S8E11: Steve Chezaday - Tips & Tricks from a Rockstar Magician
This week, I bring you an interview with Steve Chezaday who shares some advice and insights from his years performing full-time. Topics include dealing with clients, pricing, managing your money, and customizing and maintaining your props. There\u2019s a lot insight to be gained from this chat.
\nChezaday is a magician who\u2019s pretty much done it all from close up magic to grand illusion. His energetic show has taken him all over the country. He\u2019s toured with Abbott\u2019s Magic Festival and is also quite handy when it comes to building props and stage illusions. And he can do it all while rockin\u2019 an air guitar! \xa0
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\nSuccess\xa0Mantra\nAlways be prepared.
\nAlways have your money work for you. \xa0
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\nPersonalizing & Maintaining Show Props\n\u2022 Personalizing props.
\n\u2022 Custom painting goes a long way.
\n\u2022 Putting your own twist or spin on routines.
\n\u2022 Constantly capturing your own ideas on paper so you don\u2019t lose them.
\n\u2022 Importance of quick reset.
\n\u2022 Preparing and maintaining larger props.
\n\u2022 Having protective cases for everything in a stage show. \xa0 \xa0
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\nOther Topics Covered\n\u2022 Talks about how he gets shows.
\n\u2022 Stacking shows. Knowing your setup & teardown time and being efficient.
\n\u2022 The importance of saving and investing your money.
\n\u2022 Talked about how he had a part time job for a long time which helped him to build his magic career.
\n\u2022 How his correspondences with clients are mainly online through email now.
\n\u2022 Making your clients feel like they\u2019re getting a bargain.
\n\u2022 The psychology of charging $295 instead of $300.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t sell your magic, sell you. You want them to want you, not just \u201ca magician."
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t let people wait, because someone else will get back to a potential client if you don\u2019t.
\n\u2022 Talks about working with the best and the worst in the industry while doing the Abbott\u2019s show.
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t be a prima donna. Try to make everything as simple as you can and treat everyone well. Be reasonable. \xa0
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\nFailure Moment\nTalks about a last-minute hell gig that came about because of miscommunication. \xa0
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\nFavorite Success\nSome of the charities that he\u2019s able to work with. \xa0
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\nParting Advice\nLove what you do and you\u2019ll never work a day in your life. \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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\nResources:
\n\nRising Card App by Chris Kenner
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\nBooks:
\n\nBeating a Dead Horse by Sandy Marshall
\nThe Magical Life of Marshall Brodien
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\nWhere can we find Steve Chezaday?\n\n