Fri, 26 December 2014
Learn how to bring the value in this interview where I talk to Dean Hankey, the DEAN of Success! We also talk about testimonials and he gives us some great practical business tips! Dean Hankey, The Dean of Success, is a magician, public speaker, author, trainer, and marketing expert out of Reno, NV. This guy has been successful in so much, it’s hard to know where to start! Dean has performed in casino show rooms like Harrah’s, Hilton, Bally’s Grand and Peppermill, corporate engagements for top companies like IBM, Apple, Kodak, and American Express, for famous celebrities like Robin Leach and Bill Cosby, and he’s been featured on a number of TV stations like ABC, NBC, CBS, BBC, Fox News, and CNN. Through his extensive performance career, he’s gained tremendous insight into business and marketing techniques which he now teaches others to help grow their businesses and generate real world results.
Success Mantra:1. Never leave the site of a human interaction without creating value. 2. Leverage everything. 3. If you breathe, record it.
Failure Moment:While he was on tour, he performed a show that he thought just didn't play well with the audience. When the client came back to talk to him he said, "Wow! I can't believe how wild the audience was!" Perspective is everything.
Favorite SuccessPerforming in theme parks and casinos. Those are literally "five star" shows to perform for.
Talking About TestimonialsTestimonials are the strongest tool you can do for your outbound marketing. Script to get a great testimonial: "If you were telling your best friend how much fun you had at my show, what would you tell them to get them to come see my show?"
Business Tips from the Dean of Success• Build relationships • We do business with people we know, like, and trust • What would you do for your best friend that you wouldn't do for a customer? Serve as if you're serving your best friend. • Make custom videos for your inquiries. With smart phones, we have no excuses not to. Other Topics Covered:• Great ways to add value in our daily interactions. • Be seen, be good. • People don't pay for "good magic," they pay to be entertained and transformed. • Being homeless. • Relationship marketing. • Find ways you can serve people and fill needs. • Present yourself as a solutions provider. • The barometer of success is not always money.
Extra ValueSuccess Satisfaction Survey - Word Document - Listen to the show to find out how to use this. The Dean's List - Facebook Group
Parting Advice• Be mentored and mentor. • Be of value to others. • Always be in the learning process and teach what you've learned to someone else within 24 hours. Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resource:
Books: Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini How to Persuade People Who Don't Want to be Persuaded by Joel Bauer Delivering Happiness by Tony Hsieh of Zappos
Where can we find Dean Hankey?The Dean's List - Facebook Group |
Fri, 19 December 2014
Listen in as I talk to magician Shawn Farquhar! He shares with us how and why he only does business with friends and gives us an amazing business card hack that constantly keeps him busy! Shawn Farquhar is a magician from Canada who spends his time entertaining people around the world. He’s performed for corporate clients like IBM and Konica, and has been featured on some of the most luxurious cruise lines like Norwegian Star and Radiance of the Seas. You may have seen his magic on TV shows like the Fringe and Arrow, or movies like Spooky House and The Fly 2. As for accolades, he really is a Magic Champion, being a two-time winner of the Magician of the Year Award by the Canadian Association of Magicians, Grand Prix D’Honneur from the P C A M, both Stage Magician and Sleight of Hand Magician of the Year by the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and his most prestigious award, Grand Prix World Champion of Magic from the Olympics of Magic in Beijing, China given in 2009. Shawn also tours giving talks and lectures in the magic community at some of magic’s top conventions and events.
Success Mantra:I’m a small part of a really big show. - Shawn Farquhar
Failure Moment:Not asking enough questions about a show and having booking agents correctly represent you. Hear how Shawn was asked to perform for what was essentially a memorial service without fully knowing what he was getting into. He also tells how he would have changed things in the show had he known from the get go what he was getting into.
Favorite SuccessSelling 6.5 million dollars worth of client’s products during a trade show.
What’s Worked Best for Shawn’s Business?Relationships. Shawn does business with friends. He also tells us how NOT having a business card has gotten him countless bookings! This is a business hack that he uses all the time.
Biggest Professional ChallengeTime and travel.
Other Topics Covered:• Being easy to work with and how to not be a PitA act. • You can learn more from a bad act in what NOT to do. • Top Ramen and Ketchup. You know what I’m talking about. • Importance in relationships in business. • Tells how he gets repeat bookings doing business with friends and fostering relationships. • How he learns about client’s products and understanding the companies he’s working for. • How and why he’ll refer clients to other magicians. • Negotiating with clients.
