S5E5: Phil Ackerly - Magician
22 Years ago, magician Phil Ackerly\xa0was laid off from his day job at\xa0Fujitsu Microelectronics with a wife, a ten month old son, and a brand new home\xa0that was just coming out of escrow.\xa0This ultimately\xa0resulted in\xa0him taking his passion of performing magic full-time, making it his career.
\n\xa0\nFlash forward to today, Phil is an award winning magician taking home numerous awards like first place close-up from Pacific Coast Association of Magicians\xa0in 2010 and five-time\xa0Gold\xa0Medal Winner for favorite Party Entertainer by Bay Area Parent magazine. He now performs over 350\xa0shows every year at corporate events\xa0and private parties.\n\xa0
\nSuccess Quote:\nIn order to be successful, you have to fail. \xa0
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\nThings Learned from Working for a\xa0Talent\xa0Agent\n\u2022 How to plan events.
\n\u2022 You can't be hung up on yourself.
\n\u2022 Finding out what the clients need and fill that need.
\n\u2022 Up-selling to your client. \xa0
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\nFailure Moment\nNot showing up at a show because of a rescheduling and a paperwork mixup. \xa0
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\nFavorite Success\nBeing able to make a living performing magic. Also, performing at the Hollywood\xa0Magic Castle and having The Professor, Dai Vernon compliment him on his show. \xa0
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\nBiggest Professional Challenge\nBalancing his "creative work" with his "business work." \xa0
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\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022\xa0Tells his story about how he got layer off from his day job and then was able to transition into his passion of performing magic full time. He talks about his first year out there.
\n\u2022\xa0Carving out a niche for himself in the family show market.
\n\u2022\xa0Increasing your fees.
\n\u2022\xa0Personalizing your show and differentiating yourself.
\n\u2022\xa0Value and perception of value.
\n\u2022\xa0The lengths he goes to confirm and re-confirm his bookings.
\n\u2022\xa0Thank you notes.
\n\u2022\xa0How he uses Yelp and how he gets reviews.
\n\u2022\xa0How he uses his blog to connect with his clients on a personal level. He talks specifically about one post entitled Treasure the Moments.\xa0
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\nParting Advice\n"Make me care." \u2014 Max Maven
\nMake your audience care. \xa0
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\nRecommended books and resources:\nNote: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we\xa0earn a small portion of any sales. If you're enjoying our\xa0podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our\xa0affiliate links to help support the work we're doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks! \xa0
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\nResource:
\nArthur & Leslie Stead for writing custom music.
\nDoug Bennett the Magic Writer \xa0
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\nBooks:
\nBeyond Deception by Tobias Beckwith
\nThe Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo\xa0
\nThe Apple Experience by\xa0Carmine Gallo \xa0
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\nWhere can we find Phil Ackerly?\n\n