Too Many Hats?

See if you made this mistake, too.

Early on in my performing career, I thought I could do everything.

At first, “everything” meant I wanted to make myself available for any performing opportunities. Weddings, birthdays, schools, you name it, I proudly proclaimed myself master of all types of magic.

I even had that printed on my business card. My very first business card read:

“Close-up magic, stage magic, parlor magic fort birthdays, schools, family events, holiday parties. ALL TYPES OF MAGIC.”

Yup, I was so determined to make sure anyone reading my card knew I could do “anything” that I even listed it in All CAPS.

Amusingly, I had sent this card to Eugene Burger. He had shown me great kindness when I met him at the 1990 Inovcational event in Chicago. As a wise performer, Eugene was surely amused by my eagerness.

After receiving my business card, the one that reeked of desperation, he responded with a gentle bit of sage advice, telling me that “perhaps my card was just a bit too wordy.”

Of course, he was right.

Years later, I learned the value of specializing in one branch of magic. Once I set my sights on corporate magic, I became a very successful corporate magician. I burned out of that niche after a handful of years. Hopping on airplanes and flying across the country to perform magic (or hypnosis) for drunk people who didn’t want to see a show of any kind became too miserable.

So, I specialized again., becoming one of the country’s top school assembly performers.

That was truly my niche and I flourished. Rather than becoming worried I was losing out by not chasing after every conceivable opportunity for a gig I could find, narrowing my field made me a better performer.

I was able to tighten my skill set, improve my skills, and advance my craft in huge leaps and bounds.

Instead of trying o keep up with multiple markets, practicing magic effects for restaurants one day only to have to shift to daycares the next, I found myself fine-tuning my school assembly topics. I was able to set myself apart as a specialist.

With this newfound dedication to one very narrow niche, I built up a large client base, and only expanded into another market when I had the school market mastered.

Next, I set my target on the library market. Since school was out in the summer, I had no assemblies. For a few years, I offered college shows and even some corporate motivational programs during those summer months.

But I wanted a market that complemented schools but would not conflict with them. The library market was perfect – same age range, so my skill set and the kinds of magic I performed were an almost perfect match.

Within two short years, I was established as a solid library performer with a loyal clientele. And this loyalty has paid off during the pandemic.

These days, I’m focusing most of my energy on freelance copywriting and my digital marketing services. (Cheap plug: check out the link at the end of this article for a glimpse into how I can help you grow your magic business.)

Due to health concerns and a general desire to get off the road (60,000 miles of driving each year wears a person out) I’m semi-retired from performing. But my clients continue to reach out. I haven’t done any proactive marketing in well over a year, yet I turn away enough gigs each month to comfortably live off if I wanted to.

My entire point is simple. Pick a niche and get rich.

If you’re just starting, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with being the “magic for all occasions” performer. You have to try several kinds of performing to see what you like.

But after you find what you don’t like, start dropping those niches. Stik to the ones you’re good at. I grew up in the world of magic thinking I had to be a corporate guy or a trade show to really “make it.”

I respect the heck out of trade show and corporate performers. I did both and was very good at both. But I was miserable. I’m a goofy guy, more like a big kid, and better suited for kids' shows.

When you’re starting out, pay attention to the feeling in your stomach. You’ll get the excitement of anticipation when you’re getting ready to do a gig in a niche you like. But then something comes along you don’t like, that will hit your gut a different way. You’ll know the feeling.

Once you narrow down your fields, focus all your efforts there. The money will come. After all, a cardiologist makes more money than a general practitioner.

I hope you enjoyed this issue, and now I close with something different – an apology.

My intent with this newsletter is to publish twice a month. So far, I’ve only sent out monthly issues.

And that’s mostly due to the platform I’m using. Without getting too deep into technology, my platform for sending out my newsletters is a pain in the butt.

Remember that feeling in your gut? I get a feeling of dread any time I have to use this platform. I LOVE writing the newsletter, as it’s my way of staying involved in magic now that I’m semi-retired. But the delivery system of getting this newsletter to you has to change.

So, in the next month, I’m going to change it. You’ll probably get, in the next couple of weeks, a notification from my new platform asking your permission to be added on my behalf to the new system I’ve found.

Be sure to grant permission so you don’t miss future issues. And I’m working on plans to increase my newsletter to a weekly or possibly daily format! Fun times are coming.

--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.



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 by clicking 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 by clicking 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 by clicking 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.