Where do I start?

[quick_trick]

I've been playing with card magic on and off since I was 8 (24 now) and in the last year I have really developed a love for performing. But my main audience has family and friends and I feel a real need to perform to more and more people - almost like a drug addiction. I know most people reading this understand what I mean.

I guess what I'm asking for is advice on what to do next. A career in magic seems like a pipe dream, or making any money at all out of magic seems a bit far fetched for little old me, but I NEED to do magic for people

So should I busk? Should I walk around pubs asking if people want to see something cool? Should I look up a local magic club? (doubt I'll find one near me-not even a magic shop in Adelaide) Should I print up some buisness cards and hand them to people at parties after showing them a trick or two?

I have so many tricks (some original) and routines rattling around my brain and no outlet for them - can't bring myself to use youtube just to gratify my performing needs, besides there's a lot of people just waiting to make fun of aspiring magicians there anyway. So any advice or tips on exposure and or expanding my audience (aside from getting more friends) would be awesomely appreciated!

 

[darosa.justin]

You shoudl really ask a person on this forum called "Steve Simmons"...? ( Ithink) He's a performer for all sorts of events.

Anyway, I would suggest maybe performing a lot more to boost your cinfidence. This can be done by asking people in the mall, or in the street to see some magic. Once your comfortable performing a lot, you could try and offer free magic performances at parties, or large events.

Once your name is out, you could make a business card, website etc. and advertise your skills. With a good rep and performance, people WILL come looking for you.

 

[Shodan]

Being paid to perform may not seem like such a pipe dream after you have had a taste of the environment you'd be performing in. I broke into performing by doing a couple of charity functions for free - I wanted the experience more than the paycheque. In any case, these went well and so I spoke to a local entertainment agency, who take care of advertising and bookings. All I have to do is turn up to the event, do my magic, and collect my pay at the end of the evening. It's stress free, fun (most of the time!) and my hobby more than pays for itself.

As for getting those first couple of charity events, the first one was a Valentine's fundraiser organised by someone who works at the gym I teach my classes at. I always carry a deck and was showing a trick or two to the reception girls, who called the organiser over, who asked me to perform - that evening! The second charity event I offered my services to some students from one of the high schools who were putting on a big charity extravaganza event. They were delighted. If you keep an eye on what the schools are doing, an opportunity like this will come along.

Old folks homes are also usually very receptive to anyone wanting to come in and provide entertainment. I haven't done this one, but its a common idea to get performing experience/try out new material/do something nice for the community. Hospitals are another win-win situation for you and the patients.

Once you feel you've got the hang of it, I would reccomend getting an agent and seeing what happens - my experience has been very positive. I don't earn enough to live off (close, but not quite), but that's not my intention. If you don't want to do this, the usual thing is to try and get a restaurant to take you on.

If you've got any more questions, I'm more than happy to help.

Cheers,
David.

 

[quick_trick]

Thanks heaps for the advice guys. I'm gonna start the walk around thing where I work (I work in a mall) and just networking I guess. If anyone has any more advice on anything in this area - busking, what it's like to to walk arounds etc. that'd be awesome!

 

[Shodan]

It tends to be more relaxed performing in an environment where people expect a magician. Wandering around a mall may possibly lead to negative experiences simply because of where you are.

 

[quick_trick]

Maybe I'll just start by hassling the workers it the other shops (the ones I know and regularly takl to that is)

The Hospital idea seems really good too. I live 10 mins away from a womens and childrens hospital - the worst thing they can say is no right?

And I guess mainly I just need to make sure I notice my oppertunities and sieze them. LOL, I wish I lived in Vegas, there's probaly a job agency just for magicians.

With talent angencies, what happens there. Do I go perform for them and they tell me whether they'll represent me or that there is work available in my field?

 

[Shodan]

I think it varies from agent to agent. I went in to have a chat to mine and they told me about the process - I've got an info page on their site, they promote me alongside the rest of their entertainers, and take a percentage of what I earn. There's no ongoing fee, so if they don't get me work, I don't owe them anything. It's very relaxed. Yes, I did some tricks for them in that intial meeting, but it wasn't a big audition.

You do have to remember that I live on a small Island and they are a local business. Other agencies may well do things differently, but you can but try.

Let me tell you, Vegas looks like a scary place to try and make a living out of being a magician. The conversations I had with magicians over there painted a very tough picture! I think that in many ways that my environment is far easier to deal with - little or no competition and a captive audience!

Good luck with the women's and children's hospital - that sounds like a great use of an entertainer's time for all involved.