How to Approach People to Show Them Magic Tricks – Video

Magicians worry about how to approach people to show them magic tricks, but it's much easier than they think.

Practice, practice, practice they tell you in the magic books, but there's never much information about how to start your magic tricks off. How do you approach a group of people and start performing your magic?

Dominic Reyes recorded this short video about how he approaches people to show them magic in a close up magic setting.

Magicians that haven't performed to the public often tend to worry about how they are going to start off their performance. They may be confident in the magic tricks they perform, but approaching people isn't a magic trick, it's about confidence as a performer and overcoming fear of being rejected.

As a magician, you are there with an official role to play. Your job is to approach guests and show them something amazing. It's just as valid as any other person at the event and you should take comfort in that. You have a purpose for being at the event and you are no more an interruption of the guests time than the waiters that offers them drinks or canapés. Relax into the role of the magician you are playing.

The three keys to approach people to show them magic tricks.

Approach a group with a relaxed smile and a confident stride. Do these 3 things:

1) Tell them who you are.

2) Let them know what you do.

3) Engage them in a conversation or activity.

'Hi, I'm Joe Blogs the magician. I've been asked to show you some magic'

The line above covers the first 2 keys to an introduction, but it doesn't invite engagement. Adding in a question or an activity will make the introduction more effective:

'Hi, I'm Joe Blogs the magician. I've been asked to show you some magic tonight. Do you believe in magic?'

'Good Evening, I'm Joe Blogs the magician. I've been asked to show you some magic tonight. Do know why I carry these strange coins'

It's really as easy as that. Just like any introduction, it's about the APPEARANCE of confidence and purpose. It doesn't matter if you are feeling nervous about the approach, as long as you don't show it. If you edge slowly up to a group and fail to make eye contact or smile, you are giving signals that you don't want attention, that's exactly what the group will offer you. Approach with purpose. You have something very interesting for them and they are the lucky people to get to see you next.

Approaching strangers to show them your magic tricks is one of the most common areas of fear for magicians, but it's as simple as any introduction. Taking time to practice introducing yourself will be time well spent. As you gain experience, you will discover that it's not as hard as you imagine.

Full Circle Magic Questions and Answers Interview – Dominic Reyes

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Full Circle Magic Interview with Dominic Reyes

The magicians group Full Circle Magic recorded this interview with magician Dominic Reyes in which he talks about how he started in magic, moving into professional performance, tips and advice on approach, and marketing for magicians.

Prefer just the audio version? Here's episode 9 of the Merchant of Magic Podcast which features the full interview:

In the interview Dominic touches on a few key points about performing magic and how to get the best out of your practice sessions. He recommends that beginner magicians try to find audiences outside of the family and friends, and suggests ways to expand their magic audience to gain more experience.

Dominic recommends that magicians focus on specific magic tricks within their practice sessions, and that they look at scripting their presentations. In the section on working as a professional magician, Dominic describes the process he goes through when he arrives at a magic gig, how he approached spectators, and the best way to use your magicians business cards.

There's a section on how to market yourself as a magician, and some techniques to gain more work in field of corporate magic.

You can subscribe to the Merchant of Magic Podcast and access previous episodes on the magic podcast page in itunes here.

Why Magicians Should Look Out For People on Their Own

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By Dominic Reyes

Magicians are not just performers, they are hosts at the event and should find ways to demonstrate this.

Have you ever been invited to an event and found that you don't know anybody there? It can happen for a number of reasons. You are attending a work event, your friends or date couldn't make it, you are joining a new club or society and it's your first visit. Situations when you are not part of the group can feel very intimitating. Not everyone is great at making introductions and putting themselves out there. What can magicians do to help with this problem?

Be a host.

When I'm performing at an event, I'm not just a magician, I'm a host at the party as well. If I see someone on their own, I will often approach them and make conversation. I'll ask them how they are finding the evening and who they are with. If they are on their own, I'll ask them if they would like to see some magic. I flag down a group that is standing nearby and start performing, bringing the group over. I'm just as responsible for the guests having a good time as the host of the event. Taking the time to bring people together can change a guests whole experience of the event. You may never know the implications of this, but they are almost always positive.

It goes further than introductions.

Forget about your position in the event being a reflection of your ego. Find ways to make introductions for people. Networking is one of the most helpful things you can do at most business events, and it WILL be noticed. If someone needs help, needs a drink, can't find a chair, or even just needs to find the bathroom, help them. Be a host as well as 'hired help'. Giving your guests a good time is the whole goal far above your own feelings of self importance as a performer.