Fourth quarter already?

I got back from performing trade show magic in Cleveland and looked at the calendar – the fourth quarter of 2009 kind of snuck up on me. I just finished jobs for NCR (now based near Atlanta) and Subnet Solutions (based in Calgary, Alberta), and other engagements are stacking up in December.

The schedule from now until New Year’s Eve is filling fast, but there are a couple of spots left. If your organization is planning a year-end event where I might be a corporate entertainment resource… call immediately (404 644 6791) to check your date. If I’m already booked, remember that my company also functions as an agency for other talented performers and speakers in various regions of the country. Let’s talk about what we can do for you and your event. (Here’s a fun option: Melody Knighton as Lucy or Dolly!)

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I had a day off yesterday – a welcome breather in a week filled with 9 bookings! I took the opportunity to see two other performers “do their thing.” India-based mentalist Pradip Almadi spoke at a conference where I also performed. He’s in the country for a convention next week and happened to have an engagement in Atlanta. I also went over to Kennesaw State University last night to see Brian Brushwood, the ever-popular, freaky-fun magician to the college market.

Some upcoming performances:

	October 29 – Judgment Day, Tennessee Temple University, Chattanooga, TN. I’m part of a multi-day festival that is billed as a “Halloween alternative with an inspiring message.” Looking forward to being back in Chattanooga!
	November 1 – FBC Prattville, Prattville, AL – Sunday evening I’ll be doing a magic and mentalism show focusing on cult awareness and basic apologetics.
	November 4 – Marietta Business Association Expo, Cobb Civic Center, 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM. I’ll be entertaining throughout the event as well as doing some MC work.
	November 7 – 172nd Airlift Wing, Jackson, MS – A repeat engagement for Family Day for the Mississippi Air National Guard!

Atlanta Magician Turner: 4 Magical Ways to Grow Your Business

Atlanta Magician Turner Presents Four Magical Ways to Grow Your Business in a Challenging Economy My presentation today at the Paulding Business Association was on four things I am doing to grow my business.  I offered these tips and reminders as much for myself as I did for the audience.  What were the points? Identify and measure more specific audiences and target my marketing to them more effectively.  Exactly who am I trying to reach… what are some specific characteristics about them?  How can I help other people help me reach them? Identify new markets by thinking about different ways my services can be used.  What’s on the other side of that idea I had… that new commercial I saw… that new promotion I heard about? Strive to keep my communications with clients and prospects both current and relevant.  Is my language appropriate for my audience?  Am I presenting my business with professionalism and credibility?  Am I using new technology effectively? Do some unusual, offbeat things to generate and sustain buzz.  Where would they least expect me to find their card?

I introduced each of these points with a bit of magic or mentalism — then I expounded on how that experience related to the point and illustrated an idea that they could take away and apply to their own businesses. The result of all this?  A presentation that communicates useful ideas to an audience in an engaging manner, encouraging both retention of the information and immediate action. Information and entertainment, blended into a presentation that is part show, part seminar. Are you a member of a chamber, business association, or other group that would enjoy and benefit from a presentation like this? Contact me!

Half-day registration option for Apr 21 leadership conference

Wind Enterprises announces NEW “HALF DAY CONFERENCE OPTION” for Joe M. Turner’s clients to hear Dee Dee Myers, make great connections and meet career recruitment teams from Fortune-ranked companies.

So you only have a few hours to be with us and not the whole day? Well, we hear you loud and clear! We have received input from some prospective attendees that they just can’t take the entire day off to attend the conference, so we are introducing a special program that is a Half Day Conference Opportunity! Attendees have the opportunity to choose either the morning or the afternoon session.

Morning 1/2 day program includes: keynote, America’s Corporate Magician Joe M. Turner, and choice of six morning concurrent sessions, as well as the entire luncheon program with Dee Dee Myers, including the Women of Power and Vision plenary session

Afternoon 1/2 day program includes: the entire luncheon program with Dee Dee Myers, the Women of Power and Vision plenary session AND the afternoon concurrent workshops, closing keynote Nicki Keohohou and the fabulous Connection Reception with great giveaways.

And the best part is the PRICE: It’s ONLY $75 for the Half Day program!

Previously we announced a PINK SLIP Special full day registration that is $95 for women who have lost their jobs. In addition, we have strategic partner pricing and sponsor pricing that is about half of what we charged last year for the conference. And of course, for the full day conference, Joe M. Turner’s clients will receive discounted pricing for this life-changing event, the lowest ever, only $150. If you join the newly launched Wind Enterprises Membership Program (http://www.windenterprises.biz/membership-program/participating-partners/) you will receive another $50 discount off the already low rate of $150, so the price is only $100! To register & receive the discounted Joe M. Turner’s Special Rate, go to WindEnterprises.com, Register Now, and use WEMAGIC for the Promo Code. This validates the discount price of $150. WindEnterprises.com also has information about the conference speakers and workshops; a limited number of exhibitor booths are still available. We are being very flexible this year in response to your requests and to this challenging economy, and hope to see you at our 12th annual Possible Woman Leadership Conference April 21st!

To register or for details, go to www.windenterprises.com. The New Half Day Conference Option is on the Registration Page.

Mississippi State Alumnus article

Can’t help but feel a little extra Bulldog pride after seeing an article about my work in the latest issue of Mississippi State Alumnus!

Mississippi State University

Cirque du Soleil – Kooza

Thanks to Lee Thompson, now appearing in Cirque du Soleil’s Kooza, my wife and I had a truly wonderful evening out last night. Lee supplied us with premium seats to press night prior to tonight’s official opening here in Atlanta.

I was enchanted and dazzled by every act. Thanks to Lee for such wonderful seats, as well as for the backstage tour afterward!

Kooza is in Atlanta until March 1.

Kooza

Happy New Year!

Blessings to all of you — family and friends, clients and colleagues — with my best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2009!

Twitter

Follow me on Twitter: @turnermagic

Jack Benny and Me

Like Jack, as of today I’m 39 forever! Thank you for all of the birthday wishes I received today — from all over the world!

Salzman Test – solution

The correct answer is that the middle object doesn’t belong… because, in fact, it belongs.  Each of the other objects has a characteristic — number of i’s, color, shape, or border — that differentiates it from all the others.  The center object has no such unique characteristic.  It is actively similar in most respects to all the other objects.  But as a result of not being actively unique in comparison to all the others, it achieves a passive uniqueness.

Several things struck me as I considered this puzzle.  It reminded me first of the one kid in the classroom who isn’t a non-conformist.  Who, exactly, is really the most “diverse” character in a room where everyone but one is trying (too hard?) to be demonstrably diverse?  “I want to be an non-conformist, just like all my friends…”

From an entrepreneurial standpoint — and an artistic one — I started to think about differentiation between competitors.  We think about how important our USP is, or whether we have a truly different approach to what we do… but the question arises: if we aren’t perfectly unique, can that sometimes actually imply that we do have something unique?

Remember — you are unique and special… just like everybody else!

The Salzman Test: a psychological puzzle

When I was in Louisville this summer, I spent a bit of time talking with Dr. Kenneth Salzman, a clinical psychologist who has a magical background as well.  He showed me an interesting test and I asked his permission to share it with you.

Consider the following:

The Salzman Test

Did you figure out which one doesn’t belong?  Email me if you think you have it — but explain your answer!

I’ll post later with the solution as well as a thought or two about how it applies to some other questions.