Get the Tools
So you’re a magician in Manhattan. How can you possibly differentiate yourself from other magicians? How can you use media to stand out? But most importantly, how can you use these and other tools to get more bookings?
Build a Brand
First things first. You do need to take into consideration your branding of yourself. What is the image you want what you wear to convey? What is the image you want your magic to covey? And a very important: what differentiates you from other magicians? What do you have in your magic presentation that no other prestidigitator does? This is not going to be easy, but once you do you will become clearer on your brand – what you represent – while also making sure to have this reflected in your business card and website.
Have an Online Demo Reel
Another point to take note of is that it is very difficult to get booked just through electronic means. Though, that said, you can increase your chances tenfold if you have an impressive video of you performing cut together in short snippets much like a movie trailer.
Get a Referral
Probably the most effective strategy of all is to ask for a referral from the person who booked your most recent performance. You will want to tell this person how much you enjoyed working with them and your audience and if they were to find anyone in the future who might need a magician please think of you. Some people think asking for a gig referral can be awkward and it can, but if you don’t ask, you most likely will not get that referral.
More Branding
But just because we have brought up the referral concept doesn’t mean you don’t need digital media promotion tools. You do. It is a way for the person considering hiring you who has been referred by a friend or associate. One of the ways is through your site. So if a person checks out your web presence it will reflect your talent.
Your Audience
Another strategy that offers you a potentially a means of being in contact with many persons at once is to have a presence at a convention or fair of some kind. It could be a show that caters to the corporate world or even things such as wedding conventions. The point is that you figure out who your audience is and then figure out a way to get in front of as many of audience members (your demographic) as possible.
How to Promote Yourself
There are two methods of doing this. One is to be a vendor with a table where you can perform as people pass in front of you wowing them with your legerdemain. This can be expensive though. So another way to attend the event and do close up work that can be done standing. Have plenty of business cards on hand and even an effect that involves your calling card in some way which you can then give to the spectator as a memento.
Make a Difference with Your Magic
But wonder if you are just starting out and although you have a wonderful show to offer you don’t have any current bookings. Therefore it is more difficult to ask for a referral. So what do you do? The next option is to volunteer your services to nonprofit organizations that make a difference in some way. Even though you are performing for free, this can sometimes be a strategy to help the community while possibly landing gigs.
Strike a Balance
Another approach is to make yourself known through social media. Careful with this one though. Know how you are going to engage others through possible performing a portion of your show live and streaming. You don’t want to be in people’s faces with trying to sell, sell, sell. But you do want to let them know you are available for hire.
Get in Gig Directories
And of course there is making certain to get yourself into guides that people use to book entertainment for their events. You often times have to pay for this so weigh the reach of the book against the cost.
Consider Pursuing a Niche Audience
And it goes without saying, know who your ideal audience member is. You can specialize in something in your act that will be of special interest to a group of your choosing. Sometimes it pays to go niche rather than trying to capture everyone.
Email Marketing
Don’t forget the paid search engine ads you can get. Some search engines charge more than others, but it can be worth your time to explore, especially if you have a plan on how to use the traffic. Have a fun way you can get the viewer to give their email such as having an eBook that they would be interested in that you automatically give to them in exchange for their email.
Consider Search Engine Ads
To make this worth doing you need to be very clear on the demographic your are trying to reach and what you want them to do when they reach your page. You will need to come up with a phrase you will use in your ad. The phrase is what you pay for. In other words you want to pick something that your ideal customer will be searching for and then you will provide it for them when they come to your page through the paid advertisement.
In Conclusion