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"Hickman's Happenings"

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Family Entertainment and Speaking Services
"BJ Hickman is the entertainer who
keeps getting invited back!"

 

 

 

This is the secret online location for the most current e-newsletter from BJ Hickman,
"Hickman's Happenings." If you want to subscribe to the newsletter and get it as an email every month, submit your email address above.

 
This is the 90th edition of your free monthly e-newsletter, "Hickman's Happenings" - thoughts and things from magician/speaker BJ Hickman at the headquarters for Family Entertainment and
Speaking Services.
 
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This month, BJ Hickman's free e-newsletter (Hickman's Happenings)
 
includes:
1. What's New
2. Thought for the Month
3. Celebrity Birthdays
4. What You Didn't Know About May
5. Press Release of the Month
6. BJ Hickman's Schedule
7. Partly Personal
8. Links
9. A Funny Thing Happened
 
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1. WHAT'S NEW?
 
Giving up my long distance marketing coaching for fellow performing artists opens up part-time opportunities for local or regional businesses. Contact BJ Hickman at BJ@BJHickman.com if you need public relations or marketing assistance.
 
Please check out video from a recent BJ Hickman speaking presentation. Go to: http://www.youtube.com/v/rlwQ8xlrp6w. Please forward it to someone you know in health care.
 
I have decided to DO SOMETHING about the ramifications of high gas prices and a sluggish economy for this performing artist. Read about it in this month's release in this newsletter.
 
Did I mention that there's a BJ Hickman BLOG? Get there at: http://www.hickmanmagic.blogspot.com/ 
 
A nursing magazine wants to publish a piece on a nurse (or dental assistant, practitioner, or teacher) who has had success with implementing some of the tricks and diversions that I teach in my programs. It would mean a short telephone interview and perhaps arranging a photo of a child getting that "magical" treatment from a nurse or teacher. If you can help, please email (BJ@BJHickman.com) or call me (603-742-4010) and I can set it up with the author.
 
Also, pediatric medical professionals: I'm interested in connecting with some pharmaceutical reps who might call on you. I would like to talk with them about sponsorship opportunities in conjunction with my presentations. Please let me know what contacts you have. (BJ@BJHickman.com)
 
My other e-newsletter for performing artists and speakers is the "T-Report." "T" is for tasteful, tips, tricks, and techniques for improving our shows, other presentations and marketing. A place to learn and share. Subscribe on my magicians only page at www.BJHickman.com.
 
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2. THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH:
 
Solving problems is easy. It's living with the solutions that is tough.
 
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Thanks to my business of the month, The BIG Magic Carnival.This is an affiliation that makes it possible for you to affordably put on an event with BJ Hickman's Magic Show AND inflatable attractions, games, refreshments, and more. Let us know your date, your budget, and we'll impress you with a proposal. Contact BJ@BJHickman.com
 
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3. BIRTHDAYS IN May include:
1st:  Judy Collins (69)
2nd: Lesley Gore (62)
3rd: Frankie Valli (71)
4th: Pia Zadora (52)
5th: Tina Yothers (35)
6th: George Clooney (47)
7th: Tim Russert (58)
8th: Enrique Iglesias (33)
9th: Candice Bergen (62)
10th: Sid Vicious (51)
11th: Holly Valance (25)
12th: George Carlin (71)
13th: Stevie Wonder (58)
14th: George Lucas (64)
15th: Jamie-Lynn Sigler (27)
16th: Debra Winger (53)
17th: Bill Paxton (53)
18th: Reggie Jackson (62)
19th: Pete Townshend (63)
20th: Cher (62)
21st: Mr. T (56)
22nd: Naomi Campbell (38)
23rd: Jewel (34)
24th: Frank Oz (64)
25th: Mike Myers (45)
26th: Stevie Nicks (60)
27th: Adam Carolla (44)
28th: Gladys Knight (64)
29th: Melanie Janine Brown (33)
30th: Wynonna Judd (44)
31st: Brooke Shields (43)
 
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4. WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT May
 
It's National Get Caught Reading Month. This is to remind young people of the joys of reading. (Remember BJ’s "Magic of Reading" program.)
 
May is National Older Americans Month.
 
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5. NEWS RELEASE OF THE MONTH:
 
For More Information:
BJ Hickman
(603) 742-4010
BJ@BJHickman.com
623 Sixth St., Dover, NH 03820
 
Every Child Sees the Show
No Exceptions
 
The price of fuel is outrageous. The economy is as sluggish as many of us have ever seen it. A local magician has “conjured up” a system to stay profitable while also understanding the dilemma of the paying public. Whellah! He wrote a booklet, “The Show Must Go On! 25 Ways to make it Happen.” This “system” can also be used in
other business situations where creativity is necessary.
 
