Raise your hand if you know what a QR Code is. If you didn’t raise your hand, read on. If you did raise your hand, read on. If it’s some other option, read on. Get it . . . read on. What you see to your left is called a QR code. They are free to make and have a ton of potential for helping you get clients . . . after all, isn’t that why you read No Stone Left Unturned every month. I’ll tell you how to make one in a second. But first, get out your smart [...]
Last month the statement/question was, “You don’t have a camera? Really!?” This month it’s “You don’t do magic with your business cards? Really!?” I’m not gonna spend a lot of time convincing you that magic with business cards is critical. However, think of this: you meet someone on a plane or standing in line at the grocery store or at a networking meeting, etc. The guy asks you what you do for a living. You say that you’re a magician (or whatever you call yourself). Then you produce a business card from thin air (back palm or whatever method you [...]
Sometimes the short and the sweet articles end up being favorites of my loyal subscribers. Today I plan to test that theory. It’s simply this: I’ve seen a load of magic websites that a) look like crap, and b) have no video footage of the performer whatsoever. The Lecture Seriously!? You really don’t have any footage!? In today’s world, with smart phones, and inexpensive camera’s, there is no reason not to have footage on your site. Again, I’m speaking only to those who are seeking to land gigs and clients and to make some money. Obviously if you’re a hobbiest, [...]
I have a good friend who is an amazing mechanic. At least 4 or 5 thousand times a day, someone will discover that he’s a mechanic and ask him a question about a car problem that they’re experiencing. He always has a good answer and some good direction and advice for the curious car owner. Of course, the beauty is that in most cases, this results in my friend taking on a new customer. So the free advice resulted in some cash. Other than the multiple times I’ve used this phrase in an article, how many times have you heard [...]
Really . . . Sweats and a T-Shirt. I know. This month’s No Stone Left Unturned is really simple . . . a lesson I learned a while back. I have custom made Stone Cold Magic ball caps that I occasionally where when I’m out and about. Here’s the thing, however. If you’re going to wear a logo that represents your company, what does the rest of you look like? Well, it was midnight. I had to run to the store and get a few groceries for breakfast the next morning. I was sitting around the house in Sweats and [...]
What follows is a crazy idea that I’m clearly not expecting anyone to do. It’s an essay out of my upcoming book (Working Title: Brain Dump). It’s meant to be a thought exercise as is much of the material in the book. As you read the essay below, however, think of the possibilities. Think of how dedicated to your magic career are you. Are you willing to do what it takes to grow your business? Read some of the past No Stone Left Unturned Articles. Enjoy Dedicated To The Art When I read the Paul Harris trilogy, The Art of [...]
Let me start by saying that this particular article will likely have a very narrow audience. Let me also remind you that this column (No Stone Left Unturned) is the section where we talk about the business side of magic, making money, getting more gigs, etc. That being said, the subject of this article is magic DVDs. I personally make money from magic in multiple ways: I Teach Magic to Local Students; I Do the Occasional Lecture to Magicians; I Perform the Occasional Gig (I don’t perform much these days); I Create and Sell my Ideas in the Form of [...]
People often ask me the question, “How much should I charge?” Or “What’s a good rate/fee for a show?” etc. While that’s a great question, I think the more important question is “When should I charge?” What makes you think you should charge? Is your show worthy of payment? Are you worthy of payment? Stop and ask yourself these questions . . . better yet, ask someone else who will tell you the truth. I’ve always been frustrated by the person who buys a couple of tricks and then goes out and starts charging people to watch them play with [...]
March 18th . . . a red-letter day in the Stone family. That’s the day, in 1948, that my father was born. On what would have been his 63rd birthday (he passed away in 2005), I served in my son’s school under the Watch D.O.G.S. program. At the beginning of the day they had me announce my name over the intercom. I mentioned that I was a magician over the intercom. During the day, my job was to be at certain places at certain times and just “help out.” Every where I went, I was mobbed by kids who wanted [...]
As Oscar Wilde once stated, “The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” They say that the best form of advertising is word of mouth. That’s more true than most people realize. Think about all of the other forms of advertising: radio, T.V., billboard, etc . . . what’s the purpose of those commercials and ads, etc? Isn’t it simply to get people to think about their product . . . top-of-mind awareness. It’s even more than that. If you see a commercial for a lawn care service – and the commercial is funny or [...]
Nature never deceives us; it is always we who deceive ourselves. – Jean-Jacques Rousseau Are you elegant? Funny? Mysterious? Sexy? Fast-talking? Many magicians get distracted by their fantasies and never take a long, serious look in the mirror. Sadly, this only undermines their ability to make at least some of their most cherished fantasies a reality. Who you are and your particular performance style should play a large part in determining your target market. Corporate clients are looking for one thing, parents of children celebrating a birthday are looking for another, and the owner of a bar/restaurant is looking for [...]
When I say I want an “Out of The Box” solution to a problem what do you think of? Stop for a moment and think about . . . try to formulate an answer. My guess is that most of you thought about the concept of “thinking outside of the box.” However, maybe I was referring to a package . . . and how when I bought my computer it’s ready to go right “out of the box.” Or maybe I’m referring to an “out of the box” solution meaning that this software solves the problem right out of the [...]
How much do you charge? That’s a loaded question, is it not? I’m sure you’ve been asked that question dozens, even hundreds of times. In the past, we’ve talked about how to charge and how much: I Am Special The Price is Right, or Is It? When it comes to price, there are many things to consider. One is how to handle someone who can’t afford the fee that you quote. You’ve got to make sure that you don’t get frazzled when someone says no to your fee. Might I suggest re-reading these two articles: Overcoming Objections Rebuttals Are Solutions [...]
Stop what you are doing right now, and think of one goal or New Year’s Resolution that you have. Health, Wealth, Spirituality(or Self-Improvement) and Relationships (or Love) are the four most common themes or categories when it comes to goal setting. Just about any goal you can think of will fit into one of those categories. Think about it right now. The goal that you thought of a moment ago most likely fits into one of those groups. What your health goals happen to be is between you, your belly and your trainer. Your spiritual goals are between you and [...]
’tis the season folks. It all started with my Birthday . . . October 26th ever year rushes in the holiday season for me. A few days later it’s Halloween . . . a few weeks later . . . Thanksgiving! On the heels of that . . . Christmas, and soon thereafter . . . New Year’s. Of course, there are other holidays in the mix. Whether you celebrate Christmas or other holidays this year, always remember to respect the season and those who celebrate it. If someone says, “Merry Christmas” to you . . . simply respond with [...]
