22 Years ago, magician Phil Ackerly was laid off from his day job at Fujitsu Microelectronics with a wife, a ten month old son, and a brand new home that was just coming out of escrow. This ultimately resulted in him taking his passion of performing magic full-time, making it his career.

Success Quote:

In order to be successful, you have to fail.  

Things Learned from Working for a Talent Agent

• How to plan events.

• You can't be hung up on yourself.

• Finding out what the clients need and fill that need.

• Up-selling to your client.  

Failure Moment

Not showing up at a show because of a rescheduling and a paperwork mixup.  

Favorite Success

Being able to make a living performing magic. Also, performing at the Hollywood Magic Castle and having The Professor, Dai Vernon compliment him on his show.  

Biggest Professional Challenge

Balancing his "creative work" with his "business work."  

Other Topics Covered

• Tells his story about how he got layer off from his day job and then was able to transition into his passion of performing magic full time. He talks about his first year out there.

• Carving out a niche for himself in the family show market.

• Increasing your fees.

• Personalizing your show and differentiating yourself.

• Value and perception of value.

• The lengths he goes to confirm and re-confirm his bookings.

• Thank you notes.

• How he uses Yelp and how he gets reviews.

• How he uses his blog to connect with his clients on a personal level. He talks specifically about one post entitled Treasure the Moments. 

Parting Advice

"Make me care." — Max Maven

Make your audience care.  

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:

Arthur & Leslie Stead for writing custom music.

Doug Bennett the Magic Writer  

Books:

Beyond Deception by Tobias Beckwith

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo 

The Apple Experience by Carmine Gallo  

Where can we find Phil Ackerly?

www.MakePhilAppear.com

Phil on Facebook

In this interview, David Aiken talks about his juggling career, branding, interjecting comedy into real life, and a great story that involves him on the Barenaked Ladies Ships & Dip Cruise!

David Aiken, AKA the Checkerboard Guy is an award-winning interactive comedy juggler from the Great White North! Performing for corporate events, cruise lines, and at other various venues, David has traveled the world with his act including North America, Austrailia, Europe, and Asia, and even learned to perform his act in Japanese since he was invited back there so often. He’s performed for clients such as Air Canada, Honda, the Canadian Football League, The National Hockey League, and even had the opportunity to perform for Canada’s Prime Minister.

Royal Caribbean International says that David is "A wacky crazy man that will keep you laughing! and a delight to work with!"  

Success Quote:

Once you can laugh at your own weaknesses, you can move forward. Comedy breaks down walls. It opens up people. If you're good, you can fill up those openings with something positive. Maybe you can combat some of the ugliness in the world. — Goldie Hawn  

Failure Moment

Missing a flight to India because he didn't look at the time correctly. He showed up at 2:00 PM instead of 2:00 AM.  

Branding and His Checkerboard Guy Persona

• How he evolved into his persona.

• How he uses "trading cards" in his marketing efforts.

• Living his persona on stage and off stage.

• How his branding helps him generate "celebrity."

• When people want you specifically, that's the beginning of celebrity.  

Biggest Professional Challenge

Slowing down and not yelling during his show.  

Worked Best for His Business

Going out and being awesome, doing good shows, and exceeding expectations.

Fun Story from the Road

Hear about how he met and befriended the Barenaked Ladies, got to perform on some of their Ships & Dip Cruises, and took a huge group Barenaked photo with the Barenaked Ladies.  

Other Topics Covered

• Impostor syndrome.

• Using comedy in life to break down barriers.

• Talks about the support he had from his mother who put him on a bus at 14 years old to go to a juggling convention for a few days. It was a different world.

• Being a juggler/jester in the Society for Creative Anachronism.

• You become the average of the five people you spend the most time around.

• Working as the usher at his own shows helps him to interact and get to know his audience from the get go.

• Working in Japan and learning Japanese so he could perform his show in their language…and ask for his now wife's hand in marriage.

• Always trying to interject humor and find "places to play."

• Making mistakes and learning from them.

• Growing as a creative person.

• GGoL: Generous Gifts of Love

• Strategic thanking and marketing.  

Parting Advice

Have fun! If you're not having fun, you're doing the wrong thing!  

