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.

 

 

 

  

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly of YouTube Education

 Yes, You Can Learn Magic on YouTube

             

     
                      
My last blog focused on what is essential reading for magicians, or if that is becoming increasingly moot.

There is no simple answer. I lean towards yes, but let's look at our "student" of magic in the 21st century, compared to my day in the latter part of the 20th century. 

Where do our next generation of magicians go to learn the secrets of magic...the library? I suppose this is a rhetorical question. YouTube is the obvious answer. (Don't get ahead of me, I will not bash the YouTube lovers, I am one as well.)

Videos on the internet began in 2005. The pioneers sharing magic secrets were often amateurs with little or no talent. (Amateur magicians have often contributed excellent material as well as invention of every style of magic.) Alex Elmsley was a computer programmer by day but was also major contributor to card magic. 

So, the first contributors to the field of magic on YouTube were hit or miss. I always advised the younger magicians to consider the classics books and video learning as well. The first videos were on VHS Tapes, and DVDs were not far behind. Today, downloadable videos are readily available from online magic dealers, the DVDs are fading in the sunset. 

Today, you can learn a lot on YouTube from extremely talented magicians, and much of it is free. What's not to like? Here's a few resources.

Alex Pandrea, Ekaterina, and Jay Sankey, * just to mention a few. All are knowledgeable and provide excellent insights and tutorials in magic. They also have products for sale as well. YouTube has come a long way since its inception. That is the upside.

Where I see a shortcoming is we lose the history of techniques and often proper credits to the original inventors. I know there are some who simply don't care, as they just want to learn a few tricks. 

David Blaine's "Street Magic" aired in April 1997. It was a new presentation style which captivated a new audience of young magicians. Soon after,they started "naming" the tricks he performed. One of the most popular became known as the Two Card Monte.

David certainly deserved credit for his personalization of the trick. In fact, his influence brought immediate copycats to his style. It surprised some magicians as they had the trick in their libraries and had passed it buy. It was hiding in an Eddie Fechter book from the 70s. You can see Pop Haydn performing it, not as the Two Card Monte but as 'Be Honest What is It?" 

David also performed a levitation effect. There was a little controversy amongst magicians, which is of no importance now. Suffice to say, the trick had been around for a long time, known as The Balducci Levitation. Kudos to David for recognizing the power of a simple parlor stunt/trick. 

There was no deceit from David. He just found a new audience who appreciated his style and stunned them with some of the old classics of magic. Here he performs "The Invisible Deck." 

The internet and TV have popularized Magic in a way I have never seen before. Watch Penn and Teller Fool Us. If you are a well-informed magician, their use of "code" will reveal most of the secrets to you. I hope that after this new generation learns their tricks, curiosity brings them an interest in Magic history, and they discover the "Shoulders of the Giants" we all stand on. It is always good to know how we got to where we are today. History is available to the curious, and you will be better magician for knowing it.

Boston Magician

Joe Ferranti

339-927-4710

* You can monetize your YouTube channel, and I imagine this is the case, but the cost is nothing to the searcher.

Also, there are now subscription channels where users need to pay a fee for access. For example, Netrix, there are many others, you can easily find them. 

Boston Corporate Magician Joe Ferranti

339-927-4710

In Print Since 1902...The Card Man's Bible?

Artifice Ruse and Subterfuge 

 

My interest in magic, especially card magic, goes back over 50 years. As a child, the only learning sources available to me were in the public library. The books were few, and the secrets I desired were not to be found, at least not in my library. 

It was a world without the internet.TV had 3 channels and the phones... well, our first was a "party line." You can look that up, but the party had nothing to do with having a good time.

As my interest in magic grew, I knew I had to find more sources than my local library. Using the Yellow Pages, I found some Magic Shops in Boston. Who knew?… for a price, the magician’s closely guarded secrets were available to anyone. Individual tricks were available and books on Card Magic, which was my primary interest.

My first serious "teacher" through books was Dai Vernon. He was truly the most influential close-up magician of the 20th century. He lived and breathed magic. Young magicians flocked to the Magic Castle to learn from the master.

