Search found 23 matches

by Jack Turk
November 13th, 2009, 8:57 pm
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: The two hour birthday party!
Replies: 28
Views: 15898

Re: The two hour birthday party!

Most of the parties I do involve 60 minute programs, which is about half of the total birthday party event. What I recommend to Mom is this structure. Say you start the party at 1:00... 1:00 - 1:30 -- Games, Crafts, etc. as kids and families straggle in (everyone is late these days...) 1:30 - 2:30 -...
by Jack Turk
July 3rd, 2009, 1:05 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: Is this the year that "America's Got Magic?"
Replies: 28
Views: 6537

Re: Is this the year that "America's Got Magic?"

Another angle from someone who's been watching AGT... The one thing Brill did bring to the table was personality. Big time. Sadly, it wasn't a particularly endearing one. IMO, the problem with how most "hide-girl-in-box" tricks is the emphasis on "box" rather than on the performe...
by Jack Turk
June 23rd, 2009, 12:13 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: Internet cellphone marketing
Replies: 6
Views: 2808

Re: Internet cellphone marketing

I think it's an interesting notion. The data point I'd want to look at involves the degree to which these web-enabled phones are used for searches, as opposed to checking email, looking at breaking news, downloading ring tones, uploading photos, etc. Once we reach a critical mass where we know peopl...
by Jack Turk
May 27th, 2009, 8:36 am
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Help with Limerick
Replies: 9
Views: 3616

Re: Help with Limerick

Here's a couple suggestions: "All sizes, all colors, all shapes!" "Any time, any where, any place!" "He thrilled crowds in every state!" Check out <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.rhymezone.com">www.rhymezone.com</a><!-- w --> to get some other notions. --...
by Jack Turk
May 20th, 2009, 7:29 pm
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Mentalism at school assemblies
Replies: 17
Views: 7210

Re: Mentalism at school assemblies

I do a "Mindreading Skunk" routine that involves a lot of audience byplay, as well as an invisible deck ... at just about every show I do, for all ages and in just about any venue. I suppose a purist wouldn't consider the invisible deck a "mentalism" routine. But my POV is that i...
by Jack Turk
May 20th, 2009, 7:25 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: Faxing without a land line?
Replies: 4
Views: 2845

Re: Faxing without a land line?

I've been using www.send2fax.com for several
years and it's worked very well for me, and
is very reasonably priced.

--Jack
by Jack Turk
April 8th, 2009, 7:15 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: Hank Lee Magic not on a secure server?
Replies: 15
Views: 10640

Re: Hank Lee Magic not on a secure server?

I've bought stuff from Hank Lee multiple times and have always been happy with the materials and the customer service. And since this is a marketing area... get on Hank's email newsletter. He does a fantastic job as an online marketer. Here's some notes: -- He has a personality that's appealing and ...
by Jack Turk
February 2nd, 2009, 10:46 am
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: Marketing Yourself
Replies: 22
Views: 8006

Re: Marketing Yourself

Lots of great advice here already, specifically related to learning direct-response marketing -- which, for the vast majority of us who aren't big name, prime-time conjurers, offers the best bang-4-buck results in attracting leads. And I adore Dean Hankey and all the folks that offer wisdom on his f...
by Jack Turk
January 23rd, 2009, 5:28 pm
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: I-800 numbers.....a dilema!
Replies: 8
Views: 4271

Re: I-800 numbers.....a dilema!

I personally like using an 800 number just for the
fact of positioning. I also got a vanity number
that I use for my birthday party shows. 1-888-89-PARTY.

The service I use and recommend is very price competitive
and it's called Kall8.

--Jack
by Jack Turk
January 6th, 2009, 11:24 am
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: Web Site Tips for Magicians
Replies: 20
Views: 6070

Re: Web Site Tips for Magicians

Autoplay anything is bad and in my opinion, can cost you gigs. Say someone is surfing the web on their break at the office. They need help for a family event or whatever. They come to your site and the first thing that happens is a very loud, very noisy audio track that blasts from their PC speakers...
by Jack Turk
December 22nd, 2008, 11:23 am
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: I'm a 20-year veteran of Corporate Entertainment and I'm Spilling My Brain
Replies: 88
Views: 22545

Re: I'm a 20-year veteran of Corporate Entertainment and I'm Spilling My Brain

"The only true secret of success is that after you reach the top of its ladder, you pull the ladder up after you." I'm sorry you feel so jaded. I know for a fact that some people actually do want to help others succeed. You won't find a more giving, caring, and sharing individual than Dean...
by Jack Turk
December 21st, 2008, 5:07 pm
Forum: Close-Up Magic
Topic: Favourite Pass/card control
Replies: 82
Views: 16144

