Category: Education

The Concept of Community Through History

“How many people does it take to make a community?” The idea of community has been central to human society since time immemorial. Ancient tribes and villages formed the earliest communities, bound by shared locations, traditions, and survival needs. The ancient Greeks had their polis, and the Romans had their civic structures, both serving as models of communal living that valued the collective over the individual. Throughout the Middle Ages, communities often centered around local churches or were defined by feudal systems, showcasing how the concept of community adapts to sociopolitical landscapes.

The Industrial Shift and Community Evolution

With the Industrial Revolution came a seismic shift in the formation of communities. People migrated from rural areas to cities, creating new community forms based on work and economic class rather than kinship or geography. This era demonstrated the fluidity of community definitions, proving that communities can be structured around shared purposes beyond traditional bonds.

Defining Community: More Than a Feeling

Community is often thought of as a feeling of fellowship with others due to shared commonalities. However, sociologists argue that community is more concrete, consisting of networks of interpersonal ties that provide sociability, support, and a sense of belonging. This definition underscores the multifaceted nature of community, which can exist physically, emotionally, or even virtually. An example of this is the magic entertainment community which is a tight-knit group supporting members who want to become a magicpreneur.

The Influence of Technology on Modern Communities

In the digital age, the internet has revolutionized the concept of community, enabling people to connect beyond physical boundaries. Online communities around every imaginable interest have emerged, challenging the notion that proximity is a necessary component of community. Technology has thus expanded the potential scale and scope of what a community can be.

The Psychological Perspective: Size and Community Dynamics

Psychologically, the size of a community plays a crucial role in how its members interact. Dunbar’s number, proposed by anthropologist Robin Dunbar, suggests that there is a limit to the number of stable social relationships one can maintain—usually around 150. This theory implies there might be an optimal size for a community, one that balances cohesion and personal relationships. The rigidity of numbers gives over to a holistic approach to magic neighbors community.

The Small-Town Paradigm

Small towns epitomize the traditional concept of community, where everyone knows each other, and social ties are strong and visible. Yet, even within small towns, there can be sub-communities, indicating that the essence of community lies in more than just numbers; it involves the quality of connections and shared identity. And even the neighborhoods within big cities fit this paradigm. This can be seen with the New York City community known as Inwood Manhattan.

Urban Communities: A Tapestry of Neighborhoods

Large cities like Manhattan showcase how diverse and numerous communities can coexist in a single geographic space. Each neighborhood can be seen as its own community, with its own culture and identity, suggesting that the number of people required to form a community is less about quantity and more about communal bonds and structure.

The Role of Intent in Community Formation

Intentional communities, such as co-housing projects or communes, are formed by individuals who choose to live together based on shared values or goals. These communities may range widely in size but are united by a collective intention, proving that the impetus behind forming a community can be as crucial as the number of people in it.

1. Manhattan’s Historical Magic Landscape

Manhattan has been a hub for magicians and their craft for generations. The bustling city, alive with the arts, has seen legends grace its theaters, leaving behind tales of awe and wonder. The intricate illusions, the grand theatricality, and the audience’s captivated gasps have become part of the city’s artistic legacy. As technology evolves, so does the question of its integration with traditional magic.

2. The Rise of AI in Entertainment

Across various entertainment mediums, AI has made its mark. Films employ AI for better graphics, music uses it for sound enhancements, and theaters explore it for immersive experiences. AI’s vast potential has led magicians in Manhattan to ponder its application in their craft. The goal is not to replace the magic, but to enhance it. Though, some conjurers have that an AI integrations will make the art of magic no longer an art but instead will not necessarily need the dexterity of slight of hand. AI is Magic? Will AI be fully embraced by magic and magicians? Will this craft never be the same again post AI?

3. Envisioning AI-Powered Magical Theaters

One can imagine theaters in Manhattan where the past and future collide. With AI, holographic renditions of legendary magicians might walk the stage once more, performing classic tricks with a modern twist. This confluence of historical performances with cutting-edge technology can redefine the magic-watching experience for the urban audience. Are magicians around the world watching AI Magicians to make the move to AI? Will case studies of experimentation with AI become visible?

