Are you participating in the down economy?
"Is you income disappearing?"
Here is a link to an article titled: "Income for magicians disappearing.."
Printed in the Los Angeles Daily News
April 18, 2009
Does your income appear to be disappearing?
Do you feel you are a victim of the economy?
Think about this....
The truth....its a choice you have made, either by
planning or NOT planning.... there are no victims!!!
As a magicians you can either do what they always
have done in the past or you can evolve and discover
new markets. Times are changing.
I want to help save you from the pain and frustration.
If you are making a living at magic and and you are
looking for new money making markets then you need help
and fast.
First you must understand what is happening....
Do you know the story of "Who Moved My Cheese?"
In years past in my Motivational Magic e-Newsletters I have addressed this topic.
Now the story is come true for so many magicians.
The money is still out there...it just moved now you have to find it.
People still enjoy magic. All you have do is find the markets need your talent.
If you need help...contact me and I will be happy to help you find your cheese once again.
Steve Hart
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, April 04, 2009
The Magic of Customer Attraction
This is a report on marketing using David Copperfield as an example.
It is written by Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller. I have met these guys and I have watched them work. Very impressive.
I thought you would enjoy reading this report.
Click on the photo below and it will open a pdf. file.
The report is only 14 pages long.
You must have the Adobe Reader software to open it.
Enjoy,
Steve Hart
It is written by Jimmy Vee and Travis Miller. I have met these guys and I have watched them work. Very impressive.
I thought you would enjoy reading this report.
Click on the photo below and it will open a pdf. file.
The report is only 14 pages long.
You must have the Adobe Reader software to open it.
Enjoy,
Steve Hart
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Don't Be a Fool and Wait
Don't wait until you have you been asked to present a motivational magic program. Prepare yourself now! Don't torture yourself and destroy your professional image by quickly developing a motivational magic program after you have been asked. Waiting until the last minute will be frustrating.
You have to figure out what your message will be, how to best script it, which tricks to use, and then practice them till you know they are presentable.
You would be surprised of the number of people who call me at the last moment needing a magic trick to illustrate a motivational magic message. First they need it right away and then they want my help writing their script not to mention they need the time to practice the whole routine.
Why do that to your self? If that how you perceive “Motivational Magic” then I suggest you stop fooling yourself. Why wait until you have been asked?
If you find yourself working for clients who are looking for more than a magic show rather an inspirational/motivational program with a little bit of entertainment to make it fun then start now!
Don’t wait until the last minute. Prepare yourself now. Decide now what topics you want to focus upon. Start writing your scripts and carefully choose the effects you want to use to illustrate your message.
Test Them Out
After you have decided what topics you want to address (also note the ones you do NOT want to address) you need to pick an effect that will best illustrate your message. Test them out.
Put one of your new motivational magic tricks in the middle of your current magic shows. Test it out on the audience’s you currently are performing for. You don’t have to deliver the whole message, just enough to perform the effect. Decide if it fits you. Master the skills needed to create the effect. Make it a part of you.
I found people appreciate a short motivational message in the middle of a show for entertainment purposes. Make sure it is entertaining, fun and magical. It also advertises your ability to present such a program to those interested.
Deciding now what effects you want to use to illustrate your motivational messages will put you ahead of the game. You routines will look more professional and you will enjoy your work as a professional motivational magician.
One more secret, once you start your work on creating a list of routines and effects for your motivational programs you will be unconsciously begin to attract those types of programs toward you. You be making more money resulting from better paying bookings and at the same time enjoying the process. Why, because they want it and you created it.
Steve Hart
You have to figure out what your message will be, how to best script it, which tricks to use, and then practice them till you know they are presentable.
You would be surprised of the number of people who call me at the last moment needing a magic trick to illustrate a motivational magic message. First they need it right away and then they want my help writing their script not to mention they need the time to practice the whole routine.
Why do that to your self? If that how you perceive “Motivational Magic” then I suggest you stop fooling yourself. Why wait until you have been asked?
If you find yourself working for clients who are looking for more than a magic show rather an inspirational/motivational program with a little bit of entertainment to make it fun then start now!
Don’t wait until the last minute. Prepare yourself now. Decide now what topics you want to focus upon. Start writing your scripts and carefully choose the effects you want to use to illustrate your message.