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:

Scrivener — a powerful content-generation tool for writers.  

Books:

Negotiating Higher Performance Fees by Michael Ammar

The Comic Toolbox by John Vorhaus

Start with Why by Simon Sinek  

Where can we find David Aiken?

www.thecheckerboardguy.com

Stories from the Pitch Podcast

Another side of Lindsay Benner's Story about Shitman, as told by Pete Sweet.

Twitter @checkerboardguy | Facebook

In this interview, James Galea tells us how he spends every day having the best day ever! He also talks about how he's put together shows like the Band of Magicians, pitching his ideas, and getting funding for his visions.

James Galea is an award-winning magician, writer, songwriter, director and producer residing in both sunny Los Angeles and sunny Sydney Australia.

Trying to make every day his best day ever, he’s literally traveled the globe performing his magic. He’s the creator of and has toured with the acclaimed "Band of Magicians," performed at corporate events for the likes of Microsoft, Virgin, Ford, and Disney, and he’s headlined worldwide in places like the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The Hollywood Magic Castle, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

You may have also seen him on one of his many TV appearances on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, The TODAY Show, Good Day LA, his own series Urban Magic, or starring in the Discovery Channel series Breaking Magic along with fellow magicians Wayne Houchin, Billy Kidd, and Ben Hanlin.

Daily Telegraph says, "James has reinvented the art of trickery, taking it far from its traditional comfort zone."  

Success Quote:

Nobody knows anything. — William Goldman  

Failure Moment

James tells us about the most dismal failure that anyone could have on stage. Literally. Everything went wrong! James describes it in excruciating detail.  

Favorite Success

Whatever he's working on right now.  

Producing and Pitching Shows

• Talks about his musical about a magician.

• Pitching his ideas.

• How he started the Band of Magicians and his vision for it.

• How he promoted the Band of Magicians to get butts in seats.

• How he raised money for the show.

• How they're different from The Illusionists.  

Biggest Professional Challenge

Trusting his instinct and knowing what's right to do. That and telling people no.  

Other Topics Covered

• Being a life-long learner.

• How he spends every day having the best day ever and how he discovered that philosophy for himself.

• His first experiences on cruise ships.

• How he marketed himself early on.

• Learned by doing and observing.

• What his parents thought about his "professional pursuits."  

Parting Advice

Be careful who you listen to and take advice from.  

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:

Show Cues - iOS App  

Books:

Find the Stuff That's You by Chris Carey

War of Art by Steven Pressfield  

Where can we find James Galea?

www.jamesgalea.com

Twitter @jamesgalea | Facebook | Instagram

In this interview, Norman Ng talks about his career in magic which includes family, lifestyle design, and building his own talent agency.

Norman Ng is a magician and talent agent based out of Maine.

Being full-time going on thirteen years, Norman has performed live for more than 500,000 people in all of North America including Canada and has logged more than 3,000 performances in his career so far. Among these performances, he’s presented at more than 600 college campuses and was awarded "America's Best Variety Act," by Campus Activities Magazine in 2011.

In 2013, he started his own talent agency, NMP Talent, where he books musicians, comedians, speakers, and variety acts around the United States.  

Success Quote:

Carpe Diem!  

Failure Moment

Norman tried to create a fundraising show, invested thousands of dollars in it, and ultimately failed because he didn't fit the demographic.  

Favorite Success

Transitioning from being a local performer to an international one.  

Differentiates Himself

Knowing his client's needs and working to fulfill them.  

Owning a Talent Agency

• Started it so he could be home more with his family but still stay in show biz.

• Tells how he adds talent to his agency.

• Being a true artist.

• To stand out, have a good website that shows you care about what you do.

• Biggest mistake he sees is people make is not being ready.  

Worked Best in Growing Business

Keeping in constant contact with clients. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Top of Mind Awareness.  

Biggest Professional Challenge

Staying in the game.  

What would he have done differently?

Accounted more for what it would be like having a wife and kids when being a traveling performer.  

Interesting Story

Norman tells how he almost died on the road because of a mysterious illness.  

Other Topics Covered

• Never saying no to a gig.

• Talks about how he marketed himself early on.

• Working on material first before marketing his show.

• Knowing yourself and your performance style before jumping into a market.