Re: Favourite Pass/card control

I just spent two hours shoveling snow so forgive me if this sounds crabby... IMO, you find a couple ways to control the chosen card and practice them until you have them down invisible and cold. One of these methods may include the pass. Or not. It really doesn't matter. Then focus all your energy o...
by Jack Turk
December 12th, 2008, 11:02 am
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: I'm a 20-year veteran of Corporate Entertainment and I'm Spilling My Brain
Replies: 88
Views: 22545

Re: I'm a 20-year veteran of Corporate Entertainment and I'm Spilling My Brain

I just want to make clear, I like what Barry's done. Period. I think it's impressive on multiple levels. 1) The quality of the free info provided regarding entering this market. 2) The professional, top-notch manner in which the entire package is promoted and delivered. Good stuff and well worth lea...
by Jack Turk
December 10th, 2008, 12:51 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: I'm a 20-year veteran of Corporate Entertainment and I'm Spilling My Brain
Replies: 88
Views: 22545

Re: I'm a 20-year veteran of Corporate Entertainment and I'm Spilling My Brain

Barry's obviously a very skilled direct response marketer. His site is professionally done, and the promo materials for this 7 day course are excellent. (I would consider moving the opt-in on the popup up, however, as you have to scroll to get to it, and that may be inhibiting your overall response....
by Jack Turk
December 10th, 2008, 12:37 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: Web Site Tips for Magicians
Replies: 20
Views: 6070

Re: Web Site Tips for Magicians

Well done Matt. I've seen several things
from you and they were all good.

--Jack
by Jack Turk
November 29th, 2008, 7:11 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: 26 Inexpensive Marketing Tips for Magicians
Replies: 2
Views: 3471

Re: 26 Inexpensive Marketing Tips for Magicians

Very nice list Matt.

Another note on craigslist -- you should check under
the "events," "talent," and "creative" sections regularly
as once in a while you'll see a request for services
that could well include a magician.

--J
by Jack Turk
November 29th, 2008, 7:07 pm
Forum: Buzz
Topic: World Magic Awards
Replies: 45
Views: 10523

Re: World Magic Awards

I watched it with my 18 year old daughter and she thought the kid was a scream. We both liked him a lot. My personal favorite was the young woman with the semi-goth persona. I thought she did some really interesting stuff: color changing lipstick, and the spider web bit was very cool and totally in ...
by Jack Turk
November 26th, 2008, 10:49 am
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Video References
Replies: 3
Views: 2407

Re: Video References

Great job! Video testimonials rock.

Suggestion: Put at least a portion of this
video, cuts of the best reactions (including the
clapping to your name) on your home page.

It's great social proof.

--Jack
by Jack Turk
October 27th, 2008, 11:13 am
Forum: Children's Entertainment
Topic: Children's Entertainment and the Economy
Replies: 9
Views: 4543

Re: Children's Entertainment and the Economy

I think families are indeed getting more discerning about how they spend their money. In any economy, there are those who have boatloads of cash and aren't really affected. And there are those who are struggling... they probably wouldn't hire a magician anyway. IMO, the group that's in the middle ar...
by Jack Turk
October 5th, 2008, 8:43 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: The Shotgun Aproach - Does it work?
Replies: 1
Views: 2042

Re: The Shotgun Aproach - Does it work?

I personally like the idea of having multiple websites, each focused on a specific market. For instance, one for birthday parties, another for mentalism shows, and so on. In fact, in the way I use google adwords, I actually have multiple kid show sites, each tailored around a specific keyword phrase...
by Jack Turk
September 18th, 2008, 11:28 am
Forum: General
Topic: RickyJay/McCabe's at UCLA
Replies: 9
Views: 2845

Re: RickyJay/McCabe's at UCLA

I remember seeing Ricky Jay back in the 1970s in a little classroom at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. At the time the primary comedy magicians I'd seen had been guys like Duke Stern, Monk Watson, and Senator Crandall -- all great... all hits at the Abbotts' get-togethers. However, I was t...
by Jack Turk
September 16th, 2008, 2:38 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: BEWARE AMAZON.COM PHISHING SCAM
Replies: 6
Views: 3811

Re: BEWARE AMAZON.COM PHISHING SCAM

Here's a tip I got from Paypal on whether the email is real or not.... they told me that anything they sent me would have my real name in the salutation. For instance, it would say: Dear Jack Turk If it doesn't have my real name there, I know for a fact it's not a Paypal communication. Now, the scam...
by Jack Turk
September 12th, 2008, 12:58 pm
Forum: Marketing & Magic Business
Topic: Google Adwords paying off for anyone?
Replies: 24
Views: 7126

Re: Google Adwords paying off for anyone?

I really think how well Adwords works depends on the market you're targetting. I run a very effective campaign for Birthday Party shows using Adwords, which definitely pays for itself several times over month after month. Birthday Parties are great for this technology as the target audience -- women...

Go to advanced search