium cards done for next to nothing. You can choose the delivery time as the longer you're prepared to wait (21days is longest) the cheaper the postage!!

Even our american and candian chums can do the same here VISTACOM

I have used them for tthe band, my landscaping and a freinds business. They have great customer service too so if you do want Business cards check em out!

Having your info on a card could look rather neat, especially if you finish with a card effect.

I was just at OfficeMax today and they sell transparent sticker labels - onto which you could print your contact info and stick it to the front of a card with appropriate surface area (like a 2). I'm sure these area available in most other office supply stores.

A rather neat application that occurred to me is a signed card routine, in which you force a card and have them sign it. Vanish the card and do your favorite reveal. Show them the back of the card with their signature on it, then flip it over to reveal their card - now with your contact information printed on it.

I get my cards from Vistaprint too. They are so cheap that you can easily afford to get a new set when they need updating, and then have plenty of old ones for practising billet moves....

I always use cards with blank backs. Firstly, they can be written on, and (apart from their use as billets) I often write notes on them, either for myself or when I give them away. Secondly, I often show them blank on both sides and print them by hand.

Barry

If you can incorporate your business card into a trick then all the better.

I have a variety of ways of producting a card, incuding just hand one out