• How he planned for and moved his business across the country.

• Commenting on the current temperature of the college market.

• How important it is to have the support of your family.

• Balancing work and family and maximizing time with family.  

Parting Advice

Start with good material and build from there.  

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:

Quicken Small Business  

Books:

Books of Wonder by Tommy Wonder

Start Small, Finish Big by Fred DeLuca  

Where can we find Norman Ng?

NormanMagic.com

NMPTalent.com

Twitter @normanmagic | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

In this interview, Dan Chan takes us on his journey into how he became a professional magician. He also talks about his dinner show, his experiences with Groupon and LivingSocial, and how he's teaching his two young children how to juggle and perform magic.

Dan Chan is a magician and variety show producer up in the Bay Area.

Dan is quite the versatile performer, from close-up magic to stage illusion to pickpocketing, he's taken his talents in front of some impressive audiences including George Lucas, the US Marine Corps, and performing over 15 times for Google.

In addition to this, he’s works with his wife, Kat, in many of his productions and has been training up his two children, 7 year old James and 5 year old Grace, in juggling and magic as well.

Dan is an intense three-ring circus rolled into one man. Bring in the rest of his family and you have a quadruple threat class act!  

Success Quote:

With our council, plans are frustrated, but with many councilors, they succeed. — Book of Proverbs  

Failure Moment

The way he found out he was charging too little for his services.  

Favorite Success

Dan lists off some rather nice gigs he's been blessed to have performed at.  

Differentiates Himself

Knowing his client's needs and working to fulfill them.  

Worked Best in Growing Business

Top of Mind Awareness with giveaways bearing his logo (an ambigram).  

Biggest Professional Challenge

Trying to get his dinner show touring.  

What would he have done differently?

Studied transactional law and more theatre.  

Interesting Story

Hear how Dan got out of a traffic ticket by showing the officer a magic trick.  

Other Topics Covered

• Talked briefly about journaling.

• Training his young children in magic and juggling.

• His experiences with Groupon and LivingSocial.

• Some of his goals.

• Luck is where preparation and opportunity meet.

• Talks about his dinner show and how he's marketing it.

• Pitching his dinner show to restaurants.

• Pricing your shows.  

Parting Advice

Get your foot in the door and then gain momentum.  

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:

Waze - iOS App, Social GPS  

Books:

The Richest Man Who Ever Lived by Steven K. Scott

The Enlightened Magicians: The Best of the Best by Michael Jeffreys  

Where can we find Dan Chan?

DanChanMagic.com

BayAreaDinnerShow.com

In this interview, Niels Duinker talks about how he's been able take his passion of juggling and make it into a career. He also talks about how he's been designing the ultimate juggling cup!

Niels Duinker is a comedy juggler from the Netherlands.

Niels has taken his juggling around the world earning him many accolades including Gold Medal in the 2009 Taiwan Circus Festival, multiple Gold Medals at the National Juggling Championships, Variety Act of the Year in 2012 from the International Magicians Society, and he’s a three-time world record holder in the Guinness Book of World Records.

He boasts quite an impressive resumé performing at top casinos, cruise lines, theme parks, and festivals as well as for clients like Coca Cola, Intel, Mitsubishi, and IKEA.

Finally, Niels also teaches what he’s learned in juggling as well as in life when it comes to pursuing your dream in lectures, DVDs, and his book, “Catching Greatness."  

Success Quote:

Make yourself a little bit better every day.  

Failure Moment

Niels tells how he missed a gig because of a nap and a time difference.  

Favorite Success

Finally being able to nail something he's been woking on.  

Differentiates Himself

Getting away from standard props.  

Niels on Prop Design

• Talks about designing shaker cups specifically made for juggling.

• Building prototypes.

• Using his mechanical engineering degree.

• Having a list of objectives to achieve with new design.  

Worked Best in Growing Business

Showing up every day, working hard, and being faithful.  

Biggest Professional Challenge

Coming up with new goals after attaining all of his current ones.  

Interesting Story

Niels tells us an interesting story of a photo he printed and looked at every day and how it eventually became a reality in his own life.  

Other Topics Covered

• How he approached cruise lines.

• Getting help from other people.

