In this interview, Brian Miller talks about how to magically connect with anyone! He also talks about why he decided to try standup comedy and why you should too!

Brian is a nationally acclaimed corporate entertainer and keynote speaker performing mainly at colleges and corporate events. Residing in Connecticut, he regularly performs at more than 200 events every year throughout New England and across the country.

In addition to his magical performing, he’s also regularly invited to speak on topics including: influence and persuasion, secrecy, safety and awareness, the philosophy & psychology of magic, and recently did a TEDx talk on “How to Magically Connect with Anyone."  

Kris' Recommendation of the Week

Last week I mentioned that you can use your public library card to access Lynda.com and their extensive wealth of online courses. This week is another great way to use your library card.

OverDrive Media Console: Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, and more from your local public library – anywhere, anytime. All you need is a library card. It's available for free on both iOS and Android platforms and I was delighted to discover a bunch of great books on business and marketing available from my library that I could download right to my phone!  

Success Quotes

Leap and the net will appear.

You don't want people to say, “Let’s get a magician, how about Brian Miller.” What you want them to say is, “Let’s get Brian Miller. By the way, he’s a magician."  

Comedy

• If you want to get into live entertainment, start doing standup comedy.

• Look for open likes and every opportunity.

• It teaches you how to deal with any audience and situation.

• Tells about his “aha moment” when it came to comedy and writing a show.

• The first time he tried standup comedy and absolutely killed! The next ten times, he bombed dismally.

• You cannot go on auto pilot. Every audience is different.

• Give information and setup, and twist it as hard as you can for the punchline.

• If you’re not naturally funny, you might not want to be a comedy entertainer.  

How to Magically Connect with Anyone

• Talks about his TEDx Talk

• Why it’s important to connect with your audience.

• Making sure you’re making a positive connection first impression with your audience.

• Warming up to the audience before you even mention that you’re a performer.

• How to strengthen the connection with your audience and maintain it.

• Talks about some specific things people do that alienate audiences.

• Don’t "perform at" the audience.

• Being present and listening to your audience.

• The real magic is in connecting with your audience.    

Failure Moment

His very first NACA showcase. He didn’t listen to the advice from someone who had been in the college market considerably longer than Brian. He ultimately bombed.  

Favorite Success

Transitioning into and becoming a sought-after lecturer in the field he was going to pursue a PHD in. He feels it really went full circle.  

Biggest Profesional Challenge

Finding time to do creative work in the midst of all the business work.  

Other Topics Covered

• You can’t always be completely prepared.

• You want people to hire you because of who you are, not what you do.

• Take a look at your material and if you see a bunch of people doing what you do, you might change up your material.

• Tells how he turned down going after a PHD in favor of pursuing his magic career.

• His plan for the future and a little on his strategy.  

Parting Advice

Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is NOT the opposite of success.  

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:

Evernote - he likes to make audio notes.  

Books:

Absolute Magic by Darren Brown

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin  

Where can we find Brian Miller?

Brian Miller Magic

In this interview, Thom Britton talks about building and marketing his three-man theatrical variety-type show, The Danger Circus. He talks marketing, publicity, working with agents, and a great deal of other related topics!

Thom is quite the showman, eating fire, directing plays, producing circus shows, lecturing on science, and studying the history of side shows and freak shows. He’s been a professional performer for over 26 years with his various shows including: Freakshow & Tell, his now retired one man show, that combined lecture and performance art, and covered his very personal journey into the world of the circus sideshow.

His current show is The Danger Circus, a three-man circus show that features fire eating, glass walking, knife juggling, dangerous escapes, and a unique blend of illusion and sketch comedy. You’ll be able to catch this show on tour very soon.  

Kris' Recommendation of the Week

Lynda.com: I don't get any kickback from this, but Lynda.com is a great place to go online if you want to learn how to use professional programs that will help you in your business. We're talking everything from Photoshop to Wordpress, to video editing apps as well. And if that isn't enough, they even have other business related courses on marketing, SEO, and even reducing the amount of spam you get in your email box every day.