4. Real-Time Interaction and Audience Engagement

Beyond holograms, AI can tailor magic shows in real-time. By analyzing the audience’s reactions, performances can be modified on the spot to enhance engagement. A trick that receives a lukewarm response could be swiftly replaced or altered, ensuring that the audience is always at the edge of their seats. Would Houdini have given a thumbs up to this?

5. The Ethical Debate: Authenticity in Magic

However, as with any technological advancement, there’s a debate about authenticity. Magic, at its core, is about skill, dexterity, and the art of illusion. Introducing AI into this realm might be seen as diminishing the magician’s role, making the act less about skill and more about tech. For purists, AI’s involvement could be a line crossed. If you are a mentalist who develops their own effects, when you Invent Mentalism will you use AI in your workflow?

6. The Audience’s Perspective: A New Age Appeal

From an audience standpoint, the integration of AI might be enticing. For younger generations raised in the digital age, an AI-infused magic show could be a unique blend of nostalgia and futurism. As entertainment preferences evolve, magicians might need to adapt to cater to this new audience demographic. What do you think the Magic Neighbors of the magic community feel about AI? Are they aware that a revolution in magic could be coming?

7. The Magician’s Dilemma: Tradition vs. Innovation

For magicians, it’s a balance between staying true to their roots and embracing the future. While some might view AI as a tool to enhance their performances, others might see it as an external crutch. The challenge lies in using AI to complement, not replace, the essence of a magic show. I would seem inevitable. Former magician AI New Yorker wonders if there will be a change in both the art and business within the community of Prestidigitators?

8. Potential of AI-Assisted Learning for Magicians

Beyond performances, AI can be a learning aid for magicians. Instead of replacing the magician’s role, it could assist in refining their skills, offering tailored tutorials, and suggesting improvements. In this capacity, AI becomes less of a stage tool and more of a behind-the-scenes partner. There are those who fear that if they do not use AI for their effects and promotions, they will be overtaken by the competition.

9. The Economic Impetus: Drawing Larger Crowds

From a business perspective, introducing AI could be economically beneficial. With the promise of a one-of-a-kind experience, theaters could witness a surge in ticket sales. The allure of a novel, tech-infused magic show might just be what Manhattan’s theaters need to reignite post-pandemic audiences. Will USA Magicians be the first to move forward?

10. The Future: A Harmonious Blend or a Disjointed Union?

As Manhattan magicians look towards AI, the future remains uncertain. Will the Web Design Magicians of the world come forward? Will AI become a mainstay in magic shows, or will it be a fleeting trend? Only time will tell. What’s clear is that the intersection of magic and technology offers endless possibilities, and Manhattan, with its history of innovation, could be the perfect stage for this experiment.

The allure of the stage name “Manhattan Magician” in the realm of prompt engineering conjures images of creativity, innovation, and captivating intrigue, much like the realm of magic itself. This persona not only serves as an identifier but also sets the tone for your work, sparking the audience’s curiosity and anticipation. As the “Manhattan Magician,” your job is to weave magic through words, creating prompts that engage and inspire your audience.

Building a brand as a prompt engineer is akin to crafting a magician’s act. It goes beyond the stage name; your brand encompasses the consistency of your prompts, the language you use, your interaction style with your audience. Just like the magic tricks of the “Manhattan Magician,” your prompts should consistently deliver the same level of engagement and excitement to your audience.

As a prompt engineer, drawing inspiration is crucial, much like the “Manhattan Magician” seeking inspiration for new tricks. Whether it’s from other successful prompts, your audience’s interests, or everyday experiences, there’s potential inspiration everywhere. The ability to transform the mundane into an intriguing prompt is what makes a truly magical prompt engineer.

The “Manhattan Magician” learns and refines their magic tricks based on the audience’s reactions. Similarly, as a prompt engineer, audience feedback is your most valuable asset. By incorporating suggestions and critiques, you continually refine your prompts, ensuring they hit the mark and captivate your audience.

The world of prompt engineering, like magic, thrives on experimentation. As the “Manhattan Magician,” experimenting with a variety of prompts, from questions to statements to hypothetical scenarios, enables you to understand the nuances of what works and what doesn’t. This experimentation is the bedrock of your magical prompt creation journey.

