in a little while i want to try to get a job at a resturant doing magic. is there anything i should know before hand? also, what kind of resturant should i go to? like a fancy one or a normal resutrant? thanks for the help 
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Getting Hired
- Thread starter splitspades
- Start date
What do you feel you can achieve? - We cannot tell you where and where you cannot perform. Have a big think, and write down what use you can be for all restaurants, and try and find out which one suits you.
You need to approach them in a professional manner, dress smart and ask them politely that you would like to speak to the manager. Introduce yourself, and show him some magic, explain how experienced you are and let him know how you will be suitable and great for his business. Leave him with your business card, and let him know you will perform on a trail basis for free to see what he thinks.
On the trail basis, try and get family and friends to come that night, and get them to cheer you on. If the manager sees you are doing a good job, you are going to be booked. With people there you know, it can make the event look bigger than it seems, and it can work very well if done properly.
You need to approach them in a professional manner, dress smart and ask them politely that you would like to speak to the manager. Introduce yourself, and show him some magic, explain how experienced you are and let him know how you will be suitable and great for his business. Leave him with your business card, and let him know you will perform on a trail basis for free to see what he thinks.
On the trail basis, try and get family and friends to come that night, and get them to cheer you on. If the manager sees you are doing a good job, you are going to be booked. With people there you know, it can make the event look bigger than it seems, and it can work very well if done properly.
thanks so much. i was thinking about the trail basis, but i didn't think about bringing frinds and family. thats a great idea!
First things first, learn how to properly spell restaurant. R-E-S-T-A-U-R-A-N-T. Inexcusable, IMO.
Some things Steven said were right, others were a bit off base from my experience.
1. What kind of restaurant?
Let's face it, your chances of walking into a 4 star restaurant with zero experience/references and landing a gig are slim to none. The worst thing you can do is have an unrealistic outlook and set yourself up for failure. Look for the mom and pop restaurants that are locally owned and try and stay away from chain restaurants. It can be done (my first restaurant was a corporate owned Red Robin), but not as easy due to all the red tape one must cut away first.
So, locally owned family restaurants are your best bet right now. Maybe look for places that have a kids night or something where you might be able to sell yourself as a nice addition to that.
2. Dress and hygiene. This shouldn't have to be mentioned, but sadly you'd be surprised that this isn't common knowledge. Go in there well groomed, nicely dressed, smell good, good breathe, hands clean (no nail biting!), clothes ironed and not wrinkly, etc. First impressions are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT HERE, and can make or break EVERYTHING!
The main part of Steven's post, I feel I have to address this specifically as I feel it is way off base and inevitably going to come back and bite you in the ass.
First things first, whether you choose to use the 'cold calling' approach or not, that's up to you. I've never done that and I'll explain why. I am not selling magic tricks when I approach a restaurant, I'm selling a service to help benefit them. I run a business and must treat it as such. In the business world, meetings are set up. I've always called the OWNER or GENERAL MANAGER to set up a meeting. I feel that by walking right in there, you're already at a disadvantage as they may be busy, irritated, in a bad mood, and they're DEFINITELY NOT EXPECTING A MAGICIAN! To show up unexpected and so sudden already puts up at a disadvantage that can be easily overcome by just calling to set up a BRIEF 5 minute interview during a slow part of the day, morning, whatever.
Secondly, when you call, don't ask to speak to the manager. Your first call should be to find out who the GM/Owner is and when they'll be in, and then hang up and wait a few days. The next call is to set up the meeting. Call, ask to speak to so-and-so, tell him who you are and what it's regarding (performing in his restaurant!) ask if you can take 5 minutes of his time to come in and show him the many benefits of having live entertainment such as a magician.
On that note, Steven said: "explain how experienced you are and let him know you will be suitable and great for his business."
Let's be honest...you have no experience. If you did, you wouldn't be asking these questions. To try and convince someone that knows the business inside and out that you're experienced in restaurant magic, when you've never performed in a restaurant EVER, is just a very bad thing to do.
Also, DO NOT OFFER TO DO ANY MAGIC! Yes, that's right. If he asks, tell him that you'd rather come in on a night he will be there so that he can see first hand how the guests react to the entertainment. If he still insists, show him 1 (ONE!) trick that is short and strong and practically fail proof. But still, insist on the trial night, and make it a night HE WILL BE THERE! He's the one in the position to hire you, so make sure he sees benefits of having a restaurant magician first hand.
