By Dominic Reyes
Magicians approach people with confidence.. Right? They are in show business, entertainers.. So why don’t YOU feel like that when you walk up to a group of strangers and start to show them your magic?
Here’s a simple thing you can do right now that can have a huge impact on the reactions you get when you perform magic for the public.
Think about the body language you use when you walk around the room doing magic.
How do you come across? Do you approach people with your eyes down, your shoulders hunched, and almost apologetic stance? Are you signalling all the wrong messages in those first few seconds that your spectators notice you?
How do you know? Have you ever checked? You should! Chances are you are not aware of it…
Next time you are performing, ask a friend to film how you approach people. If you are at a gig alone, just ask a couple in the corner if they can do you a favor and film you, using your phone, as you approach a group. Just tell them it’s going to be used in a big trick later on..
This is VALUABLE! It’s something 99% of your fellow magicians have never done. Trust me! Do It!
When you approach a group you need to ‘APPEAR’ to be confident. Even if you don’t feel confident, you need to ACT that you are.. You are playing the part of a magician. It’s a ROLE, and part of that is that you have to use the mindset that you are one of the most important people in the room. You have a JOB.. Not just as a guest.. But as part of the event. You CAN be confident, because you are playing a part.
I still get nervous sometimes when I perform. I don’t know why.. It’s often when I’m somewhere a little different, or doing something out of the usual. I know other magicians that approach people in this way feel it too. I talk to them every day in the magic shop. It’s actually the norm, to feel a little ‘stage fright’ in the form of lack of confidence, when you perform for strangers. Yesterday I performed magic in an old, traditional cinema. When I arrived, the host asked if I could do something different. Could I stop the whole room, make a speech, and produce a large cake for one of the guests. It was something I had not prepared for. I felt nervous… But I faked being confident, and it worked. It will work for you too!
I just think to myself:
“It’s my role to perform magic for these people. They are LUCKY to have me perform for them”
Then I walk confidently up to a group, making eye contact and smiling. I imagine they are here just for me, that I’m famous and they are waiting with excitement to see me. (I often find out later, that they do know I’m coming, and ARE waiting excitedly to see me, but it never feels like that unless I fake the belief at first)
The biggest secret of how magicians approach people with confidence when magicians approach people, is that it doesn’t have to be real. It can be faked at first and then it WILL become real.. I promise you!
I have to say that you are exactly right. I have been doing close up magic and magic shows for a few years now and i still get nervous before i begin. But once i begin and the adrenaline kicks in i feel confident and proceed to do my best. The way i see it is that we feel nervous because we care about our craft. We are only human and we are doing something many people wouldn’t have the nerve to do in front of strangers.
true, very true. felt this same way yesterday in school. I walked round the school pulling off tricks for group of people I see together, frankly speaking, when I get close to some, I immediately change my direction and walk away but this article has boosted me.