Profitable Performances Newsletter
August 2008
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'Helping to put the PRO in Profit'
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My wife, Laurie, and I are celebrating our 24th anniversary next week. See- I remembered!
View a very funny, and very foul spoof of David Blaine at this link:
http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/06/hed-presto-life.html
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In This Issue:
1) Free MagicBase Pro Web Toolbar
2) How Does Your Show LOOK?
3) ANNOUNCING: MagicBase Pro 3.0
4) New Trick: 52X
5) Triple Coincidence Trick by John Scarne
6) IBM / SAM Convention Report
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#1 - Free Web Toolbar
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Here's a gift for all readers of Profitable Performance$:
This customized web tool bar has all these:
* Google search
* Gadgets - cool games and utilities
* Magic Dealers
* customizable Radio and Podcast player (available only on Windows)
* Direct RSS news feed from MagicBase Pro
* 1 click links to key MBP pages
* 1 click contact link to me
* private chat line just for MBP users
* auto-notification of emails received
* weather summary for your area
Anyone can download it as a gift from
me at: www.magicbasepro.com
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#2 - How does your show look?
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I've started using a portable backdrop for my shows whenever possible. And I really like the value that it ads to my show. (http://www.magicbackdrops.com)
It's colorful and it makes the show look more professional. I've got different colored streamers that I can add to the back. I can clip the streamers open so that it looks like a curtain, or hang it down.
Here's a picture of my show set up at the Winona, MN mall:
http://www.ProfitablePerformances.com/images/ShowSet_WinonaMall_sm.jpg
It's a little blurry. But you can see the backdrop which helps to draw attention to the show. That's important because
people are just cruising through the mall not really expecting to see a show.
You can also see that I have some side ropes attached to posts. Those are needed because some idiot always tries to walk right through a show area (even when you're performing.) I also have some caution tape that I put up before my show to keep the kids away while I'm gone.
Send an image of your show set, and I'll post it online for the readers of Profitable Performances.
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#3 - ANNOUNCING: MagicBase Pro 3.0
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This summer the new version of MagicBase was released at the IBM/SAM convention.
We had a lot of interest and many sales. Some performers bought MagicBase Pro for the first time. And some other bought the upgrade.
But this is not just an update of the old program. This is a totally new upgrade to a new, more powerful program.
You can learn about this new program at:
http://www.MagicBasePro.com.
You can download the Users Guide and watch a number of videos.
Do it! Watch those videos. You will be so impressed with the complete power that this software will give you to
help take you to the next level!
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#4 - 52X Prediction Deck
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Here's the effect: Any card is freely named. (Total free choice) The cards are spread to the named card. It is the only one with an 'X' on it.
It's a prediction trick. A real fooler and very easy to do! If you can perform the Invisible Deck, then you can do this trick.
The audience is really impressed because you've committed yourself to one certain card. It's a permanent mark.
Note: Only one deck of cards is used. There's no second deck held in reserve. It's a real permanent 'X' hand drawn on the card. Instantly ready to go. No need to re-set anything.
I made a quick video of the effect. You can view it here:
http://www.bobmillermagic.biz/52X.html
Be the first kid on your block to get one!
Only $25. Buy it now:
CLICK HERE
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#5 - Triple Coincidence by John Scarne
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If you attended the IBM/SAM convention, then you probably got the 2 decks of cards to commemorate the event.
What can you do with them?
The first trick in the book Stars of Magic (pub 1975 by D. Robbins) has a trick that uses 2 decks of cards with
different colored backs. Here's the effect description from the book:
"Using two ordinary decks with backs of different design, spectator shuffles one deck while performer shuffles the
other. At no time does the performer touch the spectator's deck. Spectator cuts his deck three times, each time exchanging a card with performer. When both ribbon-spread their decks, a miracle is accomplised-
each time spectator and performer turn up one of the three stranger cards in their decks, the cards turn out to be alike- a knock-out triple coincidence. Both decks can be examined."
If you have the book, then you can learn the trick. If you're curious about the working, then just send me (Bob) an email at profitableperformances.com.
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#6 - IBM / SAM Convention Report
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With nearly 2000 attendees, this was one of the largest magic conventions in the US in years.
DJ Ehlert and I worked a booth together under the Restaurant Magicians banner. DJ is the creator of the comprehensive course 'Success Strategies for the Restaurant Performer'. It is great! (www.restaurantmagicians.com)
He was also demonstrating my award-winning Relentless Ring & String Routine. And he is a master at it. We sold out! All 50 DVDs were sold!
Since I was in the dealer room from 9 to 6 each day, I can only report on the shows that I saw in the evening. Overall, they were exceptional. I really didn't see a bad act that week.
The Monday night show was memorable because 2 of the Top 10 Funniest Acts (according to MAGIC mag) performed: Kohl and Co, and Michael Finney. (And Sunday night Mac King performed - he was also on that list.)
The International Show was great! And the 6 finalists in the Stage competition performed Friday night. And they were all very good acts. The audience voted for the winner, a man from Korea who did amazing card manipulations. It was breath-taking!
I met many nice people, including some MagicBase users that I hadn't met before. (oh, you can see testimonials from 3 of them at http://www.magicbasepro.com)
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YOU MAY FREELY DISTRIBUTE THIS NEWSLETTER-
It's recommended!
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Bob Miller
P.S.
You can download the free MagicBase Pro Community web tool bar at
www.magicbasepro.com.