IMO, the main mistake most younger performers make when trying to get a restaurant gig is they focus entirely way too much on the magic aspect, and not enough on the business aspect. I run a business and treat it as such. I offer a service to my clients that they need. Don't build yourself up as this super magician, but inform him of the many $$$benefits$$$ to having you perform in his restaurant.
Take it or leave it, but that's my $0.02 based on my experience. Some resources I recommend you invest in...
Jay Sankey's dvd, THE REAL WORK ON RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
Kozmo's dvd, LIVE AT THE JAIL HOUSE.
THE MAGIC MENU! (any issues you can get)
Anything by Paul Green, Kirk Charles, Jim Pace, Eric Henning (If you're serious about this, check out TIPS by Eric Henning...a great book that will save you a lot of headache in the long run!), and many others that I know I'm forgetting right now. Just got home from my rest. gig and am beat....
But seriously man, best of luck to you.
Steve
Some things Steven said were right, others were a bit off base from my experience.
1. What kind of restaurant?
Let's face it, your chances of walking into a 4 star restaurant with zero experience/references and landing a gig are slim to none. The worst thing you can do is have an unrealistic outlook and set yourself up for failure. Look for the mom and pop restaurants that are locally owned and try and stay away from chain restaurants. It can be done (my first restaurant was a corporate owned Red Robin), but not as easy due to all the red tape one must cut away first.
So, locally owned family restaurants are your best bet right now. Maybe look for places that have a kids night or something where you might be able to sell yourself as a nice addition to that.
2. Dress and hygiene. This shouldn't have to be mentioned, but sadly you'd be surprised that this isn't common knowledge. Go in there well groomed, nicely dressed, smell good, good breathe, hands clean (no nail biting!), clothes ironed and not wrinkly, etc. First impressions are EXTREMELY IMPORTANT HERE, and can make or break EVERYTHING!
The main part of Steven's post, I feel I have to address this specifically as I feel it is way off base and inevitably going to come back and bite you in the ass.
First things first, whether you choose to use the 'cold calling' approach or not, that's up to you. I've never done that and I'll explain why. I am not selling magic tricks when I approach a restaurant, I'm selling a service to help benefit them. I run a business and must treat it as such. In the business world, meetings are set up. I've always called the OWNER or GENERAL MANAGER to set up a meeting. I feel that by walking right in there, you're already at a disadvantage as they may be busy, irritated, in a bad mood, and they're DEFINITELY NOT EXPECTING A MAGICIAN! To show up unexpected and so sudden already puts up at a disadvantage that can be easily overcome by just calling to set up a BRIEF 5 minute interview during a slow part of the day, morning, whatever.
Secondly, when you call, don't ask to speak to the manager. Your first call should be to find out who the GM/Owner is and when they'll be in, and then hang up and wait a few days. The next call is to set up the meeting. Call, ask to speak to so-and-so, tell him who you are and what it's regarding (performing in his restaurant!) ask if you can take 5 minutes of his time to come in and show him the many benefits of having live entertainment such as a magician.
On that note, Steven said: "explain how experienced you are and let him know you will be suitable and great for his business."
Let's be honest...you have no experience. If you did, you wouldn't be asking these questions. To try and convince someone that knows the business inside and out that you're experienced in restaurant magic, when you've never performed in a restaurant EVER, is just a very bad thing to do.
Also, DO NOT OFFER TO DO ANY MAGIC! Yes, that's right. If he asks, tell him that you'd rather come in on a night he will be there so that he can see first hand how the guests react to the entertainment. If he still insists, show him 1 (ONE!) trick that is short and strong and practically fail proof. But still, insist on the trial night, and make it a night HE WILL BE THERE! He's the one in the position to hire you, so make sure he sees benefits of having a restaurant magician first hand.
IMO, the main mistake most younger performers make when trying to get a restaurant gig is they focus entirely way too much on the magic aspect, and not enough on the business aspect. I run a business and treat it as such. I offer a service to my clients that they need. Don't build yourself up as this super magician, but inform him of the many $$$benefits$$$ to having you perform in his restaurant.
Take it or leave it, but that's my $0.02 based on my experience. Some resources I recommend you invest in...
Jay Sankey's dvd, THE REAL WORK ON RESTAURANTS AND BARS.
Kozmo's dvd, LIVE AT THE JAIL HOUSE.
