S5E2: Norman Ng — Magician Talks About Lifestyle Design & Talent Agencies!
These are show notes taken from an audio interview.
To listen to the actual interview, please use the player above.
In this interview, Norman Ng talks about his career in magic which includes family, lifestyle design, and building his own talent agency.
Norman Ng is a magician and talent agent based out of Maine.
Being full-time going on thirteen years, Norman has performed live for more than 500,000 people in all of North America including Canada and has logged more than 3,000 performances in his career so far. Among these performances, he’s presented at more than 600 college campuses and was awarded “America’s Best Variety Act,” by Campus Activities Magazine in 2011.
In 2013, he started his own talent agency, NMP Talent, where he books musicians, comedians, speakers, and variety acts around the United States.
Success Quote:
Carpe Diem!
Failure Moment
Norman tried to create a fundraising show, invested thousands of dollars in it, and ultimately failed because he didn’t fit the demographic.
Favorite Success
Transitioning from being a local performer to an international one.
Differentiates Himself
Knowing his client’s needs and working to fulfill them.
Owning a Talent Agency
• Started it so he could be home more with his family but still stay in show biz.
• Tells how he adds talent to his agency.
• Being a true artist.
• To stand out, have a good website that shows you care about what you do.
• Biggest mistake he sees is people make is not being ready.
Worked Best in Growing Business
Keeping in constant contact with clients. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. Top of Mind Awareness.
Biggest Professional Challenge
Staying in the game.
What would he have done differently?
Accounted more for what it would be like having a wife and kids when being a traveling performer.
Interesting Story
Norman tells how he almost died on the road because of a mysterious illness.
Other Topics Covered
• Never saying no to a gig.
• Talks about how he marketed himself early on.
• Working on material first before marketing his show.
• Knowing yourself and your performance style before jumping into a market.
• How he planned for and moved his business across the country.
• Commenting on the current temperature of the college market.
• How important it is to have the support of your family.
• Balancing work and family and maximizing time with family.
Parting Advice
Start with good material and build from there.
Recommended books and resources:
Note: Many of the links in this section are affiliate links, meaning we earn a small portion of any sales. If you’re enjoying our podcast and decide to purchase one of the recommended resources or books, please consider using our affiliate links to help support the work we’re doing here at the Successful Performercast. Thanks!
Resource:
Books:
Books of Wonder by Tommy Wonder
Start Small, Finish Big by Fred DeLuca