Networking is another trick in the “Manhattan Magician’s” repertoire. By connecting with other prompt engineers, sharing ideas, and gaining insights from each other, you enhance your understanding and perspective on prompt creation. This collaborative spirit enriches your work and paves the way for innovative prompts.

The journey of the “Manhattan Magician” is an endless learning process. Every prompt you create, every feedback you receive, every new trend you observe is a new lesson. This constant learning and adapting enable you to remain proficient and effective in your prompt engineering craft.

Showcasing your work is as vital for a prompt engineer as it is for a magician. The “Manhattan Magician” must let the audience witness the magic. Having a portfolio or a dedicated platform to share your prompts not only attracts potential customers but also serves as a testament to your progress and expertise in the field.

The future of the “Manhattan Magician” lies in staying relevant amidst the ever-evolving world of AI. By staying attuned to the advancements and trends in the field, continually learning, experimenting, and improving your craft, you ensure that the magic of your prompts remains compelling and timely, much like the timeless allure of a magician’s act.

The “Manhattan Magician” stage of the AI Audience Understanding Quest builds upon the lessons learned from the “Manhattan Coronavirus” phase, focusing on the implementation of AI in enhancing the magic of marketing. Drawing on the resilience and adaptability acquired from facing challenges, businesses can now leverage AI’s capabilities to provide a seamless and magical customer experience.

A crucial element of AI’s magic lies in its ability to segment audiences effectively. By analyzing behavioral data, AI can categorize customers into distinct groups based on their preferences, behavior, and needs. This granular level of segmentation allows businesses to tailor their marketing strategies to each group’s specific needs, leading to more effective and targeted campaigns.

Following segmentation, AI empowers the “Manhattan Magician” to deliver hyper-personalized experiences to their customers. Personalization goes beyond simply using a customer’s name in an email; it involves tailoring every interaction to meet the unique needs and preferences of the individual. By analyzing past interactions and predicting future behavior, AI can help businesses deliver the right message at the right time, creating a truly personalized experience.

Predictive marketing is another aspect where AI shines. By harnessing AI’s machine learning capabilities, marketers can forecast future consumer behavior, anticipate needs, and adjust their strategies accordingly. This ability to predict and prepare for future customer behavior can make each interaction seem magical, as if the business knows exactly what the customer needs, even before they do.

The “Manhattan Magician” understands that a successful marketing strategy is about creating memorable experiences. With AI’s power, businesses can surprise and delight their customers by exceeding expectations and offering value at every interaction. Whether it’s a personalized recommendation or a timely offer, these magical moments can significantly enhance customer loyalty and satisfaction.

Implementing the AI marketing magic also involves continually testing and refining strategies. The adaptability learned from the “Manhattan Coronavirus” phase is crucial here. With AI’s ability to analyze campaign performance in real-time, businesses can quickly identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments. This ensures that the marketing magic remains effective and relevant, even as customer preferences evolve.

Moreover, the “Manhattan Magician” phase emphasizes the importance of empathy in AI-driven marketing. While AI provides the insights and capabilities, the human touch adds warmth and relatability. By combining AI’s precision with human empathy, businesses can create a customer experience that feels magical yet genuine.

In essence, the “Manhattan Magician” stage is about weaving the magic of AI into every aspect of your marketing strategy. By enhancing segmentation, personalization, and predictive marketing, AI enables businesses to create magical experiences for their customers.

In conclusion, the “Manhattan Magician” phase of the AI Audience Understanding Quest is an exciting stage where businesses get to implement their AI marketing magic. By leveraging the adaptability acquired from the “Manhattan Coronavirus” phase and AI’s capabilities, businesses can create a seamless and magical customer experience.

Ultimately, the “Manhattan Magician” is a testament to the transformative power of AI in marketing. It’s about using AI to create a customer experience that’s not just personalized and predictive, but also magical. It’s about making each interaction feel like a well-crafted magic trick, leaving customers delighted and eager for the next act.

