branding Archives - How To Be A Professional Magician

Podcast 001: Do You Really Need a Logo?

14 May 2020

How To Be A Professional Magician, Podcast 1

Do You Really Need a Logo?

In this episode we ask if you really need to have a logo as a professional magician.

A logo can be one of the most visual aspects of a company’s marketing and branding, but as a magician is it essential – or even necessary – to have one?

It may come as a surprise to some, but you don’t need to have a logo. But why?

Companies spend millions of pounds on marketing and developing their logos, so it’s easy to think you need to have recognisable logo too.

Large companies such as McDonald’s have the famous “Golden Arches”. If you see that logo you know that it belongs to McDonald’s, and you know what you’ll be able to get if you go there.

The logo is only part of the overall brand and marketing package of a company, but it is the part that is often the most obvious and stands out.

However, it only works if you are already familiar with the the logo. If you haven’t encountered that company before, and association it with a brand or logo; then it is unlikely to affect you buying decision.

The advantage of a logo is once you have found a brand that you like to use, you then take notice of the logo and you will be drawn to it again in the future.

This establish the brand and makes it easier for repeat customers to find you in the market place. It also makes it easier to advertise and recommend by giving a visual key to the company’s branding.

But as a magician people don’t develop brand awareness through a large scale branding and marketing campaign. Typically they will only see our advertising when they are actively engaged in searching for a magician for an upcoming event.

But a good brand and logo will help retain customers for repeat bookings and referrals. But for people who haven’t any recommendations to follow will unlikely be swayed by a logo when making their shortlist.

Don’t waste your time creating a logo when you are first setting up your business.

A logo forms just a part of your brand, and spending time developing your brand is more important; and often once your brand has been created a logo will naturally materialise, and will be in keeping with your brand message.

If you have any questions about building your magic business please email [email protected].

Please subscribe so you can get more weekly bite-size magic business lessons.

You can also listen to the Podcast on the following formats:

Apple Podcasts (iTunes):

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-be-a-professional-magician/id1513191973

YouTube:

Spotify:

Stitcher:

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/how-to-be-a-professional-magician

Making Your Magic Brand Stand Out

6 June 2015

Making your magic brand and finding your style is half the battle when it comes to unique marketing and standing out from your competitors. When most people think of branding they think of a company’s logo, but there’s more to it than that.

If you haven’t already, read the lesson on branding. Here are a few points to take in now.

Don’t Copy Your Favourite Magician

It’s one thing to be influenced by a magician, but it’s another to copy them. When David Blaine became popular many magicians suddenly became ‘street magicians’, when Derren Brown became popular magicians became mindreaders, and then there were the Dynamo clones!

Be yourself and let your personal style bloom.

If you are serious about being a professional magician and earning money form performing magic then make sure you come across as being friendly and personable.

Magic for all Occasions

You’ll likely be willing to work at any event; weddings, birthdays, Christmas parties, corporate events and exhibitions; and no doubt your magic will be suited to any of them. However, simply saying you will work at “all occasions” does not come across well to a potential booker.

If you perform both children’s and adults magic then separate websites are a must. Make it clear what you do.

Logos Aren’t Everything

Brand logos that are instantly recognisable

Try to come up with a brand that reflects what you do and your performing style. It doesn’t have to be a traditional logo, but your stage name written in a suitable font, and in appropriate colours.

A children’s entertainer should use bold fonts and primary colours with an appropriate name, a corporate mind-reader will want a more conservative style.

Use Your Brand Consistently

Once you have developed your brand use it consistently on all your marketing mediums.

The idea is to build a feeling of consistency that gives clients the feel of familiarity. For example, Coca Cola is immediately recognisable by the style of writing and colours, regardless of the words, or even language, used.

Market Yourself Properly

It’s one thing having a brand, but it’s quite another to market it properly, and unfortunately this can cost money. But, without this investment you won’t be able to get your brand out there, at least not as quickly as you need if you are looking to turn professional.

Use your marketing to put your brand in front of people and explain to them what service you offer, and why that’s beneficial to them. They may not need you straight away, but when they do and your brand shows on an internet search they will already have a familiarity with you.

This article is a summary of the Creating a Brand Lessons in the Full Course, and also covered in the abridged versions.

Learning more

The How To Be A Professional Magician Courses cover everything you need to know to set up a business as a professional magician. The Full Course contains all the information (as well as 30 minute Skype consultation to help you get your business launched), and the abridged courses also cover business set-up.