• How his parents were supportive but also how they pushed him to help him grow.

• Making things happen for yourself.  

Parting Advice

Improve a little more each 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!  

Resource:

A notebook and pen, or the notes app on his phone.

Dan Holzman's Brain Drizzles Coaching  

Books:

All Seth Godin Books

Joanie Spina's "Get Your Act Together"

Catching Greatness by Niels Duinker  

Where can we find Niels Duinker?

comedyjuggler.com

Niels' Juggling DVD

In this interview, Daniel Martin drops some serious knowledge on how he's been able to make a living performing magic! Among other things, we talk about overcoming fear, performing in restaurants, and how to find where you fit as an entertainer.

Daniel Martin is a magician, escape artist, and comedian. He’s toured multiple shows around the country at colleges and university campuses, and his work has been featured on television networks like CBS, NBC, ESPN, and VH1.

For two years in a row, he’s been ranked as one of the top 3 touring acts in the country by event producers and activity directors. He was selected as “Best Live Performer” in 2012, was four times nominated for “Entertainer of the Year” and three times nominated for “Best Male Performer” all by Campus Activities Magazine in which he’s also been featured.

He has a highly interactive show that brings comedy and amazement alike.  

Success Quote:

Feel the fear, and do it anyway! — Susan Jeffers  

Touring His Stage Show

• To break into a new market and do it well, it will take an average of 3–5 years and cost $40–50K.

• Customizing his shows.

• Recording audio of every show.

• Getting butts in the seats.

• Advancing shows.

• Making sure the venues have promo materials for the shows.

• Communicating with the client to find out what they need.

• Using comment cards for his shows.  

Other Topics Covered

• Fear, motivation, and stage fright.

• How he cut his teeth in restaurants.

• The effects of 9-11 on his business.

• "If you're a starving artist, you're doing it wrong."

• How he learned marketing while working part time for various companies.

• How he worked the hardest he ever had while trying to get his performance biz off the ground.

• Balancing family life and work life.

• Benefits of performing in restaurants.

• If you want to be the smartest person in the room, shut your mouth and open you ears.

• Listen to what life is telling you.  

Daniel on Comedy

• A laugh is equally as important as a magical moment.

• He combines his magic and comedy in a way that matches his character.

• Using laughs as misdirection.

• Cultivating emotion from laughter.

• Laughter is a way to people's souls.  

Favorite Success

How his show prevented a young girl from taking her life.  

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:

Get help from people that are smarter than you. Don't go Solo, take a Wookie!  

Books:

Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard

War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Wise Guy by Harry Anderson

Mind & Magic of David Berglas  

Vote for Daniel!

Daniel Martin has been nominated for Entertainer of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine! Let's help him out with a vote! VoteDM.com

Where can we find Daniel Martin?

DanielMartin.com

Twitter @iamdanielmartin | Facebook | Instagram

This is a bonus episode, something new I'm trying out. Don't worry, your regular scheduled interviews will continue uninterrupted.

This episode is just me getting behind the mic without an interview, talking to you and sharing whats on my heart and mind. I'm going to do these bonus episodes about once every month and I'm hopping this will be another way for me to connect with you all who listen to my show. If you like this, let me know.

If you don't like it, let me know. Let me throw this spaghetti against the wall to see if it sticks! :)  

Here's what I ramble about in this bonus episode:

• I introduce myself and tell a little about who I am. I know, I should have done this a looong time ago.

• Why am I doing this show? What are my hopes?

• My restaurant gigs and an interesting experience I had at a table a few weeks ago.

• My word for the year: Value.

• Some shoutouts.

• How can you help support the show? My Amazon Affiliate Link  

Thanks for listening. I really appreciate each and every one of you. Please let me know how I can serve you. :)

Drop me a line! ks@successfulperformercast.com | Facebook | Twitter @krissheppard

In this interview, Brian Glow and I talk all about corporate entertaining. We discuss everything from customizing your shows, targeting your marketing, and communicating with your prospects!

Brian Glow is a corporate magician based out of Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Brian specializes in corporate magic shows melding the companies message, theme, logos, products, and services into his magical performances wowing and educating all that witness his presentations. He’s performed over 7,000 corporate shows in over 40 countries for Fortune 500 and local businesses alike, including, but certainly not limited to Ford, Canon, Apple, Air Canada, and Hewlet Packard.