Although we have “magically” made our way into Manhattan Magician’s site, we are not making fun of him with the above graphic because it is not making reference to Manhattan Magician at all. It is about a different magicpreneur. This is a, figuratively speaking, an entity that is part AI (Artificial Intelligence) and part human. He is named the “Ask AI Guy” and has only been in existence since April 1, 2023, which as of this writing was around two months ago. If you are interested in this unusual persona, check out the work he is doing with AI Storytelling Process Change which is a bit like what they are doing at Story to AI.

Becoming a successful magician, especially in a city as vibrant and competitive as Manhattan, is no small feat. It requires not only exceptional skill and charisma but also the ability to connect with people on a profound level. In today’s digital era, a powerful tool that can help in this journey is Artificial Intelligence (AI).

By using a simple AI Storytelling Marketing Process, an aspiring Manhattan magician can weave enchanting narratives about their journey and aspirations, attracting audiences, and turning dreams into reality, ultimately participating in sharing a future in which the mantra is AI Do Good.

The first step in leveraging AI for storytelling marketing is to map out your story. What motivated you to become a magician? What are the significant milestones in your journey? What are your dreams and aspirations? What sets you apart from other magicians? These are the building blocks of your story. Be genuine and passionate, as it’s this authenticity that will resonate with people.

Next, identify your target audience. In the case of our Manhattan Magician, this might be local residents interested in magic, event organizers, or companies looking for unique entertainment options. AI can help here by analyzing demographic data, social media trends, and online behavior to identify potential audiences who might be interested in your story.

Once your story and target audience are clear, the next step is to choose an AI tool for storytelling. There are several AI-driven content creation tools available today, like automated writing assistants or AI video editing software, that can help you craft and present your story in the most compelling way possible. Your story becomes a marketing tool that you can use over and over again, coming up with new and entertaining material each time. For more information on this and related concepts involving AI can be gotten by joining the newsletter of the Ask AI Guy.

The next step is to leverage AI to personalize your story for different audience segments. AI can analyze individual preferences and behavior to help you tweak your narrative to better engage with different subsets of your audience. This personalization can make your story more relatable and impactful, increasing your chances of building a strong fan base.

With your personalized stories ready, use AI-powered social media tools to share your story far and wide. These tools can determine the optimal times to post, the right platforms to use, and even suggest adjustments to your content to increase its visibility and engagement.

Moreover, AI can also be used to interact with your audience. AI chatbots, for example, can respond to queries, provide information about your upcoming shows, and even collect feedback. This interaction can help you build a closer relationship with your audience, further enhancing your reputation as a magician.

Don’t forget to use AI to track the impact of your storytelling. AI tools can provide detailed analytics about your audience engagement, the performance of your content, and the growth of your fan base. These insights can help you understand what’s working and what’s not, allowing you to constantly refine and improve your storytelling.

Despite AI’s capabilities, remember to keep your stories genuine and human. AI can enhance your storytelling, but the magic lies in your passion, your journey, and your dreams. AI is a tool, but you are the magician, both literally and metaphorically.

In conclusion, leveraging AI in your storytelling marketing process can be a game-changer for aspiring magicians in Manhattan or anywhere in the world. The ability of AI to craft, personalize, and share your story can significantly increase your visibility and reputation.

Embracing the AI Storytelling Marketing Process doesn’t require you to be a tech expert. With a clear understanding of your story, your audience, and a basic grasp of AI tools, you can start leveraging this powerful technology to turn your Manhattan Magician dream into a reality.

Thankfully Covid is over as a primary worry, and New York City is back to normal (although there is nothing “normal” about NYC, thank goodness!) And from wherever you are, when sharing your journey and passion with the world, you’re not only building a successful magic career but also inspiring others to believe in the power of dreams and the magic of perseverance.

I am Not Manhattan Magician Most of the Time Except When Incentivizing an Audience!

The part human and part AI entity known as the “Ask AI Guy” is working on today’s short digital book that was discussed earlier at the Manhattan Coronavirus site. I bring this up because the “Ask AI Guy” is pretty much the opposite of me in that he writes a new “Ask AI Guy” short digital book every day. And I am unable to to update this site even monthly? Sad.

But I think even non magicians are going to find this interesting. Why is the idea of incentivizing audiences important? In today’s world, we are surrounded by technology that allows us to communicate and interact with each other in ways that were once unimaginable. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), we are seeing new possibilities for how we can reach and incentivize audiences.

