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Details

Price$20.00
Media TypeBook
CategoryBusiness
Date AddedAug 06, 2006

Highway To Success

Elliot Smith and Ian Quick

(Based on 1 review)

The Entertainers Roadmap to Business

Highway to success is the essential business system for any artist or independent business person. Written by entertainers, for entertainers, and independent business people, it provides all the information you need to set up, operate, and thrive as a professional. From basic business structures to legalities, advertising to closing the sale, this system will refine your business practices and increase your clientele.

With over 45 years of combined experience as professional entertainers and businessmen, Elliott Smith and Ian Quick have put together for you an effective business system that works. Based on tried methods and practical experience, this common sense approach will equip you with the knowledge to successfully operate your business.


Reviews

Tracy Atteberry

Official Reviewer

Jul 12, 2004

"Highway to Success - An Entertainer's Roadmap to Business" is a book by Canadian magicians Elliot Smith and Ian Quick about navigating the tricky road to being a professional entertainer. Elliot Smith is the show business vetran of the two, with over 35 years of experience. Ian Quick is the relative newcomer and one of the first to benefit from the information in this book. That is, both the authors and the advice has been road tested.

This is a clear, easy to follow text with colorful graphics and sidebars. It's a book primarily about the business of show business. Those day to day things you have to do to pay the bills, operate legally, and grow your business to where you want it to be. "Highway to Success" has 24 chapters broken up into five parts:


  1. Planning Your Trip (Getting Started in Business) How to organize your business.
  2. Rules of the Road (The Important Things You Have to Do) Legal aspects of running your business.
  3. Let 'em Know You're Coming (Marketing and Advertising) The basics of marketing and advertising and how to evaluate other options.
  4. The Round Trip (Closing the Sale) What to say and how to say it.
  5. Joe Tourist (That's YOU!) Your show and your personality.


If you're looking for easy to follow, ethically sound (unlike some) advice and business information you'll wish you knew, then this might be the book for you. Why do I say "might"? Well, this 175 page paperback book sells for a somewhat high $55, but don't give up on it quite yet. Check out the table of contents
and the sample chapter available at the publishers website before you decide. Those that purchase the book will also have access the "Extended Warranty" from the publisher's website which includes sample forms, spreadsheets, letters, etc. for you to download.

The target market for this book is really the magical entertainer who is starting to think about doing this magic thing as a real business. If this is you then you might want to give this book some serious consideration. The price isn't cheap compared to other beginning business books, but on the other hand, it focuses on show business and is written by people doing what you want to do. You'll have to make the final decision for yourself.

If you're a seasoned professional I don't think you'll find much earth-shattering material in this book. (After all, you're a seasoned pro, right?) You may find one or two helpful hints, but will they be worth the price of the book? It's possible. Definitely check out the table of contentsand the sample chapter from their website before deciding.

Four stars.
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