Hello. I am Manhattan Magician and am proud to be interviewing performer/entrepreneur Yianni Stamas in a brief discussion about ways that conjurers can promote themselve. So let’s begin.
MM
Yianni, tell me, what is the easiest way for a prestidigitator to position themselves in this world of distractions with everyone vying for their slice of the attention pie?
YS
I believe it is still possible to be creative in building your visibility as a performer/entrepreneur without having to spend a lot. A New Year’s Eve article I did on MagicPreneur (that is going to run concurrent with this one) is on the topic of gaining traction as a magician or mentalist through the use of selling on Amazon.
MM
Please tell us more about that.
YS
The paradigm is really quite simple and includes selling magic books and tricks. An example of this kind of thing in the past is Mark Wilson’s Complete Course in Magic written in 1975. Though, that was a long time ago and many of your readers may be too young to remember the book.
MM
I remember Mark Wilson, my friend had his course. In fact, you can still get it online.
YS
A more current example is Jeff McBride’s Magic & Mystery School which is a private school located in Paradise, Nevada that teaches you how to do theatrical magic, mythology and storytelling. Jeff recently joined the Zoom call of a magic organization I am a member of and has always been an innovator.
MM
So let me get this right, by helping others learn the art of magic you are in a sense simultaneously helping to promote youself?
YS
Something like that. Though, to be successful with this method, you have to be sincere in your desire to make a difference.