This is particularly relevant in the world of marketing, where companies are constantly seeking new ways to engage with their customers. In this article, we will explore the concept of incentivizing audiences and how it can be applied in various industries, from filmmaking to marketing. Both fields I have worked in professionally.

It all starts with a plan, and creating a plan is something that the “Ask AI Guy” knows about and very recently wrote one of his short AI books about entitled AI How to Plan.

You need a plan to find and incentivize your audience. No matter what industry you are in, there is always an audience to consider. Whether it’s a film or a product, there are people who will be consuming and experiencing it.

For a filmmaker, the audience is critical to the success of their project. They need to understand their audience’s tastes and preferences in order to create a film that will resonate with them. The same goes for marketers, who need to understand their target audience in order to create effective advertising campaigns. You need to think in terms of AI Campaign Generating as the Ask AI Guy calls it.

In the world of magic, the audience is a key component of the performance. A magician needs to understand their audience’s expectations and desires in order to create a show that will captivate and entertain them. The audience’s reactions are also important, as they can provide feedback on what is working and what is not.

Incentivizing Audiences

When we talk about incentivizing audiences, we are referring to the act of motivating or encouraging them to take a particular action. This can be as simple as encouraging someone to buy a product or as complex as inspiring someone to take action on a social or political issue. Incentivizing audiences is a critical part of marketing, where companies are always seeking new ways to engage with their customers and encourage them to take action. Hence of course the “Ask AI Guy” is writing a book today he is calling AI Incentivize Your Audience.

One way to incentivize audiences is through the use of rewards. Companies may offer discounts or free products to customers who take a particular action, such as signing up for a newsletter or making a purchase. This can be an effective way to encourage customers to take action, as the reward provides a tangible benefit.

Another way to incentivize audiences is through the use of gamification. This involves turning a task or activity into a game, with rewards and points for completing certain actions. This can be an effective way to make a task more engaging and enjoyable, and can encourage people to take action.

Incentivizing audiences can also involve creating a sense of urgency. This can be done through limited-time offers or by highlighting the consequences of not taking action. For example, a marketing campaign may emphasize the benefits of buying a product now, before prices go up or the product sells out.

Incentivizing Audiences in Filmmaking

Incentivizing audiences is a critical part of filmmaking, where the success of a film depends on its ability to connect with its audience. Filmmakers need to understand their audience’s expectations and desires in order to create a film that will resonate with them. This can involve creating compelling characters, telling an engaging story, or delivering a powerful message.

One way to incentivize audiences in filmmaking is through the use of crowdfunding. Crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter or Indiegogo allow filmmakers to raise funds for their projects by offering rewards to backers. These rewards can range from exclusive content to behind-the-scenes access to the production process. This can be an effective way to build a community around a film and incentivize audiences to support it.

Another way to incentivize audiences in filmmaking is through the use of screenings and festivals. Filmmakers may offer early access to their film or special screenings to audiences who support their project. This can create a sense of exclusivity and build buzz around the film, encouraging more people to see it when it is released.

Anyway, blame all the verbiage on the Manhattan Coronavirus site. They started the whole AI Incentivize Your Audience discussion!

How do you become a professional entertainer? And let’s say you did become a professional magician. Do you have even a small chance of becoming a big time celebrity magician? Both are good questions, and both have the same answer. Do you have enough drive to keep going no matter what, as well as, do you have access to a steady stream of short term strategies to use to get you where you want to go?

Your motivation level being high enough is something only you can answer, but the good news is in the area of strategies. Although they have not officially opened their doors yet for their ongoing social experiment, METHOD HOW could eventually be a good place for you to get either “Strategies DIY” (Do it Yourself) or “Strategies DFY” (Done for You).

Ever wonder why some celebrities do not seem really amazing at what they do, say, being an actor, and yet they are famous. Plus, you might known of others, who have better skills than the celeb does, and yet they can barely make a living at what they do, while the famous untalented people get all the gigs.

You might think it is because they have a famous parent, or because they come from a rich family, and so forth. And yet there are lots of stories of the kids of famous people either getting into drugs or even commit suicide. The same goes with rich kids.

