Buckle up kids; this is going to be a long one.

I have been working and growing in the entertainment world since 1992. I have witnessed many changes in our industry but I have also noticed some constants. A large constant that I have observed has been the differences between those who are successful and those who flame out and fail. I will outline two things I have noticed from the successful performers.

The first is to be the best example of whatever it is you want to be. This works on every level of performing. Being successful is a 24-hour a day endeavor. Who are the best examples of the success you want to be? Emulate their work style. Clients and audiences currently can easily separate the best from a “wish they were”. Simple google searches tell you almost everything you need to know about a persons’ professionalism. Do you represent yourself in the best way possible? Who is the best in your field? If you had to choose between booking yourself and booking whomever you feel is the best in your market, which would, you choose based on an internet search.

I am not telling you to copy anyone. Look at what successes are doing correctly and to step up to that level. The very essence of marketing should be to put the best version of you out to the public. This may mean paying professionals to do professional work for you. Most performers find it absurd to pay for web presence when an amateur they know will gladly do it free. Yet, these performers get upset when no one wants to pay for their professional services. You get what you pay for. Invest as much as the people you feel are the best to be on that level.

Being the best example extends far beyond marketing. Are you the best example of show quality? I failed many times when I was young because I thought there was too big of a gap between myself and performers that were better. They looked far crisper, their cues were so much tighter, and everything they did on stage seemed effortless and polished. The truth is all they did differently was work harder than I did at the time. They spent the time making sure the suit was freshly pressed, they rehearsed more with directors to improve and the worked as long as it took to make everything look perfect.

The best examples also tended to do one thing and do it perfectly. People want to hire an expert. They want the best. When you bill yourself as an illusionist, juggler, close up, fire-eater you do not sound like an expert at anything (though I know people who can do all that and more excellently, they do not market it that way). What do you do or want to do better than anyone else does. Perfect that. Do not blame a lack of venues or opportunity; create a venue if you have to. Find out where acts like yours have performed and contact those places. Sometimes that even means moving. I had a very successful career in Detroit I just could not accomplish my dream of being a Vegas headliner there!

Show up to a gig as the best example of your profession. Make sure your vehicle is at least outwardly presentable. While you may change into show cloths later, show up looking professional. Look like you are still interviewing to get the gig. Odds are, whoever hired you is a professional and they have to show up to their jobs looking that way. Do the same. From the moment you park at a gig until the moment you have driven away from the venue present yourself as the best example of a professional.

The best at what they do never need to say it, they just do it. Usually the most successful performers, besides the above, are also humble. The best know they are the best and hold themselves to a higher standard. They are not arrogant, but they are confident. They are courteous to everyone from valets, to wait staff to the clients. When you think about all the people you know who constantly have to tell everyone how great they are, you rarely think well of those people.

Walk the walk in your day-to-day life. I have gotten emails from marketing companies that go straight to spam with websites that do not work. Business consultants who have never run or created a successful business have approached me. I have been offered coaching by people who are living a life style I do want to go back to, and been offered training by people who have barely done anything in my field. Long gone are the days of “Those who can’t, teach”. We have the resources to learn about our coaches, mentors and performers. Earn your success so you can pass it on to others, but do not try to say you have the skill sets to grow other people to a place you are not at yourself.

The second factor in being successful is simply this: Do the work. The professionals have done it and still do it. I watch so many performers fail by going from idea to the next to the next to the next without ever putting in the work to make any idea a success.

I see someone making new logos and art every month, but never hear about how they sat done and contacted clients for even 20 hours this week. Going out and making videos is great for your ego, but are those videos selling your show? Are you sending them to people who can get you bookings? Are you getting bookings from them?

Egotistical busy work is fun, but it is not actual work. Creating a spreadsheet log of you who you called/emailed, when you reached out, results from the call and when to call back is productive. I am sure you think this video may go viral and lead to bookings, and I hope it does. But more times than not, the successful person is the one who puts in 4 hours a day for day a week minimum into making it happen.

It is hard work. It is not fun. The people who are doing what you want to do put in the hard work to make it happen. That is why they are the examples. I hope that you will be inspired and put in the work as well. I would love you to be the next best example of success.

Unleashed Your Superstar Hypnosis Unleashed,

Kevin Lepine Hypnosis Unleashed

www.VegasHypnosisShow.com