Here's the perfect magicians approach. The best way to walk up to a group of people and start showing them your magic tricks.

It doesn't matter how much you practice, sooner or later you are going to have to perform your magic tricks live to people. It's a scary prospect, and many magicians feel that they don't know how to walk up to a group of strangers, or a table of guests to start performing.

The good news is that there is a perfect way to approach a group of spectators, using just one simple technique, I will teach you it right now:

When you are set to start performing, it's important that you try not to dwell on all the fears you may have about how you will be received by the spectators. No positive outcome can come from these thoughts. If you think too much about approaching a group it will become harder and harder to take those steps towards them. You just need to switch off those negative thoughts and go on 'auto'. Walk right up and just do it!

The perfect approach to a group or table of spectators is to simple walk right up with a smile and introduce yourself without thinking too much about it.

Sounds like something that is much easier to say than do right? Wrong! It's OK to have nerves, but as long as you have some solid material to perform, and you have a well structured, rehearsed and most importantly, entertaining presentation for the magic tricks you are going to show them, you don't need to worry about how the group will react. You simply need to stop thinking about it too much, switch into 'magician mode' and walk right up to the first table or group of spectators.

You could get three possible outcomes:

1) They like you right away and want to see some magic – Yay! What were you worrying about?

2) They are unsure but quickly get excited and love the magic – Yay! Your practiced routine worked, your magic was entertaining and they loved it. What were you worring about?

3) You get a frosty reception and they lose interest – Well, they aren't going to attack you and you will quickly get the message that they are not into watching any more. You can end at the next trick and move away. No trapdoor will open to swallow you up, the room lights won't be switched on suddenly and everyone will shout for the magician to be chucked out. You may just get a feeling that the group are not engaged and are being a bit polite about watching you. It's not a terrible feeling. Even experienced professionals get this sometimes if there is something wrong with the group, or an incident has happened and they approached at a bad time. Nobody dies, the world doesen't end. You just end the act quickly and move away.

The odds are in your favour! 2 good outcomes Vs 1 not so good outcome. There's no need to be worried about what will happen.

You are already an expert

The best approach you can possibly make is the natural one you would make if you were approaching a group of people you already know and are confident to be around. That's it. There's no stock lines, no tried and tested patter for it. There can't be, because everyone is different. But each one of us is an expert in being ourselves. And that naturalness and skill at being who we are, is far more appealing to a group than any fake 'line' or introduction could ever be.

The secret is:

Don't think too much about it