Blog: Mind of a Mind Reader
Jeff Newman: Mentalist, Magician, Trickster.
How to Plan a High-Class Event: Insights from A Corporate Magician
I’ve been a professional mentalist and magician for over a decade.
And with that experience, I have had the privilege to attend and perform at some really upscale and well-planned events: From black-tie galas to business conferences; chances are I’ve been on stage at whatever kind of event you can imagine.
And over the years, I have learned that the one thing every successful, high-class event has in common with others is detailed planning and seamless execution. And whether it’s a small gathering or a huge gala, there are things you can do to really make your event shine.
So, to help you out, I’m sharing the tips I’ve seen from people around the globe on how to plan an event that leaves a lasting impression!
How To Be A More Engaging Public Speaker - 5 Tips from a Professional Magician
We’ve all heard this at some point in our lives:
“The number one fear of the average person is public speaking. The second fear is death.”
However, public speaking is a fundamental aspect of a lot of different jobs, especially those in the corporate world. Whether it is presenting a new proposal or speaking at a conference, every professional must step up and deliver a powerful message with confidence and authority.
Most people struggle with public speaking. Maybe they get nervous or fumble over their words and fail to make a real connection with their audience.
Well, what if I told you that the secret to becoming a more engaging public speaker is to think like a magician?
As a professional mentalist and magician, I have performed in front of thousands of people over the years and learned a thing or two about captivating an audience. And today, I’ll share some of my go-to tips for being a more engaging public speaker just for you!
A Mentalist Explains The Milgram Experiment and Social Compliance
I recently rewatched Derren Brown’s The Push on Netflix.
Derren is a master at using suggestion to get people to comply with what he wants them to do. He is also a master at using suggestion put people (and the audience watching them) in situations where the moral is that we don’t have to be controlled by the suggestions we face every day.
And in The Push Derren Brown uses social engineering to see if an average, everyday person would commit murder by pushing someone off of a building.
But this is far from the first time someone has wondered how far people will go to comply with the social pressures around them. And in this article, I will tell you about four incredible examples of how social compliance can manipulate your decisions and what you can learn from them.
Take your Fundraiser From Flat to Fantastic With These 9 Tips
As a professional entertainer, I’ve worked more than my fair share of fundraising events; everything from small-town groups raising money for a local project, to huge galas for giant non-profits looking to boost their annual donations. And, with fundraising season coming up this fall in Alberta (and, really, western Canada), a lot of people will be planning these kinds of events for the first time.
And, whether you’re in a bigger center like Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, Saskatoon, or Regina, or a smaller community outside of the metropolitan city limits, the basics and the main goal are the same.
Put on a stellar event to not only reach your fundraising goals, but also have a great time doing it!
So, what do you need to do to make your fundraiser a huge success and bring in the big bucks? Well, I'm about to spill the beans on how to make more money at your next fundraising event!
7 Things To Look For When Hiring A Magician For Your Event
Ok, you’ve bit the bullet and decided to get a magician or a mentalist for your next shindig.
Maybe it’s because you read my blog outlining all the reasons why magic and mentalism is the best kind of entertainment for your event. Maybe it’s because someone in your office really wants to see some magic. Or, most likely, you want entertainment for your event that’s unique; Something different from the standard corporate entertainment choices.
Whatever the reason, you’ve settled on hiring a magician for your event. So, you open Google, type in “corporate event magician,” or “magicians near me,” or whatever else you’ve decided to search for…and BAM, there are literally HUNDREDS of options.
6 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Event Entertainment
There is one phrase I hear every year that makes me cringe.
“We hired entertainment last year, and it was a total bust.”
This is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Not only because someone didn’t get what they paid for, but now that one bad experience has probably turned them off from hiring someone to entertain their guests again.
But, I completely understand the frustration.
All that hard-earned cash basically gets thrown down the drain. Why risk the investment again?
What if I told you that all you had to do was a few simple things and you could put on a night of entertainment that would not only knock your guest’s socks off but make you look like an absolute hero? All you need to follow some simple tips, and you’ll have an event you’ll never forget!
Music To A Mentalist's Ears
People are surprised by what my favourite compliment is.
After all, I take a lot of pride in what I do, and I put a lot of work into my shows. So, like most people, I like the occasional compliment about my work now and again, and it's not uncommon to get compliments from the audience when we meet after the show. But every once in a while, I get (what I think is) the best compliment someone like me can receive. Let me explain...
After performing two shows on the Grand Princess this February, I ran into a woman from the audience while waiting for the elevator. She stops me and tells me what she thought about the show.
My Favourite Riddle
One of the byproducts of being a mentalist and magician is that I love riddles and puzzles. (Although, some who know me well would argue that my love of puzzles and riddles is what drove me to being a magician in the first place.)
And recently on my TikTok account, I bestowed my favourite riddle on to the masses. The riddle is as follows:
7 Tips On How To Put Your Best Zoom Face Forward
Unless you are a seasoned professional, it's tough not to feel at least a little self-conscious on video.
I mean, think about it…at the best of times, people have no idea how to act in front of a camera. But now, work, play, happy hours with friends, family get-togethers…they’re all taking place on video calls.
Every day, we’re faced with cameras pointed at ceilings, fuzzy video, and endless streams of “can you hear me’s.” But fear not. Over the past year, I’ve become a Zoom Master, and I’m here to give you seven tips to put your best face forward and look like a video-call All-Star.
7 Ways To Break The Ice At Your Next Zoom Meeting
Talking to people is hard.
Whether it’s a breakout session with co-workers or networking with someone new, it can be tough to find common ground and make conversation. And that was before Zoom was ever a thing. Back in the Before-Zoom Era (or the BZE, as I’m sure future archaeologists will call it), you could quietly hide behind your drink, talk about the weather, rush off to the bathroom and hide, or anything else to avoid those awkward moments.
On Zoom, it’s just you, your camera, and everyone else on the call. You’re looking at them, they’re looking at you, and there’s nowhere to go, nowhere to hide. Or it’s the umpteenth meeting this week, and you’ve run out of things to talk about with your co-workers days ago, and that Zoom Fatigue is really starting to set in.
So, how do you break through and start those conversations? I’ve got seven ideas that will help break anyone out of their virtual shell!