Vernon often referenced The Expert at the Card Table as essential reading.Every magician I know has a copy. If you are interested, you can find it as a free source as it is in the public domain. I found it difficult and sometimes impossible to learn through the written words and illustrations. We can learn only by clear descriptive text and enough illustrations to make everything crystal clear. I tried following along with the text and illustrations, step by step... repeatedly, often hitting a dead end. I heard no magicians share my frustrations. Was this a case of the "Emperor's New Clothes"? Was it just me?

I am not saying that The Expert at the Card Table is of no value. Vernon was a living credit to the book.

The Expert at The Card Table has the highest accolades from the top men in the magic world. Although I was unsuccessful in translating the descriptions and illustrations into my personal arsenal of sleights and "tricks" was not to say that it can't be done. 

Allan Ackerman took on a project of presenting the entire book on a DVD series. Allan performs it all, expertly. Even the infamous "One Hand Shift."

Allan is certainly one of the foremost experts of sleight-of-hand card magic spanning the 20th and 21st century. His contributions to the magic community are many, including books, DVDs, and lecture notes. 

I freely admit I am not the most intelligent amongst men. My personal limitations certainly played a part in my inability to learn from this book. Also consider what attracts our interests in magic books? For most, we are interested in the "tricks, " and there are tricks in this book. They present the book in two sections. The first focuses on gambling. Use it as you choose, as a protection from being cheated at the poker table or as a source of information to steal other people's money at the poker table.

The second section focuses on magic tricks with cards, which I hope is of more interest to most of us.

As most magicians know, many superb effects exist in print, waiting for discovery by an observant and creative individual.I think of Dai Vernon's famous effect, "Out of Sight, Out of Mind." The inspiration for Vernon's classic came from The Expert at the Card Table, under the title, "A Mind Reading Trick". 

One of the often mentioned critiques of the book is the dated writing/text... but one young magician turned that around and used it to advantage in a entertaining presentation. See Ricky Jay's performance using to advantage the outdated language almost directly from the book. See The Exclusive Coterie.

I urge you to explore this work yourself. It costs you nothing... the best minds in magic will tell you to study carefully and read between the lines.

Your mileage may vary.

Boston Close Up Magician                                                                                                            Joe Ferranti                                                                                                www.ferrantimagic.com                                                                                                                   339-927-4710

The Magic Entertainment of Massachusett's Magician Joe Ferranti

 Magician’s Perspective…” Reading the Room”

    ferrantimagic.com  339-927-4710

I was recently hired for my Strolling Magic for a 30th anniversary celebration. I always discuss these events with my clients in advance. The more I know the better I can be prepared to deliver entertainment to fulfill their vision of that special day.

The expected attendance was near 75 people, upon arrival there was clearly less. The hosts knew I had a couple of “special effects” (tricks) for them.

However, the original plan was for me to begin my strolling magic with their guests and perform for them at a later time.

Anniversary Magician Boston Massachusetts

My job is to do what I am asked to do, but in this situation, I gently advised a different approach. I suggested we open with the anniversary couple and arrange for their guests to watch as I performed the two tricks, I had prepared for them. They agreed, and not to add a complication for them, I arranged the guests in a semi-circle to watch the performance.

Why were the clients immediately flexible?

I only work with people who believe in me as a professional and have confidence in my abilities. Having nearly 50 videos on YouTube of me performing helps build that trust. 

Occasionally, (rarely) in discussions with potential clients, I see they are not totally “sold” on me. I don’t know why, and it matters little. If a client is not 100% on board, I can do one of two things. I can assume the role of a salesperson and try to close the deal, or I can politely suggest they continue their search for someone they are more comfortable with. This works for me. I want my clients thinking, “This is going to be great!” as opposed to, “I hope this is good for my event.” Without going into psychology, I believe we get what we expect.

All ended perfectly, as if this was the original intention for the celebration. I had the attention of the entire group with the anniversary couple center stage and entertained with a mini show. Ending with applause for the couple and a standing ovation for me. Well, they were already standing.

Joe Ferranti

Close up Strolling and Parlor Magician
Boston and Massachusetts.

A New Type of Close-Up Magic

                                                           

                     Magical Musings of Boston Magician                                    Joe Ferranti 339-927-4710

“Things change”... and in time honored tradition, old men complain that everything was better, back in the day. Well, I was physically a lot better, back in the day, but alas, I can not stop time, and I have no intention to complain about how things have changed. 