Test Them Out
After you have decided what topics you want to address (also note the ones you do NOT want to address) you need to pick an effect that will best illustrate your message. Test them out.
Put one of your new motivational magic tricks in the middle of your current magic shows. Test it out on the audience’s you currently are performing for. You don’t have to deliver the whole message, just enough to perform the effect. Decide if it fits you. Master the skills needed to create the effect. Make it a part of you.
I found people appreciate a short motivational message in the middle of a show for entertainment purposes. Make sure it is entertaining, fun and magical. It also advertises your ability to present such a program to those interested.
Deciding now what effects you want to use to illustrate your motivational messages will put you ahead of the game. You routines will look more professional and you will enjoy your work as a professional motivational magician.
One more secret, once you start your work on creating a list of routines and effects for your motivational programs you will be unconsciously begin to attract those types of programs toward you. You be making more money resulting from better paying bookings and at the same time enjoying the process. Why, because they want it and you created it.
Steve Hart
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Map Trick
I wanted to communicate a message on clarity. So I came up with this trick to illustrate my message. Watch the video:
You can make this trick by simply buying two of the same map and marking one map with your destination. The principle works similar to the Gene Anderson Newspaper Tear or the old “Buddha Papers.” Prepare the trick by gluing the two maps together back to back in the folded position. Mark them so you know which one is which. Enjoy, Steve Hart
You can make this trick by simply buying two of the same map and marking one map with your destination. The principle works similar to the Gene Anderson Newspaper Tear or the old “Buddha Papers.” Prepare the trick by gluing the two maps together back to back in the folded position. Mark them so you know which one is which. Enjoy, Steve Hart
Monday, November 24, 2008
Motivational Magic String Bracelet
This is a motivational magic trick which I have immediately put to use and you will too.
I got the idea from a short video of Jeff McBride on Youtube. In the video Jeff performed a trick I remembered from my early years in magic but he added a motivational message to the trick. You will find the link to that video at the bottom of this post.
The effect: The magician removes a string bracelet from his wrist. He then instructs a spectator to hold their index finger up straight. The string is looped around their finger and they are asked to hold on to the top of their finger with their other hands. This way the string can not slip off their finger.
He then instructs the spectator to think of an obstacle which is holding them back or blocking them from getting what they want. He then explains how obstacles are only an illusion and by seeing them as an illusion you are pass right through them, be free and reach your desired goal.
They are asked to let go of the illusion, change their thinking and be free. At that moment the string passes right through the spectator’s finger.
This is a trick which is easy to make and appropriately wear on your wrist as a bracelet. Then after your performance you can give the bracelet away as a gift so they will tell others about you and your message.
Preparation: You will need a piece string about 20 inches long, (cotton yarn works best) and two small beads. Thread both beads onto the string. The beads must be large enough to slide freely across the string. Now tie a knot at each end of the string. The knots may have to be tied several times until they are large enough to keep the beads from sliding off the string.
The secret: To create the illusion of the string passing through their finger you must perform the following.
Display the string with a bead at each end of the string. Ask the spectator to hold their index finger straight up. As they do this you secretly pull both beads to one end of the string. Hiding the opposite end with you other fingers making them think the string has a bead at each end. You then place the string over their finger and ask them to hold that finger with the other hand.
Next you pull back the ends of the string bringing your hands together and ready to let go of the end of the string without the bead. When you let go of the end you will grab you will be holding a bead in each hand. Pull the two beads out away from each other. This action will pull the end of string out and around the spectator’s finger and back into your out stretched hands. This happens so fast it will give them the illusion that the string has just passed through their finger.
Experiment with the handling on this to get a smooth release of the string through the beads. Have fun.
This is the video link:
Magic at the Edge by Jeff McBride; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlZiKd2uiI
Having a second method of creating the same effect allows you to perform it a second time when they say to you, “Do it again.”
So here is a Webpage teaching you another method you could use with this same message. http://www.learnstreetmagic.net/learnstreetmagic05.php
Steve Hart
I got the idea from a short video of Jeff McBride on Youtube. In the video Jeff performed a trick I remembered from my early years in magic but he added a motivational message to the trick. You will find the link to that video at the bottom of this post.
