Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Gutenplan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michael, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What do you think it takes to be successful?
In my experience, and opinion, I think the most important thing to being successful is kindness. Yes, many successful people are horrid, but those who are kind get the added benefit of being liked. Being the easiest person to work with makes others want to work with you. DOn’t mistake kindness for being a pushover. You still have to have strength and control of all situations, but empathy, understanding, and just being a good person will, in the end, lead to more success than any other trait.
Michael, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a third-generation psychic and mentalist. My father and grandfather both believe in their own ESP and have passed that on to me. I’ve always loved magic – and it was when I decided to become a full-time entertainer that my Grandfather suggested to me that I perform a mind reading show. Before becoming a professional mentalist I worked in TV as a reality TV development producer.
I’m very proud to say that I am now one of the top performing mentalists in America. My market is private clubs and corporate events, with the occasional private party thrown in now and then. I love giving my audiences an unforgettable experience.
My shows are designed for an audience who does not actually want to see my show! Think about it – no one comes to a corporate event to see the entertainment… so I used that to my advantage and created a product that blows away all expectations. I let my audience become the stars of the show and unlock their psychic potential.
I love what I do and always deliver 100%… because most people will never again see a show like mine, so I always go on with the mentality that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for my audience and I must make it special and unforgettable
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
I a very proud to say that the best source of new clients is word of mouth. Every show I perform is a sales pitch for future clients. I do a few fun things to help them spread the word. I give our branded markers during the show. They’re really nice Sharpies and have my contact info on them. I also send follow up emails after each show to request a testimonial from the booker. It’s important to let the clients know that their endorsement is valuable and necessary for the continued growth of my business. Once they see how good the show is they want their friends to experience it and all it takes is a little push and they’ll spread the word!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Reputation is everything. Delivering a great show every time is one-half of the equation. The second part is being easy to work with. I come fully prepared with everything I need, from tables to my own sound equipment (except the speakers!). Being prepared for any situation makes me an easy to work with professional. I also know what works and want my shows to be successful, so, taking charge, in a nice way and rearranging anything that may be a problem so that that it works helps my clients succeed and makes me look good in their eye. All of this works in tandem to maintain my reputation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mentalist.show
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mentalist.show/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.gutenplan/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgutenplan
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/michael-gutenplan-los-angeles-3
- Other: https://www.gigsalad.com/michael_gutenplan_master_mentalist
Image Credits
Photos by: Ryan Hartford