Getting the Gigs with Paid Avertising or Search Engine Optimization.

Getting the Gigs…Part One

Joe Ferranti professioanal magician Boston Massachusetts

I’ve been working as a “Semi Pro Magician” for a relatively short time…12 years. But the process of getting work is not remotely close to when I began.

The first challenge is to inform potential clients that you exist. (Having a website does not do this…well, not automatically.)

 I quickly learned that I needed to be seen where people search for magicians. Twelve years ago, that was Gig masters and Gig Salad. These are event services directories, they command the top spots on the internet, so my website is “David”, and they are “Goliath.”

Fact! Most internet searchers don’t go past the first page, I am not sure if most go past the top two or three listings.

When you are beginning you need to belong to one or more event service providers. (I don’t call them agents, as we have no personal relationship.)

As a client, it looks pretty good, you don’t pay a fee for your introduction to the talent. If you are The Magician, D.J., band, etc. You pay a fee, depending on which services you choose to use. Some “agencies” charge a membership fee which ranges from $300 to $500 each year, but it doesn’t end there. After you are booked you pay an additional fee for each gig you secure. Other event services simply charge you for each event individually. The cost to communicate with a client can be quite steep, especially considering you have no idea of at least an approximation of their budget. This can be literally like burning money.

Since I began, the number of event service providers has grown. If I belonged to all of them, it would cost me as much as my yearly income. I won’t mention them by name as they get too much attention without my help.

 Until next time ...

                 Joe Ferranti Massachusetts’ Favorite Adult Birthday Magician 

                                             339-927-4710  joseph.ferranti06@comcast.net

                                         Next blog continues with more, on Getting the Gigs.

 

 

 

  

Wedding Magician Massachusetts

Boston Massachusetts Wedding Magician

339-927-4710

                                                           www.ferrantimagic.com

One of the Sweetest reactions to my magic.

 I've only been performing for 12 years, and 10 years exclusively as an Adult Magic entertainer. My first two years I dabbled with kids' magic.

When people hear you don't perform for children, many assume you are a "snob." This is not the case; all audiences deserve the best entertainment available. To present anything less is a disservice to your clients, magic and other magicians.

I had some great shows with kids and some were not so good. Being an entertainer has its challenges, but entertaining children compounds the challenges. It is not unusual to be booked for a five-year-old birthday, but the audience may comprise 7-year-olds, 8, 9, 10, 11...? 

The intellectual and emotional capacity of a 4-year-old differs vastly from an 11-year-old child. I must assume that there are magicians who can entertain the spectrum of ages. I've not seen it as I do not have the opportunity to see magicians perform at children's birthday parties.

I have found my comfort zone performing for adults, which encompasses the ages of 17 to 99. (My personal definition for adult audiences.) I use the same material for this vast age range. Every performance varies slightly, as my shows are audience interactive, but I digress.

The point is, I don't advertise or seek work with children, but to think I will never have to have entertainment for children would be foolish.

If you haven't watched the 13 second video, please do so. In my 12 years of performing, I've had every reaction you might imagine.

Last weekend at a wedding, I performed for a couple of children, and the reaction was probably the cutest I've ever had.

Boston Wedding Magician

Joe Ferranti

After Dinner Magic at a Wedding at The Marriot, Quincy Ma.

A Gift to Your Guests...Magic at Your Wedding!

This is your day...A Day with memories that will last a lifetime. No matter your budget, you have likely spent more money than you anticipated. It is difficult to compromise on a celebration as important as "your Wedding Day." why do I suggest hiring a Close up/Strolling Magician for your special day, and why you won't regret it.

 

First, this is a gift to your guests...yes, you will hear from your guests how much they enjoyed the entertainment. In fact, I sometimes tell this to your guests. Magic entertainers are "new" to most people...in their enthusiasm, some feel the need to tip the Magician. Although this is a kind and generous offer, I am always aware that other groups are always watching you, due to the excitement of professional level Magic. (Most Lay people have never seen a professional magician before.) Back to my point, if other people see you taking money from guests, they may mistakenly think that you are working for tips. I certainly do not want anyone to feel an obligation of feel I am soliciting donations. Of course, I know that I am well compensated for my services. Here is how I handle this situation: "Thank you very much, however, the entertainment is a gift from Dick and Jane to their guests...blah, blah...In this manner, they understand that you are compensated for your work...and they also understand the Bride and Groom were thinking of them at the cocktail hour...and they graciously accept the gift. 

