If you have the desire to perform, the ability to wow an audience, and the persistence and commitment to stay on the path then this world of magic just may be right for you!  As you are going out into the world pursuing this line of work you may be met with some resistance.

Most people don’t feel that this is conventional work and you may hear an earful from relatives who believe that you can’t make it happen.  But we are here to tell you that you can!  Thousands have been before you and have made anywhere from a few extra dollars to millions!  The choice is yours, but just know that it is possible!  Anything is possible with magic!!

So you have decided that this is the path for you, you’ve perfected some magic tricks, and your ready to wow your audiences with your brilliant patter and powerful illusions, not what?  Where do you go to find your audiences?

Keep in mind that there are a ton of talented magicians out there, and they are all looking for gigs just like you!  So being amazingly talented is not all that is going to get you jobs in this field.  You must decide to go the distance, knowing that putting in a lot of work now, and being patient while the fruits of your labor ripen, can bring you more success than you dreamed of.

First thing is to find your niche like we discussed in previous posts.  Don’t think about the financial reward when you are listening to where your heart draws you.  When you just do what you love most, the money will come.  Just trust that.  So finding and targeting your niche will save you a lot of work!

Once you have found your target audience, now you can go out and solicit business.  One thing you will need is a professional video of you performing in front of the type of audience you are targeting.  This video should make you look good!  This is a great marketing tool. And greatly enhances your ability to be hired.

A prospective client can view this and have all his or her questions answered about your effectiveness as a performer and magician, something they will always wonder about but would never ask you because of course you would say you are great.  Now with a video, they will see that you are great.

More about this in the next post…..

Magic tricks and magic illusion have been in existence almost since the beginning of time!

When you think about it, ever since there was language there was an ability to make things be other than they seem, and this is the art of illusion.  And of course magic has grown and evolved over the years.

Have you ever stopped to wonder, why the fascination with magic?  What is it about being fooled that has so many of us hooked?  We know logically that a card didn’t just disappear.

We know logically that someone else can’t levitate off the ground.  Luckily magic doesn’t appeal to just our logically mind.  It grabs us on a different level.

We actually want to believe that something magical just happened.  Perhaps it the child in us all that loves the thrill, but we somehow want to believe that it can happen.  And with that “buy in”, great excitement gets generated.  Have you ever been in a group of people who are witnessing some close-up magic?  The energy is magnetic, thrilling, and engaging.  The laughter is full and the attention is focused. The trick seems unexplainable and this is what creates the excitement.

We all want to be “wowed” as humans.  In fact this is the basis for much of the marketing that is out there in the market place.  When we inside say “wow” about something, we are changed.  There is something emotionally that gets touched and we have an emotional reaction….Wow!  When something impacts us on an emotional level, we never forget it.  And this impact is much stronger than anything that impacts us on a mental level.

As a magician, whether you are doing tricks that are large or small, reach for the WOW factor.  Your audience will never forget you and will want others they know to experience you too!

Have you ever been to a party and the energy there was totally dead?  Have you ever wanted to be the center of attention and get things going and just weren’t sure how?

Have you ever wanted to be the hero and bring out the fun in a room of people?  How about trying some magic!

That’s right magic!  Nothing can shift the energy of a stale party quicker than performing some simple but effective magic tricks that can WOW even the toughest of crowds.

Now, this doesn’t mean you have to all of a sudden bring out your inner David Copperfield, but learning some simple magic with everyday items can blow away your friends and have the party going all night!!

Many magicians actually got their start this way.  Magic was a way of them learning how to break the ice with people and relate to them.  Many magicians had no confidence in themselves socially so they learned how to fit in by standing out!

Start by learning some slight of hand using some everyday items like coins, bottle caps, matches, napkins, balls, etc.  Then you can progress into some more advanced moves with cards.  This is actually what can really capture your friends….you start out with something simple with some coins.  Then you ask “want to see some more?” and bring out your deck of cards.  There are an almost endless amount of card tricks that are perfect for a party.  You will have a crowd around you in no time!

