talkmagic.co.uk

Hey all

I'm thinking of finally making the big jump of going semi-pro (YAY!) but wondered, what would be the best way of advertising? Got an ad in the paper, but is there any way of getting your face out there - mabey specifically into the birthday party crowd, corporate executive crowd etc? Are there any good websites you can place yourself on as a magician? Speaking of websites, thought it'd be a good idea to get some pics of myself in action and get a website of my own.

All thoughts welcome

Many thanks

Alex

Get on your PC and make some Brochures up that describe what you do and distribute them to all the area Party Supply stores and Party planners. You may also wish to drop them off with the Banquet houses in the area. That will be your best bet. Paid for advertising in the paper or magazines rarely pays for itself and DO NOT buy a phone book ad (biggest rip off going!)

Get yourself a close up gig in a family eatery, this will also help open doors for you.

The Single Most Important Thing of All = GET A PROFESSIONAL WEB SITE UP AND RUNNING... this is the business card of the 21st century! Learn how to get it up in rankings on the search engines and get ready for phone calls... I get at least two dozen calls a month and I'm not even pushing my site yet.

If you need some help with print media or your website, let me know. I can help you out.

With your site, do not (ever, ever, ever) make a Freewebs or some other c*** (not the best) like that. Learn the HTML, and your sites will look much more professional and altogether better

Learn HTML here!

If you are looking for newspaper coverage, which is priceless advertising, remember that you have to offer the paper something NEWSWORTHY to get your picture or a story about you in the publication. They aren't doing this out of the goodness of their hearts.

Secondly, word of mouth -- although it takes longer -- is worth ten thousands paid ads. In a paid ad, you can say what you want; but word of mouth is from someone else and, if you are good, you will be considered VERY good!

Finally, heed Ace of Kev and, if you inisist on having a website, don't get a free one because that is what it will look like! Personally, I don't see the value of having a website in selling your act' usually they just give the owner of the site a fuzzy feeling (sort of like peeing yourself in a blue suit; no one notices, but it gives you a warm feeling! LOL!)

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alex,

(1) Get an online presence* people want to refer to site these days.

(2) Get into contact with your local newspaper. Local rags tend to print a lot more favourable articles than nationals (who won't consider you at the moment anyway) give them something to write about and they'll probably do it.

Got 20 friends? Hire a room in a local pub and put on a show, see if you can find other acts to support you, get them to bring their friends. Invite the local paper along, give plenty of notice and then email a week in advance to remind them. If it's a slow week/fortnight you may even get a 3/4 page and a small front page pic.

You now have a write-up to add to your website.

(3) Volunteer to perform for free, hospitals etc. always include effects which include your business card. You need to get yourself performing infront of other people as often as possible - word of mouth, as Peter points out, is worth ten thousands paid ads. You never know who you'll get talking to.

(4) Go to your local bookshop. If they sell magic books, most shops have a small range, offer to demostrate your abilities for free. They will advertise you in advance, you get to perform and it may lead to a paid gig. Again, you get talking to others and another chance to promote yourself.

* I can get you a designed web page and hosting for £100 (no-ads and your own domain name). PM me if you're interested.