talkmagic.co.uk

I am soon moving to University and will be needing to earn some extra income, I think that it is time that my Mentalism started paying dividends!
I have also created my own site which will help with publicity, as well as planning a few publicity stunts to spread the word. (Blindfold Bike Ride anyone!). I was also hoping for any ideas on how to create a promotional video and what needs to be included, what should't etc..

-Length
-Layout
-Effects
-Music

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I do Mentalism and Close up magic of all types, although i try not to mix the two so much nowadays.

Your best bet would probably be to get to your local library and look for books on marketing and advertising.

As indirect to the question as this is, although a promotional video is a great idea, the best advertisement is a wallet full of business cards and some brilliant performances to entice people in.

Surely it depends who your target is and where you see yourself selling your skills.

Where will you perform?

Lenoir wrote:As indirect to the question as this is, although a promotional video is a great idea, the best advertisement is a wallet full of business cards and some brilliant performances to entice people in.

I have a few different promo's one of which is on my website, and this does work and get me work.

But I agree with Lenoir nearly all of my business comes from performing and giving out cards (lots more than from a promo video) to a layman there is no beeter way than to wow them with your performance and leave them with your contact details to keep or pass on.

For sure Lee, a video on the website is a great thing to have, as unfortunately we can't perform to everyone. However, as you say, almost all of the successful magicians I know work off word of mouth and business cards alone.

Marco from International once said to me...
"If you're good, you'll get work. Forget thinking that your promotional side of things isn't working. It's the competence of the performer."

Similarly, Tommy Wonder depressingly expressed that everybody is born with or without talent. You can't change it. If you have it, you'll be successful in magic!

aporia wrote:Surely it depends who your target is and where you see yourself selling your skills.

Where will you perform?

Bars and small stages, I mainly do parlor stuff at the moment, although would be confident enough to do a larger stage show.

Then a video of you working at a bar and getting strong reactions ?