3 Ways to Stay Safe

I sat up, bleary-eyed, momentarily confused by the ear-piercing alarm.

I stumbled out of my hotel bed, and spun in a circle, finally orienting myself.

The fire alarm was going off.

Sleepily, I changed out of my PJs into some clothes and stumbled, half asleep, out of my hotel and made my way to the lobby.

While the other hotel guests loudly bitched and complained, demanding to know what was going on, I waited and listened.

The desk clerk explained to one of the more reasonable and quiet guests that someone on the second floor vaped, causing the alarm to go off.

Within a few minutes, the fire department arrived, took a sweep of the hotel, and turned the alarm off.

With my ears still ringing, I went back inside the hotel, passing the sign above.

Turns out this hotel has had safety issues in the past.

With that not-so-subtle lead-in to this week’s topic, I have to ask…

How safe are you at your show?

I’ve written about safe tricks and such before. Today I’ll tackle a few other safety topics, some obvious, some not.

Safety Topic #1: PA System

Do you bring your own PA system to gigs? When you bring a PA system into the performing area, are you mindful of cords?

The last thing you want to do is have someone trip over your cords.

With many of the bigger two-speaker systems, you’ll have cords running across the stage behind you. If you bring volunteers up on stage, you must keep the areas they will be walking through clear.

I love a simple one-speaker system. The one I use is a Bose L1. They are no longer being made but there is a nice one Bose created to replace it.

The advantage of these speakers is simple. It’s a one-speaker design so you can keep all of the cords and attachments in one place.

Most of the time I perform in schools. And I’m almost always set up right in front of a wall. Either on the gym floor, the MPR (multi-purpose room), or the cafeteria.

Even in auditoriums where there is a lot of space behind me, I keep the speaker and all the cords up against a wall.

This way, no one can trip over anything.

Safety Topic #2: Hotels

Do you travel a lot for overnight gigs? I do and I hate it. But that’s a topic for another day.

The main thing I’ve learned over the years with hotels is to stay in a good neighborhood.

I can’t count how many times over the years I stayed in a cheaper hotel to save a few bucks.

There is always assorted riff-raff around at night. They party, fight, and play their music too loud.

At night I toss and turn, wondering if I’m going to wake up to an empty parking space where my car was.

As I get older, I can honestly say that paying extra for a better hotel room gives me a better night’s sleep.

Compromising on a feeling of safety just to save money on a hotel is dumb. Really dumb.

Safety Topic #3: Get Enough Sleep

This is a biggie.

I’ve been having trouble staying awake on some of my longer drives for years now simply by traveling at the wrong times.

Part of it is not listening to my body. Before, if I had a 7-hour drive to a gig, I’d get up as early as possible.

I wanted to get to my hotel early. There was something dumb in my head about feeling like I was getting my money’s worth for the night’s stay.

I’ve come to realize I drive much better later in the day and even at night.

Before the pandemic, when my performing schedule was truly insane, I’d find myself driving until midnight many nights.

But if had to get up at 6:00 am and drive four hours to get to a show? Sleepy town, every time. I just don’t do well driving long distances in the morning.

Listen to your body. You’ll know when the best times are for you to drive.

I get that it’s not always feasible to pick your drive times.

But if you feel sleepy, take a driving break.

Your life is worth more than any gig.

And check your calendar before booking any gig. Look at the days before and after your gig.

I once went without sleep for 36 hours straight. I didn’t look at my calendar carefully and wound up doing four gigs in those 36 hours. One of which involves a 7-hour drive in the middle of the night.

After I finally got home, I crashed and slept hard for 12 hours.

Was that dumb? You bet.

Learn from my mistakes and keep yourself safe.

Have a great week!

--Cris

P.S. By the way…whenever you’re ready, here are 5 ways I can help you grow your magic business to book more shows at higher fees:

 
1. Grab my FREE report for professional working magicians.

It’s called “The 2-Word Secret to Eliminate Your Competition & Become Your Area’s Busiest Magician.” This report reveals a strategy that almost NO magicians are using (and the ones who are don’t use it correctly). Get your free copy HERE.

2. Get my website video training for under $10:

 
In this 2-hour video training, I’ll reveal exactly what your website needs if you want to succeed as a professional entertainer in the 21st century. Get all the details HERE.

 
3. Get a complete business-building plan handed to you on a silver platter.

 
Not sure how to move your magic business forward? I’ll analyze your complete magic business (website, market, competition, and more) and give you a complete game plan for getting your performing business to the next level. Find out how HERE.

 
4. Work with me privately.

 
Need help in multiple areas? I can help you with your website, direct mail, email, or other marketing strategies. I also offer consulting services for crafting magic routines or even entire shows. Want to find out more? Shoot me an email at cris@theprofessionalmagicianclubpro.com.

5. Check out my extensive line of magic routines and marketing products

I have several professional routines, marketing courses, books, and other resources to boost your shows and make booking shows easier and more profitable. Check out my line of products HERE.

To find out more how I can help you book more shows at higher fees, click the button below to see my list of services.

© Copyright Cris Johnson, Inc.