When magician BJ Hickman decided to take his hobby of magic full time a dozen years ago, his marketing initiative composed a system for booking shows. He wanted to be busy. One of his concerns, however was, “What if a worthy non-profit or charitable organization wanted a magic show or speaking presentation? Who pays? Who doesn’t? Where do I draw the line? How do I stay profitable and also respond to the communities’ needs and give back?” Occasionally, and more often recently, there would be an organization decision maker who realized the value of his services but just didn’t have the budget. Previously, some of these organizations would not have thought twice about the price or where the money was going to come from. Hickman has had to use his “bag of tricks” usually reserved for the non-profits to help close the sale for those who previously would have had the budget.
 
Some of the tactics in the booklet are obvious to any casual advertising observer, “No Money down,” “3 easy payments,” and other credit arrangements. Other ideas Hickman has included would never have been traditionally thought of to finance something, especially a magic show. He came up with the list after interviewing several other performing artists and speakers in various parts of the country, financing research, and a history of having tried many creative tactics to close the sale from his business experience performing magic shows and previously in broadcasting.
 
Fortunately for business, discounting is not one of the answers. Reducing a fee for a reduction of services, however, is one of the possibilities. For example, there might be a reduction in the fee if the buyer wouldn’t mind providing an appropriate, approved, sound system. That would mean less time for the performer as far as set-up and break-down, less to travel with, etc. Other ideas written up in the booklet include:
• bartering
• combining of audiences
• being flexible with date selection to allow for block booking to practically eliminate the cost of travel
• making available more show or program options
• encouraging advance booking to secure fees
• percentage plans
• creative suggestions to guarantee ticket sales
• sponsorship options, and
• help marketing a program that is open to the public.
 
The booklet, “The Show Must Go On, 25 Ways to make it Happen,” is available to those prospects who acknowledge that the show is worth it, but they just can’t swing it. Most of these methods have been a staple in Hickman’s work consulting other performing artists and speakers over the last 10 years. 
 
BJ Hickman, based in Dover, NH, performs entertaining magic shows for family audiences throughout New England and occasionally in other parts of the country including Hollywood’s Magic Castle. He also speaks to health care professionals and others who want to improve communication with children. (PediaTRICKS.com). His book is titled, Magic Speaks Louder than Words.
 
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6. What's the next "stage" in the life of BJ Hickman?
 
BJ Hickman's Schedule Highlights for May
University of New England, Biddeford, ME
Andover, NH (private)
Tewksbury, NH (two days)
Epsom, NH (private)
Holy Cross Health Center, Manchester, NH
Concord High School (NH)
Our Lady of Mercy School, RI
Greenland, NH Central School
Perkins Elementary School, Marlow, NH
Milton, MA Public Works Open House, May 11, 11A and 1P
Plymouth State University (NH)
Amherst Street School, NH
Manchester (NH) Corporate show (private)
Fransted, Franconia, NH
Laconia Center (NH)
Bow, NH (private)
 
Coming in June, 2008:
Maple Avenue School, Goffstown, NH
Little Folks, Somersworth, NH
Riverside, Dover, NH
Seacoast Learning Center, Rochester, NH
Barrington Community Child Center
K.A. Brett School, NH
Rindge Memorial School, NH
New Searles School, NH
Interlakes, NH
NH Special Olympics, Durham, NH (10:30, June 13)
Portsmouth High School (NH)
Barnzs Cinema, Meredith, NH June 14 at 11:30 (tentative)
Madbury Day, 4PM, June 14 (NH)
Growing Places (NH)
Luxury Mountain Getaways (several dates) (NH)
Merrimack, NH Rib Fest, Sat.,June 21 at 3 and 5 PM.
First Choice, NH
Hampton Falls Child Care, NH
Charles River Lab event at Canobie Lake Park
Sugar Hill, Wolfboro, NH
 
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7. PARTLY PERSONAL
 
Quite a surprise for Jen's Mom, grand-Mom and others having Jen home for Mother's Day weekend. It was a nice weekend having the whole family together.
 
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8. LINKS:
 
For further information about BJ Hickman Family Entertainment and Speaking Services, please go to these websites:
 
www.BJHickman.com. This is BJ Hickman's home page, which will connect to all departments. 

www.PediaTRICKS.com. This is specific to speaking engagements for groups of professionals who work with children.
 
www.InventiveTeacher.com. Details here about BJ's teacher professional development in-services.
 
A wonderful artist: www.CarolAllisonArt.com
 
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9. A FUNNY THING HAPPENED:
 
(Watch this space next month.)
 
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Thanks!
 
If you enjoyed this information, why not forward this newsletter to a friend.
 
To subscribe (it's free), email BJ@BJHickman.com and write "subscribe" in the body of your message.
 
 

 

 

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Contact Information:

BJ Hickman
623 Sixth St.
Dover, NH 03820

Phone:  1-603-742-4010
Toll-free: 1-888-262-4425

Email: bj@bjhickman.com  

Please Visit
BJHickman.com
www.InventiveTeacher.com
PediaTricks.com

 

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