Anthony,
There's a big difference in being persistent and being a nuisance. One thing you said here...
If you ask someone to book you a gig?? I've never ASKED someone to book me...I think you're getting the wrong idea bro. Marketing yourself, and sending out promo kits, etc, you're not ASKING someone to book you. You're letting them know about the services you provide.
When I send out my promo kit, I'm not asking them to book me...at least not that bluntly. I'm simply letting them know I'm out there and available, and planting the idea in their mind that hey, "this guy might be a great idea for that meeting we have next month!"
I would also have to disagree with "trying to change their mind by showing them a trick." By doing that, all it simply does is lower you to the standard of a used car salesman...not the image that *I*, a working pro, wants to portray to a client that might possibly hire me further down the road for a 20 minute close-up show for $150. It makes you look tacky IMO.
What's the harm in simply thanking them for their time and respecting their decision AT THE MOMENT. By acting like a pro AT ALL TIMES, it definitely plants a seed in their mind that hey, "this guy isn't an ass that's making me feel awkward and wasting my time...he's a pro and acting like it...now, we do have that cocktail party next month."
You also said...
Big no no there man...definitely not a good thing. And to be honest, and IMO, it's a no-win situation. So, you show them a trick and they love it...chances are they still won't book you. If they're not interested, they're not interested. Showing them a trick won't make much of a difference IMO.
If they get more annoyed...well, you can bet they'll tell all their friends about the magician NOT TO HIRE! And that is SOOOOO not the word of mouth that *I* want out about me...at. all.
Sorry to pick apart your post bro, and don't take this as an attack. I'm just giving my opinion on what you said...and by no means is my word final...I too am still learning. So is EVERYONE to be honest....if someone says they know it all, that's not the person that I'd take advice from LOL!
Best.
Steve
P.S. Jack, thanks for the kind words bro. Much appreciated!