Mark Tirone’s 10 Steps To Marketing Your Magic #3

Mark Tirone’s 10 Steps To Marketing Your Magic

Tip #3. Lets Begin!

What are the 10 steps to selling magic? For years, Magicians have been left on our own to find ways to sell our magic. Some of us have families to support, Bills to pay etc. So why just get left to figure out how to sell something original? I am going to teach you in 10 steps, (tips) to selling your product. This course will last 10 weeks. And if you apply one of these steps a week, You are going to have a final product in 10 weeks.

I have seen many magician’s stumble and ask questions here. Whether they were on forums, videos, blogs etc. So how do you know where to start? If you have not yet read my last article, Please do so now… OK. I assume since you read this, You have read my previous article.

You must now know what you want. Like I mentioned in step 2, You will need to know if you would like a video, or written instruction. This will be in the outline format, Similar to my last, being that they are essentially congruent.

Lets start with VIDEO. When shooting a DVD or any kind of video, You need professional props and equipment. This goes all the way from camera to backdrop and everything in between. But don’t get me wrong, This could come out to a good five thousand dollar job possibly at most.

1) Video

a) Camera

*Sony (Hi-def is most efficiant)
*Cannon (Hi-def)
*JVC (Hi-def)
*Panasonic (Hi-def)
*Samsung (Hi-def)

-You can get cameras anywhere from 200-2,000 dollars through places like best buy, Walmart, Target etc-

b) Lighting

*Natural (not recommended)
*Stage (If you are filming on a stage, You will often have this option)
*Portables (These you might see construction workers use to broadcast a large light at night.)

c) Sound

*Stage microphone (amplifyer on stage)
*Omni-directional mic (These make absolutely no obvious sound but pick up signals from almost all directions. Made for video)

d) Backdrop

*Simple screen
*wood
*Curtain
*tablecloth (anything but spongebob)
*blanket or sheet

And now you see the importance of being an absolute perfectionist when filming or recording. If you are recording a podcast for example, You will need a studo with recorders, microphones, headphones, computers, printers etc. It is NOT an easy job and expect to make mistakes along the way.

Moving on to PRINT. This is taking what you want and printing it in a book or manuscript style. Many places will do this for you, Or you can do it yourself.

2) Print

a) Writing

*Spell-checker
*Editor
*paper, pencil, eraser etc.
*Copywrite

b) Manufacturing

*Kinkos
*Staples
*office max
*office depot
*home

This was obviously shorter, But they both have their share in difficulty. Video production may take a shorter time than writing because you need to type everything out and have it edited and copywrited etc.

Now that you hopefully decided which method you would like to take in making this a reality, Lets begin.

When shooting a video, It is important to have: on screen assistants, off screen assistants and stagehands, a proper studio, all necessary equipment, tables, and a production crew. Most stages are set up with the table, chairs, and backdrops in front. Then off screen are the lights followed by a camera on a tripod (Yes you NEED a tripod)

When creating a written expression of your thoughts, It is important to have a computer, a blank notebook with necessary writing utencils, a worthy printer, a manufacturer or mass producer as well as a team of editors to spell-check and review your work.

If you are in your younger years (middle ,high school ,Or college) I recommend taking an English course or class. Even take a creative writing class if you have the opportunity. These will benefit you in the long run when writing a book. But remember your basic grammar rules along the way. Don’t leave out punctuation, grammar, spelling etc.

My one greatest tip to you in this whole column, Is to first get ALL your thoughts on paper. My eighth grade English teacher told me that your biggest tool as creative writers, Is your journal and I agree all the way on that. Without your journal, you will be lost. Thoughts will be forgotten, memories will be erased, and your creative flares will be gone. Even drawing pictures and little doodles or clue words will work. But whatever you do, Get your thoughts on paper. You probably have heard this back in grade school when you were told to pre-write. The teachers weren’t making this stuff up.

So if you would like to critique my work or let me know how they feel about it or questions and concerns, Please feel free at any time to email me at MagicOfMarkTirone@gmail.com or send me and IM at XCMMT101. I wish you great success with your product.

-Mark Tirone

Any copying, Printing, And reproduction of this material is strictly prohibited unless called for by the writer. If you would like to print any of this out, Please just send me an email and I can decide permission or not. Thanks!