The effect: The magician removes a string bracelet from his wrist. He then instructs a spectator to hold their index finger up straight. The string is looped around their finger and they are asked to hold on to the top of their finger with their other hands. This way the string can not slip off their finger.
He then instructs the spectator to think of an obstacle which is holding them back or blocking them from getting what they want. He then explains how obstacles are only an illusion and by seeing them as an illusion you are pass right through them, be free and reach your desired goal.
They are asked to let go of the illusion, change their thinking and be free. At that moment the string passes right through the spectator’s finger.
This is a trick which is easy to make and appropriately wear on your wrist as a bracelet. Then after your performance you can give the bracelet away as a gift so they will tell others about you and your message.
Preparation: You will need a piece string about 20 inches long, (cotton yarn works best) and two small beads. Thread both beads onto the string. The beads must be large enough to slide freely across the string. Now tie a knot at each end of the string. The knots may have to be tied several times until they are large enough to keep the beads from sliding off the string.
The secret: To create the illusion of the string passing through their finger you must perform the following.
Display the string with a bead at each end of the string. Ask the spectator to hold their index finger straight up. As they do this you secretly pull both beads to one end of the string. Hiding the opposite end with you other fingers making them think the string has a bead at each end. You then place the string over their finger and ask them to hold that finger with the other hand.
Next you pull back the ends of the string bringing your hands together and ready to let go of the end of the string without the bead. When you let go of the end you will grab you will be holding a bead in each hand. Pull the two beads out away from each other. This action will pull the end of string out and around the spectator’s finger and back into your out stretched hands. This happens so fast it will give them the illusion that the string has just passed through their finger.
Experiment with the handling on this to get a smooth release of the string through the beads. Have fun.
This is the video link:
Magic at the Edge by Jeff McBride; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntlZiKd2uiI
Having a second method of creating the same effect allows you to perform it a second time when they say to you, “Do it again.”
So here is a Webpage teaching you another method you could use with this same message. http://www.learnstreetmagic.net/learnstreetmagic05.php
Steve Hart
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Performing Magic Tricks At Sales Meetings
Are you screaming, “Who moved my cheese?”
(I assume you have read the book with this title, if not, go to the library and read it…..you can read it in one setting. I promise you it will be worth the read.)
If you are not making money, someone else is. Money does not disappear? Its moved into some else’s pocket. You must now find out who has the money to pay you to present your motivational magic program. Have you thought about Sales Meetings?
I know when business is down you don’t lay off your sales people instead you encourage them to increase business.
The U.S. Department of Labor says in May of 2007 the U.S.A has employed 322,170 sales managers.
(Source: http://stats.bls.gov/oes/current/oes112022.htm )
I figure for every sales manager there is a sales meeting….most meet every month, some meet weekly. You do the math….how many sales meetings in your local area could you be presenting a motivational magic program?
Sales managers are looking to motivate their sales team. If you can create a simple program that will motivate their team to increase sales then you can make money as a guest speaker at the sales meetings in your area.
Here are a few topics for sales meetings. Pick a topic that best suits your interest and abilities. Do some research and write out an outline.
Goal Setting – Time Management – Customer Service – Cold Calling –
Closing the Sale – Objections – Benefits vs. Features - Prospecting
You don’t have to be an expert on these topics. Your expertise is the way you illustrate them with you magic.
I suggest you write out a simple sales training program. Break it down into six modules. Each module will take about 15-20 minutes this way you can create one long training program or one training module for six sales meetings. Most sales managers are will hire you for 15- 20 minutes of their time at a meeting.
Next pick a market you want to focus upon such as Car Sales, Real Estate, Insurance, or Advertising. Contact them in person. Present your proposal in person.
Don’t waist you time mailing letters or sending them to your Website without first meeting them. As an entertainer you will do your best selling face to face when you meet with the sales manager in person.
I invite you to take a look at : http://www.secrets4selling.com/
This is a Magic Kit for Sales people. It is designed for you sell the kit to sales people and teach them how they can perform simple tricks to help them in creating sales.
Look for the link at the bottom of the page for "Magicians." This page will explain how you can use this kit to increase your income teaching magic to sales people.