Speaking of the cocktail hour, it is often a little awkward with many people who have not met...the Close-Up Magician introduces many new friends to each other, and the new bond is shared through their enthusiasm. 

Your Wedding is not a cookie cutter wedding. Most weddings follow a formula, if you've been to several, many will seem much alike, and they blend in as a monotone memory. Your Wedding will stand out...I borrow a phrase or two, "Your Event will be taken to a new level." I certainly think that is enough reason to invite me to your wedding. I will not disappoint you...that is a promise. If you need more convincing, consider this blog from Magician Craig Petty, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-having-close-up-magician-your-wedding-best-thing-you-craig-petty

Best Wishes,
Joe Ferranti
Wedding Magician Boston Massachusetts

Magical Beginnings of a Boston Magician Part 4

March 13th 2022  Skyplex Venue Everett Ma.

Back into Magic:

Ten years have passed. I’ve been busy with other things and had no time for “magic.”

Around 1985, I had a renewed interest in sleight-of-hand magic. So I picked up where I had left off and continued my study. It was a private, quiet pleasure. I enjoyed practicing. Hours could pass, but it was not a chore. If you do not enjoy the “work” required to attain the skills necessary for sleight of hand, you’ve chosen the wrong hobby. Dai Vernon said,” If it was easy,everyone would be doing it.” 

As I mentioned previously, I never had a mentor, and that came at a severe price. Although I enjoyed my books, it was impossible to learn everything from the written word. However, videotape players were common in nearly every household. In fact, there were two competing formats, but this is all history. The VHS format won the battle.

It wasn’t long before Tannen’s Magic to introduce their “Stars of Magic” Video Tapes. These featured well-known magicians teaching their material and some of the more difficult to learn sleight of hand. For the first time, the student could have a “mentor” with a video player and a TV.

When I combined my book library with some visual aids (video tapes) my skills grew rapidly.

Who is your audience?:

Performing was a unique challenge. Magic is a performance art. Ultimately, it needs an audience. This is the biggest problem for most amateur magicians. Mostly, we rely on family and friends. Honestly, we’re not the best magicians and they’re not the best audience.

Our family and friends know us well. This familiarity can make them a challenging audience. Our familiarity allows them to interrupt a performance with questions or grab our props for inspection. It’s a wonder that anyone gets past this hurdle to becoming a professional performer.

( It’s a two-way street, we also bear responsibility. Do we present our magic in a “challenging manner”? We can learn a lot when we finally perform for an audience of strangers)

The Internet arrives:

I can not remember the year, but I was searching for a “slot box” on the internet. (A slot box is a magic prop for holding coins.)

I found a supplier who apparently had what I was looking for. The company was Diamonds Magic, and I called to get information.

“Diamonds magic…” were the first words I heard. I learned I was talking to Eddie Gardner, and yes, he had what I was looking for. He asked me where I lived. I told him, “Wilmington”. At that point, Eddie suggested I stop by his shop in Peabody to see the prop. That was a big surprise… there was a real magic shop in Peabody? The only shop I was aware of was Hank Lee’s Magic Factory. Which was a well stocked and long established magic shop in Boston. My only hesitation with dropping into Hank’s was the Boston drive and, more so, the Boston parking.

So,I got directions and headed to Diamonds Magic.

In my next and final “Magical Beginnings” I cover the transition to performing as a semi-professional.

Joe Feranti

The Magic of Joe Ferranti

Ferrantimagic.com

339-927-4710

Boston Magician

 

What's Next ? Looking Towards a New Future.

Hopeful for the Holidays

The Magic of Joe Ferranti

Since June, here at The Magic of Joe Ferranti, it has been non-stop magic performances. The excitement and anticipation of a return to "normalcy" has kept us very busy. No complaints, better busy than idle.

The Holiday season is rapidly approaching, and a dark cloud is looming in the distance. The big question is will we see the return of the Holiday party. Last year there were no company holiday parties, no friends and family celebrations.