Also, I discovered that if you have a public library card and you log into your library's online portal (even from home), you might just have access to Lynda.com for free! I don't know if this is available at all libraries, but it's definitely worth a look.  

Success Quotes

If it were easy, everyone would do it. — every juggler ever!  

The Danger Circus

• It’s a three-person circus featuring Thom, Chuck Clark, and Keri Kazz.

• They work small to medium theaters and colleges.

• They were trying it out and tweaking it last year and now it’s ready to put on tour.

• Talks about what he’s doing to generate buzz and get the word out.

• Boots on the ground, plastering flyers and old-school promoting.

• Supplements his guerrilla marketing techniques with social media efforts.

• Making personal connections with people as he’s marketing the show.

• Marketing it like PT Barnum.

• Staying for longer runs allows him to get his audiences to market his show and get their friends to come out.

• Generating word of mouth.

• How he decides where to take his show.

• Using anchor dates and filling out other dates around those.

• Engaging with the press on social media.

• Press releases.  

Working With Agents

• How to find and work with agents

• Cold calling agents.

• Finding agents that fit with your show and your audience.

• Call other artists in their roster to find out more about the agents. You want to find one you can trust.  

Collaborating with the others to build The Danger Circus

• How the three of them got together.

• Working together to create their show.

• Talks about the theme and flow of the show.

• Cutting material that wasn’t working or adding to the show as a whole.

• Dealing with three egos.  

Failure Moment

When he launched Freak Show & Tell, he talks about how for one show, only one person showed up to see his show, but he still played his show like he was playing for a full house. Turns out she was a theater theater producer who he ended up working with on many occasions afterwards.  

Favorite Success

Taking variety arts into theaters and being one of the very few variety artists invited to perform at the 25th Annual Abbie Hoffman Died for Our Sins Festival, and then being invited back!  

Other Topics Covered

• He didn’t mind his day job as a gourmet chef, in fact, he still does it on the side sometimes because he still loves it. It’s still one of his passions.

• When you go on TV, your job is to make them look good.

• If you do a radio appearance, its no longer just audio. They have content going up on Youtube and Facebook, etc. So wear your costume and makeup to radio gigs.  

Parting Advice

The entire purpose of theater is to transform the audience.  

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:

Sound Byte Control - Remote Control App for the Sound Byte Cart Machine Program
iOS App | Android App  

Books:

On Writing by Stephen King

Getting Things Done by David Allen  

Where can we find Thom Britton?

DangerCircus.com

In this interview, Fielding West brings us into his career telling lots of stories from his past and then sharing with us some valuable tips on effective communication from stage. There are many great lesson to be learned from this talk. Enjoy!

Fielding is a comedy magician, teacher, and keynote speaker from Las Vegas. He’s performed in a number of showrooms in Vegas, Tahoe, and Atlantic City like the Tropicana, Sahara, and Caesar’s Hotels. He’s appeared on a number of TV shows on a number of networks like A&E’s An Evening at the Improv, and CBS’ Entertainment Tonight. He’s been the opening act for top names like Liza Minnelli, Phyllis Diller, The Temptations, and Earth Wind & Fire.

He also writes comedy for other magicians and runs a class called Stagecraft 101 where he teaches people how to communicate more effectively from stage. Muhammad Ali says, “He’s one crazy MoFo!"

Sponsors:

Click Convert Profit — This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur’s Guide to Making Money Online. Click here to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords.”  

Kris' Recommendation of the Week

11 Event Marketing Books Giveaway

Past guest of the show William Rader from WellAddended.com is giving away 11 books on event marketing to one lucky winner! Here is a list of the books he's giving away:

The Email Marketing Primer – Clay Mabbitt
Standing Room Only – Joanne Bernstein
The Event Marketing Handbook – Allison Saget
Making it Rain with Events – Scott Ingram
The New Rules of Marketing and PR – David Meerman Scott
Stand Out Social Marketing – Mike Lewis
Building Communities, Not Audiences – Doug Borwick
Engage Now! – Doug Borwick
Do It! Marketing – David Newman
Hooked – Nir Eyal
Sold Out! – Susan Ordona

Click here to be taken to the contest page where you can enter.  

