Successful Performercast by Kris Sheppard | Successful Performer Cast | Weekly Interviews with Professional Entertainers | Show Business, Showbiz, Performer, Magic, Magician, Juggler, Comedian, Musician

In my final interview here in this chapter of Successful Performercast, I have Joe Monti who gives us some valuable advice when it comes to show business and shares some stores from his career that will have you at the edge of your seat. Joe Monti has done it all. He’s traveled the world with his magic, both performing and lecturing. He’s worked with Viacom, starting with the Cosby Show. He’s consulted for television on a number of shows & projects, including Criss Angel’s Mind Freak for three seasons, a lot of ghost and paranormal shows as well as other secret television projects. He was also the $50,000 winner on Simon Cowell’s successful prime time ABC hit American Inventor, which was seen by 14 million people. He’s a frequent featured performer at the world famous Hollywood Magic Castle, home of the Academy of Magical Arts, and has released two commercial products straight from his act on the market for working magicians. Joe has done so much to elevate the art of magic, it’s impossible to list it all here.     Success Mantra Survive. You’ve got to kiss the canvas before you can dance with the angels.     Great Advice on Show Business • Talks about his early days in show business. • Talks about how he discovered Tannen’s and started hanging out there. • Tells how he “jumped ship” over at Viacom. • “Do for others, and they will do for you." • Tells about a how he was filming a TV show after quitting Viacom, where he was dressed all slummy and running into all the people he used to work with. • Keeping you ear to the ground to figure out what people want and doing it. • Talks about his physical comedy. • Why you should do things exactly as you’re taught before adding your own influence into an act you’re working on. • Finding what’s funny. • An effective, yet controversial, tip for getting tips in a strolling situation, and why Joe stopped doing it. • An interesting story involving Dave Chapelle. • Magic minds help in business. • Deliver a product that they can't get from anybody but you.    Help Out Joe As many of you may know, Joe was involved in a pretty serious accident. This interview was recorded before that accident, and Joe wanted to come back on before we officially released this interview to give us a quick update. If you'd like to help him out, there's a Go Fund Me campaign open to help him with his medical bills and recovery expenses. Every little bit helps. Ad mention that Successful Performercast sent you.    Parting Advice Don’t show the people around the magic you’re working on. They’ll only tell you good things. Instead, film it, and let someone watch the video, walk away and then watch their reaction from afar.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Lighting and sound. There's nothing like being seen and heard.   Happie Amp for sound   Security lights attached to batteries.   A step stool to stand up on to be seen better.   Books: Triggers by Joseph Sugarman Bobo’s Coin Magic Trick Brain by Dariel Fitzkee Our Magic by Masculine & DeVant   Where can we find Joe Monti? joemonti.com thumbtie.com  

In this interview, Thought Reader Bill Gladwell who talks about the ins and outs of having his own stationary one-man, mentalism show and how he’s been able to make it a success. Bill is a performer who combines his unique skills of hypnosis, NLP, suggestion, psychology, directed awareness, and showmanship to create a fun interactive show that leaves an indelible impression on each of his audiences and has performed for a diverse list of clients from Honda to country music artist Rodney Atkins. He’s also a speaker and trainer teaching people how to develop and master strong social skills helping them win at life. For the last five years, Bill has pretty much stopped traveling in order to produce and perform in his own 75-minute mentalism show, Two Thought Minimum first in Gatlinburg Tenessee and then in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Finally, I wouldn’t be true to myself if I didn’t mention his own podcast, “Hey! Look at Me!” where he interviews other entertainers that he comes in contact with during his adventures.     Success Mantra Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. – Susie Castle If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it, if you don’t ask, the answer is always no, and if you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place. - Norah Roberts     Having a Stationary Show • Tells how he got his first theater show as a mentalist. • How he was able to tweak his show and improve it from a very rough start. • Not listening to other magicians and mentalists. • How Trip Advisor has helped his career. • How/why he left Gatlinburg for Hilton Head Island. • Tells how he got feedback from his audiences. • Listening to his wife. Starting with the end on mind and working back from that. • How he negotiated with a theater owner to get his dark nights. • Promoting his show and getting tourists into see show. • The importance of having a good product. • How to work with the venue making it a win win for the performer and the venue. • Back of room sales. • Using social media avenues to his advantage. • Building email list. • His USP. • How he keeps in contact via email. • How he sells tickets. • Challenges of working in a theater. • Rebuilding his show and following in Hilton Head Island. • Don’t be afraid to give tickets away to get things done. • Interacting with press and getting coverage. • Working with other companies and businesses to cross promote.     Other Topics Covered • The power in asking. • Lessons from Girl Scout cookie sales. • Asking for the close. • How a Tony Robbins event changed his life. • Talks about how he did an impromptu stage hypnosis show that started him out in performing. • Finding material that fits you. • Don’t do things like everyone else. Make it entertaining. • Recording your show. • It’s not about you, it’s about giving your audience a good time. • How pricing yourself too low can cost your gigs.     Failure Moment Tells why he now collects his fee up front.     Favorite Success His Trip Advisor reviews. Getting his wife to marry him. 😃 ❤️❤️❤️     Parting Advice Be bold. Not only on stage, but off stage. Three foot rule: If anyone gets within three feet of you, you have to tell them what you do and give them a card.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Evernote Just Press Record iOS app   Books: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin The Sales Bible Jeffrey Gitomer Also mentioned WellAttended    Where can we find Bill Gladwell? billgladwelllive.com Hey Look at Me! Podcast

In this interview, Al The Only talks about how he's found success in being a "general practitioner" of magic. He also talks about how he came up with his brand of Al The Only. For over 35 years Al has traveled the country with his magic, performing for corporate clients doing their trade shows, conventions, business meetings, hospitality suites and holiday parties. This includes companies like Apple, General Motors, Coca Cola, AT&T, and McDonald’s. You may also remember him from “Ask The Only,” which was his column in the Magic Menu where he fielded questions about the business side of magic. Today he’s here to share his thoughts on show business with us.     Success Mantra Perception is everything. Don’t sweat the big stuff. You never know when you’re making a memory.     Being a General Practitioner of Magic • Defining general practitioner as it applies to being a full-time magician. • Accomplishing the needs of his clients’ magical needs whatever they may be. • If the client asked him if he could do something, he always said yes. • Talks about “niching down." • Weren’t really any gigs he wouldn’t take, but there are some that he wishes he had been able to do. • Talks about how he’s now in the school show market and how he couples them with corporate gigs he’s doing. • Talks about some of his selling techniques and strategy. • How he travels with two shows. • He has two of everything he does. • Talks about the most unusual show he did which was being hired to steal from a department store. • Talks about hiring a colleague sometimes to help serve the client in which he becomes the producer of a show.     Other Topics Covered • Being “present” with the people you’re performing for. • Talks about some of the things he did to get gigs initially after getting laid off from his day job. • You can get anything you want in life if you help enough people get what they want in life. — Zig Ziglar • How his full-time restaurant job was the foundation of his business. • Talks about his branding of Al The Only. • How his name is instantly recognizable. • Does the name make the individual, or does the individual make the name? • His take on successes and failures. • Dealing with multiple time zones. • It’s not about the magic, it’s about the people you’re working with.     Failure Moment Tells about how he’s lost all his money three different times within his career.     Favorite Success The relationships with his clients.     Parting Advice 1. Don’t do free shows. 2. If you think a show is out of your league, pass it up to another pro. 3. Never say you can’t do something for a client. 4. Don’t believe your own PR. 5. Marry a spouse with a job that has benefits. #tongueInCheek     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: We all have smart devices, but the smartest device we have is our brain! Listen to people. Listen to your friends.   Books: The Business of Restaurant Magic by Al The Only (Out of Print) Confidential Booking Reports by Dick Ryan (Out of Print) Doug Scheer’s book Entertaining Education (Also listen to Doug Scheer’s Interview) Danny Orleans The Art of Presenting Magic for Children   Where can we find Al The Only? Tricky1.com The Magic Graveyard Facebook | Twitter @theROARshow