Steve Hart
(I assume you have read the book with this title, if not, go to the library and read it…..you can read it in one setting. I promise you it will be worth the read.)
If you are not making money, someone else is. Money does not disappear? Its moved into some else’s pocket. You must now find out who has the money to pay you to present your motivational magic program. Have you thought about Sales Meetings?
I know when business is down you don’t lay off your sales people instead you encourage them to increase business.
The U.S. Department of Labor says in May of 2007 the U.S.A has employed 322,170 sales managers.
(Source: http://stats.bls.gov/oes/current/oes112022.htm )
I figure for every sales manager there is a sales meeting….most meet every month, some meet weekly. You do the math….how many sales meetings in your local area could you be presenting a motivational magic program?
Sales managers are looking to motivate their sales team. If you can create a simple program that will motivate their team to increase sales then you can make money as a guest speaker at the sales meetings in your area.
Here are a few topics for sales meetings. Pick a topic that best suits your interest and abilities. Do some research and write out an outline.
Goal Setting – Time Management – Customer Service – Cold Calling –
Closing the Sale – Objections – Benefits vs. Features - Prospecting
You don’t have to be an expert on these topics. Your expertise is the way you illustrate them with you magic.
I suggest you write out a simple sales training program. Break it down into six modules. Each module will take about 15-20 minutes this way you can create one long training program or one training module for six sales meetings. Most sales managers are will hire you for 15- 20 minutes of their time at a meeting.
Next pick a market you want to focus upon such as Car Sales, Real Estate, Insurance, or Advertising. Contact them in person. Present your proposal in person.
Don’t waist you time mailing letters or sending them to your Website without first meeting them. As an entertainer you will do your best selling face to face when you meet with the sales manager in person.
I invite you to take a look at : http://www.secrets4selling.com/
This is a Magic Kit for Sales people. It is designed for you sell the kit to sales people and teach them how they can perform simple tricks to help them in creating sales.
Look for the link at the bottom of the page for "Magicians." This page will explain how you can use this kit to increase your income teaching magic to sales people.
Steve Hart
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Trick "No Tear" Pad of Paper
I sell a trick "No tear" pad of paper included in my Secrets4Selling magic kit. It includes a a very strong routine for closing a sale. http://www.secrets4selling.com/
Later on I came up with idea using the same pad of paper just for fun. Here is the idea I have been using with great success.
"Do As I Do Paper Tear"
The magician introduces a pad of paper. Two sheets are removed….one is given to a volunteer and the other is held back for the magician.
The magician instructs the volunteer to do as he does. The magician holds up his piece of paper and folds it in half. He then stands next to the volunteer as he instructs the volunteer to do the same.
He continues by saying, "Tear the folded paper in half." the magician does this while facing the audience. When the volunteer attempts to tear the paper he finds the paper will not tear. The audience will notice the volunteer struggling to tear the paper but the magician continues to give instructions as though the volunteer is doing the same.
The magician continues to demonstrate how the paper will tear not only once but twice and then three times leaving several small pieces in the magician’s hand.
A magic word is spoken and immediately the torn pieces of paper are unfolded show it has magically restored back to one piece of paper. He properly takes a short bow and takes his applause.
The magician then turns to the volunteer and tells the volunteer to open their paper and to show it also has magically restored itself back into one piece. Yuk Yuk.
Of course the magician acts as though the volunteer has done the same as he has done giving the volunteer praise as he instructs the audience to give the volunteer their deserved applause.
The audience will know that the volunteer was not able to tear up the paper as instructed but after the laughter of watching the volunteer try to tear the paper the audience will join with the magician acting as though the volunteer as performed the same magic trick.
Afterwards I sign their paper with a short motivational message and give it to them to keep so they will remember me.
(You may notice this idea was inspired by Whit Hayden’s Linking ring routine.)
If you want one of the pads...... they are available at the bottom of the Web page located at:
http://www.secrets4selling.com/
Steve Hart
Later on I came up with idea using the same pad of paper just for fun. Here is the idea I have been using with great success.
"Do As I Do Paper Tear"
The magician introduces a pad of paper. Two sheets are removed….one is given to a volunteer and the other is held back for the magician.
The magician instructs the volunteer to do as he does. The magician holds up his piece of paper and folds it in half. He then stands next to the volunteer as he instructs the volunteer to do the same.