Success Quotes

Drink a lot of water and carry a big stick.

Treat people the way you want to be treated.  

Effective Communication from Stage

• When he works with people, he observes them to find out what their best performance traits are and works to amplify them.

• Tells about an absolute failure he experienced when speaking publicly for the first time.

• Lack of preparation is the biggest mistake he sees people make before going up on stage in front of people.

• Think before you speak, but listen before you think.

• The difference between the professionals and the amateurs, is the length of their pauses.

• Breaking the 4th wall is the true communication of a variety act.

• Timing in communication.

• You can communicate so much with the eyes alone.

• Imagining the audience is in the underwear is the stupidest idea for public speaking!

• Ping pong effect: making eye contact with multiple people in the audience  

Four things you can immediately do to improve your stage presence:

• Stand up straight.

• Projecting louder than you would normally speak and speak clearly.

• Eyes looking directly at the audience.

• Hydration - make sure you’re properly hydrated.  

Other Topics Covered

• Tells about how he got nose-to-nose with Muhammed Ali.

• Overcoming handicaps. • Tells about his journey, peppered with all kinds of stories!

• Talks about how he was always causing trouble for his dad who traveled the President of the United States.

• Learning from mistakes.

• How Fielding was inspired by Steve Martin to go after comedy and magic.

• How all of his constant performing prepared him for many lucky opportunities offered to him.

• Making a plan for what you want to accomplish.  

Parting Advice

Quit worrying about what other people think and quit talking about other performers. You cannot elevate yourself by putting down another performer.

Take every show you can get and if possible, record it.  

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:

117 Ideas for Better Business Presentations by Tom Kirby  

Where can we find Fielding West?

Fieldingwest.com

Stagecraft101.net (Coming Soon)

BillyTopit.com (Fielding plays the Mayor of Las Vegas)

In this interview, Fred & Bobbie Becker talk all about the ins and outs of performing on cruise ships. They talk about the good, the bad, the unexpected, what sort of shows work on ships, promo videos, and on and on!

Together Fred and Bobbie have 45 years of combined performing experience and spend their time performing on cruise ships! They also have a program for entertainers called Gigs on Ships where they teach the ins and outs of performing on cruise ships.

Sponsors:

Click Convert Profit — This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur’s Guide to Making Money Online.

Click here to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords.”  

Kris' Recommendation of the Week

Magician Business Podcast and Kids Entertainer Podcast

Ken Kelly and Julian Mather are doing a smashing job over there at Magician Business cranking out wonderful podcasts and super helpful content for those who want to make a living performing. They're a great neighbor resource and you should definitely give them more than a glance.

Magician Business Website | Podcast

Kids Entertainer Hub | Podcast  

Success Quotes

From Fred: Anything worth doing is worth doing right!

Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon…must inevitably come to pass! — Paul J. Meyer

From Bobbie:  I don't want you to ever look back at your life and have any regrets. — Bobbie's Dad  

Gigs on Ships!

• What sort of shows are they looking for?

• You need to be good with a very diverse crowd. You need to be comfortable with people from all walks of life.

• You need at least a 50 minute act. Fred and Bobbie have two 45's and a 30 minute magic class.

• You live with your audience.

• You have to be "people people." It's all about relationships.

• You need a demo reel that's specific to the cruise ship market. The agent needs to "see you on their stage."

• Your demo reel also needs to sell you as a person too. Tug at the heartstrings.

• Don't do your reel in the same order as your show. Lead with your strongest piece.

• Figure out what sets you apart and capitalize on that.

• Working with agents vs. the cruise director.

• Pros:you get to work in the best, most equipped theaters in the world, no overhead expenses, you only work a couple nights per week, it's a dream lifestyle.

• Cons: You're stuck on the ship, you can't just pick up and go somewhere. You miss family events like holidays and funerals. Since you share bunks, if you're in a couple's relationship and have a fight, there's nowhere for you to go.

• How to keep things in order at home on land while you're away at sea.  

