Step 3
You have created individual magic trick files for all of the effects in your performing repertoire. A customer calls you on the phone and books you to perform at their next event. When you are ready to design a show for a customer here's what to do:
Create a folder called "Customers."
Within the "Customers folder create a subfolder using the customer's name. I don't use a date with the folder because I expect to have several shows over many years in this folder. For example Barb Jones calls me up and books me to perform at her son's birthday party. I create a subfolder called "Barb Jones" in my "Customers" folder.
Create a word processing file (called a "show file") using the following naming format:
Customer-Month-Day-Year
In the above example, I might create a file called Barb Jones-01-15-2005.doc. This file would contain the show I performed for Barb Jones on January 11, 2005. This record is great to have when she rebooks you for a show. You have a permanent record of all of your shows.
The show file has the following format:
I. Details of the show including time and place.
II. Opening - including any music or other setups
III. Trick 1 - Trick Name
IV. Trick 2 - Trick Name
V. Trick 3 - Trick Name
VI. Trick 4 - Trick Name
VII. Closing - including any music or other setups
I create the show file by going back to my magic trick files and cutting and pasting the first three sections into the show file. Using the order suggested in Step 2 makes this faster. All of your hard work in the prior step makes this step really quick. What you end up with is a detailed checklist customized for each show.
Author: J.L. Siefers