The bottom line is that the ones who fail did not have the right strategies at the right time. METHOD HOW is the first ever website of its kind and will likely be copied by others. But at this point they are just emerging and initially are doing volunteer work only and are doing so to be able to serve those in need. Being a magician means being a business. That’s right, your magic career is a business and you are an entrepreneur. And as such could likely benefit from thinking like a business owner thinks.

Becoming a famous entertainer is difficult; most people don’t become successful celebrities overnight. To become a famous entertainer, one must possess talent and determination. Yes. But lots of people who have both of those qualities, and yet they never achieve much recognition at all.

If you are interested in not only being a professional magician but also finding fame with your career, then it is important to be able to pivot when need so, so begin working on being able to develop strategies for yourself.

Is a Secret being Secret Important?

Looking for an audience? Want to give your business that extra “Magic?” Manhattan Magician has some ideas about the link of magic to marketing that could be helpful for you. Magicians who take their art seriously, adhere to the code of not revealing their secrets. For many centuries this was possible, relatively speaking.

Is the “Magic” Gone if You Know How a Magic Effect is Done?

But beginning in the early 1900’s magicians like Harry Houdini, himself a Manhattan Magician living in Harlem, became increasingly frustrated, realizing that it was getting more and more difficult to keep the secrets of effects, well, secret. And now today with video channels and other means of communication and entertainment online, it is not at all difficult to discover how a magic trick or a stage illusion is done.

Will the Competition Win?

This has been a major catastrophe for many magic entertainers who find it getting increasingly difficult to get gigs, due to the fact that audiences know how their effects are done. So what is someone to do? This same concern about wanting to keep secrets secret is felt by small businesses trying to hold on to their differentiation, the thing that makes them unique, being taken by the competition.

Value of What You Do Going Down the Tubes

There is really no answer to the reality that secrets in magic and entrepreneurship have no guarantee that their methods will be found out and used by others, diminishing their level of success as people start to realize that a business they once worked with because they were the only game in town, now had copycats that charge a lot less for doing the same thing that was costly when working with another business.

What is the Final Analyses?

Maybe a start of a solution is to see the secret as not being the important thing. Everyone is different and unique, and history shows that those individuals who have the bravery to be who they really are, are often the most successful. In other words, maybe the answer lies in not thinking that the “How” is not as critical as “Who.” Depending on who runs a company can make a big difference. So it becomes about the “Who?”

Passing Through Walls

Salutations. It has been too long. It has been several months since I last reached out to you. Like many others, I have been pushing ahead through the aggravating, sad and upsetting blockade of COVID. The virus, and the way it boxes as all in, might as well be a wall, a very thick wall. Heck. It is a wall that is so formidable that even Houdini would have a hard time passing through it, as he did many times in front of audiences during the early 1900s.

Can a Computer Screen be Magic?

The upsetting truth of the wall of COVID, is that the degree of obstruction that is is felt can vary from person to person, some feeling more claustrophobic than others. Here in this great city of Manhattan, NY, as much as I truly care about my beloved NYC and have always seen it as being “Magic,” I still am faced with the reality of video online communication being the new entertainment medium for performers, having to do what we do by communicating via a computer screen.

Practicing Entertainment Effects in Front of a Mirror

Even as already being someone who stayed in much more than other people because of needing to practice my effects of the mysterious in front of the mirror for hours, even I am feeling the crunch and danger one takes when venturing outdoors as a variant explodes in growth. I yearn for the move from stage as cyber to being in front of audiences in person. Having to pull it together as a performer for my new digital spectators is my own methodology for achieving a better mood.

Grateful for What We Have

Lately New York City has been colder than ever, plunging down in temperature a few days ago to 12 degrees. We must never. forget that there are those less fortunate than ourselves. Those of us with heat in these chilly days of NYC are quite lucky. It is important to be grateful for what you have, especially in terms of family and friends. Therein lies not the problem, but the solution through gratitude. That is the true “Magic of Magic.”

Is eCommerce the Mystical Income Stream Manhattan Magician has been Searching for?