Their Online Course on Cruise Ship Gigs

Gigs on Ships is a 9-week course where Fred and Bobbie literally open up their business to help those who want to land a cruise ship gig.

It has three modules:
1. Building Foundation - preparing yourself and show for ships.
2. Getting the gig.
3. Life at sea and how to be successful.

Learn more at www.gigsonships.com  

Other Topics Covered

• Talks about fear standing in your way.

• Taking risks.

• Some interesting storied from each of their lives that helped shape their careers.

• Not letting failures beat you up.    

Parting Advice

Don't let fear hold you back! Step out of your comfort zone. Pick up 6 more pieces of parting advice by signing up for Fred & Bobbie's newsletter at GigsOnShips.com.  

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:

Having a notebook to write things down in.  

Books:

Maximum Entertinament by Ken Weber

Fitzkee Trilogy by Dariel Fitzkee | Ebooks

Magic & Showmanship by Henning Nelms

Breaking Out by John Butman

Start with Why by Simon Sinek  

Where can we find Fred & Bobbie Becker?

Gigs on Ships

Fred Becker's Website

Twitter @realbeckermagic | Facebook

In this interview, Brad Ross tells us how to market our show business and holds nothing back! My head is still reeling with all the knowledge Brad dropped. Also, find out how you can get a free 30 minute phone consult with Brad! For six years, Brad toured with Disney Live in Mickey’s Magic Show. This alone has taken him to 5 continents, 25 countries, and allowed him to perform in 16 languages. In fact, he’s entertained literally millions of people worldwide! He’s been featured in over 500 national and international TV appearances including the Rosie O’Donnell Show, FOX TV’s Good Day New York, Decco Drive, and on the Disney Channel. Brad was awarded the prestigious Merlin Award by the International Magician’s Society being named the “Best International Family Entertainer.” He can now be seen touring his brand new illusion show “Brad Ross’ Unbelievable,” where he brings a new approach to the classic theatrical art, the art of magic. Finally, Brad is also a well-known author, speaker, and marketing guru to magicians and other entertainers worldwide. He helps fellow entrepreneurs live their dreams through his seminars and training courses including his flagship course, “The IT Factor: Secrets to Skyrocketing Your Career!"

Sponsors:

Click Convert Profit — This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur’s Guide to Making Money Online. Click here to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords.”  

Kris Mentioned at the Top of the Show

A Life Well Designed from previous guest Jonny Zavant (Jonathan Pritchard)

This is a blog and podcast that teaches how to design the ultimate life for yourself. It's basically a resource for anyone who is interested in reducing waste in their life whether it be a waste of time, energy, resources, or efforts with the goal of helping you design the life that you've always wanted to live.

A Life Well Designed Blog | Podcast  

Success Quotes

Do what you love and love what you do!

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. — Marianne Williamson

If you can dream it, you can do it. — Walt Disney  

Marketing!

• You need to have a good website.

• Have good branding, it needs to be clear and defined.

• Your personality needs to come across in pixels and on paper.

• Put your personality out there. It's all about connecting.

• What is unique about you?

• Your personal brand it The IT Factor.

• Separate yourself from everyone else.

• Selling benefits instead of features.

• Selling the sizzle as well as the steak. What is the package that you've wrapped yourself in? That's the sizzle.

• Know what it is that you're selling and who your ideal customer is.

• The audience that you perform for could be different than the audience that you're selling to.

• People buy based on emotions.

• "So what?" That's the filter you need to run all your marketing copy through to find the value and benefits to the customer.

• Deliver the right message to the right market via the right media.  

The IT Factor Live

• Skyrocketing your career by creating the illusion of celebrity.

• It's a compilation of everything he's used to have a successful career in magic up to this point.

• a live workshop that teaches business-building for magicians.  

His original It Factor Course

It Factor Live (limited to 25 people)  

Other Topics Covered

• Learning from your mistakes.

• Magic happens outside the box (outside of our comfort zone).

• Talks about his journey and some of his challenges.

• Making decisions.

• How he grew his dream.