This week, I bring you an interview with Steve Chezaday who shares some advice and insights from his years performing full-time. Topics include dealing with clients, pricing, managing your money, and customizing and maintaining your props. There’s a lot insight to be gained from this chat. Chezaday is a magician who’s pretty much done it all from close up magic to grand illusion. His energetic show has taken him all over the country. He’s toured with Abbott’s Magic Festival and is also quite handy when it comes to building props and stage illusions. And he can do it all while rockin’ an air guitar!     Success Mantra Always be prepared. Always have your money work for you.     Personalizing & Maintaining Show Props • Personalizing props. • Custom painting goes a long way. • Putting your own twist or spin on routines. • Constantly capturing your own ideas on paper so you don’t lose them. • Importance of quick reset. • Preparing and maintaining larger props. • Having protective cases for everything in a stage show.       Other Topics Covered • Talks about how he gets shows. • Stacking shows. Knowing your setup & teardown time and being efficient. • The importance of saving and investing your money. • Talked about how he had a part time job for a long time which helped him to build his magic career. • How his correspondences with clients are mainly online through email now. • Making your clients feel like they’re getting a bargain. • The psychology of charging $295 instead of $300. • Don’t sell your magic, sell you. You want them to want you, not just “a magician." • Don’t let people wait, because someone else will get back to a potential client if you don’t. • Talks about working with the best and the worst in the industry while doing the Abbott’s show. • Don’t be a prima donna. Try to make everything as simple as you can and treat everyone well. Be reasonable.     Failure Moment Talks about a last-minute hell gig that came about because of miscommunication.     Favorite Success Some of the charities that he’s able to work with.     Parting Advice Love what you do and you’ll never work a day in your life.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Pages on Mac Rising Card App by Chris Kenner   Books: Me Inc. by Gene Simmons Beating a Dead Horse by Sandy Marshall The Magical Life of Marshall Brodien   Where can we find Steve Chezaday? Chezaday.com Steve on Facebook

This week I have singer/songwriter Angela Parrish who shares with us about the importance of having multiple streams of income and how she runs her business. She also talks about how she saved for and completely self-funded $20,000 to record her latest album, Faithful and Tall. Based out of Los Angeles, Angela creates her own brand of music, drawing inspiration from the likes of Carole King, Ray Charles, Eva Cassidy, Gregg Allman, and Alison Krauss. Her music has brought her great acclaim including second place for her song “The Couple Down the Hall” at the Songwriters Hall of Fame Song Competition, and having her song “Higher” selected as a finalist in the 2013 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. You may have heard her song “Different Tomorrow” which earned a primetime placement on CBS TV last summer. Thats not even mentioning her collaborating with top producers and musicians in the industry.     Success Mantra I realized early on that success was tied to not giving up. Most people in this business gave up and went on to other things. If you simply didn’t give up, you would outlast the people who came in on the bus with you. - Harrison Ford     Multiple Streams of Income • Talks about the different streams of income she has which include performing, album sales, and teaching piano. • Teaching people one on one. • Limiting how much she teaches so she can focus on the other aspects on her business that she has more passion for. • Talks about the different percentages each of her streams of income are bringing in and where she’s focusing. • Music industry in general and where she thinks it’s headed with music being sold online and subscription services like Spotify. • How people will support the artists they love. • How Periscope can help to build an audience.     Managing Business • Tells how she wasn’t good at managing her business and how she got better. • Read All You’re Worth by Elizabeth Warren teaches how to manage your finances. • 50% of your income is survival/basic needs, 30% is discretionary, 20% is savings. • Talks about how she self-funded her album, hiring all of the help she needed in musicians, studio work, designers, etc. • Tells how much it took to create her album. Spoiler alert: It was roughly 20,000 completely self-funded.     Other Topics Covered • Having tenacity. • Not giving up, yet knowing when to quit. • Fear of rejection. • Finding yourself. • How all your experiences make up who you are. • Taking risks to be true to yourself and your art. • Talks about her early performing days. • Immersing yourself in the community that you want to be a part of. • Balancing business and art. • The importance of building a following which makes you more attractive to labels and other people to work with. • Collecting emails. Opt-in magnet.     Failure Moment Putting out her record without any business knowledge. She feels it isn’t doing as good as it can be and now she’s changing that.     Favorite Success The songwriter’s hall of fame competition and being recognized by her peers.       Parting Advice Don’t sell yourself short. Set out to accomplish your dreams. Dance with fear.   Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Paper and physical books.     Books: All Your Worth by Elizabeth Warren Writing Better Lyrics by Pat Pattison     Also Recommended The Dip by Seth Godin Michael Hyatt’s This is Your Life Podcast Platform by Michael Hyatt    Album Faithful & Tall Faithful and Tall by Angela Parrish     Where can we find Angela Parrish? AngelaParrish.com Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram

In this episode, Fantastick Patrick talks about his juggling career which includes performing on TV, dealing with fear & failure, and having a mindset of giving. Fantastick Patrick is a juggler/comedian/unicycle wrangler/musician/curator of all things fun & awesome! He comes to us from Los Angeles yet travels around the country performing at fairs, festivals, and corporate shindigs. He’s also had multiple TV appearances on shows like The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, Hell’s Kitchen, and the MTV Movie Awards.     Success Mantra He who tries to shine dims his own light.     Performing on TV • Talks about what he did to get on TV to perform. • Tells the story on how he got on the Tonight Show. • How unpredictable things can be on set. • How different it is performing on TV rather than performing in a live show. • There’s multiple takes, so if you mess up, you can do it again. • There are decades where nothing happens and then there are weeks where decades happen. • How he uses his TV appearances to benefit his performance career.     Other Topics Covered • Just letting things flow. Don’t try too hard or you’ll overthink it. • Dealing with nerves before performing. • Talks about some of his earlier juggling ventures. • Moving to Los Angeles. • Talks about how he markets himself. • Talks about social media. • People want to hire their friends. • Focusing on strengths. • Personal Facebook Pages vs Fan Pages. • His view on failure. • Dealing with fear. • The danger of comparing yourself with others. • Don’t be afraid to fail. • Outsourcing aspects of your business. • Top of mind awareness. • Wanting what you have. • Using your gift to inspire and bless other people. • Decide that you’re going to serve and to give. "The Gift Shift."       Failure Moment Tells how he let someone else run his career and put them in the driver seat.     Favorite Success Finding success in his chosen market.     Biggest Professional Challenge Sticking with it through the tough times.     Anything Done Differently? Moved out to LA sooner and focused more on business.     Parting Advice Love what you do, the money will follow.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Get the best sound equipment that you can. Make sure everything is battery powered, you don’t want to have to rely on an outlet. Sennheiser body packs and make sure you get one of the “legal" ones. Show Cues for iPhone OneTrack Go Button Shawn Popp’s Interview     Books: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle    Where can we find Fantastick Patrick? fantastickpatrick.com Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

In this episode, Tom Ameen talks about how he's built a successful career as a classical pianist. Topics include restaurant gigs, getting private parties, and selling albums. He also talks about his new solo piano Star Wars album, which is awesome! Tom has played piano since he was 12 years old and studied under acclaimed pianist James Tannenbaum at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He’s gathered a wonderful following around Los Angeles which has afforded him many opportunities to collaborate with some top names like Grammy nominated artist Jim Brickman, performing on many of his albums. Tom even found himself performing as J.J. Abrams’ personal pianist. He’s recorded many albums with Canadian-based label Somerset Entertainment, some of which are Wal-Mart exclusives, others to be found at theme parks around the country. My favorites are his albums that he’s put out which contain music from the Disney theme parks, and these have charted on the Billboard Top 10! Probably the most exciting of all, Tom has just released his latest album, Journey to the Stars which features renditions of his favorite themes from the Star Wars movies!   Show Sponsors: ManageGigs: ManageGigs helps you keep track of all of your gigs online, without having to resort to spreadsheets. Click here to check them out and sign up for your free seven day trial! Audible: For Performercast Listeners, Audible is offering a free audiobook download and a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Click here to check it out!     Interview with Tom Ameen: Success Mantra Dream big. If you can dream it, you can do it. — Walt Disney     Making it as a Musician • Why he decided to move from Cleveland to Los Angeles and why he chose LA over New York. • Dreaming big. • Working with acclaimed pianist Jim Brickman. • Talks about how he happened upon and landed a gig at Vitello's the restaurant he’s been at for three years playing four times per week. • Selling his albums at his restaurant gig. • Talks about private gigs. • The power of asking. • You miss 100% of the shots you never take. — Wayne Gretzky • How he gets private parties. • Contacting companies that do weddings and events. • Tells about how he got a gig performing for JJ Abrams. • Launching and promoting his albums. • Getting approval and rights for his covers. • How CD Baby manages all the details for selling your album on all platforms. • Getting the word out about his albums. • Doing interviews on podcasts to promote his music. • Two of his Disney albums made it into the Top Ten on Billboard’s New Age list. • Shout out to Randy Crane and Stories of the Magic Podcast for introducing me to Tom. • Putting his own spin on songs that he covers while still keeping his integrity of the song and not sounding cheesy. He nails it!     Journey to the Stars and Contest \Journey to the Stars is Tom's solo piano album of him covering his favorite themes from the Star Wars franchise. Tom did a wonderful job with these arrangements and you can check out the album on iTunes or CD Baby. We’re also giving away a free copy of his album to one lucky listener and here’s how to enter the contest: Go all the way down to the bottom of this page and leave a comment answering this question: If you had a droid that could do anything in the world, what would it do, and what would you call it? Tom and I will pick our favorite and the winner will be announced in the episode breaking February 12.       Failure Moment Not being true to his calling in music. He wasn’t being true to himself and actually gave up on music for a while and getting a day job. It was one of the most miserable periods in his life.     Favorite Success Getting on the Billboard Top Ten and putting out his albums like his new Star Wars album.     Parting Advice Use your fear as fuel to go do what you want to do.     Exclusive Content for Patreon Supporters The uncut version of this interview is available to Patreon Supporters and includes about 8 minutes of additional content. Please consider supporting me on Patreon.   In the Patreon-exclusive content you'll find: • Some fun banter as we talk about our musically inclined families. • The importance of validation of what you’re doing from people who love your art.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: His RSS Reader to keep up with all the news sources and blogs he follows. The Disney Parks Blog—To keep up on Disney news     Books: The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel by Garth Stein Homer's Odyssey: A Fearless Feline Tale, or How I Learned about Love and Life with a Blind Wonder Cat by Gwen Cooper    Where can we find Tom Ameen? tomameenmusic.com iTunes | Google Play | Amazon | CD Baby Twitter @tomameen | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Vitello’s Restaurant

