One of the hardest parts of any event is when magicians approach the first few guests to arrive. Here's how I handle this situation.

It's 7pm and the event has just started. Only a few guests have arrived and are hanging around the bar area greeting each other. Your client has booked you to start at the same time, so you are walking around wondering who to approach first…

A magician's approach that takes too long.

When you enter the room and start walking around looking at people to decide who to approach first, don't take too long in choosing. Make a decision as quickly as possible and get stuck in, otherwise you walk round and round the room and it will become harder and harder to make that first magician's approach.

I have 2 main types of people I look for when deciding my first group:

1) The most friendly group

Look for a group of lively people that are having fun and seem friendly. That's always a good place to start and will set the pace for the rest of the evening. As more guests arrive, they will see you entertaining a group of people that are full of energy, and it will look like it's all coming from you. Being in the centre of a crowd that is having a good time is a great first impression to make.

2) A couples on their own

This is really the opposite of the friendly group, but it's still a great way to start your gig. Check that the couple isn't in deep conversation. If they appear to be having a discussion it's probably best not to interrupt them. However, if they are both standing together with drinks in hand, and simply don't look like they know any of the other groups, they are a perfect target. You can spend quite a bit of time with them, and if possible, build a group around them.

Sometimes you may see a couple sitting at a table waiting for the rest of their party to arrive. Go and introduce yourself. Ask if you can join them for a moment, and sit down with them. That's a great opportunity to show them a couple of tricks, and with luck you can perform to the larger group that will arrive to join them.

Performing for a few independent couples can get you warmed up, whilst performing some tricks you would not normally perform with a main group. You can spend more time with a couple who will be glad for the entertainment while they wait for their friends to arrive. By the time you have performed for a few couples, most of the guests will have arrived and the event will be in full swing.

3 people I avoid at the beginning of an event.

1) I try to avoid performing magic to the client right at the beginning of an event. I've been hired to entertain their guests, and they want to focus on greeting people. I will perform for the client, But prefer to do it once the event is in full swing, the client is more relaxed, and they've already had some great feedback about me from their guests. At the beginning of an event the client will have a million things to do, They may be tense or even a little stressed

2) I won't to do magic for the events staff at the beginning of the night. Just like the client, they should be focusing on looking after their guests. I always save a little bit of magic at the end of the night of the waiting staff and events manager. However, it is vital that you don't stop them from doing their job.

3) People standing on their own are usually waiting for someone else to arrive, or to return from the bar. It's best to wait until at least another person has joined them before you begin showing them magic otherwise you're bound to be interrupted and have to start from the beginning again. If you are performing to a group and you see somebody standing on their own at the side, try to bring them into the group. Ask the person to come and join in.

The real secret to a good magicians approach

Start as quickly as possible. Don't worry that there are only a few guests at the event. Plenty of people will be arriving soon and you will have all the spectators you need. If you see an animated and friendly group go there first. If there are only a few guests take a couple that is settled with a drink in hand. Jump right into the magic and start performing.

I hope this helps you.

Best wishes

Dominic Reyes

Twitter: @dominicreyes

If you would like to find out more tips about how to approach people to show them magic, download this free ebook:

Using Magic Tricks to Get a Girl

by Dominic Reyes 1 Comment

Steve writes:

'There's this girl who I really like and I want to ask her to be my girlfriend. She knows I like & do magic and I want to ask her in a creative way. What trick or effect do you personally think would be good to "pop the question".'

Maybe just go up to her with a nice smile, chat to her, make her laugh, and ask her if she wants to go out some time?

Do a magic trick to impress her or 'break the ice' if you like, but make asking her out an honest, personal question rather than make light of it within a magic trick, it looks too much like a 'pick up line'.

That girl probably already knows if she wants to date you. A magic trick won't add anything to the offer.

Show her and her friends some magic, and have a great time, but don't build in a proposal to date into your trick, she may think you use 'chat-up tricks' all the time….

If you really want to use magic tricks to get a girl, you could use one of the tricks from these guides specifically for flirting with girls.

Fire Starters By Jay Sankey

Tricks to pick up chicks – Book

Good luck

Dominic Reyes

Tips for Magicians – Getting More Applause

by Dominic Reyes 1 Comment

By Dominic Reyes

Tips for Magicians – Getting Better Applause

As far back as ancient Rome, performers have requested applause from their audience by shouting “Plaudite!” it shows very clearly that performers have always sought approval from audiences. For a close-up magician, wanting more applause isn't just an ego (although a little pride and acknowledgment of a job well done isn't a bad thing), applause is also of great benefit as a form of 'social proof' to other spectators that something good is coming their way. It's the traditional version of the Facebook 'like', spreading the message that the magician is worth watching.

The problem with close up magic

Close up magicians perform for small groups, often in an informal situation. The group of spectators is often surrounded by other groups of people not participating in the magic show. This can inhibit or tone down the level of applause that spectators feel comfortable giving. In a formal show, people understand that applause is expected, if they have enjoyed the show, but in a close up setting hey may not understand the same rules apply. How can a close up magician adjust for that, communicate what's expected, and softy draw spectators to act as they would if they were in a larger audience? Here's 4 tips to help you get more applause and better reactions at the end of your close-up show.

1) The climax

Make sure that the final trick you perform ends on a very strong climax. The energy should build up and finish with a 'bang'. I don't mean you need to shoot fireballs out of your sleeves, but rather that suspense takes place as a series of events conclude with a surprising magical ending. You are looking for the last trick you perform for the group to have a thrilling climax rather than presenting them with a puzzle or mystery to 'mull over'. There's nothing wrong with strange mysteries or leaving something 'hanging', but if you are seeking to end on a strong round of applause, then go for as much energy in the final moment as possible.

2) Don't to a Dynamo Magician Impossible

The trend at the moment is to walk off, right at the end of the magic tricks climax. You see it often on TV. However, the camera remains with the spectators, so in reality, the performance doesn't end when the magician walks off. If you do it in real life, you end at THAT moment and it's a killer for applause. Wait a while. Take a bow. Only leave once the applause starts to slow down.

3) Take a bow

Bow with your hands sleightly raised from your body. Don't make a big thing of it, but if your hands are a little outstretched to the sides as you bow, it's a subtle cue to applause. However, resist at all costs, the urge to clap yourself 🙂

4) Confirm applause

If one or two people start to clap, make eye contact right away with a big smile and say "Thank you". That will help get everyone joining in.

Do This: Try taking a bow at the end of your last trick. Do it with a big smile. Don't feel embarrassed, it' what you are supposed to do as a performer. Although it seems the norm for close-up magicians, people still find it odd that many magicians just walk off after showing a trick. It's fine to signal the end of your show with a bow and take applause.