• Mentored by Dave Dee (who now works with Dan Kennedy!).

• Investing in yourself.

• It all comes down to passion.

• Talks about how he landed his Disney gig.

• Opportunity knocks for everyone. If you're prepared, you'll hear the knock and open the door. If you're not prepared, you will never know it was even there.  

Parting Advice

Get up off your butt and make your own success. Change the equation!  

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:

It Factor Live!  

Books:

Tony Robbins Personal Power

Joanie Spina's Get Your Act Together Videos  

Free 30 Minute Phone Consult with Brad!

This is a special offer for Successful Performercast listeners! Visit www.bradcoachme.com to fill out an application for a free 30 minute phone consultation with Brad about your show business.

www.bradcoachme.com  

Where can we find Brad Ross?

Make Magic Money

It Factor Live

Brad Coach Me

Twitter @bradrossmagic | Facebook

Clay Mabbitt runs a blog and podcast called Sold Out Run where he helps theaters fill their seats with more than just friends and family.

Basically, he’s a marketer and an actor. He’s using his skills and knowledge taken from his years working in a marketing firm in Indianapolis and applying them to find out ways to get butts in seats in theater productions. It seems to work because in 2010 he applied what he knew from his professional marketing background to his first theatre production, and he sold every seat for the entire run. Hence the name, Sold Out Run.

Sponsors:

Click Convert Profit — This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur’s Guide to Making Money Online.

Click here to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords.”  

Kris Mentioned at the Top of the Show

Overdrive - Borrow eBooks and audiobooks from your local public library.

Zombie Loyalists by Peter Shankman: This is a book that talks about using great service to create raving fans, or in this case, Zombie Loyalists, that will not only buy your services, but also tell all their friends about you and get them to buy from you! It's a good read for sure!  

Success Mantra

All things in moderation, including moderation. — Oscar Wilde  

His First Sold Out Run

• What he had to start with.

• Focused on what could be done inexpensively.

• Created a blog for the show and a content calendar.

• Contests for free tickets.

• Varying content for blog and social media outlets.

• Staying Top of Mind.

• Creating a marketing calendar. (Template available at SoldOutRun.com.)

• Listing out what you'll need and when you'll do them.

• Other resources at SoldOutRun.com.

• Tells about the website he created for the show.

• Doing mini profiles for the cast and crew and having them share it on their social profiles.

• Having multiple points of contact with people before they actually buy from you.

• For every show there's a specific audience and a way to reach them.

• Tells us about a marketing tactic that he thought would work well but ultimately fell flat.  

Sold Out Run Blog

• Tells what he's trying to accomplish with this venture.

• It started out as him getting his thoughts out for himself in regards to marketing a theater show.

• He wants to change the culture around the arts and make them more commercially viable.

• He gets out his ideas and reports his findings.

• Blog and podcast at SoldOutRun.com are all about helping to improve theater marketing.

• His guest post: 5 Things Theatre Marketing Can Teach You About Promoting a Magic & Illusion Show by Clay Mabbitt.  

Failure Moment

Talks about his Open Book Project where he tried to help a theater with a show that just didn't work out.  

Favorite Success

His very first production, Enter Love, and his successful marketing efforts with it.  

Biggest Professional Challenge

Defining his niche.  

Interesting Story

Clay was on stage with someone who forgot their place and he couldn't help them.  

Rapid Fire Questions

In his podcast, Sold Out Run, clay asks his guests a series of fun rapid-fire questions. I turned the tables on him and gave him a fun Rapid Fire experience of his own!  

Other Topics Covered

• If you aways play it safe, you'll never have any real big success.

• Tells about his background in marketing and how he got into acting.  

Parting Advice

Don't get complacent with small houses.  

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:

AWeber email list management.  

Books:

Art of the Turnaround by Michael M. Kaiser

The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod  

Where can we find Clay Mabbitt?

Sold Out Run Blog | Podcast

Twitter @claymabbitt

Brian Campbell shares some great practical business advice especially when it comes to navigating relationships. After all, if you're in show business, you're really in people business.