The answer won't come until we know the extent of the Virus Variant, "Delta". It seems certain we will not shut down, but without confidence of a safe environment, we may put non-essential events on hold. 

And so it goes, we may be perpetually behind the "eight ball, "unable to put this terrible virus in our rear vision mirror.

One year ago, I posted a blog... The Year Without Christmas ...Parties. The date was Nov. 18, 2020. If I'm not performing at parties this November, I will repost the blog for 2021. I hope I won't be doing that.

Boston Magician,

Joe Ferranti

Call 339-927-4710 to reserve your date for your Holiday party. I will not require a down payment to avoid returning your funds if you need to cancel.

339-927-4710 ferrantimagic.com

Full Frontal Performance..i.e. No Mask!

 

339-927-4710

June 6th, 2021...graduation and celebration for the Senior Class of Newburyport High School.

In May, I performed for the Billerica Memorial High School Graduating Class. Although, I was fully vaccinated, the students were not. Following safety protocols, I performed with a mask as well as the graduating class. It was a great evening, enjoyed by all. We made the best of what we had, still not out of the pandemic.

Jump forward to June 6th, the entire graduating class on Newburyport High School has been vaccinated and we picked up where we left off pre-pandemic. No holds barred, Close Up Magic performed as it is meant to be performed, "Close Up and Personal." The kids, 17 and 18 years old loved it. I mean kids compared to me, the young men and women are heading off to college at the end of the summer, and they'll be attending classes in person. The graduates caught a "break" after the seemingly endless life with restrictions.

Of course, we will all go through many challenges as the return to "normal" is not going to happen overnight.

Good Luck to you all, it was a pleasure to meet and spend a few minutes entertaining you with magic.

Joe Ferranti

Boston Massachusetts Close Up/Strolling Magician

Wedding Magic...Unique Entertainment.

                 

 

I am getting many more requests to provide entertainment during the cocktail hour for Weddings. in fact, magic is catching on for young adults to senior citizens. (We're not there yet...but we are no longer seen as entertainment for kids birthdays, and no...I can not twist a balloon.
Why the piqued interest? TV, America's Got Talent, Penn and Teller Fool Us, The Carbonaro Effect. People want to see Magic Live, and when they do, well see the results in the video. It's even better in person.
When you need the best in "Clean" adult entertainment...think about magic. www.ferrantimagic.com

Wedding Testimonials

wedding magician 8 25 19 movie

                  

Wedding Entertainment

Strolling/Walk Around Magic

Boston Mass. Close Up Magician Joe Ferranti has provided stunning magic for many weddings/cocktail hours.

If you are interested in this unique entertainment, book early to hold your date. Call 339-927-4710 for a no pressure consultation.

He also has something special for the Bride and Groom and their entire wedding party on request.

                                                             www.ferrantimagic.com

See Videos

Wedding Magician Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Wedding Magician Boston Massachusetts

Joe Ferranti performs walk Around/Close Up Magic for all adult functions.
339-926-4710 www.ferrantimagic.com

Adults love Magic...many just don't know it yet.

I have had the pleasure to work numerous cocktail events for private parties and large corporate events. I have had the opportunity to perform for more people than I can remember.

what I have learned, is that the large majority have never seen a professional magician, other than on T.V.

Some are a little hesitant, not knowing what to expect...others are anxiously waiting.

I can tell you, anyone who will invest one or two minutes will at the very least have a smile on their face. Most will remember this chance encounter long after the day is done.

See the reactions, the expressions, the fun. Who wouldn't want this at their Wedding.

Give me a call, I won't let you down.

339-927-4710

Magical entertainment for your Wedding...Book now 339-927-4710

Wedding Season 2019-2020



Wedding Magic is growing at a rapid pace in the U.S. Thanks to the positive exposure on Television shows such as , Penn and Teller "Fool Us", AGT...and more.

As a Close Up Magician serving Boston and its surrounding areas, I once spent time educating clients that "Magic" is not just for kids, and it is suitable for adult functions. This is most often a point of discussion.

Today, the client often understands that a professional Magician is just the missing piece to set their event at a level where it is exciting and memorable beyond their expectations.

I would be happy to do that for you...see some video.  visit www.ferrantimagic.com

Give me a call, let's talk.

Best Wishes,

Joe