S4E4: Shawn Farquhar — Magician Does Business with Friends
These are show notes taken from an audio interview.
To listen to the actual interview, please use the player above.
Listen in as I talk to magician Shawn Farquhar! He shares with us how and why he only does business with friends and gives us an amazing business card hack that constantly keeps him busy!
Shawn Farquhar is a magician from Canada who spends his time entertaining people around the world.
He’s performed for corporate clients like IBM and Konica, and has been featured on some of the most luxurious cruise lines like Norwegian Star and Radiance of the Seas.
You may have seen his magic on TV shows like the Fringe and Arrow, or movies like Spooky House and The Fly 2.
As for accolades, he really is a Magic Champion, being a two-time winner of the Magician of the Year Award by the Canadian Association of Magicians, Grand Prix D’Honneur from the P C A M, both Stage Magician and Sleight of Hand Magician of the Year by the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and his most prestigious award, Grand Prix World Champion of Magic from the Olympics of Magic in Beijing, China given in 2009.
Shawn also tours giving talks and lectures in the magic community at some of magic’s top conventions and events.
Success Mantra:
I’m a small part of a really big show. – Shawn Farquhar
Failure Moment:
Not asking enough questions about a show and having booking agents correctly represent you.
Hear how Shawn was asked to perform for what was essentially a memorial service without fully knowing what he was getting into. He also tells how he would have changed things in the show had he known from the get go what he was getting into.
Favorite Success
Selling 6.5 million dollars worth of client’s products during a trade show.
What’s Worked Best for Shawn’s Business?
Relationships. Shawn does business with friends.
He also tells us how NOT having a business card has gotten him countless bookings! This is a business hack that he uses all the time.
Biggest Professional Challenge
Time and travel.
Other Topics Covered:
• Being easy to work with and how to not be a PitA act.
• You can learn more from a bad act in what NOT to do.
• Top Ramen and Ketchup. You know what I’m talking about.
• Importance in relationships in business.
• Tells how he gets repeat bookings doing business with friends and fostering relationships.
• How he learns about client’s products and understanding the companies he’s working for.
• How and why he’ll refer clients to other magicians.
• Negotiating with clients.
Parting Advice
Everybody succeeds based on TALENT.
Tenacity
Attitude
Likability
Energy
Naturalness
Tenacity
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:
His iPhone which he can run his business from.
Books:
Maximum Entertainment by Ken Weber
Whack to the Side of the Head by Roger von Oech
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