Brian is a professional magician, trade show presenter, and hypnotist and has been for over 25 years. In fact, he’s performed magic for over a million people face to face.

He’s worked everything from private parties, restaurants, and corporate events and for many years even managed other restaurant magicians, one of his biggest clients being Dave & Busters.

Today much of his work comes from corporate and trade show work where he and the Amazing Allison, his wife and past guest on the show consistently draw the largest crowds to clients booths. Fortune 500 clients have included Cisco, Microsoft, Johnson & Johnson, Pepsi, Frito Lay and the Anaheim Angels.

He’s also put together a wonderful online resource for magicians, teaching some of the ins and outs of the business side of magic in a video series called “The Big B and the Small S."

Sponsors:

Click Convert Profit — This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur’s Guide to Making Money Online.

Click here to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords.”  

Success Mantra

Winners never quit, quitters never win. No education is lost.  

Big B, Small S

This is the video series that Brian did with Penguin Magic where he teaches on the business side of show business. Watch and learn, it's FREE!

Show Business is Really People Business

This whole interview has a through line of show business really being about people. It's all about your personal interactions with people and your relationships that help to define your business and where it goes. Here are some of the points. 

• People are your best resources. 

• Show business is all about people.

• You're not in the business of magic, you're in the business of people.

• Talks about how he put magicians into restaurants when he was working with Dave & Busters.

• Talks about working with Penguin and his FREE video series on the business of magic called Big B, Small S.

• Magic is a 24-hour job. If you can't do something on the spot, you're not really a magician, your just someone who does tricks.

• You never know who you're going to meet. If you're not ready to do a short routine, you could miss out opportunities.

• Talks about the power of asking.

• Be an interested person instead of an interesting person. Learn about other people.

• As Zig says, you can get whatever you want in life if you help enough people get what they want.

• If you build a good rapport with people, you're more likely to do business with them.

• You can sell your magic if people like you.

• Tells how he literally knocked on the door of Microsoft and booked his biggest contract ever!

• Never say no, always say yes!

• Always look for ways in which you can help people, even if they haven't hired you yet. You want to become their "go-to person."  

Failure Moment

Brian gives us a few examples of things that didn't go according to plan including how he lost a woman's very expensive ring performing Ring Flight and the time he spent looking for it again. Always be prepared for anything!  

Parting Advice

Always have your business card at hand to hand out. It's no good in your own pocket.  

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: People. People are your best resource.  

Magic Resources:

Mark Wilson's Course in Magic

Jaw Droppers Series

Dan Harlan's works on magic  

Success Resources:

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

Zig Ziglar - Secrets of Closing the Sale

Verbal Judo — How to Deal with Difficult Situations  

Where can we find Brian Campbell?

ShowPros.biz

AmazingAllison.com

Big B, Small S Video

Steve Spill has a lot to talk about! We talk about some of his early days doing bar magic at The Jolly Jester, his venue, Magicopolis in Santa Monica, CA, and some stores from his latest book, I Lie for Money, Candid Outrageous Stories from a Magician's Misadventures. Throughout this interview we learn some bar magic strategy as well as some of the ins & outs of running a full-time magic venue.

Steve Spill is a magician who’s had a lifetime of magic and still has room for more! Having studied under magical legends like Dai Vernon, Charlie Miller, and Francis Carlyle, he’s performed and produced shows around the world in places like the French Riviera’s Cannes Film Festival, Universal Studios Hollywood, Harrah’s Tahoe, and Massey Hall in Toronto.

He’s had his hand in a number of TV magic specials like "World’s Greatest Magicians" on CBS and "Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular.” on FX.

He was the magic bartender at Aspen Colorado’s “Jolly Jester,” and along with fellow magician Bob Sheets, starred in the longest running show in Washington DC, called "Magicomedy Cabaret.”

In 1998, Steve opened up his very own magic venue called Magicopolis in Santa Monica, CA which is the home of “Escape Reality,” the show that stars him and his wife, actress Bozena Wrobel.

Finally, Steve just released his brand new book, “I Lie for Money, Candid, Outrageous Stories from a Magician’s Misadventures,” which is a memoir of his life so far.

