Backups to Your Backup Plans

“I know that T-Rex feeling,” my client said with a laugh.

I had just finished getting ready for today’s show at a library. It seemed like everything in the universe was conspiring that day to make me late for this gig.

Leaving for the gig from my house proved to be treacherous. Here in Western New York, we had just been hit the previous two days with a nasty ice storm.

Our snowblower couldn’t carve up the ice. Salt had no effect on it. Our vehicles were, as my wife said, “like a glazed donut in ice.”

Of course, I planned for it. A couple of hours before I was due to leave for the show, I turned my car on and cranked the defrosters to help melt some of the ice. I used my scraper to chisel through the ice on the windshield and other windows.

When I left, I gave myself plenty of extra time. This particular show sets up in less than ten minutes. (If you’re curious about the show, it was my Balloon Workshop. The hard work is blowing up the balloons.)

I had planned on arriving about 45 minutes before I was due to start the show. With only a ten-minute set-up time, I wasn’t worried when I hit a traffic jam. Turns out the ice storm had caused a tractor-trailer to jackknife, topple over, and block the highway I was on.

Even knowing I wouldn’t arrive at my gig until 25 minutes before show time, I still wasn’t worried.

But I called my client anyway to let her know I was running a little late. She gushed her thanks, and everything was great.

When I got to the show site, the parking lot where I normally parked for this library was still a sheet of ice. That plus an unusually busy traffic day meant just getting from my car to the library across the street took more time than usual.

As I started setting up, I looked at the time and thought, “I’m still good.” With about seven minutes to go before show time, my long-time client asked if she could start letting kids in to get seated.

“Almost ready,” I assured her. After saying that, I put my colorful smiley face vest on.

Well, I tried to. Despite wearing colorful vests for many of my shows, for some reason, putting this vest on took forever. I was really struggling to put it on when it hit me…

“Great,” I thought. “This is what’s going to make me late. Putting on my damn vest.”

When I told my client the reason for the delay, she laughed and made the crack about struggling herself to put on a garment of some kind and trying to wiggle her ‘T-rex arms’ into place.

My point with all of this?

You can’t predict everything.

Yes, the pros tell you to give yourself plenty of extra time to get to the gig. They tell you to bring backup batteries, a repair kit, and everything under the sun to handle any kind of disaster you can think of.

Me? I try to plan for the things most don’t think of.

It starts with my props. When I’m breaking in a new prop, the first thing I do is a thought exercise and try to consider every possible thing that could go wrong with the prop. Then I plan contingencies.

That’s not all. When I get to the venue, I look at where I’m performing and try to imagine every possible thing that could go wrong.

Just when I think I have everything covered, I tell myself, “Now what haven’t you thought of?”

And I extend this to business, too. When I send out the paperwork to a client, they get a cover email, an agreement/contract, and an invoice. I also toss in my corporation’s W-9 for good measure.

Why do I send both an invoice AND an agreement, you may ask?

Simple. Eons ago, when I was first making the jump from part-time to full-time, many clients expected a contract to be signed. Calling it an agreement is softer, friendlier language. But it’s a contract.

Many clients liked having something signed to make sure I was going to show up. (Apparently, that’s STILL a concern even in 2023. Too many magicians are flakes.)

Soon after, some clients asked for an invoice instead.

“But you have my contract,” I protested.

“The office needs something that says the word ‘invoice’ at the top,” was the reply.

After two such requests, I got the message. Now I send both.

Why the W-9?

Here in the United States, a W-9 has tax information on it. Many clients want one to legally show my show was a legitimate expense for the year.

I never used to send it until asked. But after several checks were delayed (remember, I was just starting out), I was eventually told, “Oh, the office is waiting for your W-9.”

Yet no one told me until I asked where my check was…weeks later.

People are not always good at basic communication. Things will happen on your way to a gig. Weird things happen at the show.

My business paperwork shows my attitude toward all of these things. I’ve built double and triple backups and safeguards into everything I do.

After all, you never know what may happen.

Want to get an in-depth account of how deep I go into show details? My full course on elementary school assemblies will give you a complete picture of just how much planning I put into my business.

Check it out HERE.

Until next time, have a great week.

--Cris

P.S. By the way…whenever you’re ready, here are 4 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.

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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.

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.