Parting AdviceEverybody succeds based on TALENT. Tenacity
Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resource: His iPhone which he can run his business from.
Books: Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber Whack to the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Where can we find Shawn Farquhar? |
Fri, 12 December 2014
In this episode I talk to Zach Waldman! We cover a lot of great topics like pricing, adding value, and how Zach overcame debilitating anxiety and depression. This is a good listen. Zach Waldman is a magician and comedian in and around Los Angeles who caters to high end, corporate clients, and celebrities. He's performed for the likes of Al Gore, Seth MacFarlane, Pete Carroll, Chris Rock, and Gene Wilder, not to mention his corporate clients which include Microsoft, BusinessWeek, Absolut, and Anheuser-Busch. Zach is also a frequent performer at the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. More importantly, for us, Zach is a marketing expert with various products that help other entertainers book more gigs and make more money doing what they love. As one of his clients says, "Zach is an amazing fountain of knowledge that will give you the tools to get booked and be successful."
Success Mantra:Goals. Writing down your goals and taking responsibility for yourself. Basically everything in Brian Tracy’s book GOALS! How to get everything you ever wanted in life faster than you ever thought possible.
Failure Moment:Being too rigid on what he charged for his shows early in his career. Instead, be flexible but for a reason.
Zach Waldman on PricingMentions Dan Kennedy’s book No BS Marketing to the Affluent • Price isn’t the only thing people are looking for. They’re looking for value and will pay more for it. Example: For a kids show, you might charge $150 but you can charge more if you create an experience and add value. Consider this: 30 minute magic show, balloon animals for each child (special ballon for birthday child that nobody else gets), goodie bags for kids, and they all learn a magic trick. With all this, you’ve created a full experience that you can charge more for, perhaps $300. • Always add value. • People also pay for the experience. • If they flinch at the price, you can always take things away to lower the price. Always have a reason for lowering the price.
How Zach Overcame Anxiety & DepressionThis is a very sensitive topic. If you're dealing with anxiety or depression, please seek help from a competent professional. In this section, Zach talks about how he dealt with debilitating anxiety and depression, ho it effected himself, his shows, and how he overcame it. He went through the course Attacking Anxiety & Depression • combating negative self talk • monitor your bad thoughts and replace them with good ones. • change the things that you think about. • Exercise and eating right play a huge role in alleviating anxiety & depression. • Get into therapy. Seeing a therapist helped Zach out tremendously. It’s certainly a good idea to seek out professional help.
Other Topics Covered:• Sit in your own audience. Assess how other see you. • When you compete, compete against yourself. • Be giving and generous. • Don’t try to please everyone. • Go to war with the army you have, not the one you wish you had. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you’ll never get started. • Becoming a self actualized person. • Learn everything you can, then forget it all and carve your own path. • Don’t give up, push through the dip. • Write down your goals. • Be good to people. It’ll come back to you.
Resourceful books:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Goals by Brian Tracy No BS Marketing to the Affluent by Dan Kennedy The War of Art by Stephen Pressfield Turning Pro by Stephen Pressfield Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse
Where can we find Zach Waldman?
Direct download: SPC_039_Zach_Waldman-Magician_and_Marketing_Expert.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am PDT |
Fri, 5 December 2014
In this episode I talk to Brian Brushwood!!! We cover a lot of great topics like how he got on the Tonight Show as a guest, passive income, and what really happens when you botch a prediction on live radio! Brian Brushwood is a magician, TV host, Podcaster, author, and internet celebrity. Magic-wise, he’s performed his bizarre magic show around the country at colleges and universities. He’s the host of Discovery’s Scam School where he teaches all sorts of magic tricks and bar bets that you can use to score free drinks from your friends at the bar. He’s also authored six books on the subject of magic. Internet-wise, he’s been featured on a number of shows and podcasts like the NSFW show, Weird Things, Too long Didn’t Listen, Cord Killers, Night Attack, and he’s been a frequent guest on Leo Laporte’s show This Week in Tech. I guess you can say he’s sort of a big deal on the internet. As if that isn’t enough, he can most recently be seen on TV hosing Nat Geo’s Hacking the System.
Success Mantra:Fail faster. If you want to double your success rate, double your failure rate.
Failure Moment:Speaking of failure, Brian tells about a time where his show failed to register and connect with his audience. They really didn't get it or like it and someone even threw fruit at him after his show. He later in the show talks about a prediction failure that happened to him while being interviewed live on the radio.
