Zero to your First Paid Gig Online Course by Michael O'Brien
So, what is this course thing all about?
Have you ever heard the phrase "Time is money?" When I first started out as a magician interested in working professionally, I waisted YEARS trying to figure out how to actually make it work. I started taking magic seriously as a "professional" in 2007, but it wasn't until 2010 that I landed my first paid gig. I kept telling myself, "I'll do it next year..." Next year came... Nothing. I made excuses for myself that it was "too hard" or "I cannot afford to pay for advertising to book gigs." I wish there was some sort of system in place for me in this situation all those years ago.
Over the years I have been mentoring magicians in this EXACT position who want to start performing professionally. Many of them have mentioned that I should put some sort of actual course together to walk people through step by step on how to actually start booking paid gigs. I have been putting it off... I figured, "Who would want to even book this course?" I remembered, 2007 Michael would! So I finally decided, screw it! Let's give it a go! Let's put a course together and let's get magicians who are in this same position, feeling like no matter how hard they try, they cannot book their first gig, BOOKED! Whether you have performed for a live audience or not, have an act put together or not, been hired to perform magic for strangers before or not, THIS is the course you're looking for.
So, I can expect to get rich off this then right?
This is NOT going to be one of those "get rich quick" cash grabs that I am sure you are used to seeing. I am not looking to be the next millionaire financial guru. The goal is to teach you how to go from ZERO to your FIRST PAID GIG. The correct way! Once you have gotten that first gig booked, you will learn how to scale up from there and keep your business growing, booking more work and allowing you to make a part-time or full-time living performing magic.
Again, I want to be completely transparent with you, this is NOT a, "go quit your 9-5 job and flip your boss the bird while you flash your new Lambo in your garage" type of course. The courses will be LIVE via ZOOM so you can actually ask me questions as we go along, not pre-recorded fake live streams. Each session will take place once a month for 6 months. Each step will allow you time to complete homework assignments at your pace so you can get things done correctly an ask questions long the way.
So, what will I teach in this course?
This course is broken up into 6 steps. Each step is designed to lay the foundation for the one that follows so you can properly set yourself up for success while spacing them out strategically to ensure you are not overwhelmed.
Step 1 - Getting your product together: You need to have something to sell before you start selling right? Learn how to build an act from the ground up that can get your foot in the game. Learn how to practice properly and to streamline and structure your act to be as impactful as possible! All you need are 3-5 pieces of solid magic to get started. Learn to do this properly and avoid getting stuck or wasting time endlessly looking for the "best trick" to add to your set.
Step 2 - How to perform like a professional: Being able to perform for your friends vs. performing at a paid event are very different. In this section we will learn the ins-and-outs of how to actually perform. Learn how to approach people, what to do if something doesn't go as planned, handling interruptions, etc. Learn the art of Strolling Magic and how to maximize our time at each event that will guarantee clients raving about you and repeat bookings.
Step 3 - Laying down your foundation: Let's get your website, social media, listing sites, review sites and all that stuff set up. Learn how to price your services properly and in a way that actually lands sales rather than just being "the cheapest option." Start building your brand and discover what makes you unique from other entertainers in your area! I wish I had someone teach me all this when I got started. I would be years ahead of where I am today.
Step 4 - Marketing yourself: I am talking marketing funnels, having a good call to action, gathering social proof, and start getting referrals! This is all designed to start getting your name out there! We will focus on more conventional means of getting your name out there ranging from pay to play lead acquisition for those with the capital to get started all the way to FREE tried and true lead generators anyone can implement with little to no money to start.
Step 5 - Sales strategy and how to start making $$$: This is probably the most important section in the whole course. This is all about how to take those leads you generated in the marketing section and convert them into paying clients. How to make sales calls and handle objections to close the sale. How nerve wracking is it trying to convince someone to hire you on the phone? Well, in this class we will roll play in such a way that gives you the practice and skills you need to calmly and effectively sell yourself and your service to your prospective clients. Lastly, how to draft an invoice & agreement and send them a payment link so you can actually earn $$$!
Step 6 - Your first paid gig and beyond: So, you just got booked for your first paid gig.... NOW WHAT? Let's talk liability insurance, maximizing the impact you have while at each event, getting referrals, and turning each event into a lead generator of its own. The most important thing though? Scaling up your business. Resisting the urge to buy a new flat screen TV and instead reinvest that money into your business. Upgrade your equipment, use the money for lead acquisition by running paid ads, or upgrading to premium memberships using the listing sites we set up.
As you can see, the foundations are there and this system works. It can be easily achieved by anyone willing to put in the work. This is not a brain fart that happened over night. I have been writing this course for years. The material covered is practical and common sense, but structured in an easy to digest way that will force you to get your business up and running in 6 Months!