In this episode, Seth Kramer brings us insight into the ins and outs of trade show magic! Seth Kramer is a trade show, traffic-stopping ninja! 

Having been in the game for over 30 years, Seth spends much of his time in trade show booths selling his client’s products using magic. In addition to this he also does other corporate events like hospitality suites, sales meetings, and even customized special events. Every day of every week holds something new for him and he’s certainly up for just about any challenge!  

Kris' Recommendation of the Week — Stories of the Magic Podcast

I'd like to recommend a podcast that I'd been listening to for a couple months now, called Stories of the Magic by Randy Crane. In my opinion, nobody has been able to bottle magic better than Walt Disney and if you'd like to get more into his mind, this is the show for you!

Stories of the Magic is a positive and story-filled Disney podcast offering positive stories from Cast Members, Imagineers, artists, actors, and more—including guests—promoting a mutual love of Disney, celebrating and preserving the Disney Magic, and inspiring people to live their dreams just as Walt Disney did.

Stories of the Magic Web | iTunes  

Interview with Seth Kramer: Success Quote

If you love what you do, you won’t work a day in your life.  

Trade Show Magic

• Tells how he got into performing at trade shows.

• Being mentored under Bob Elliott and Bud Dietrich.

• The company isn’t paying you to “do magic” but to stop traffic at the trade shows, amplifying their message, and getting leads for the company.

• Working with the company to develop the message they want presented from their booth.

• Tips to boiling things down to one concise message for his pitch.

• Building a custom act for his clients and demoing it for his clients.

• Talks about gathering crowds and keeping them at the booth.

• How important booth location is and spots to avoid.

• Performance pace.

• Getting people to step in closer to lock in the people in the front rows.

• How he recommends people break into the trade show industry today.

• Using a aerobics stepper as a riser to get you above your audience.

• Talks about his Modern Trade Show Handbook.

Interesting Story from the Road

Having to perform him show in Germany without knowing any German. This involved an impromptu translation from the conceriege at his hotel and fast thinking!  

Other Topics Covered

• Talks about getting started performing professionally.

• Tells how he went to law school and decided it wasn’t for him.

• Performing at every opportunity.

• Making people aware of all the services you offer.

• Be a specialist. Not a jack of all trades.

• Tailoring your show to your clients.

Parting Advice

There are really no secrets in this business. Keep educating yourself.  

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:

Animoto helps you make video with stills and music.  

Books:

Where can we find Seth Kramer?

In this interview, Keri Kazz talks about being mentored by Franz Harary, The House of Magic, and then working with Thom Britton and Chuck Clark in creating The Danger Circus.

Keri Kazz is a legend of "Detroit's Motor City Magic Scene." At 23 years old, he’s already accomplished more than most magicians have in their entire career. Sure he’s done strolling magic in restaurants and presentations at trade shows for corporate clients, but he’s also developed an illusion show that has taken him around the world playing stages in China, India, Spain, and Taiwan as part of Franz Harary’s Mega Magic Touring Show.

Currently, he’s gearing up to go on tour with The Danger Circus, that features fire eating, glass walking, knife juggling, dangerous escapes, and a unique blend of illusion and sketch comedy.  

Kris' Recommendation of the Week — After Things Podcast

After Things Podcast: This is the official after show of Weird Things Podcast. What is it like pitching a TV show? How do you take advantage of opportunities? Join hosts Andrew Mayne, Justin Robert Young, and Brian Brushwood as they talk about their experiences navigating the creative arts and media landscape.

After Things Web | iTunes  

Interview with Keri Kazz: Success Quotes

If you really really want something, the only thing ever really standing in your way is yourself. Just do it!  

Illusion Shows, Mentors, and The House of Magic

• Tells how he met and started working with Franz Harary.

• Talks about Franz's House of Magic in Macau.

• His duties there.

• Contact Bruce Gold magic@sc-macau.com, send him a demo video in order to be considered for booking.  

Working with The Danger Circus

• Talks about building the show with the others.

• Talks about performing with Chuck beforehand, so they had a rapport already.

• How he came up with material that was dangerous for the show.

• Creating a brand for their show.

• Tells when they’re taking it on the road again. Around Sept. 5 around the East Coast.  

Failure Moment

Booking venues that were too small and selling more tickets than could attend.  

Favorite Success

Performing in China.  

What's worked well for growing his business?

Working with Franz.  

Biggest Profesional Challenge

Overcoming the stigma of his young age and overcoming typecasting.  

Other Topics Covered

• Taking chances

• How his young age affected his career early on.

• Missed opportunities and taking action.

• Promoting.