The beauty of these kinds of tricks too is that they don’t take an extraordinary amount of time to learn.  A few hours of practice and viola!, you are a magician!  And they don’t require a lot of money to get started either.  Sometimes simple is better!  You will be amazed at how YOU can be the life of the party!

Just as many performers, sales people, entrepreneurs, etc. have a niche, so do magicians.  Magicians tend to gravitate toward, and market themselves with what they are best at.

Of course most magicians learn a little bit of everything, but focusing on and excelling at one particular area may make you exceptionally marketable!  Here are some of the different areas of magic to choose from.  Which do you gravitate toward?

Slight of hand tricks are tricks that involve skilled hand movements where objects (many times everyday objects) seem to appear and disappear right before the spectators eyes.  The beauty about slight of hand tricks is that they can be performed anywhere and everywhere.  Most magicians use props such as coins, cards, balls, or everyday object.  Some even use live animals.  One of the most popular slight of hand tricks is the cups and balls routine where the spectator guesses under which cup the ball has been placed.  It seems so easy in the spectator’s eyes but the magician gets them every time.

Illusion magic is probably the most incredible of all types of magic.  Thinking big is required for a magician to master the art of illusion.  This is where the seemingly impossible becomes possible.  Illusion includes acts such as sawing a woman in half, levitating, making people appear and disappear, and making animals appear and disappear.  David Copperfield is one of the best-known illusionists.  He doesn’t do much on a small scale!  The bigger the better, and illusionists are always attempting to outdo themselves the next time around with bigger and better illusions.

Escape magic is just as it sounds!  Thank to Harry Houdini, this form of magic has become a part of the family of magic tricks.  Magicians have become famous for their escapes from straightjackets, tanks of water, sealed coffins, suspended from ropes, etc.  You name it, magicians find a way to escape from it.  Escape magic really brings in to play people’s emotions because there is a genuine fear for the magician’s well being.  That’s probably why it’s so poplular.

Mentalism is another form of magic that some magicians call their niche.  This experiments with mind reading, and foreseeing the future.  This magic amazed audiences, and requires no props usually!

There are many other wonderful forms of magic out there.  Deciding where you want to focus will begin your path to a world of wonder and amazement.

So you’ve decided that you are going to take up magic as a hobby, or maybe even as a new career endeavor.  Or maybe you are already in your magic career and you are looking for some new ideas!

There are several different resources that will help train you and give you ideas for some incredible tricks, from easy to difficult!  It’s not like you could walk up to some magician and say “Hey, can you show me some tricks?”.  Most likely if you did you would get the response that “a magician never reveals his secrets”.

So you have to take the bull by the horns and get yourself trained!  Some of us have had the advantage of having a magic mentor.  Some one in the business who has taken us under his wing and showed us the ropes, so to speak.  But maybe this isn’t the case for you and you still want to get started in this field.  Here are some ideas for how you can go about it.

First, you don’t have to spend money to get some magic under your belt.  If your budget doesn’t allow you to sink a lot of money up front into this new endeavor, never fear!  There are free resources out there.  The library is the best!!  We know, you probably haven’t stepped foot in one for years, but seriously, libraries are packed with information and it’s all FREE!!!  Go there and study the hundreds of books on magic tricks.  They are usually in the games and hobbies section.  This is where many magicians got their start.  Pick out some books with some simply tricks to start with, and then move to the more advanced ones.

Another free resource is of course the Internet.  Search “free magic tricks” and there is a world of resources for you.  Many tricks you will see don’t even require expensive props.  They use everyday household items.  There are many sites that offer specials on products too.

If you’ve got a little money to spend, it’s a good idea to get involved with a magic club or association.  Many of them require paying dues, but they usually aren’t that expensive, and once you join you have access to so much support and knowledge.  Magicians’ are usually out to support each other so why not be apart of a group working toward the same goal?  And they offer many meetings and workshops to improve your skills and repertoire.