He continues by saying, "Tear the folded paper in half." the magician does this while facing the audience. When the volunteer attempts to tear the paper he finds the paper will not tear. The audience will notice the volunteer struggling to tear the paper but the magician continues to give instructions as though the volunteer is doing the same.
The magician continues to demonstrate how the paper will tear not only once but twice and then three times leaving several small pieces in the magician’s hand.
A magic word is spoken and immediately the torn pieces of paper are unfolded show it has magically restored back to one piece of paper. He properly takes a short bow and takes his applause.
The magician then turns to the volunteer and tells the volunteer to open their paper and to show it also has magically restored itself back into one piece. Yuk Yuk.
Of course the magician acts as though the volunteer has done the same as he has done giving the volunteer praise as he instructs the audience to give the volunteer their deserved applause.
The audience will know that the volunteer was not able to tear up the paper as instructed but after the laughter of watching the volunteer try to tear the paper the audience will join with the magician acting as though the volunteer as performed the same magic trick.
Afterwards I sign their paper with a short motivational message and give it to them to keep so they will remember me.
(You may notice this idea was inspired by Whit Hayden’s Linking ring routine.)
If you want one of the pads...... they are available at the bottom of the Web page located at:
http://www.secrets4selling.com/
Steve Hart
Rope Through Body
While attending the "Get-Together" in Colon, Michigan, I was having breakfast at a table next to my friend Bob Bloenk. He shared with me a motivational message he uses with the famous "Rope Through Body" trick made popular by Bob Sheets.
With Bob's permission I pass it along to you:
"Imagine with me that life is like a piece of rope. This rope is like the the path we take. You will make choices as you make the twist and turns while traveling down your path. When you are young you start here and travel toward the end of your rope. Me, I am about here, near the end of my rope but you are young and will soon find that life is full of exciting moments created by the choices you make. You have the power to choose which side of the road you will travel. You can choose happiness or fear and frustration. Its your choice. You don't have to follow the guy in front of you. You get to choose which side of the road you are going to travel.
Here's a word to the wise....happiness does not come from money, possessions, or fame....it comes when you find joy, peace and love. Remember we are all just passing through this life. You can't take money, possessions and fame with you when you leave. Therefore may love, joy and peace be with you always."
If you don't know the trick of passing a rope through your body here is a link to Bob Sheets Website: http://joltofreality.com/
Look for the HANG'EM HIGH DVD.
Back in 1993 I included a trick in one of my gospel lectures called "Crossing the Line." This was inspired by the Rope Through Body trick except I used the barricade tape commonly used by police reading "Police Line Do Not Cross." Today you can find it in party or novelty shops.
My version of that trick was all about what happens when we cross the lines and put ourselves in danger. I created a gimmick just for the barricade tape to allow it to pass through your body.
If you want to know more about that effect, email me.
Steve Hart
With Bob's permission I pass it along to you:
"Imagine with me that life is like a piece of rope. This rope is like the the path we take. You will make choices as you make the twist and turns while traveling down your path. When you are young you start here and travel toward the end of your rope. Me, I am about here, near the end of my rope but you are young and will soon find that life is full of exciting moments created by the choices you make. You have the power to choose which side of the road you will travel. You can choose happiness or fear and frustration. Its your choice. You don't have to follow the guy in front of you. You get to choose which side of the road you are going to travel.
Here's a word to the wise....happiness does not come from money, possessions, or fame....it comes when you find joy, peace and love. Remember we are all just passing through this life. You can't take money, possessions and fame with you when you leave. Therefore may love, joy and peace be with you always."
If you don't know the trick of passing a rope through your body here is a link to Bob Sheets Website: http://joltofreality.com/
Look for the HANG'EM HIGH DVD.
Back in 1993 I included a trick in one of my gospel lectures called "Crossing the Line." This was inspired by the Rope Through Body trick except I used the barricade tape commonly used by police reading "Police Line Do Not Cross." Today you can find it in party or novelty shops.
My version of that trick was all about what happens when we cross the lines and put ourselves in danger. I created a gimmick just for the barricade tape to allow it to pass through your body.
If you want to know more about that effect, email me.
Steve Hart
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