Last week I interviewed Mario the Magician. Katie is his wife and other half. She works with Mario as a team and handles all the business and marketing aspects of their business. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s essential for your spouse to be onboard and supportive of your entrepreneurial efforts, and this week, we’re diving into that very perspective!     Show Sponsors: ManageGigs: ManageGigs helps you keep track of all of your gigs online, without having to resort to spreadsheets. Click here to check them out and sign up for your free seven day trial! Audible: For Performercast Listeners, Audible is offering a free audiobook download and a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Click here to check it out!     Interview with Katie Marchese: Success Mantra Define your normal.     Katie’s Take on Their Business • How children change the dynamics of things, even in business. • Gives her take on how they built their business and took it full time. • Going for things 100%. • Talks about initial marketing efforts, how they’ve changed and how they look now. • Dealing with rejection. • Letting go of things that don’t work in favor of giving new things a chance. • Being diverse vs niche-ing down. • Knowing what you’re strong at and not trying to be “everything to everyone." • The stigma of children’s performers. • Connecting with both kids and adults.     Katie’s Business Responsibilities • Takes care of booking inquiries. • Running social media, scheduling posts. • Reaching out to various outlets and possible venues. • She does all she can so he can focus on his performing.     Thoughts on Social Media • Talks about how things have changed with social media and how now they’re trying to engage people in their story. Business and personal life are now connected. • People want to know “your story." • People do business with their friends and social media helps proper to know their business connections better. • People also want to feel like they’re supporting something. If they feel like they’re connecting with you on a personal level, when they do business with you they have a stronger feeling of supporting you.     Challenges & Blessings of Working with Spouse in Business • Hard to turn things off when the work day is “done." • Not having specific business hours. • Scheduling “work" conversations. • It brings them closer together because they’re working as a team. • Possibility of including their kids in the business in the future. • They try to expose the kids with the family business as much as possible while still being sensitive of their needs and desires. • Disconnecting from business at the end of the day. • Having a schedule that helps them to have routine and then unwind. • Not taking things personally. • Celebrating together. • Getting to work with someone you love.     Failure Moment Talks about a tour they planned that flopped spectacularly! Learned not to force things but to let things happen smartly and organically. Katie shares how they might go about that today.     Favorite Success Their Kickstarter campaign that got funded and raised $36,000 allowing them to do a featured length documentary telling Mario’s story which is now playing at film festivals. Talks about how they approached their Kickstarter campaign. • Reached out to local supporters. • Outreaching to people in the different communities they’re a part of. • Talks about some of the rewards they did for backers.     Biggest Professional Challenge Letting go and delegating.     Is there anything they would have done differently? Getting to the point they’re at right now faster.     Parting Advice Don’t make decisions based on what others think you should do but based on your own research and convictions.       Exclusive Content for Patreon Supporters This weeks episode is the full interview, but often times I go longer than an hour and therefore have to cut the interviews down to be an hour or less. Patron supporters get access to the full uncut versions of these interviews and often times, a few days before the official episode is released. If this interests you, please consider supporting me on Patreon.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Her iPhone in general. She’s able to do business from her phone.     Books: The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne    Where can we find Katie and Mario? MarioTheMagician.com Building Magic Kickstarter BuildingMagicDoc.com Facebook | Twitter @mariomagician | Instagram | Youtube

In this episode, Mario the Magician talks about how he makes all of his own props. He also talks about generosity and gratefulness and how those play a part in his business. Mario is a magician who performs primarily on the East Coast entertaining children and their families. The thing that really makes him stand out is that he’s a creator and inventor, making all of his own props for his show including fun, educational robotics. He’s an advocate for the Maker Movement, STEAM/STEM educational initiatives, and can be seen on a recent episode of Sesame Street. He’s Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin for the modern age.   Show Sponsors: ManageGigs: ManageGigs helps you keep track of all of your gigs online, without having to resort to spreadsheets. Click here to check them out and sign up for your free seven day trial! Audible: For Performercast Listeners, Audible is offering a free audiobook download and a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Click here to check it out!     Interview with Mario the Magician: Success Mantra Casting your bread upon the waters and not being afraid of what that bread is.     Generosity • The reason we’re here is to help someone else. • People remember forgiveness and generosity. • Generosity is more valuable than money. • If you help enough other people get hat they want in life, you’ll get everything you want in life. — an offshoot of Zig Ziglar’s quote. • When you give, it makes you aware of what you have. • Keep giving back to the world.     Making His Own Props • Everything today is built to break, where as old vintage stuff, you can open up and take apart. There is no more art in things that we buy anymore. • 3D prints a lot of things. • Talks about how things don’t always work out with what he’s working on. • Understanding when to stop. • Talks about programming a robotic monkey to do things at different points in his show.       Other Topics Covered • Being aware of what the world is telling you. • Talks about his journey to where he is now. • The stigma of kids performers. • How he works together with his wife in business. • Being grateful. • Life in Nyack • Being a good example for his kids. • Finding a balance between working on his projects and family time. • Understanding who your shows are really for. • Bring fully present in your performances. • Adults are really just four and five year olds and love going back in time. • Playing for the adults as well as the kids. Like a Disney or Pixar movie. • Talks about his experience on Sesame Street. • Talks about how his wife believes in him and fully supports what he’s doing.     Parting Advice Be generous. Help others and make a difference in people’s lives. Find your art.     Videos Mentioned Building Magic (Short) Mario on Sesame Street    Exclusive Content for Patreon Supporters This weeks episode is the full interview, but often times I go longer than an hour and therefore have to cut the interviews down to be an hour or less. Patron supporters get access to the full uncut versions of these interviews and often times, a few days before the official episode is released. If this interests you, please consider supporting me on Patreon.        Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!   Resources: People. Get around the right people. HackADay.com Make Magazine     Books: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho Mark Wilson’s Course in Magic    Where can we find Mario the Magician? MarioTheMagician.com Facebook | Twitter @mariomagician | Instagram | Youtube  

In this episode, voice actor and musician Laura Dickinson brings us insight into how she’s made it as a voice actor for Disney Animation and how good old fashioned hustle can really take you the distance. Laura makes her living as a full-time musician, contracting for Disney providing singing voices for animated characters on Phineas & Ferb, Jake & the Neverland Pirates, and Sofia the First. Essentially, “your nine-year old daughter’s favorite singer.” You’ve also heard her voice on Pitch Perfect, Modern Family, and Supernatural. When she’s not bringing her character acting talent, she’s also a frequent live performer fronting her own 17 piece big band and opening for names like Tony Bennett and Lyle Lovett. She’s also recently released her debut album, One for My Baby – To Frank Sinatra With Love, which is a beautifully done and wonderfully arranged homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes.   Show Sponsors: ManageGigs: ManageGigs helps you keep track of all of your gigs online, without having to resort to spreadsheets.  Click here to check them out and sign up for your free seven day trial!   Audible: For Performercast Listeners, Audible is offering a free audiobook download and a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service.  Click here to check it out!     Interview with Laura Dickinson: Success Mantra Happy to be here, easy to work with.     Voice Acting • Talks about how she got involved working with Disney animation and voice acting. • What it’s like collaborating with musicians and producers and being able to anticipate needs, etc. • If you can find someone you can count on and work easy with, you’ll work with them forever. • Challenges of singing in the voice of a fictional, cartoon character. • Always tries to ask a lot of smart questions. • Adaptability and flexibility are her biggest takeaways from working with Disney. • Working on people’s “babies.” Creative pieces that their creators care about.     Failure Moment Talks about how early in her career, not being as socially adept as she is now, she started talking trash about the show director and the casting director just as they walked in.     Favorite Success Being a part of Phinneas & Ferb which opened up a lot of doors for her.     Other Topics Covered • Working with other musicians who have different schedules • Filling in for other musicians (it’s kind of like an understudy kind of thing) • How she got her real education performing for Disney in their theme parks. • Talks about how she “moved up the ranks” for Disney and started performing. • Find what you really love doing and find a way to make a living at it. • Always being the best representation if yourself.     Exclusive Content for Patreon Supporters The uncut version of this interview is available to Patreon Supporters and includes about 10 minutes of additional content.  Please consider supporting me on Patreon.      In the Patreon-exclusive content you'll find: • Talks about first band she had a part in and how she decided she wanted to become a professional performer. • Talks about some of the things she did to start drumming up business in performing full time. • You have to be ready to be told “no” all the time. Rejection is a big part of show business. • Talks about why and how she formed her current band. • Talks about some of the many factors that goes into booking a performance with her band.       Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: The Internet. It's amazing how helpful the internet can be for your business. Plus, make sure you have all your media in order on the internet so it’s easy for people to find and hire you. The Voiceover Resource Guide     Books: The Real Books for Musicians    Laura's New Album! Check out Laura's new album, One for My Baby, to Frank Sinatra with Love! If you're a Sinatra fan, you're absolutely going to love Laura's take on some of his most famous songs. I know covering Sinatra is gutsy undertaking, but Laura absolutely nails it!     Where can we find Laura Dickinson? lauradickinson.com Facebook | Twitter @elsielaura | Instagram | Spotify | Pandora | Youtube