Also, there are many magic trick kits out there.  If you have a teen or child that shows an interest in magic you can purchase a kit in a toy store.  These usually have up to 100 tricks in them and are well made.  As an adult one of the best places to find magic tricks is in a magic trick store.  Go there with a magician who is experienced because they can be overwhelming, but they are packed with everything you need to succeed!  They usually get new products in all the time, as well as carry classic favorites.  Once you find a magic store you like, you may find yourself there all the time!

These days’ parents spend a fortune on their kids’ birthdays!  And it seems that it’s no longer just a focus on the child and their special day but it has become a competition amongst friends and neighbors.

Many people feel that “my kids party has to be better than your kids party” and thus begins a whole range of expenses, most of which do not have the individual child in mind.

This is sad, because it gets away from the special ness that a birthday was meant to bring.  We say, end this cycle and get back to good old-fashioned “back yard” birthday parties where kids get to be kids!

Have you ever noticed that kids seem to bring fun into whatever happens to be in front of them?  It’s not until we become adults that we feel that we have to “buy” fun.  How about instilling the value into your kids that the focus of their special day is on them!  It’s their one-day to shine, stand out, be adored, and to be showered with gifts.  Their day to not have to take out the garbage, or do the dishes, they can just be a kid and do what they love to do.

Something that makes a good old-fashioned “back yard” birthday party fun and unique is by having a magician perform.  The great thing about having a magician is that it actually stimulates your child’s creativity.  As they see the magician making things appear and disappear, or magically transform in their hands, their imagination goes wild.  They have to actually think about what is happening and their natural sense of wonder will try to figure it out!  This can be really fun for them.

Magician’s for kids parties can set up anyway, outdoors or indoors, and usually don’t need that much space, depending on their act.  They bring everything they need and everyone I have seen does something incredibly special for the birthday child by highlighting them in some way.  Your child being a part of a magic trick will be something they will never forget.

This is also a great way to have all the kids at the party settle down and take a break.  Usually they are so busy running around and playing at a party, sitting down to a magic show gives them a chance to regroup.  It’s a great ender to the party or something to have done right before cake and presents.

Referrals are one of the best ways to find a good kids magician.  Ask your friends or family if they have seen anyone or have used one before.  Make sure to book far in advance as many of these magicians book up, especially in the summer months!

In the last article we began a tribute to some of the less well-known talented magicians of our time.  Here are few more to keep in your mind and to study as you journey through this great art form.

Tommy Cooper- he was a talented magician and comedian.  He was a very active member in The Magic Circle.  During his last show he actually collapsed and died.  At least he was doing something he loved.

Paul Daniels- He is currently retired but was the first magician to receive the prestigious Magician Of The Year award by the Hollywood Academy of Magical Arts.  Although he is retired I am sure you would catch this British magicians performing here and there.

Ching Lee Foo- he was the first Asian magician to gain recognition.  He is known for his dramatic tricks like breathing fire and pulling at 15-foot pole from his mouth.  He died in 1922.

Lennart Green- In 1991 this magician became the world champion in close up magic.  If close-up is your passion, you must check him out.

Paul Harris- He is often compared to David Copperfield and Henning, and is well known for pulling coins out of mirrors.

Scott Interrante- has won awards from the International Brotherhood of Magicians for his amazing escape-artist tricks.

Ricky Jay- This magician is actually listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for throwing a playing card 190 feet at 90 mile and hour. WOW!  Try that one at home!

Paul Zenon- He is a British magician who performed in many pubs and clubs.  He has written three books about magic, the most recent one published in 2005.

Those are just a few of the magicians that hold a plethora of knowledge for any aspiring magician.  One of the most important things about being accomplished in any field is one’s willingness to continue to learn.  Studying magicians from the past is a great way to learn and grow in this field.

Most everyone has heard of David Copperfield.  When most people hear the word “magic”, his face comes to mind.  He is incredibly famous in the world of magic.  He has introduced magic to the masses and helped create a worldwide appreciation for magic.  But there are many incredibly talented magicians who tend to fly “under the radar” and these next two articles are a tribute to them, these less-famous but equally talented stars.

Cutis Adams- he is one of the youngest magicians to ever perform in the casinos in Reno.  He appeared at the age of 16 on FOX televisions “Young Magicians Showcase”.  Keep you eye on him.  He is up and coming for sure.