Favorite Success:Being a guest on the Tonight Show. Brian talks about what went into getting there. Spoiler alert: persistence!
What's Worked Best for Brian's Business?Not sitting around waiting for things to happen for him.
Biggest Professional Challenge:Questioning whether or not he's doing the right thing.
Other Topics Covered:• Working harder than everyone else. • How a raise helped him realize what he really wanted to do. • How he prepared himself for jumping ship still work. • Persistence. • We become what we think about most of the time. Earle Nightingale in the strangest secret. • How he gained a large audience online. • Being real online. • Failure is an unpleasant side effect of trying and caring. • Impostor Syndrome. • Balancing travel and touring with family. • His approach to Passive Income. • Trading time for money vs. creating something and getting paid over and over for it. • His correspondences with Teller. • His experience on AGT
Parting Advice:Try. Don’t be the bitter guy knocking everyone else’s acts. In life, we exist as trends not individual actions. Trend in the right direction.
Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resources Audible.com - Audiobooks
Books Make Art Make Money: Lessons from Jim Henson on Fueling Your Creative Career Born Standing Up - Steve Martin
Where can we find Brian Brushwood?Scam School - Web Show Night Attack - Podcast Cord Killers - Podcast Twitter @shwood |
Fri, 28 November 2014
In this episode I talk to magician Suzanne! We cover various topics like what she learned studying under Al Schneider and what you can learn about your audience from a horse! Suzanne is a world class magician and expert story teller from Minneapolis/St. Paul MN! Using her magic as a vehicle to play with her audiences, Suzanne specializes in performing close-up magic for corporate and private audiences as well as at a number of restaurants in her area. She’s also a favorite at the Hollywood Magic Castle where she's been the only female magician to not only be nominated for, but also win Close Up Magician of the Year which she received in 2010. She’s also appeared on the covers of Genii and MUM magazines. She makes shy people shine and bold people laugh. Jonathan Levit says "Her routines are masked in stories that touch your heartstrings and tie into her mystical imagination.”
Success Quotes:Follow your bliss. — Joseph Campbell Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!” — Hunter S Thompson
Failure Moment:This isn't a failure per se, but Suzanne talks about her struggle with cancer and what she took away from that. She learned how to stand up for herself and how to separate work and personal life. She also tells how magic, her bliss, helper her through this challenging time.
Favorite Success:Being so accepted at the hollywood Magic Castle.
Lessons from Al SchneiderSuzanne had the opportunity to study under Al Schneider. A couple things she learned from him are in magic, all your movements need to look natural, whether you're putting a coin in your hand or faking it. Also, when you create a moment of magic, give your audience the time they need to fully process what they just experienced. Don't just plow through it. It's very personal to them.
Lessons from a HorseBelieve it or not, there's a lot to be learned about your audience from a horse! • Magicians can be likened to a predator and the audience, prey. • Communicating subconsciously. • Reading body language and adjusting your performance accordingly. • Putting your audience at ease. • Be aware of your own body language.
How Does Suzanne Differentiate Herself?The magic is not about her, it's about how she makes her audience feel.
What's worked best for growing her business?Word of mouth.
Biggest Professional ChallengeBreaking the preconception of the magician and teaching the lay audience about magic.
What would she have done different?She wouldn't have tried to do everything. She would have hired people do do things like marketing and other tasks she's not good at.
Interesting Story from CareerSuzanne tells about her first interaction with The Professor, Dai Vernon.
Parting AdviceAlways do what you love.
Other Topics Covered• The importance of having support from your spouse when pursuing your dream.
Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resources
Books Finding Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Where can we find Suzanne?Suzanne's Black Rabbit Magic DVD Jonathan Levit's Black Rabbit Magic DVD Upcoming Restaurant Magic DVD |
Fri, 21 November 2014
In this episode, I talk to corporate juggler Katrine Spang-Hanssen, partner to Scotty Meltzer. We delve into corporate entertainment exploring topics like brainstorming jokes for your act, writing custom scripts, and memorizing them. Also find out why the show MUST NOT GO ON! Katrine Spang-Hanssen is a corporate juggler who’s talents have taken her around the world! She grew up in Denmark from a musical family, so performance was not an uncommon thing. She moved to the States when she was 20 and is just barely recovering from culture shock. She’s had the opportunity to tour with and open for a number big name entertainers like Kenny Rodgers, Willie Nelson, and Natalie Cole. Add to this hundreds of comedy clubs, fairs, festivals, colleges, and theater productions. She’s now one of two principal performers for Comedy Industries which specializes in creating custom presentations for trade shows, training sessions, sales meetings, and other corporate applications. Clients include Ansys, Commvault, HP, IBM, NETGEAR, and Seagate. A couple cool facts about Katrina: She speaks six languages, and also plays drums with several bands around the Bay Area. I’ll leave it up to you to decide which is cooler.