In this interview, Kenton Knepper talks all about nonverbal communication as well as the real power of words when it pertains to performing and doing business. Kenton Knepper is a mentalist who specializes in nonverbal communication, suggestion, and NLP. He’s one of the most prolific creators in the world of magic and mentalism, and has influenced notable names in the industry like Banachek, David Blaine, Derren Brown, Richard Osterlind, and the living legend Johnny Thompson, just to name a few. Through his company Wonder Wizards, he teaches his methods through seemingly countless products, courses, and private coaching sessions. A couple of his more widely known products are his Wonder Words course, and one of my favorites, Kolossal Killer. In my opinion, Kenton is the closest thing you’ll find to a modern day Jedi.     Show Sponsors: ManageGigs: ManageGigs helps you keep track of all of your gigs online, without having to resort to spreadsheets. Click here to check them out and sign up for your free seven day trial! Audible: For Performercast Listeners, Audible is offering a free audiobook download and a free 30-day trial to give you the opportunity to check out their service. Click here to check it out!     Interview with Kenton Knepper: Success Mantra Keep going, keep doing! One thing that people who fail always do is they stop doing what they were doing.     The Power of Words and Nonverbal Communication • The importance of words. • Gives examples of phrases that can help to make our presentations more impressive. • Reversing what people say to change the meaning. • Changing a word or two in certain phrases to change how people react to what you’re saying. • How being authentic helps your nonverbal communication. • Learning principles that help you to integrate nonverbal tactics. • Helps to amplify what you already are. • Connecting with your audience and leaving them better off than they were before they met you. • Communicating on multiple levels, double entendres, etc. • Building people up with what you say. • Shining the spotlight on the people you’re interacting with rather than yourself. • Connecting other people with each other. • "Do your good where it does the most.” - Wavy Gravy • Having a set of tools or principles to be able to use in the right instances. • Having an “out” for when things don’t go as planned. • How to “read people” and better connect with them. • How nonverbal can help out in business situations. • Best place to start learning nonverbal communication is Kenton’s Wonder Words.     Failure Moment Talks about a close-call underwater escape attempt. He learned the importance of rehearsing in the actual setting you’ll be performing in.     Other Topics Covered • Talks about his journey and how he took his passion full time. • Some of the other things he does other than magic, like music and meditation. • Being really good at all the aspects he was working on. • Talks about how working restaurants really helps him to get seen and get gigs. • Talks about what’s going on at Wonder Wizards. • Talks about the Inner Sanctum which is a monthly subscription to Kenton’s services. • He also does one-on-one consulting.     Exclusive Content for Patreon Supporters The uncut version of this interview is available to Patreon Supporters and includes about 10 minutes of additional content. Please consider supporting me on Patreon.  • Hear a story from Kenton that involves JC Wagner and Bob Sheets, and a lesson he learned from them that effects how he performs to this very day!     Parting Advice Be authentic. Be who you really are. Keep going, the only way to really fail is to stop.   Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: The voice memo feature on his iPhone     Books:  Art and Magic by SH Sharpe  Mind Games by Masters & Houston    Help Kenton Out I wanted to bring to your attention something that happened after my interview with Kenton. many of you have already heard about this, but right after his birthday, his home was broken into and many important, valuable items were stolen from him. First of all, Kenton and his family are all okay and nobody was harmed, but some of the notable things stolen from him were a brand new computer that hadn’t even made it out of the box, and a number of guitars and other musical instruments that he uses for his music and meditation work. So, if you are a friend of Kenton, or his work has helped you in any way, please consider helping him out with a donation of any size. It would mean the world to both Kenton and myself. If you are able, please be sure to mention that the Successful Performercast sent you. Click Here to Help Out     Where can we find Kenton Knepper? wonderwizards.com  

In this interview,magician Nick Paul talks about his time performing with Disney, performing silently, and his sketch comedy influence! Nick is a magician who for 14 years has performed full-time touring the United States at corporate events, collages, and theaters. He’s also had opportunities to perform at Walt Disney World, on cruises, and in multiple countries. He was voted “Critic’s Choice” for Best Variety Performance at the Orlando Fringe Festival, and was personally invited to audition for America’s Got Talent. In addition to this, he also has a podcast geared toward magicians called “Two Magicians, One Mic." Walt Disney World says, "He’s an entertainment tour de force."   Top of the Show News This week, I'm going to be traveling up north to visit some friends and take part in Phil Ackerly's Night of Comedy and Magic to support our troops. I'll be performing strolling magic before the stage show (That features Phil Ackerly, Christian Cagigal, and Ryan Kane). Come out to support our troops and to say hi! I'd love to meet you if you're up in that area! Click here for more info.     Interview with Nick Paul: Success Mantras You’re only as good as your next show. "Yes, and…"     Working with Disney • Tells how he got in with Disney, auditioning, and a "lucky break." • Tells how he created a specific show, a silent act, for his Disney audition. • How he doesn’t like auditions and about his inside perspective into them. • Performed at The Boardwalk at Walt Disney World in a sort of busking atmosphere (without passing the hat). • Learning from other performers and from the different kinds of audiences. • Gearing up to work on Disney Cruise Lines. • Changes he’s making as he’s getting ready to get into a completely different venue.     Working Silent & Sketch Comedy • Being aware of your posture and every movement and facial expressions. • Your actions need to be genuine. • How to view your helpers up on stage. • Playing off of your partners on stage. • Playing bigger and smaller. • Listening to your audience. • At the end of a sketch, the character is forever changed. • How does this sketch change me and the audience? • The audience is your partner. • When and how you can tactfully “razz" or "jab at" your helper.   Other Topics Covered • Impostor Syndrome • Networking with people and being kind. • Cutting your teeth in restaurants.     Failure Moment How Nick tried to get into the Blue Man Group and then ultimately realized it wasn’t for him. Even after two of his friends landed gigs with them.     Favorite Success Landing a contract with Disney.     Biggest Pro Challenge Differentiating himself from other magicians.     Parting Advice Be kind and try to be unique with your act.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Bluetooth Remote by Satechi Onetrack for iPhone     Books: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin Malcolm Gladwell Books - Outliers, Blink, The Tipping Point, David & Goliath Seducing Strangers by Josh Weltman     Where can we find Nick Paul? Two Magicians One Mic.com NickPaul.net Impossible Feats of Fake Magic (Full Show) 