Criss Angel-  He is certainly becoming more and more well know, with the help of his TV specials.  Criss is the only 3-time winner of the Merlin Award from the International Society of Magicians.  Many admire his unique street style.  He is well known for incredible physical stunts like lying on a bed of nails while a Hummer drives over him. Ouch!

Ed Balducci- Unfortunately the world of magic lost this shinning star at the age of 82.  But he was best known for his gimmick-free trick of rising several inches off the ground with his back to his audience.

Derren Brown- He actually claimed that aliens abducted him at one time, and therefore his magical abilities.  Whether or not you believe that, there is no denying his talent.  This British star loved mind reading tricks and was especially known for his brilliant close-up magic.

Richard “Cardini” Pitchford- He was well known for his incredible slight of hand.  He practiced magic for almost 50 years before his death, and to this date no own is quite able to completely duplicate his amazing ability, though his is considered the world’s most imitated magician.

More amazing talent in the next post!

When a performer learns a skill he or she knows that part of the purpose of performing in front of an audience is to guide their experience to a degree.

A performer decides what the audience should look at, how they should respond, even how they should feel.

This is all done through the performers actions, facial expressions, movements, confidence, attention, etc.

The more a performer excels in their skill, the easier it is for the audience to come along on the ride with them.

Magicians know that this is no different in this amazing field.  Stage presence is a critical component to a successful show, and career for that matter!  It is the single most elusive factor they need to perform a show.  Stage presence is not an easy task.

Some people are naturally greater performers than others and some just seem to be born in the spotlight.  But if this is not you, never fear, you can learn to acquire stage presence. First it requires an awareness that you may be lacking in this area.  If you know that you are, here are a few tips that may help:

First, KNOW YOUR ROLE!  Magicians who absolutely know their character get the most applause.  Perform as if your character is your true personality and the audience will go along right with you.  Treat every trick, word, and movement as if it’s the most important thing in this moment in time.  Believe in what you are doing and so will they.

Next, GET REAL!  One of the greatest things about David Copperfield is his genuineness on stage.  We you go to his show, you feel like he is hanging out with at his home, shooting the breeze.  He is real.  And people love that.  One of the greatest characters you can play is yourself.  No need to pretend you are more than what you are, just do what you do well. Even if you are performing someone else’s trick, put your own spin on it to make it yours.

Finally, LOVE WHAT YOU DO!  If you are not in love with this craft, then do something else.  People will recognize a fraud a mile away.  If you love what you are doing, others will love it too.  And by all means, if you love this art, then find a way to do it!  And let your love of this art shine through.  Perhaps that is glow that you see on a performer with really great stage presence.

How would you like a break from the never-ending supply of mindless video games, or the TV shows that steal your child’s attention and imagination?

Teach your child to appreciate and learn MAGIC!  No it doesn’t mean that your child will learn how to make their little brother disappear!  But what they can learn with magic can support them in life in many ways!

One of the greatest things about magic is that it actually doesn’t require spending a lot of money to make it happen.  Many magic tricks that kids can master use everyday items around the house such as loose change, cups or glasses, a handkerchief, etc.

Take a quick trip to your local library and you will find a plethora of books on magic tricks.  With just a little reading and a few hours your child will learn a few tricks that will excite them and have their creativity blossoming.

You can also purchase a simple magic kit at your local toy store.  These are usually full of simple and small tricks that have a big impact on kids.  They actually feel that they are doing something magical once they learn how to master them.  This takes a little effort, and also some patience and teaching from us parents.  But once they learn a few, they will want to keep going.  This will boost their confidence.

Long car rides are a great place for them to practice their magic.  You will be amazed at how this will capture their attention.  Also, if you are going to go see a magician in a performance, having your kids learn a few tricks before hand will have the show have much more meaning to them.  They will love it.

Finally, magic is a great talent for them to express in school talent shows.  Everyone seems to gravitate toward singing or dancing.  Magic is a great alternative that is different and unique.  Who knows, your child just might be the next David Copperfield!