THE MAGIC MENU! (any issues you can get)
Anything by Paul Green, Kirk Charles, Jim Pace, Eric Henning (If you're serious about this, check out TIPS by Eric Henning...a great book that will save you a lot of headache in the long run!), and many others that I know I'm forgetting right now. Just got home from my rest. gig and am beat....
But seriously man, best of luck to you.
Steve
This opens up the big point that every single potential client is asking, "What do I get out of this?" And if you're only answer is, "You get to have a magician!" or, "Your customers get to be amazed!" or something equally obnoxious, you're not going to get the job.
To be an entrepreneur, you need to speak the language. And I'm going to say it, most magicians are really, really bad at this.
I generally ask if I can go into there establishment and perform for about an hour, and let the owners observe.
Depends on how old you are. If you are in College you could lie and say that your are majoring in Marketing and just say that you are there to advertise and market the place a bit more.
You could essentially say the same thing without the majoring in part even if you are 15-whatever. Tho I THINK with today's economy and everything, it's going to be A LOT harder than it used to be to get a gig at a restaurant, because a lot of places simply won't know if they can afford to even stay open.
You could essentially say the same thing without the majoring in part even if you are 15-whatever. Tho I THINK with today's economy and everything, it's going to be A LOT harder than it used to be to get a gig at a restaurant, because a lot of places simply won't know if they can afford to even stay open.
When you get the job.....
Get a buissness card
Don't over do cards.
Learn a bill switch
Sponge balls work great for people waiting for a seat
Also try to incorperate ballons for children.
PS- I would not try restraunts until you have a good 5 years(of magic) under your belt, you really have to know what your doing.
Also wayne houchin has advice for getting hired on his site.
good luck!
Get a buissness card
Don't over do cards.
Learn a bill switch
Sponge balls work great for people waiting for a seat
Also try to incorperate ballons for children.
PS- I would not try restraunts until you have a good 5 years(of magic) under your belt, you really have to know what your doing.
Also wayne houchin has advice for getting hired on his site.
good luck!
I will have to dis-agree Steven Simmons about giving one free show. By giving one free show, this has allowed me to have a contract signed for afterwards because the client knows what they are getting. Not only this, you can hand out business cards to the audience on this free show which could attract more bookings.
However, if you only performed one magic effect to the owner/manager or who ever is responsible at the restaurant. That is only showing them one effect, it is not showing them any beneficial work to their restaurant and it gives them a 50/50 chance to say yes or no if they want you from just hearing your voice and seeing one effect.
However, if they see you in action, and see you amazing their guests and holding them so they buy more drinks and you keep the whole atmosphere alive. It does not give them a choice to say no the majority of the time and you will have a higher chance of getting that booking.
I suppose this may vary from where you live, which restaurants you choose and how your personality and style is. But I have always used this free show and it has worked wonders for me.
(I do not dis-agree with anything else Simmons
It is just the free show, it has worked wonders for me for all types of events)
However, if you only performed one magic effect to the owner/manager or who ever is responsible at the restaurant. That is only showing them one effect, it is not showing them any beneficial work to their restaurant and it gives them a 50/50 chance to say yes or no if they want you from just hearing your voice and seeing one effect.
However, if they see you in action, and see you amazing their guests and holding them so they buy more drinks and you keep the whole atmosphere alive. It does not give them a choice to say no the majority of the time and you will have a higher chance of getting that booking.
I suppose this may vary from where you live, which restaurants you choose and how your personality and style is. But I have always used this free show and it has worked wonders for me.
(I do not dis-agree with anything else Simmons
It is just the free show, it has worked wonders for me for all types of events)
He was suggesting a trial night. Showing the manager magic does not communicate the benefits of your service.
So in actuality, you're not disagreeing with him except in the idea that you do want to show the manager magic. And there I have to disagree with you because I have never heard of or seen that get more consistent results than the trial night.
Oh I must of mis-understood. I do agree with the above then. As for performing to the manager, I would just perform one or two to just show that you are professional and not just a man with a box of tricks.
If you are new to table hopping then, as stated before, buy some books, DVD's or programs to learn the do's and don'ts to getting the gig. There is a lot more to know than just getting the job.
-Ron
-Ron
Don't spend too long on studying. Books and DVD's are great studies in theory. But you'll quickly find that theory doesn't always hold up well in practice. It's more of a general guideline for how things -should- work. A very general guide line.
Nothing will teach you better than experience itself.
Nothing will teach you better than experience itself.