In this interview, juggler Chris Ruggiero talks about going after your dreams and the pros and cons of doing everything in your business yourself. Chris is a juggler, magician, and general daredevil who stays busy traveling the country performing his show where nothing is off limits! He’s recently been seen on The Ellen DeGeneres show, has published a book on following your dreams entitled Just Go, and a man of my own heart, he also has a podcast where he interviews other entertainers he’s met in his adventures! Plus, he gives the most exuberant high fives I’ve ever seen!     Top of the Show News In a week, I'm going to be traveling up north to visit some friends and take part in Phil Ackerly's Night of Comedy and Magic to support our troops. I'll be performing strolling magic before the stage show (That features Phil Ackerly, Christian Cagigal, and Ryan Kane). Come out to support our troops and to say hi! I'd love to meet you if you're up in that area! Tap here for more info!   Interview with Chris Ruggiero: Success Mantra It takes the same amount of effort to struggle as it does to thrive and succeed.     In Business, Should You Do Everything Yourself? • It helps you know what you should outsource or not. • When you do end up outsourcing, you know more about the task at hand than you would if you hadn’t tried it out yourself first. • Often times you’ll find things that you really love doing. • How to know when you need to outsource something. • Investing in yourself like in courses, specialized training, and coaches. • Mastermind groups.     Chris’ Other Creative Ventures Chris Ruggiero Podcast — a show where variety entertainer Chris Ruggiero interviews other entertainers he meets in his adventures. In this show you’ll find incredible stories that will leave you intrigued, inspired, and ready to live your own dreams. He’s interviewed entertainers like Justin Flom, Jeff Civillico, Brett Loudermilk, and Barry Friedman. Just Go: Adventures Of A Traveling Entertainer And A Guide To Living Your Dream — In his debut book, Chris Ruggiero shares personal stories of being a traveling entertainer and offers tips and advice to create an adventurous life most people only dream of. The book is a collection of small and easily digestible essays.   Other Topics Covered • Getting things done now rather than later. • Getting to comfortable. • Talks about his beginnings as an entertainer. • Inner doubt whether you’re “good enough” to be an entertainer. AKA The Impostor Syndrome. • Individually connect with people in the crowd during your performances. • Working with agents and how he got his first agent by doing some showcases. • This is the best time to be living in regards to building an audience and not having to ask permission to do something. • How Chris wrote his book. • Physical vs. digital publishing. • Persistence. • Be good and keep showing up. • Whatever gets scheduled, gets done.     Failure Moment Tells about a time on a unicycle where he took a nice little spill during a show.     Favorite Success His recent appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Show.    Biggest Pro Challenge Staying focused and on task.   Parting Advice Don’t wait to start something you’ve been thinking about. Take your first step today.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: A camera, on your phone or otherwise.     Books: How to be like Walt by Pat Williams Choose Yourself! by James Altucher     Other Resources Mentioned During Show Squarespace Barry Friedman’s Showbiz Blueprint Michael Hyatt’s Blog and Platform University Dave Ramsey   Where can we find Chris Ruggiero? www.chrisruggiero.com Twitter @onemanvariety | Instagram | YouTube    

In this interview, Annie Banannie takes us into her career as a balloon storyteller. She talks about working with children, satisfying clients, and ultimately making a difference in the kids lives. Annie is a children’s book author who doesn’t just write and sell her books, but also creates “balloon theater” where she uses balloons to tell stories. Her shows are tailored for elementary schools, public libraries, preschools, and family events, and her mission is to help children realize that they have amazing creative ability hidden within themselves. With her, every balloon has a story.   Kris' Recommendation of the Week I just finished listening to the audio version of Steve Martin's book Born Standing Up and I get something new out of it every time! If you haven't read it, you should definitely check it out.   Interview with Annie Banannie: Success Mantra Ship! — Seth Godin If you wait until everything is perfect, you’ll never do it.     Balloon Theater and Working with Children • What is balloon theater? • With kids, laughs per minute isn’t as important as interaction with the humor. • Never be afraid of straying from your plan. • Making you volunteer have more fun on stage than anyone else in the audience. • Working with special needs kids on stage. • Making a difference on kids lives. • Having a special needs kid up on stage being successful isn’t only for that kid, but all the other kids in the audience as well, breaking down the barrier between the common kids and the special needs kids. • Working with the client (teacher, parent, principal, etc.) to achieve their goals. • Working within the school’s schedule. • Being reliable. • Librarians talk about who they hire for entertainment and are brutally honest on how they liked or didn’t like them. • Pitching your show and educating your prospects     Other Topics Covered • Not waiting until things are perfect. • Selling your product before you make it. • The importance having a coach and always learning.     Failure Moment Tells how she botched a silent act in Japan where she wasn’t prepared enough in front of 2,000 people.     Favorite Success Talks about how out of necessity of not having her props. she blew up a bunch of balloons and did a “create your own story” for the audience which turned out being a huge success!     Parting Advice Play. Have fun.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Podcasts and audiobooks.     Books: Purple Cow and The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin The War of Art by Steven Pressfield   Where can we find Annie Banannie? Balloonstoryteller.com thesecretlifeofyourlibrary.com facebook.com/balloonstoryteller Dr. Electric Takes Over the World on Amazon balloon-animals.com - Buster’s Site      

