talkmagic.co.uk

Hi im new here. my goal is to do street busking and then sell tricks after show.

i have had a look at wholesalers and they say you need "proof" of being a "working professional".

how do i prove that if i havnt started?

please help
thanks

Hi,

Welcome aboard, please nip over to the intros and tell us about yourself!

As for your question, you cant really prove your a professional if your not... simple really. If they expect you to have the experience that a professional has, then go out and get the experience. Assuming your in the UK, you can prove your a professional of entertainment by being in Equity, the performing Arts Union. Equitywont just give you memebership though, yet again you have to prove your a professional.

Basically, go out, do the work, do the gigs, get the contracts, and maybe consider taking up the sales side when you have had a year or two of experience.

Sorry if my post isnt very helpful, but you cant prove your a professional if your not!

M

i have got "tips" before lol.

the wholesale site asked for proof like letter head and business card?

so if i get business cards made that must mean im a "working pro" ?

noomkla wrote:so if i get business cards made that must mean im a "working pro" ?

I'd say thats devaluing the industry and making a mockery out of how I earn a living, but each to their own I guess...

I've heard of stuff like that before... "send us a letterhead to prove you're a business". I think they assume 'normal people' can't do that

how do i prove that if i havnt started?

Basically you can't unless you lie

and if you lie to get a credit account then...... you've committed fraud and that could get you added to a credit black list.

It's not worth it so I recommend that you don't.

Anyway, why do you need a wholesaler if you're just starting out? You should be able to get what you need as a street performer from a regular dealer and of course you'll have to pay for it up front.

or are you simply looking to get stuff on free credit so that you can learn to perform?

basically i am not a very good "showman" but i enjoy magic. so i thought i could earn money giving "demos" of magic and selling them. but i need a wholesaler to make money?

im not a magician i want to be a salesman

Work on being a showman then. If you want to sell the magic, you will need to demonstrate the effects, and will need to use showmanship to sell the product to your customers.

If you are genuinely serious about your magic, then learn to be a Magician first

Usually wholesellers want to see a business license. I'd be real careful in making up your own lettehead or business card and calling yourself a business as once they have that information it is really easy to check. If you are looking to sell after your street show then you need a vendor's license, at least that has been the issue everywhere I have been but I'm in Canada and the USA where you also need a buskers license to perform in the street, and then usually a seperate vendors license if you wish to sell, and in most cases that will be denied because you really are not allowed to sell in the street, here at least.

That is part of the cost of doing business, also be warned most wholesellers and jobers alike will require a minum purchase order and until you establish yourself with them they usually want the cash up front. Especially in this day and age.

If you want to get into business do your self a few favours.
Do your research and get a business plan
Know what you are getting into.

You can of course ignore my advice. But if you are serious about it and want to be successful, not just working for 'beer' money you will take my advice. If you don't you will fail.

Thinking about it there used to be a place. I can't remember where but they have a kit that they will sell to magicians for them to use as giveaways at birthday parties and the like, you can of course sell the stuff. It is particularly cheap, I believe they have colouring books, ball and vase, slide box, rising wand, all Adams type stuff each piece retails for just a few dollars, if that is where you are at then they probably just want to know you are somewhat serious and will ask for a business card, it really is not wholesale but it is cheaper then buying all the parts independantly through a magic shop. Like I said most magicians buy this so they have something to give the birthday child.

Just go and work for a magic shop instead. Or, get a proper job instead. If you're not cut out to entertain and don't want to work at it. Move right along.

Plus, you won't make much money selling "tricks" if you're not a showman. You need to sell what you're selling.

Give it up, not worth the bother. Go work in a bar or a warehouse. That'll do you the world of good.

Merry Christmas!

Duplicity wrote:Just go and work for a magic shop instead. Or, get a proper job instead. If you're not cut out to entertain and don't want to work at it. Move right along.

Plus, you won't make much money selling "tricks" if you're not a showman. You need to sell what you're selling.

Give it up, not worth the bother. Go work in a bar or a warehouse. That'll do you the world of good.

Merry Christmas!

Incredibly cold, and unfortunatly probably the truth. But you never know who is going to suprise you.

First of all, if you are going to sell items on the street, make sure you have the proper permits/licenses. Then, if you want to prove you are selling, buy a few items from a magic shop and sell them, either at cost or for a very small mark-up so that when you get to work with a wholesaler you can keep the price the same and not risk past customers seeing the new-lower price and feeling ripped-off. Once you have sold some you can honestly say that you are selling and that may help you work with a wholesaler.

But, the others who have responded are correct, it does take some level of showmanship to sell. You have to make the effect entertaining and not just a puzzle for the spectators to figure out. To make something entertaining requires showmanship. So, if you don't have any, you will have to develop it or your sales will probably be poor.

Working at a magic shop is probably the better solution, if you are interested in growing as a magician. While magicians can be competitive, once you start working at the shop you will probably make a friend or two with more experienced magicians who may take you under their wing and help you grow as a magician.

basically i am not a very good "showman" but i enjoy magic. so i thought i could earn money giving "demos" of magic and selling them. but i need a wholesaler to make money?

im not a magician i want to be a salesman

Enjoy magic as a spectator and if you want to make money from magic without being a magician, and by selling magic to any Tom, Dick or Harry then you're devaluing magic.

does a music shop selling guitars have to be good at showmanship? no

So why cant i just sell magic tricks? im not saying im a brick? im just not a huge showman that can get bookings

noomkla wrote:does a music shop selling guitars have to be good at showmanship?

Nope...but it sure helps if they can play, and play convincingly!