Success Quote:It just doesn't matter. — Katrine Spang-Hanssen
Favorite Success:Opening for Barbara Mandrell for a sold out audience.
Failure Moment:Performing at the same venue as she did opening for Barbara Mandrell, but for an audience of six. What a contrast!
Tending Corporate Gigs• Incorporating client's message into the act. • Memorizing custom scripts. - mnemonic connections. - recording and listening to the script over and over again. • How to cover when you forget part of your script. • Brainstorming jokes for the act.
How Does Katrine Differentiate Herself?Customization for clients. Scripts, tricks, etc.
Worked Best for Growing BusinessBeing a person that other people want to be around.
Biggest Professional ChallengeFear of failure. FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real - Zig Ziglar
Interesting Story from CareerFind out why if anything must go on, it's NOT THE SHOW! Katrine tells about how she got appendicitis before a gig, performed anyway, and ended up taking an ambulance to the hospital after her gig. This is the other half of a story that Scotty Meltzer mentioned in his interview.
Parting AdviceDon't get hung up on a dream. Appreciate the journey.
Other Topics Covered• Fear of failure. • Working with what you've got. • Most people aren't "out to get you."
Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resources
Books Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original by Robin Kelley Feel the World by Noerretranders
Where can we find Katrine Spang-Hanssen?
Direct download: SPC_036_Katrine_Spang-Hanssen-Juggler.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:00am PDT |
Fri, 14 November 2014
In this episode, I talk to comedian John Crist about his business and career in comedy. We touch on such topics as setting goals, taking risks, and failure. Enjoy! John Crist is an award-winning comedian from Denver, CO who’s edgy, yet clean comedy has taken him around the country and made him popular with people of all ages. He was a finalist in Comedy Central's 2013 Up Next Comedy Competition, winner of the 2012 Denver Improv's Got Laughs Competition, as well as the 2012 Loonees Comedy Competition. He's opened for Seth Meyers and In 2013, he performed 275 shows at top comedy clubs like The Hollywood Improv, the Comedy Magic Club in Los Angeles, the Las Vegas Laugh Factory, The Punchline in Atlanta, and his home club, The Comedy Works in Denver. Add to this performing for Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, GE, Lexus, and HP. Oh yeah, he was also Hand-selected by Adam Carolla to share the screen with him in an upcoming 2015 film called Road Hard. Louie Anderson says "It's only a matter of time until John Crist is a household name. He is so likable, and his stand up is top notch."
Success Quote:If you want something, go get it. Period. — Will Smith in the Movie: Pursuit of Happyness
Two Failure Stories:The first scenario he talked about was a chance that he didn't take and now regrets. The second scenario was about a time he unintentionally called out an audience member's handicap.
Favorite Success:Being able to work with Adam Carolla in an upcoming movie (coming out next Spring).
What's Worked Best in Growing His BusinessSetting goals and approaching things with a purpose.
Biggest Professional ChallengeLetting things go. Delegating tasks like design, accounting, etc., so that you're free to do what you're good at.
Parting AdviceDo things that are great and share it with people.
Other Topics Covered• Fear and working hard despite that fear. • The importance on trying out new material on real people. • Talks about where he finds inspiration for material. • How sometimes you can put yourself too much into your passion. • Standup comedy is often built on failure. • Taking risks. • The benefits of being a clean act. • The importance of persistence. • Knowing your audience and adjusting your act accordingly.
Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resources A tripod. To assist in selfies. :)
Books Failing Forward by John Maxwell Huck Finn by Mark Twain
Where can we find John Crist?John Crist's Official Site Facebook | Twitter @johnbcrist | YouTube | Instagram <----- John's Instagram feed is hilarious!!! |
Fri, 7 November 2014
In this episode, I talk to Eric Henning about his career in magic and his expertise: finances. This financial wizard gives great practical information on how entertainers should manage their finances for their business. This is not an episode to miss! Eric Henning is a magician from the DC area who’s magic has taken him around the world. He’s had the honor of performing for President Obama and the First Family, as well as three Presidential Inaugurals and five other White House appearances to boot. As for accolades, He’s been voted DC Magician of the year, and made it to the quarter-finals of the World Championships of Public Speaking. He’s also an international speaker, author and teacher on the subject of money and investing. He was senior editor of The Cornerstone Investment Letter, and he also wrote “The Financial Wizard,” which was a regular column in The Magic Menu where he shared his insights on money and how it pertains to entertainment professionals. Success Mantras:Do it now! — his wife For example, get that client thank you card in the mail immediately after a show.
Failure Story:Eric's very first show was a complete failure. He will now never step on stage until he is completely prepared.
Financial Wizardry• Bankruptcy is the biggest mistake Eric sees other entertainers make. • Pay off your debts. It releases more money for you. • Pay off your house if you can. It's flawed and stupid thinking to keep your mortgage around just for the "tax break." • Gives a tip on how you can pay off your mortgage faster. • Save up an emergency fund. • Make sure you're properly insured. • Don't be reactive, plan your spending. • Small leaks sink great ships. Look at all the places you're spending money and evaluate whether you really need to put money there. We're talking Starbucks, Netflix, etc. • Invest in mutual funds once you've paid off your debts and saved an emergency fund. • It's wise to hold back 50% for taxes of what you bring in. (Note: Eric is NOT a tax expert. You should seek the advice of a tax professional for more in depth advice pertaining to you and your unique situations.) • Of everything you earn, you should save 10%, give away 10% and live off the other 80%. • There's a relationship between your giving and generousness and your own wellbeing. • Your business needs to have it's own bank account and it's own money. You pay yourself out of it.
Biggest Professional ChallengeInertia. Getting stuck in a rut.
Transition StrategyBefore you "jump ship:" 1. Pay off your debts. 2. Build a savings of 12 month's expenses. 3. Make sure you're at least making as much money from performing as you are from your day job.
Other Topics Covered• How important and rare hand-written notes are in business. • The impostor syndrome and how to overcome it. • How to make sure you're prepared for performances. • Developing original material. • What audiences remember.
Parting AdviceFind something you're passionate about and weave that into your act.
Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!
Resources Podcasts like the Magician Business Podcast, and the Magic Newswire
Eric describes his audio setup in great detail. OneTrack - Backing Tracks for Pros iOS App
Magic Books Denny Haney's Lecture Notes & DVD Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber Show Doctor by Jeff McBride
Where can we find Eric Henning?Eric Henning's Kid's Show Website |
Fri, 31 October 2014
In this episode, I talk to CJ Johnson about his career in magic, hypnotism, and being a game show host! He talks about his approach to business and tells us how he found balance between work and family. CJ Johnson is a magician, mentalist, hypnotist, and a game show host! He’s also author to more than a dozen books and self-hypnosis CD’s which includes his super popular book “More Shows, More Money” which has been credited to helping countless magicians take their passions full-time. CJ is certainly qualified to teach this, as he maintains a full calendar traveling the country performing his shows as well as managing teams for his six touring "Game Shows to Go.” When he’s not performing, he enjoys kiteboarding and flying precision stunt kites, but nothing is more important to him than being with his family, just outside of Austin TX. This guy exudes entertainment and success. Success Mantras:A man is only as good as his word. Work hard, be nice.
Failure Story:CJ Tells us a story about a mishap he had involving a cell phone and what he thought was a telemarketer that cost him a gig.
Favorite Success:Relationships. If wealth be measures in friendships, CJ is the richest man in the world!
CJ's Thoughts on Business• Work harder than anyone else. • Under-promise, over-deliver. • Figure out how you can make things scaleable. • Take care of the people that work for you. • The longer you're in business, the easier things happen. • Maintain good relationships the people you do business with. • Call to check in with your business connections (clients and business partners alike) in genuine ways. (Congratulations, birthdays, etc). • Every one of his "big breaks" has come from a relationship with someone. • You can get anything you want in life if you'd just help enough people get what they want in life. —Zig Ziglar
How CJ Found Balance Between Work and Family• How important it is to have a supporting spouse. • He did what he could to be home for family, even if it meant buying a plane ticket. • Had an offsite office. • Ate dinner with family every night he was home and NEVER had the TV on during dinner. • Capitalized on every opportunity to be with his family.
How Does CJ Differentiate Himself?Having a clean show and being day to work with.