In this interview, Avner Eisenberg, who performs as Avner the Eccentric, talks about his career and his approach to performing silent comedy. Other topics that come up are creating material appropriate for your character, being easy to work with, and where he finds inspiration. Avner is a clown, juggler, mime, sleight-of hand artist, and actor. He's been featured on TV and as The Jewel in the Movie Jewel of the Nile. He’s been a featured performer at various comedy, magic, and theater festivals world-wide, where he’s won multiple awards like the Edinburgh Festival’s New Faces award, and special jury awards at many other notable festivals. In 2002 he was inducted into the International Clown Hall of Fame. In addition to this, Avner is an instructor in his craft, teaching on physical comedy and silent theater.     Success Mantra Always take a nap before a show.     Avner’s Approach to Comedy • Fear of not being interesting. • Performers and Audiences being afraid of each other. • Be interested, not interesting. • Contract between the audience and performer is to share the same hallucination. • Make them love you and then you can do anything. Even card tricks. • The objective isn’t not to make people laugh. • Laughs can be an interruption that you have to deal with. • A performer should never be foolish, but also never be afraid of looking foolish. • There is no failure, only feedback.     Communicating Without Words • Keep your mouth shut. :) • Make what you’re pretending to do more compelling than what you’re really doing.     Other Topics Covered • Talks about how he accidentally fell into entertainment. • Tells about his the structure of his one-man show. • How he became a silent act. • Talks about a lucky break he received (a glowing NY Times review) and how things took off. • How audiences have changed as well as their expectations. • Keeping his act fresh. • Putting obstacles in the path of the person trying to accomplish a goal. But they have to be obstacles that you can get around. • Where he finds inspiration. • Creating things that fit within your character and killing or modifying things that don’t. • How his show has evolved over his career. • Being easy to work with.     Failure Moment Getting a woman up on stage with him who was sloshed and couldn’t follow directions, so he let her go back to her seat to get someone else up to help out. She turned out to be just as wasted as the first.     Favorite Success A fun and amazing coincidence which only could have happened to Avner. And then in a completely unrelated account, winning a competition he didn’t realize he was competing in.     What’s worked best in building his career? Running on Broadway and playing The Jewel in The Jewel of the Nile. Asking for reviews and building his press kit.     Biggest Professional Challenge Playing the Jewel of the Nile     Interesting Story from the Road Tells a few stores which involve arriving late to a show and having to setup in front of them, another instance where a young girl wet herself on stage, and yet another instance where he was attacked by a drunk man on stage!     Parting Advice Be interested, not interesting. If you can’t succeed every time, learn to fail magnificently.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Avner’s Full Tech Documentation     Books: Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel Uncommon Therapy: The Psychiatric Techniques of Milton H. Erickson, M.D. by Jay Haley Aikido in Daily Life by Koichi Tohei   Where can we find Avner Eisenberg? avnertheeccentric.com 

In this episode, magician Jon Armstrong talks about his career so far in magic and why he has no Plan B! If you’re a magician and don’t know who Jon is, you’re probably new to the club or have been living under a rock. Jon has performed in such notable venues as Walt Disney World, Sea World, and Caesar’s Magical Empire where he headlined. He’s also taken his act around the world performing in over 30 countries. He’s a sought after director when it comes to producing quality magic acts and has consulted on films and TV shows like The Mentalist and Spider Man 3. This is in addition to many TV appearances, his most recent being a performance on Pen & Teller’s Fool Us. There’s almost too much to mention about Jon, like his comic series Smoke and Mirrors, his products for magicians, and his involvement in the Academy of Magical Arts. Even this is just scratching the surface!       Kris' Recommendation of the Week Chris Ruggiero Podcast - a show where variety entertainer Chris Ruggiero interviews other entertainers he meets in his adventures. In this show you’ll find incredible stories that will leave you intrigued, inspired, and ready to live your own dreams. He’s interviewed entertainers like Justin Flom, Jeff Civillico, Brett Loudermilk, and Barry Friedman.     Interview with Jon Armstrong: Success Mantra Having a fallback plan means you can fall back.     No Plan B • Talks about his early days. • Either he hustles or doesn’t eat. • Talks about some of his lean times. • Tells about some of the “day jobs” he’s had. • Gives a brief synopsis of his career up to this point.   Jon’s Time at Walt Disney World (WDW) • Talks about how he got his gig at Rose & Crown at Epcot. • What they initially wanted him to do for his act and what he ended up doing. • Talks a little about the character he developed to Epcot. • Developing his material, some of which he uses to this day. • This is where he cut his teeth. • Reformatting his material out of “the British” character for venues outside of WDW. • Within a show, you can say anything to anyone as long as you beat yourself up first, and deliver your jab or witty remark to them with a smile on your face.     Jon’s Time in Vegas • Talks about his first steps when getting there. • Connecting with other professional magicians in the area. • Working with Joey Burton, Apollo Robbins, and Armando Lucero doing strolling magic at Caesar’s Magical Empire. • Tells how he got lucky and became a featured performer at Caesar’s. • Why he left Vegas. • Surrounding yourself with people who are doing what you want to do and will challenge you to further yourself.     Persistence and Overcoming Challenges • Dealing with dyslexia and overcoming it in daily dealings. • Systems he has in place to hep him work around it. • Why he’d much rather jump on the phone with someone rather than correspond in written form. • Nobody likes writing, they only like having written. Living and Working in LA • Performing at the Magic Castle and handing out business cards. • Engaging and befriending people and getting their cards or contact info. • Getting people on his email list. • Looking for creative ways to add value to people’s lives. • Focusing on his strengths in that he’s a really good people person so he uses that. • Sending “stuff” to his top clients. • Personalizing his interactions with his email list and clients. • Creating cool different ways to keep in front of his clients and prospects. • Referring other magicians when he’s already booked.     Failure Moment Tells about a time very early in his career where he learned about the importance of hygiene. He literally felt like his career was over.     Favorite Success Wining Close Up Magician of the Year from the Academy of Magical Arts.   Parting Advice Go out and make as many friends and genuine connections with people as you can. Make human connections.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Show Cues Mint.com for Keeping Track of your finances     Books Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud Ken Dyne's Gig Flow   Where can we find Jon Armstrong? www.CardJon.com Tiny Plunger Twitter @cardjon | Facebook | LinkedIn  

In this episode, Ellusionist General Manager Adam Wilber talks about the ins and outs of publishing your own effects to sell. He also tells some of the ways he's drumming up his own business and booking gigs. Boasting clients like CBS, NatGeo, SyFy, C|Net, and Discovery Channel, Adam spends his time in the corporate arena giving his clients “entertainment that doesn’t suck” with both close up and stage magic. Not only that, but Adam is also the General Manager for Ellusionist internet magic shop and has also created a number of products in their catalog including Pyro, which allows you to shot fire from your hands, and The Working Man, a video which takes you through some business strategy to help you start making money performing magic.     Success Mantra Purposely stay busy. Don't get too tied up comparing yourself with others because there's always going to be somebody far greater than you and somebody far less than you. Don't compare your beginning to someone else's middle.     Ellusionist • Talks about his role as GM for Ellusionist. • What is Ellusionist looking for when adding something to their catalog? • Who to talk to in order to pitch a product to Ellusionist and what to send. • Do your due diligence • How earnings are split between the creator and Ellusionist. • Talks about his first trick he submitted to Ellusionist. • It also needs to fit Ellusionist. • They should me times point you in e direction of a different online magic dealer. • Talks about some of the bad submissions he gets. • Take a look at some of the other new tricks out and see what they are and what some of the best selling products are.       Failure Moment Tells about a failed emailing he did that went out to 400 emails where there was a very unfortunate typo.   Favorite Success His role at Ellusionist.     Bigget Professional Challenge Organization, keeping track of and in touch with his clients.     What Would He Have Done Differently? He would have "dressed up" a bit more for his Instagram videos so he could use them as promo videos on his website.     Other Topics Covered • Having a destination or goal for what you're working towards. • Mentions the miracle morning book. • Talks about how he got involved with Ellusionist. • Talks about what he's doing right now to start marketing himself in Boston having just moved there. • Contacting a company in a creative way using magic to break the ice. • Unique selling point • Defining who you want to work for, and going after them. • The magic isn't about you (the magician), it's about your client, the guest of honor, the product your selling, etc.   Parting Advice Stay busy with a purpose.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!     Resources: Squarespace Seth's Popup Creator for Squarespace Leadpages     Books Miracle Morning Strong Magic by Darwin Ortiz Maximum Entertainment     Where can we find Adam Wilber? Adamwilber.com Ellusionist Items Instagram Videos

