We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cris Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cris below.
Cris, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How has Covid changed your business model?
As a full-time magician, Covid destroyed my business. I had to pivot quickly. I started doing virtual shows. Then I started offering digital marketing services for other magicians.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
About Cris
My drive to become a full-time magician came when I was homeless for two weeks.
I was stuck in a bad relationship 200 miles away from the nearest family member or friend. I lacked the money to get home to my parents or find a different place to live. My choices were to stay in an abusive relationship or move into the garage where I worked.
I chose homelessness.
I realized my life choices led me to that place in life. I understood instantly how it would be up to me to better myself. It ignited a burning desire to make my life-long dream of becoming a full-time professional magician a reality.
The Magic of Marketing
While sleeping on the garage floor during my homeless phase, I discovered an ad in a magic magazine that promised a way to become a highly paid full-time performer. I ordered the material and devoured it.
A few short months later, I was performing several shows every month. A few years later, my high school crush contacted me out of the blue. Within a year, we were happily married. The week after we got married, I quit my day job and haven’t worked for anyone since.
The Road to Six Figures
Those nights living on the floor of a garage kept me motivated to keep pushing further. I continued learning the latest successful marketing techniques. As technology changed, I learned how to apply these changes to my business.
Within three years of becoming a full-time magician, I was making over a hundred thousand dollars a year. I had done it. I was more successful than I had ever dreamed possible.
Magic with a Message
I had always enjoyed learning about the human mind. In high school, my psychology teacher did an experiment where he fooled the class into thinking we had used “group telekinesis” to cause a random person on the sidewalk to trip and fall.
From there, I was hooked.
As a full-time professional magician making six figures, I had the luxury of choosing what kind of shows I wanted.
I never forgot my psychology class and the power of the mind. I focused almost exclusively on shows with a message. By offering educational and motivational programs to audiences across North America, I was helping people improve their lives by focusing on their own thoughts.
Helping Other Magicians
These days I’m dedicated to helping other magicians live their dreams. As the creator and host of The Professional Magician podcast, I bring my decades of experience and expertise to magicians all over the world.
Unlike other magic marketing ‘gurus,’ I keep my marketing expertise current. I am certified as an SEO Specialist. I understand how to ethically help websites rise in organic search rankings. By helping magicians market their products or services, I’m extending my reach far beyond what I was capable of when working one-on-one.
When I’m not writing website copy, I’m usually cooking elaborate meals for my wife and me. Or I’m walking my dog Stanlee in our spacious backyard. After years of performing and living out of a suitcase in hotels, I enjoy the quiet life.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I had to re-invent myself after Covid killed my performing career. I turned to copywriting as a new business.
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
My website. I learned effective ethical SEO. My magic business website has been on page one of Google for several keywords for several years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thatdigitalmarketingguy.com/