Go the Extra Mile

[RickEverhart]

Hey fellas...just returned from a birthday party gig for two twin boys turning 5 years old.

Let me give you the run down so that the title makes sense. As per the contract agreement, my performance was to begin at 3:00. It was to be a birthday party for two young children and there were to be 15-20 other children attending. The location was 20 minutes from my house.

I arrived promptly at 2:30 and set up my equipment and props. Only the client and her mother were there setting up the tables, chairs, cloths, food, etc. I could see that they were both very stressed and so I jumped right in and helped set up some chairs. I called the client by name and asked her if there was any other way I could help her get her party ready.

At 3:00 the mother was very embarrassed that only about 8 other children had arrived. I felt very bad because she said almost 20 had RSVP'd and were not there yet. I told her that I am flexible and that we can wait til about 3:15 until a few more guests arrived. The mother was very thankful.

Sure enough at 3:15 everyone came pouring in and it was showtime. I gave them a great 45 minute birthday party show and both the kids and adults were estatic. I also followed up by doing balloon animals for all 20 kids. I passed out some business cards and thanked everyone for having me.

The husband of the wife came up to me afterward and handed me the check. All the parents kept saying how great I was and giving me compliments on my way out the door. I didn't even look at the check because I always feel awkward looking at it with the people standing right there. The agreement was for $150. As I put everything in my trunk and sat in my drivers seat I pulled the check out of my pocket. $175.00 NICE....

All because I helped set up a few chairs and delayed the show 15 minutes.
I am sharing this because I want some of you guys to realize that if you truly love this art and want people to feel like they are getting something "special"....GO THE EXTRA MILE. Give them more than what they paid for.

I do this wherever I go and 9 times out of 10 I see a $20 - $30 tip or bonus added onto my check that was not expected. I've shared this advice with Luis Vega awhile back and it is worth it fellas. It makes you feel good inside that you gave it your all and gave the client one heck of an event.

Thanks for listening and enjoy the evening.

 

[RickEverhart]

Am I seriously about the only guy here who performs regularly for events? Luis and Justin....thought maybe you guys could chime in.

 

[scarecrow1]

Thanks for posting this Reverhart, I always thought going the "extra mile" in magic would be to perform your best and really get everybody enjoying it and involving the audience, but I see now that it can go beyond magic. My dad has always told me about "going the extra mile" in a job, no matter what it is. Thanks again.

 

[KeoSilver]

I do not perform regularly but this is a great tip about life in general! Wonderful read and keep on trucken and getting them leads Rever. I am happy you are getting gigs!

 

[RickEverhart]

You guys are right. It does not just have to apply to magic but in all aspects of life. Actually showing people that you care and are willing to do "that little extra" thing that most people wouldn't, is a great way to be remembered. You'd be surprised how fast word of mouth travels around a community and how much faster people are willing to help you out in a time of need.

 

[ChrisWiens]

A double-edged sword that is. As an entertainer I think that´s true and good for your reputation.

But I´m permanently employed and in my experience the following saying is often true.
In German, but it´s not a german saying:
Wenn du Unmögliches vollbringst erreichst du damit nur, dass der Chef es dir zur regulären Pflicht macht.

Don´t know how to translate that:
When doing the impossible, your boss will only make it your daily business.

That´s my experience. I often work longer, harder and more effective as many colleagues (not to make others bad, it´s just my nature)and I was never ill (not one single day in nearly ten years).
I literally went thousands of extra miles, but my boss doesn´t appreciate that.

 

[Luis Vega]

Hello Rick...

I was very busy this past days...I just needed sometime to post something worth reading instead of "glad it went well!! I agree"

Onto the topic...I think that going the extra mile is great...as long as you know how to keep it short and ok for you...since sometimes people likes to takes advantage of you when they see you are nice...quick story...when I was on a gig and then after being extra nice with everybody the client asked me to come and entertain some guests on the living room...for free...another 30 min for free? I am afraid not, maybe some quick tricks, but not a full show...always be sure the extra mile is ok for you...it´s important to find the line

I think you did a great job!! specially with family based gigs, going the extra mile is effective and you actually feel good doing it!! some people goes the extra mile and expect a bigger check or something else...it´s important to be a good guy and do things because you want to, not because you want something more...

Other things that can add onto the extra-mile:

+call the client 2-3 days after the show and ask for feedback and tell him how mucho you enjoyed the gig and the people...I put a post on my facebook saying how much I enjoyed the show and how everybody was great!! the client commented on the post and told me thanks again!! and I got another gig later...

+if you run into them later, say in a bar, the market or anything, salute them and be nice with them...this just happened last friday...I run along a client and her husband and a couple of friends and they invited me to sit with them and I had a nice time...I only did a couple tricks and read her friends signature (Graphology) and they wanted me for another gig and also the friend gave me her phone...nice!!