The Chicago Tribune says, "Joy and cleverness seem to pervade his work.”

Success Quote:

To be good is not enough when you dream of being great! — Anonymous  

Corporate Magic

• Creating and customizing material that fits with your clients.

• Gives specific example of creating material with a custom presentation.

• The magic is secondary to selling product or the corporate message.

• Tells how he broke into the corporate market.

• Having loyalty with your clients and not jumping ship to go with their competition.

• How he markets himself.

• Finding trade show directories.

• What makes you different from everyone else?

• Keeping in touch with contacts to keep Top of Mind Awareness.  

What's worked best for growing his business?

Cold calling!  

Biggest Professional Challenge:

World touring and all that goes with it.  

Failure Moment:

A one year contract was negotiated with a company in China, and the deal was killed because of the SARS outbreak. It left him with a huge hole in his calendar that he had to fill again.  

Favorite Success:

His children.  

Other Topics Covered:

• Having a good website.

• Social proof: video testimonials, etc.

• Having your marketing materials targeted to who you're going after.

• Responding quickly to inquiries.

• Losing luggage and being prepared for everything.  

Parting Advice

Be prepared.  

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:

Lists! For packing, traveling, prop lists, pre packed shows, etc.

Show Cues - iOS App  

Books:

Life is a Contact Sport by Ken Kragen

It Takes Guts, Dammit by Paul Diamond

All Jim Steinmeyer Books

Tarbell's Course in Magic | Ebook Version  

Where can we find Brian Glow?

CorporateEventEntertainmentMagician.com  

In this interview, Christopher Lyle and I talk all about restaurant magic! He offers some great insight into landing gigs, keeping them, and working with the restaurant staff as a team.

Christoher Lyle, also known as the guy in the yellow suit, is a magician, comic, daredevil, and balloon twisting genius! Some have described him as a “modern day cartoon."

Based out of Dallas, TX, he offers 10 different types of shows that he performs for audiences of literally all ages at private parties, restaurants, fairs, festivals, and anywhere else you can think of.

He’s taken his act across the globe, on television, and has also become a much sought-after coach for other performers wanting to improve their acts and he was also a columnist for the Magic Menu.  

Success Quote:

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. - Ferris Bueller  

All About Restaurants

On the Magic Cafe, it's been said that Christopher Lyle can walk into any restaurant he wants and walk out with a gig. He details his strategy in this post at The Magic Cafe.

Christopher offers some insights into performing at restaurants.

• How he qualifies restaurants before he approaches them.

• Which restaurants he will and won't go after.

• How he pitches restaurants in person.

• Free performance incentive.

• Keeping your gig once you have it.

• Why he doesn't do contracts with the restaurants.

• Promoting outside gigs at his restaurants.

• Business card magic.

• Signage at the restaurants.

• Talking to the restaurant owner about card on the ceiling.  

Sleightly Delusional

If you've ever wanted to work in restaurants but just didn't know how to get started, or have been working restaurants for some time now and need a fresh perspective on how to change it up, then THIS is the book for you.

"Slightly Delusional" is available as a digital eBook for sale for $30.00USD. Pick up your copy here!  

Failure Moment:

How he ended his run at a pizza joint after ten years.  

Favorite Success:

His ten-year run at the pizza joint mentioned above.  

Biggest Business Challenge

Learning how to play well with others, especially online.  

Other Topics Covered:

• How he started getting gigs after moving to Dallas.

• Perform as much as possible for as many people as possible.

• Diversifying your work.

• His online image, mainly on the Magic Cafe.

• Targeting your marketing efforts.  

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:

Show Cues - iOS App BOSE Sound Dock  

Books:

The Magic Menu by Jim Sisti | ebook version

The Restaurant Magic Reader by Jim Sisti | ebook version

Christopher Lyle's Sleightly Delusional

Fitzkee Trilogy | ebook version

Jeff Hobson's Multimedia CD on running a successful business, only available directly through Jeff.  

Where can we find Christopher Lyle?

ChristopherLyle.com | Twitter @guyinyellowsuit | Facebook