• Hiring professionals to do things like graphic design.

• Developing who he is as a performer.  

Parting Advice

Go out there and do it. Only you are standing in your way and don’t be afraid to ask for help.  

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:

His friends and the magic community.  

Books:

Social Media Magician by Dan Sperry (Currently Out of Print)

Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz    

Where can we find Keri Kazz?

www.dangercircus.com

In this interview, Alex Clark talks about how creating internet cartoons has helped him to grow and keep in touch with his audience when he's not performing! He also talks about some of the ins and outs of working with an agent.

With his show that contains jaw-dropping tricks, quick-witted comedy, and crazy antics, Alex Calrk has traveled around the globe performing at university campuses, festivals, and on other stages. He’s earned two People’s Choice Awards and was voted Best Novelty Act and Fastest Rising Star in the college market. He’s a comedian that stands above the rest, but that’s probably because he’s up on a ladder!

Kris' Recommendation of the Week — 
Help One of Our Own

We have a great opportunity as a part of the magic community to band together to help one of our own. Many of you may know Jeff Stone from Salt Lake City, UT. He's the creator and editor of Stone Cold Magic Magazine, a free web magazine on magic that ran for seven years. He's also known for his work on magic using Frixion ink and fire, he appeared on Jay Sankey's Underground Jam, and also has a new book out called "793.8" which is the Dewey Decimal code for where magic books can be found in the library.

Recently Jeff was hospitalized from diabetic complications and consequently racked up some sizable medical bills that he cannot afford. And as if that's not enough, his four-year-old daughter Oliveah was also unrelatedly hospitalized with what turned out to be E-Coli. They're both home now and on the road to recovery, but are now struggling to figure out what to do with this debt. They're trying to raise $20,000 and so far have raised $1,500.

I know I have a respectable-sized audience that listen to this show and if Jeff has in any way touched your life or career, please consider giving a donation to his cause. I know he's helped play a part in my magical journey and I donated. Put yourself in his shoes and please consider giving $10 or $20 and I know that together, we can help to put a big chunk in that wall of debt! CLICK HERE to help donate and support. When you donate, please mention that Successful Performercast sent you. Every little bit helps.  

Interview with Alex Clark: Success Quotes

Just tell people what you want. If you’re not embarrassed by your first product, you waited too long to launch it.  

Internet Cartoons

• How his internet cartoons have helped get people to his shows.

• Talks about he’s been able to use them to help build a fan base and keeps him top of mind.

• His cartoons give him a reason to keep in touch with his an base and email list.

• His cartoons are an extension of his comedy and another way he can express his talents.

• It’s a way for him to give more to his audience.

• How he’s monetizing his online cartoons. 

Working with Agents

• How he got his first agent.

• An agent is a tool.

• How agents get paid.  

Failure Moment

Talks about a recent NACA (National Association of Campus Activities) showcase he did where he thought he liked it, but didn’t book a single gig.  

Favorite Success

Performing in New Zealand at the World’s Busker Festival  

How does he stand out from his competition?

His internet cartoons.  

What's worked well in growing his business?

Trying everything. The more things you try, the more apt something is to work.  

Biggest Profesional Challenge

Figuring out what to do next. He’s achieved all of his goals so far, so now he needs to decide what’s next. He wants the next challenge.  

Anything he would have done differently?

He wishes he could go back and see what things would be like if he hadn’t made certain decisions.  

Interesting Story

Tells about his experience at the Edison Fringe Festival which involved a skirmish on the streets outside his hotel and how one very nice Canadian man drove Alex all over town helping Alex find a prop he needed for his show. Plus, there’s a kicker ending.  

Other Topics Covered

• Talks about how he discovered entertaining and juggling.

• Just doing it.

• Reaching out and putting yourself out there as much as possible.

• Lots of failures lead to successes.

• Talks about his branding, “a comedian who happens to juggle."

• Talks about his marketing efforts.

• How he got his first fair gig.

• You never know where your gigs can come from.

• Street performing and how to find spots when he’s traveling.

• What might be on the horizon for Alex Clark.  

Parting Advice

Just do 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:

Tap Forms for iPhone - a database software

Go Button for iPhone | iPad

Boomerang for Gmail - scheduling emails  

Books:

Manual of Juggling by Max Holden

Johnny Carson by Henry Bushkin

How to Talk to Anyone by Leo Lowndes  

Also Mentioned:

Get More Corporate Gigs with Barry Friedman

Slugbooks  

Where can we find Alex Clark?

www.itsalexclark.com

Alex's Cartoons

Twitter @itsalexclark | Facebook | Patreon  

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