+ this is something that I am going to apply this year, but I think is a great idea...if I have clients that books me for more than 1 gig,then at the next christmas I am going to send them a deck of custom cards as a thank you for everything...

now...I am glad everything went OK Rick! keep us posted and see you around...

 

[RickEverhart]

Ahhh, good point gentleman. I will agree that sometimes you'll have others take advantage of you. I guess one has to realize what the situation is and make a good judgment call. Very true Luis.

Chris, that is sad man about work. When I work extra hard at work (I'm a teacher) you'd be surprised how much I get in return from my boss. If something new and exciting comes into our building...let's say a new piece of technology equipment or something...Guess who gets first dibs? Me. If I need to leave early for something...."No problem Rick, I remember you stayed longer and helped out at the Spelling Bee with the kids!"

I hope to hear others comments on this.

 

[DannyT]

Glad the gig went well Rick. Taking initiative to do what you think is right by someone is something I live by. You should always go into "going the extra mile" without thinking that you're getting anything back because some people don't have much. Some people will show their gratitude by whatever means, maybe a "thank you", cash, etc.

One time at work, there was this guy who had to wait behind this old woman who was taking a long time with her order. The guy walks near the express line where the female cashier, says "sorry, this is only for 12 or less items".
The guy had about 18 items-no joke. I felt bad for him as he walked back to the old woman's line again. So I decided to open a register real quick so this guy could get out of the store. I walked up to him and said, "I'll help you out real quick." So we walked over to my register and the whole time he was thanking me for helping him out. For me it was nothing. To him, it was the world. He definitely was in a better mood exiting the store than when he came in.

ChrisWiens
He didn't leave any money as a tip or anything like that. But I received the pleasure of knowing that I did the right thing, and that makes me feel good about myself. My boss didn't come over and say, "Hey, great job, I saw what you did just now". I don't need that. I know I did the right thing. Why does my boss have to say something for it to mean something?

Like Luis said, have a standard. Live by it, and that should be good enough for you. Not to be taken advantage of, just enough for you to meet your statuesque.

 

[CaseyRudd]

Very awesome Rick! Currently I do not do any gigs; school and homework and my job are what I focus on at the moment. However, I very much appreciate this thread and that you remind us to go that extra mile. Here's a life example that happened earlier today at Church:

For the past few weeks on every Sunday I go to church, beforehand I go to Starbucks and get a Frappuchino. There are 2 kids that I am friends with that say "You got Starbucks? Lucky!" every time they see me with one. I could tell by their faces that they really wanted some coffee. So today, I went the extra mile and showed that I cared by buying both of them a cup of Frappuchino. The look on their face was just priceless! One of my friends said "Is this REALLY mine?! Thank's so much dude!" and the other said "Thanks Casey! I love you!" (This was a girl saying that by the way). They insisted on paying me back but I said it was my treat and it made their day. Doing these simple things for friends or even strangers impacts their life more than you think.

Go the extra mile, and show that you care.

 

[Justin.Morris]

I personally think that you can't ever go wrong when going the extra mile. You can't ever serve too much, but you just need to focus your service in the right areas.
And like mentioned above, you may never see a tangible reward, but I feel it's always worth it.
And in a world that preaches to just look out for number one, your example Rick sets you leagues above many others. Imo

 

[RickEverhart]

Thanks Justin. You'd be surprised how many guys I know that just show up to the gig, are in / out , collect their check and could care less if the client's needs were satisfied or if something went wrong.

Glad this message got through to some of our members and refreshed it in the minds of some of our veteran performers.

 

[notsoltd]

I think it is cool when people show their gratitude when you go the extra mile, but for me, as long as I know I did right, it still makes me good.

Ex. at the grocery store I work at, some people like help taking their groceries outside. I always make sure to push the basket for them (unless they are older and need to lean on it) and I always make sure to engage them in conversation as much as I can, asking how they're doing etc. I always carefully load their groceries, and ask if they would like the bread and eggs up front so they don't get squished amongst the other groceries. On occasion, if they haven't gotten into the car before I finished loading, I have even opened car doors for the ladies to get in. Also, before they leave and no matter what, I always thank them and tell them to have a wonderful day.

Sometimes, I do get tips, which is nice but I don't expect it. Sometimes, all I get is a thank you and have a good day too which is also great. There have been times, however, that I go that extra mile and be as polite as I can and try to talk to them as much as I can and when I say "Thank you, have a wonderful day," they simply shut their car door in my face with out even saying thank you or anything to me. It's times like that I just have to know that I did the right thing and God knows that I did the right thing and that is all that matters.