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I have started trying to get "work" by preforming at local pubs, one such pub i went to, the manger asked me to write(type) a proposal letter detailing when i can entertain at the pub, how much i am asking to be paid, is it an hourly rate or so much per night. As well as what i can provide for the pub by preforming my magic there. Any help any of you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Including ideas as to how i should lay out the letter

It looks like he has given you the main headings of the letter. Keep it nice a formal, detailing your skills and experience, laying out your terms, and give him some options, e.g. weekly at one rate, a chunk of bookings at another rate, etc. Just keep to your bottom line.

I agree with Dr Todd. Also, try to find out WHY he is asking you to write a proposal letter. Is it becuase he has to refer the idea to someone at the brewery, for example? If so, can you contact them direct, rather than a thrid-party letter? Often when people say 'put it in writing' they actually mean 'I can't say no to your face'! This doesn't sound like one of those, but getting to why he wants a letter, rather than making a decision directly will be useful to you.

Best,

Lee

In my experience, getting something in writing isn't necessarily a bad thing. I always ask for things in writing as a legal back up.

This manager may want a letter from you stating cost in the event of a conflict. If you raise your costs or disagree on a payment, they will have a letter as evidence.

Fist thing - he didn't say NO which so many do.

Secondly -

try to find out WHY he is asking you to write a proposal letter. Is it becuase he has to refer the idea to someone at the brewery, for example? If so, can you contact them direct, rather than a thrid-party letter?

DON'T

At this stage, he's asked for a letter so that's exactly what you give him. To go back and start asking questions may seem argumentative and put him off. Give him a letter, wait 2 weeks and if you've heard nothing then contact him.

If at this stage he says's that he's passed it on, THEN you can ask for the name of the person and try to approach them direct. Business people do not like to feel as if they have been circumvented!

When I got my deal with Playboy (long, long ago) I sent them a one page letter explaining my situation, what I did, etc. and how I'd like to work with them fulfilling their tradition of having novel entertainment at the table side... (re-read that line -- I'm exploiting the fact that they have used this style of entertainment before. The other thing I used to do when dealing with less established facilities, is simply remind them how successful companies like Playboy were and the fact that they used Close Up magic regularly.)

Keep the letter short!

If you go beyond a page, you're pushing your luck... more than two pages you will typically be dead in the water.

When it comes to the money side of things you need to remember who you are and who you aren't -- consider how much (if any) hands on experience you have and recognize that if you are "new" to it all $50.00 a night for about 3-4 hours work (+ tips) is about average... I've been shocked as to how little most guys are making in this area considering I was pulling in $150.00 a night 25 years ago + tips and I'm not that great when it comes to close up.

DON'T BRING UP NEGATIVES!

Dean Hankey picks on this one a great deal; if you don't mention possible negatives or objections then chances are higher that your target client won't bring them up. On the other hand, know what the typical objections are and be prepared to prove that's not how you operate.

A few of the major "complaints" that you will encounter are;

* Yea, our last guy did little more than a couple of tricks a night trying to pick up a date and suck down free booze.

* Well, the last guy we had didn't work out... I don't think people here are interested in magic tricks...

* This is a family establishment so you can't do anything that might be spooky like that Mind Reading stuff or when you have things popping up in people's hands without them knowing its going to happen... (I know, that sounds lame but I actually lost a gig because some dingbat swore that my sponge ball routine was done with Voodoo... she raised a big stink about it and the only solution was for me to move on to another city... I so love Religious idiots!)

Speaking of the Religious Fools of the world, you do have to be exceptionally careful where you are doing your work and the kind you do. When I was working in America's deeper southern states I had a hell of a time with the zealots. But then Illusionist Kirby Vanbirch nearly got lynched when he opened his show in Branson, MO some years ago. The good christian folk though he was in cahoots with the devil. Especially when he has those Gregorian Chants playing (the good Baptist of the area considered them "Satanic" even though the group is a famous Catholic choir... go figure).

Well, it's not much but thats some insight as to what I've had to deal with and consider when making that sort of pitch.

You may want to invest in a couple of the less expensive marketing systems that are out there... Check with Stevens Magic they carry several systems, two or three of which are under $50.00

dat8962 wrote:Fist thing - he didn't say NO which so many do.

Secondly -

try to find out WHY he is asking you to write a proposal letter. Is it becuase he has to refer the idea to someone at the brewery, for example? If so, can you contact them direct, rather than a thrid-party letter?

DON'T

At this stage, he's asked for a letter so that's exactly what you give him. To go back and start asking questions may seem argumentative and put him off. Give him a letter, wait 2 weeks and if you've heard nothing then contact him.

If at this stage he says's that he's passed it on, THEN you can ask for the name of the person and try to approach them direct. Business people do not like to feel as if they have been circumvented!

Absolutely agree, my fault for wording the advice badly! What I should have written is "Can you find out from him if there's anyone else you should contact" or something like that!

Best,

Lee

Thank you all for you help

He asked me to give him a letter so A) he could give it to higher ups and B) so he had an idea - in writing - of when i could preform, my costs, what i can provide to the bar and so on.

I don't really expect anything from this but i just figure its good practice and i better get use to doing this.