Being “Manhattan Magician” here in NYC is not always easy. The pandemic took its toll on me and was kind of a demotivator when it came to developing news effects and patter. I was not interested in doing magic shows via Zoom to fill my top hat with ducats. While indoors waiting for my second Covid shot, it became my passion to bring forth new online methods that magicians can bring in earnings. And one of these techniques I thought about and think it is at least worthy of consideration.

eCommerce the Magic Way

We here at ManhattanMagician.com have relationships with online consultants and other tech professionals. And when picking the brains of some of these media folks, the platform that kept coming up in conversation was eCommerce. The reason that they thought eCommerce could be a winner for conjurers is because they saw the format as a possible promotion tool while earning money.

Manhattan Magician’s Take

What is my take on why my digital expert friends thought that starting an eCommerce store could be a good monetary move for magic artists? My guess is that they probably meant that that a prestidigitator might consider starting an eCommerce store to sell eBooks about doing magic, offer online magic courses and maybe even t-shirts that have printed on them “I am the world’s greatest magician that nobody knows about.” Things along those lines I would imagine. From this point on in this blog post is from my dear electronic geniuses who have kindly given me the permission to publish below an excerpt from an eBook on eCommerce they are working on. So, if you are someone who makes their living waving a magic wand, you may want to check this out to see if anything resonates with you or gives you ideas on how you could use the eCommerce platform. Over and out from me and thus begins the eCommerce eBook preview: 

How Were eCommerce Stores Helped During the Pandemic?

The pandemic experience for all of us has been different and varied. Some industries had growth while other ones wilted away. And jobs were impacted in different ways too. Some employees continued to do what they do but did so remotely from home, while others in industries that could not be done electronically were hit hard and lost their jobs. During the long time spent indoors the concept of “working” changed. And it became obvious that if you wanted to survive in a comfortable manner you needed to figure out a way to have a job that, if need be, could be done long distance and not necessarily in the office or other workspaces.

Should You Have Your Own Ecommerce Store or Sell On Someone Else’s?

Some people, due to the pandemic, made the decision to seek an eCommerce dream as a way of making certain that they would have at least one income stream coming in no matter what happened. Those who sought this transition found themselves being torn between two different paths when it came to how to sell their products online. One path was to invest in having their own eCommerce store, which would mean that although they would have to both manage their site and promote it, they would be able to have more options to do what they wanted to do and not have to follow someone else’s rules.  Plus, they would be able to keep all the income that came in and not have to give another entity a large percentage of the money coming in. But on the other hand, if they used a third-party seller like that big one, they would have to give a large chunk of the profit coming into someone else. But the benefit to selling on someone else else’s ’eCommerce site, depending on how big and successful that site was, they would have access to more potential customers and might make more sales though only being able to hold on to a part of it. Though, when you work with one of the biggies to sell your ware, there is going to be a big chance that no matter how much you SEO optimize your page with keywords, you will get extraordinarily little and sometimes none of the traffic you need. The reason why that that the gigantic platforms do this intentionally, is because they want to get richer by you having to pay them for you to be sent visitors. Given the fact that both sites of the fence have their pros and cons, one possible approach that truly could be the best of both worlds is to use these two different approaches to eCommerce at the same time. Some have found this amazingly effective and your decision of whether to have the two paths meet, might be worth thinking about.

Are eCommerce Sites Profitable?

When trying to answer the question of whether eCommerce stores are a suitable was for the regular person to make a living, it all comes down to an ambiguous response that some of you are going to be very unhappy with which is that “it all depends.” There are several factors that go into making the decision of whether to move forward comes down to some basic questions to ask yourself and do research on. What are you selling? Is there a niche group the desperately wants your product and seeks yours out because they have a hard time finding somewhere to purchase like yours? How will you promote your site meaning will you have to pay for ads and traffic, or have you figured out a way to use free resources like being linked to other sites in your industry, being engaging, responsive and interactive with social media? What are the basic numbers for you? Are you selling physical products and if so, how much does it cost for you to get or make them versus how much will you charge for them? Or will you go the digital download approach such as eBooks and online course for which you do not have to worry about inventory for but still need an effective and workable to drive the right traffic of individuals who are avidly seeking out to buy now what you are selling?