Sponsors:

Click Convert Profit — This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur’s Guide to Making Money Online.

Click here to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords.”  

Success Mantra

Nobody makes a living as a magician by accident. You have to want it pretty bad. When you're obsessed, you make your luck.  

Bar Magic & The Jolly Jester

Note: It was a very different time when Steve was selling drinks while performing bar magic. We do not recommend heavy drinking, smoking, or use of drugs for recreation. If you drink, please do so responsibly. 

• Talks about The Jolly Jester

• Talks about some of the ways they'd sell drinks. 

• They ow;don't start a show until the drinks were full and ow;don't let anyone said at the bar that didn't have a drink. 

• Talks about some of the differences in bar magic from then and now.

• Talks about how he uses the bar at Magicopolis.  

Magicopolis

• Talks about his interactions with guests at his venue.

• Why he built Magicopolis.

• Sometimes it's best to forge ahead, mistakes & all.

• Being resourceful in construction.

• Talks about how his theater was built with magic in mind.

• How he got things rolling using a lot of publicity rather than advertising.

• Tells us about some of the other revenue streams other than just ticket sales like private parties, fundraisers, corporate events, etc.

• How they came up with their birthday party package.

• Some of the very exclusive things he offers for custom parties.  

I Lie for Money

Available at all regular bookstores, online at Amazon, and Audible. Plus, if you buy it at Magicopolis, he'll sign and personalize it just for you!

• Tells about the origin for his book idea.

• Practical as well as entertaining: there are fun stories within as well as practical lessons gleaned from his life.

• Tells a few fun stories from his book including one involving a lit cigarette dropper, a story about Cardini, and the subsequent performance with said prop.  

Failure Moment

Tells about doing a foreign TV show with a very specialized prop and all the things that went wrong during the live performance.  

Other Topics Covered

• His earlier entrepreneurial pursuits and sneaking his magic flyer into newspapers he was delivering.

• The harder you work, the luckier you get.  

Parting Advice

By utilizing your skills, being true to yourself, and working hard, it's possible to create an act that will, if not rake in millions, at least not find you on welfare at the end of the day.  

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:

Scripting. Script all your work and do as many shows as you can.  

Books:

Getting there, a Book of Mentors by Gillian Zoe Segal

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin

Where can we find Steve Spill?

Magicopolis in Santa Monica, CA 
Public Performances are every Friday & Saturday at 8 PM and every Saturday & Sunday at 2 PM.

I Lie for Money | Also on Audible  

Mac King tells us about his early days performing in comedy clubs and talks about how he keeps things fresh in his show at Harrah's in Vegas.

I probably don’t have to say this, but if you’re a magician and don’t know who Mac King is, I hereby revoke your magician card.

That said, Vegas Headliner Mac King is resident magician at Harrah’s Hotel & Casino and has been there for 15 years. This makes him the longest running magician in Vegas to be working at the same hotel!

He’s appeared on TV in countless shows on a variety of stations and in multiple countries. He also performs at corporate events for a select number of clients each year.

He’s authored and co-authored three books on the subject of magic, wears an awesome couch-plaid suit, and has a Fig Newton complex. Yet, according to his wife and daughter, he is a fine husband, a great dad, and all around swell fellow.

Sponsors:

Click Convert Profit — This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur’s Guide to Making Money Online.

Click here to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords”.  

Success Quote

Big slumps come before big jumps. — Mac's wife  

Keeping his show fresh

• He really makes an effort to keep things fresh in his show. 

• Keeps a dialogue open with the audience.  

• Doesn't just use audience members "as a prop."

• Has a script for structure yet tries to find "little detours" to stray from the script and add variance to his shows.

• Talks a little about burnout and how it's affected him.

• Doesn't really add material, but he finds ways to tighten it.

• Things evolve and change over time.

• How he uses his show to test fly things he'll perform elsewhere, for example the suspension he performed at the Academy of Magical Arts Awards.

• Likes to "feel rushed" right before going on stage. It helps him to think on his feet and discover new things.  

