How to Get Magic Gigs on Easy Mode

You know magic - you know how to entertain - but you may not know the business side of things.

Ellusionist is here to help.

Here are 6 ways for you to get magic gigs this weekend. Let's jump right in...

 

#1. Google Ads

Google is intent marketing. There are two buckets for marketing, intent and interruption.

Intent is going to Costco for steak. You wanted it, you drove there with the intention to buy it.

Interruption marketing is the equivalent of someone offering you a free sample of Parmesan cheese while you're there. It's not what you came for, but now you've seen it, you may buy it, or may not.

In marketing terms, people call this top of funnel or bottom of funnel - but to keep it simple, they were either looking for you, or they weren't.

Google Ads is effective, because it leverages the search traffic of people looking for magicians in your area.

Go to the Google Keyword Planner and search your city and the search term 'magician', 'close-up magician', 'stage magician', 'birthday party magician' etc. Whatever term is relevant to you.

You will get the traffic estimates.

Assume you'll get 10% of that figure to click on your ads. Then assume only 2% of clickers will become buyers.

In Cardiff, UK - only 20 people per month google 'magician near me'. So that's 2 people likely to click on my ad per month.

With that volume it would take 50 months to land a gig. IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

If you want to make this a full-time career you'll need to be performing in areas with high demand.

So if I change the area to London, it's 880 people per month. So I can expect 88 clicks and close 1 to 2 gigs per month from that (if I'm good at selling and the price is good).

Use the tool yourself. Perhaps you don't get gigs because you live in an area that's just NOT got enough demand. But if there is enough demand you just need to start advertising.

p.s. If you need us to set-up your Google ads for you (and teach you how to manage them) we run a marketing agency called MTHD Marketing. You can book this ads service directly here (to skip the onboarding forms and get straight to me).

#2. Facebook Groups

Now remember what I said about Interruption vs. Intent marketing. Meta is 'interruption' aka you are popping into their feed. They may not need what you offer. So running paid ads on Meta won't convert for most of you. 

However, I did come up with a local group strategy that I want you all to have.

Every community/local area has a group or two for residents. Find yours.

Then, run a contest in there, you want to giveaway 1 free magic gig to your community as a thank you.

Simply ask that everyone comment with their event date & type of event (60th birthday party, wedding etc).

Then say you'll choose 1 person at random from your availability.

When I did this, I used to get about 60 leads at a time. Then pick one winner and respond to the other 59 saying they didn't win, but because you have it free in your diary, you're happy to do it half price.

WAIT - a lot of pros reading this will be up in arms right now. Undercutting performers is not morally acceptable. However, these are people who did NOT intend to have a magician anyway until they saw your contest - and it's your local community. It's on your doorstep. So I see no harm, when there's an affordability crisis right now, in lowering prices to meet the diminishing demand... That's just commerce.

I used to go out for $100 for 2 hours of close-up if I had nothing else on. Not in New York or London, but in my hometown, sure. Everyone would.

It's either cash or trash tv - and I'd rather the cash for the evening.

Anyway - give it a whirl, I used to use it a lot - and It does open up doors with some very prominent people within your local community.

#3. Organic Social Media Content

This is obvious. You should try to put up as much performance footage on your social media as possible. Tickle the algorithm with some nice Meta Glasses POV reactions - and watch your bookings grow.

It won't be overnight, but it should be something you do out of habit - like brushing your teeth.

If you lack public credibility, some people won't hire you. That performance footage (if good) can also be used to close clients when they question your price in future.

#4. Cold Calling

I used to do regular gigs for a Poker Tournament. How did I get that gig? I just called them. I offered them free entertainment for 1 night, for all the people watching the tournament - and all the people who get knocked out.

They said yes and the feedback was so good, they paid me anyway. Then that became a regular gig.

Go to Google Maps, search all the relevant places that you'd like to perform at:

- Casinos

- Poker Tournaments

- 5 Star Hotels

- Cocktail Bars

Then get dialling and ask to speak to the events co-ordinator or manager.

Fortune favors the bold.

#5. Cold visits

Same as cold calling, but all those locations you want to work at, the ones you found from google maps? Yeah those.

Now you have that list, you may be ghosted on the phone. They may say they'll call you back and don't.

NEVER GIVE UP.

People are busy. They've got jobs, kids, bills, leaky roofs, groceries to collect. Giving you money is the last thing on their mind.

So don't be offended if they don't make you a top priority in their life. It's easier to just be persistent and go visit those locals to SHOW what you can do.

I got a residency in cocktail bars and 5 star hotels (as their preferred magician for weddings) based purely on walking in. Right place, right time.

#6. USP / NICHE

"The celebrity magician" / "the professional opportunist"

^ This is branding. 

They've chosen a niche and they've made it their USP (Unique selling point).

What's your USP compared to every other magician out there?

If the answer is nothing, then it's not gigs that's your problem, it's you.

You need to pick a branding direction and commit to it wholeheartedly.

Are you funny?

Are you specifically a children's entertainer?

Are you a time traveling magician?

All of these are lanes and they're not suitable for every performer. So you just have to decide what's suitable for you.

With a specific niche it will make it easier to market your services and easier for clients to qualify whether they want you or not.

Do you only do weddings? Great. Now you're 'Fort Worth's Top Wedding Magician'.

You won't be attracting gigs from Corporations - but you'll close wedding gigs WAY easier.

LAST POINT...

There is so much to marketing and advertising a product or service that most people don't know. And if I had a dollar for everyone who told me to 'just start a TikTok' I'd never need to work again.

But that doesn't always work...

The unspoken truth of business is that it takes money to make money.

If you don't have money, I can outspend you on Google Ads tomorrow and take all of your gigs.

You need to invest in yourself for the outcome you want. And that investment needs to be realistic to your goals.

$50 on Google Ads won't get you 100 gigs. Life isn't that easy.

But $500 on Google Ads may get you $1000 - $5000 in gigs.

One reel on instagram may not get you any gigs. But 500 in a year FOR SURE will get you gigs.

"Volume negates luck" - Alex Hormozi

It is essential that you understand marketing to run a business - and living your passion of magic, unfortunately is a business move. You'll need to be effective.

So if you want more marketing help you have 3 options:

1. I'll be launching a book and video series on Kickstarter soon.  But inside the project is A LOT of marketing gold that can be used outside of Kickstarter too. 

2. You can pay a premium to get specific insights to you via our marketing agency - MTHD.

3. Steal as much of the information above and start actioning it now. It's yours and I hope it helps you like it helped me.

Have a great weekend,

- Geraint Clarke
CEO, Ellusionist