What's been CJ's Biggest Professional Challenge?Cash flow.
Parting Advice• Work hard, be nice. • Never underestimate what you can learn from other people. • If you go to a magic convention, don't posture.
More Shows More MoneyProven techniques to succeed in the entertainment business! This is the book C.J. is known for among magicians, clowns, ventriloquists, mentalists and others who make their living as entreprenurial entertainers. If you charge people money for shows - or would like to.This book will pay for itself in 30 days or C.J. will give you your money back. These are real world tools and techniques that C.J. has used to make an exceutives salary for the past 20+ years. Find out more at www.moreshowsmoremoney.com Note: I don't get any reward or kickback for recommending this book. I also don't personally own it but have only heard great things about it. If you decide to buy it, please be sure to tell CJ you heard about it from the Successful Performercast. Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resources Kerry Pollock's Showtech - Wireless Remote Controlled Sound System Pond5.com - Stock photography and video Digital Juice - Stock graphics, video, music, and animations. Flipping Typical - A way to explore the popular typefaces you have on your computer.
Self Development Books The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason See You at the Top by Zig Ziglar Awaken the Giant Within by Tony Robbins
Magic Books Device & Illusion by Jim Steinmeyer
Where can we find CJ Johnson?CJ Johnson's Official Website Facebook | Twitter @hypnotic1 |
Fri, 24 October 2014
I had the wonderful honor of talking with magician Nick Lewin! One of the main things we talked about was corporate magic. We also talked about putting a twist on magic classics and there was was even a little performing advice taken from Billy McComb! Nick Lewin is a magician, comedian, actor, host, and keynote speaker from Austin Texas, originally from London. He's certainly run the gamut, being featured on countless TV shows as both a magician and actor, he’s performed for English royalty, presidents, hollywood celebrities, and fortune 500 companies. Companies like Apple, AMD, AT&T, Bank of America, Coca Cola, General Electric, and Nutrasweet. He’s also been featured in top showrooms around the country including Vegas with his One Man Show and has also performed on every premium cruise line. In addition to this, he also finds time to create products for and teach the magic industry, contributing his thoughts to multiple outlets, on the industry, performance, and business. Entertainment Today says “Lewin blends impeccable sleight of hand with a razor sharp British wit.”
Success Mantra:Work a lot! To be a successful performer, you need to perform.
Failure Story:During a show, one of his props got moved and as a result, he wash't able to perform that routine. He learned to always have a backup ready for anything.
Favorite Success:Meeting and performing for the man who invented the MP4 codec.
Corporate Magic!• Customizing or personalizing your show for your client. • Making the company president look good. • It's possible to expand things and make the show bigger, e.g.. Hire other acts or close-up workers. • Producing larger shows. • How to pitch the client. • How Nick uses a card trick to instantly change the atmosphere of a client meeting and tip things in his favor. • Going down into the crowd after performing an after dinner show to do close-up magic and mingle with the audience. Just like Jay Alexander talked about! • Getting repeat bookings. • Be a "mentalist" at client meetings. (This advice and a little more corporate advice shows up at the end of the show.)
Biggest Professional ChallengeKeeping his act fresh. He talks about what Bob Dylan does to make each show different.
Parting AdviceKnow what you do, know what your client wants, and be there to fill their need. Other Topics Covered• Talks about how he created the concept for an afternoon family magic show in Vegas. • Putting a twist on classics of magic and gves an example how how he uses a different approach to the Newspaper Tear (a variation on Elmsley's version). • Connecting with the audience. • Some advice he received from Billy McComb: Don't waste anything up front. Do enough to get your audience's attention, then wow them with the good stuff! • Don't finish your show with anyone up on stage with you.
Recommended books and resources:Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! Resources Pinboard iOS App - a digital cork board that helps you organize your thoughts. Magic Books Tales from the Uncanny Scot by Ron Wilson McComb's Magic: 25 Years Wiser by Billy McComb Vanish Magazine: A free magic magazine put out by Paul Romhany
Where can we find Nick Lewin?Remarkable Magic - Nick's Writings on magic, performance, and business |
Successful Performercast by Kris Sheppard | Successful Performer Cast | Weekly Interviews with Professional Entertainers | Show Business, Showbiz, Performer, Magic, Magician, Juggler, Comedian, Musician
Categories
generalArchives
MarchFebruary
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January
December
November
October
September
August
July
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |||
Syndication