Nicolas Ribs

I just saw a French magician (Nicolas Ribs) on AGT, summer 2022…if you saw it, I expect you would agree it was magical and entertaining. I have no idea how it was accomplished.

Will Tsai

It reminded me of a past performance by Will Tsai, known as The Rose Act. Howie Mandel said of Will’s performance, “This is the best close-up magic I have ever seen in my life!”

Magicians are often a jealous group, and many took to social media criticizing Will Tsai. Let me just say that what Will performed required skill and a little something extra. Nearly all magicians use “a little something extra”... from time to time.

 

I believe their objections were that, as close-up magic goes, it could not be presented in classic close-up style. Meaning that spectators could not have been seated at the table to witness the magic. This objection is unwarranted, in my opinion.

Traditionally, Close-Up Magic is unique because it is presented  mere inches from the eyes of the spectators, and that’s the way it was, until the advent of TV. Cameras could share the close-up experience to large audiences. What a pleasure it was to see some of the greatest Close-Up Magicians on TV. There was no other way I would have seen Jimmy Grippo, Frank Garcia…no need for a list.

The next step was projecting close-up magic on large screens which enabled stage magicians the ability to share their skills as close-up magicians live, during their stage shows.

I remember David Copperfield performing the $100 Bill Switch in a stage performance, the use of a large screen allowed an entire theater to see the illusion close-up. On another occasion, David went into the audience and performed the Floating Rose. Again, camera and screen enabled all in attendance to witness a memorable performance.

So,what has changed? Simply, the gentlemen I first mentioned were able to perform their close-up illusions on a large stage. The difference being the inability to have a small audience witness the magic up close.

This does not seem to be a problem for the layman…think of Howie’s reaction to Will Tsai. The restrictions of viewing meant nothing to Howie.

The problem exists with “magicians”. As I said earlier, we tend to be a jealous group, knocking the achievements of others. Most often the ones who are most popular and receiving media attention. Think back to David Blaine. His first television special launched him to the top of the industry. And just as quickly he received the barbs from the so-called “cognoscente.”

But, David didn’t rest, he moved forward to bigger challenges and earned a place in magic history alongside the greatest.

So, keep an eye out for the new “Close-Up” magicians, and remember it’s not what they do on their first performance…it’s the follow up. (Well done David Blaine.)

Joe Ferranti

Massachusetts Close-Up Magician

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.

Boston Magician Joe Ferranti's Magic Musings

" Do That Again."... hmmm? 

Magicians get together to share and hopefully learn from each other. We discuss everything about magic. I remember several times when friends were talking about what to do when a spectator asks, "do that again."

The consensus was this was a compliment. If you are a working magician, you know this is a problem. In many tricks, a repeat is usually a "lesson."

A repeat performance is likely to give away the secret, and without the secret, we have no magic. The most common solution to this request is to repeat the trick with a different method.

Think of the "Ambitious Card." Its strength lies in its repetition, and if the methods continually cancel out any assumed solutions your audience may consider, the result can be an extraordinarily strong magic effect.

But I am not talking about this type of repetition. Let's say the ending of the trick involves finding a signed card in your wallet. The card in the wallet is the "punchline." You can't repeat this trick. (to the same audience.) Think of the spectator who brings you to his friends and says, "Do the trick where the card ends up in your wallet!" You see, the problem.

Perhaps you know a method to have a card end up in a spectator's wallet. (A slightly different trick, but a good follow up,and a complete surprise.)

When possible, I like to watch other magicians perform. Recently, observing a magician perform a trick, the spectator said those words, "Do that again." I heard a tone in her voice, the pitch rising, her eyes moving to the side, looking up. Suggesting she was assessing what she saw, and concluding in her mind, "I think I know how that was done. If you do it again, I can figure it out."

There is so much going wrong here, I don't know where to begin.

But, let's cut to the chase. She didn't wait for the magician to answer her request. She ended with, "Oh, never mind." (Ouch!)

Joe Ferranti

Boston Massachusetts Close-Up Magician

339-927-4710

The exclusive Birthday Card Trick of Joe Ferranti,

Boston Massachusetts' Finest Adult Magician.