In the second half of this series, Josh London goes in-depth on how to setup a Google Adwords campaign, what to have on your landing page, and specific strategies to help you get results from your internet marketing efforts.     Google Adwords Overview • This is the main platform to do paid advertising. • Differences between ads and organic search listings. • Have your website in order first. • Advantages of using paid traffic vs organic traffic.     Settings for Google Adwords • Creating a campaign, and which type of campaign to use. • Start small, then expand your search parameters. • Choosing networks to display your ads on. • Choosing geographical locations and using it’s advanced features. • Setting up your bid strategy. • Setting up your daily budget. (Generally between $10–20 per day) • Delivery method. • Wading through advanced settings.     Creating the Ad • Knowing your target audience and taking that into account. • Know your end goal and work backwards. • Look at your competition and do something that stands out. Something different and unique. • Portent.com/tools/title-maker for ideas. • Make sure it matches your landing page. • Headlines and description lines. • Split testing ads.     Keywords • Start with Google’s planner tool, but know that you’ll have to do a lot of tinkering. • Types of keywords: broad match, phrase match, and exact match. • Negative keywords. • Let data drive your decisions. • Longtail Pro is a good service to help you with picking keywords. • Keep in mind: Everything is setup for Google to make money. • How to tweak and adjust things as you have your ad running. • Tips to finding keywords you should use.   Landing Pages • What should your landing page have? • It should complete your goal. • Call to Action • Have an opt-in incentive to get them to give you their email address. Something like a price sheet. This is often more effective than a contact form. • Mailchimp is a great service to use for this. • Everything needs to line up from the landing page, to the ad, to the search terms they originally used to see your ad. • Make it as easy as possible for your client to get in touch with you and get your prices. • Begin to build a relationship with your prospect. • Building your list is the best way for you to make sales online. • Create dedicated landing pages for each ad group that you have. • Don’t have ads point to your home page. • Unbounce and Lead Pages help you to split test your landing pages. • Your landing page is the most important part of your online marketing campaign because, that’s where the conversions are made.     Where can we find Josh London? Clickconvertprofit.com Flying Solo

In this interview, I have my very first return guest! Josh London goes in-depth on internet marketing, first talking about your website, and then going over SEO to help you create a solid foundation for your own internet marketing strategy.     Sponsors: Acting for Magicians by Richard Ribuffo — Pick up your copy today and SAVE $5!   Getting a View of the Landscape • Differences between Pay Per Click and Search Engine Optimization • What the large pieces of an internet marketing campaign are. • Making sure you’re creating good quality content. • Making sure all parts of your campaign line up with each other. No disconnects. • Three stages to buying: Awareness, Research, and Buying.     Website Design • Make your website as simple as possible • Get your user the info they want as fast as possible • Build on a wordpress framework and use a responsive theme to make it mobile-friendly • Create the hierarchy of your website: Homepage, About Page, Blog (keep it updated), Contact page • Don't try to make it "clever." Clear and simple is the better way to do things. • The importance of having a mobile friendly website     SEO (Search Engine Optimization) • White hat vs black hat SEO techniques. • How to get your site in top rankings in Google. • Yoast Wordpresslugin will help you with your SEO. • Using keywords in your title, meta description, and body copy. • Optimizing your images. • Don't "stuff" your page with keywords. • Write for the user, not the search engine. • What people might overlook when trying to make their site more SEO friendly. • Using header tags within your copy. • How to do keyword research. • Using closely related keywords. • Having a call to action. • Look at what everyone else is doing and make what they're doing better.     Website Content • You want to have engaging content so that people don't leave. You want to lower your bounce rate. • The importance of a blog. • What should entertainers blog about and not blog about? • Blogging and content marketing is an art. • What should be the focus of your blog? Create content that your user wants and that will get shared on social outlets. (And not just by your mom.) • The content that you blog about should be different than your static pages. • Talk about the benefits of your services to your customer. Don't talk about yourself. • How often should I update my blog? • Don't create blog posts on a whim. Try buzzsumo.com • Commenting on other peoples blog posts on your topic. • Strategy of getting your blog posts shared. • Out reaching for your content. • Ninja outreach.com • Your blog is another way for you to stay in front of your audience. TOMA   Parting Advice It's all about content and making things easy for your user navigating on your site. Coming up: pay per click keywords.     Where can we find Josh London? Clickconvertprofit.com Flying Solo

Richard Ribuffo talks about Acting for Magicians teaching us how and why acting and theatre training are amongst the most valuable tools for magicians and how we can benefit greatly from understanding how to apply these tools. Richard, will be the first to tell you he’s not a “successful performer, per se but a succeeding performer.” He does have tremendous value to offer though, when it comes to having a great product to sell. As David Ogilvy said, "Great marketing only makes a bad product fail faster,” so Richard is here to talk about how to improve our product, our show.   Sponsors: Acting for Magicians by Richard Ribuffo — Pick up your copy today and SAVE $5!     Interview with Richard Ribuffo: Success Mantras What do you want them to Do, Think, or Feel? How do I get them to do that? Count the pennies, and the dollars will count themselves.     Acting for Magicians • Talks about his background in acting • Talks about his book and how it’s structured. • Giving more thought to why you’re doing what you’re doing. It goes beyond just doing tricks.     Artistic Method The process of creating art from the point of view of the audience. 1. Experimentation 2. Observation 3. Discussion 4. Formulation 5. Disruption     GOTE Goal - What do you want your audience to do, think, or feel? Other - Who is your other? If it’s your audience, who are they? Tactic - How will you achieve your goal? Expectation - What do you ecpect the outcome to be? Cool exercise to help you understand GOTE better: Watch another performer’s act, deconstruct it, and try to figure out their GOTE.     Contest! Prize: An Autographed Copy of Acting for Magicians In order to win, share your own GOTE by posting it in the comments below the show notes and in two weeks on 10/2, I'll announce the winner on my show.   Other Topics Covered • How he made his jump to full time and what he’s doing right now to make it work for him. • Mentoring and being mentored   Parting Advice Always make the more interesting choice.     Recommended books and resources: Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!      Resources: Facebook Groups: AMA, SME Talk Magic Take acting classes Zero to Booked Solid in 30 Days by James Munton   Where can we find Richard Ribuffo? Acting for Magicians Richard the Magician