Failure Moment

Tells who he ended up vomiting up a goldfish on stage and how the audience seemed none-the-wiser. And the lessons he learned.  

Other Topics Covered

• How your brain still works while you sleep and helps you work out problems.

• Tells his journey in magic which included a lot of hard work in comedy clubs.

• Working as a magician and sharing the stage with comedians.

• Laughs-per-minute.

• Recording and listening to your shows to make improvements.

• Emulating what you see other successful performers do.

• Having a beginning, middle, and end to your show.

• Finding his niche in Vegas.

• Tells some of the pitfalls he had to overcome before starting his current residence at Harrah's.  

Parting Advice

Do as many shows as you can and be a good listener.  

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:

Keeping a count of all the props you have in your pockets before you go up on stage.

Be sure to set up a retirement account.  

Books:

McComb's Magic by Billy McComb

Learn Magic by Henry Hay

Harpo Speaks by Harpo Marx  

Where can we find Mac King?

Mac Performs at Harrah's Casino in Las Vegas every Tuesday thru Saturday at 1 & 3 PM.

Mac King's Official Website

Twitter @MacKingShow | Facebook

Jeff Civillico brings us into his career in juggling and gives us some practical advice when it comes to intentionally designing your own life and career.

Jeff is a high-energy Vegas headliner who takes juggling, audience interaction, and lots of comedy to compose his show, “Comedy in Action,” which can be seen at the LINQ Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

His passion has taken him around the world garnering him once-in-a-lifetime opportunities like sailing the Queen Mary II, sky diving in Australia, and getting to perform at The White House.

He’s a favorite onboard the Disney Cruise Line and has performed many venues on Vegas Strip including, V: The Ultimate Variety Show, Nathan Burton, and The Improv at Harrah’s.

He’s the founder and president of Win-Win Entertainment, which is a non-profit that pairs performers willing to donate their time and talent with charities in need of entertainment.

He also speaks on “Branding your Passion,” which helps people design the career and lifestyle of their dreams. Not bad for someone that juggles plungers for a living.

Sponsors:

Click Convert Profit — This episode is brought to you by Josh London's Click Convert Profit and his book Flying Solo, the Smart Solopreneur’s Guide to Making Money Online.

Click here to get $10 off and for my listeners only, the free ebook "4 Ways to Find Your Most Profitable Keywords”.  

Success Quote

You're fast becoming the person you're going to be. — Jeff's Dad, Mr. Civillico

Stay young, stay foolish. — Steve Jobs

Work harder on yourself than you do on your job. — Jim Rohn  

Designing your Life & Career

• Finding your passion VS. being a passionate person. 

• Branding yourself. 

• Passionate people find ways to channel their energy and drive. 

• Passionate people find ways to build things that are bigger than themselves.

• Personal philosophy and values.

• Taking initiative and being proactive.

• Leveraging what you have for more and taking action.

• Being able to pivot.

• Engaging with the community.

• Talks about how he got his show in Vegas with certain leverages and out-hustling his competition.

• Bartering. Everyone has something that someone else needs and can be bartered.  

Failure Moment

Talks very candidly about a soured business relationship with another entertainer and what he learned.  

Favorite Success

Sticking it out after above "falling out."  

Biggest Professional Challenge

Making his Vegas show profitable.  

Interesting Story From the Road

Tells how he really made a difference in one woman's life with his act.  

Other Topics Covered

• Congruency between who you are both on and off stage.

• Staying connected with his family.

• Talks about how he moved out to Vegas.

• Win Win Entertainment: matching charities with performers.

• Abundance Mentality VS. Scarcity Mentality    

Parting Advice

Take action and leverage what you have for more.

If something doesn't work out, pivot.

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:

Daylite CRM

TextExpander

Dropbox

Quickbooks  

Books:

Born Standing Up by Steve Martin and other biographies

Linchpin by Seth Godin

Success Principles by Jack Canfield

How to Win Friends and Influence People  

Where can we find Jeff Civillico?

Jeff Civillico's Website

Win Win Entertainment