How to do Magic Tricks

Advice and Support for Magicians

Problems Buying Magic Tricks Without an Aim

by Leave a Comment

By Dominic Reyes
Problems buying magic tricksThree quick questions for you:

1) How many magic tricks do you know?

2) How many magicians props or gimmicks do you own?

3) Was every one of the tricks and props purchased, chosen to help you reach a specific goal or aim?

 

 

Don’t tell me your answers, let me guess:

1) Loads!
2) More than I will ever use.
3) To be honest, mostly not.

Was I mainly right? I’m guessing I was… As that’s the most common answers I get from magicians who I work with to develop their acts.

Your Magic Budget.

Many magicians fall into the habit of budgeting a set amount of money each month for their magic. Getting the latest magic tricks, becomes a habit, and they find themselves craving a new trick, just because it’s the latest new release.

If you have the budget, and you enjoy the thrill and anticipation of learning the ‘latest and greatest’ magic trick to hit the magic shops front page, then there isn’t a problem. However, if you need to be careful how you invest your hard earned money, and make each and every purchase count, I recommend you do the following:

Your aims.

Ask yourself, “WHY am I buying this? Is it just because it looks awesome? Why do I need to add this magic trick or technique to my existing ‘sets’ or knowledge base.

What are your long term goals in magic?

What short term goals can you set yourself to reach those long term goals?

Is the aim of buying this magic trick, to help you reach one of those short team goals?

If you really think that the trick meets that aim, it should be acquired.

If it doesn’t have that aim, then you may want to search for a different trick, before you settle on that one.

NEXT: A decade of buying magic tricks and getting nowhere

The 6 Secrets to Buy Magic Tricks Without Regret

by 2 Comments

Buy Magic tricks Without RegretIt’s so easy to buy magic tricks these days. The best magic shops have a huge range, fast delivery and an easy order process. Does this actually cause a problem for magicians?

It’s very easy to be caught up in the excitement of a brand new magic trick, the awesome trailer and the possibility that; finally, this could just be the missing magic trick you have been hoping to find. The result: An impulse purchase that might not have been the best investment of your hard earned magic budget.

Here are 6 steps you can take that will slow the decision process down, and make sure the next magic trick you order is a winner:

1) Take some time to decide if you really believe that the magic trick is right for you. It’s very easy to be seduced by the reactions you see in the video trailer as the creator of the trick performs it. The packaging can look so appealing, and the props are just crying out to be yours. Don’t choose a new trick based on its packaging, and another magicians audience reactions.. Seriously consider if it’s going to be right for YOU, and will fit your style and if YOUR audience will be entertained by your performance of it.

2) Do you really need to be taught how to do it? Can you work out your own version? Take time to think about the premise of the magic trick. If you really put your mind to it, could you invent your own version, with your own method that would create the same or better ‘effect’ for your spectators? Just because, a  magician is selling their version of a magic trick, doesn’t make it the BEST version. For example: If a clever device promises to allow you to tell how much pocket change, a spectator has in their pocket, could YOU invent your own method to do this that works well for you? If you can’t, and you really want to be able to perform this trick, buying another persons method is good value.

3) Don’t be seduced by price. A deal is great, but in magic, just like in all aspects of life, you pretty much get what you pay for. There are great deals and promotions out there to be had, but generally, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. Cheap versions of props tend to be cheap for very good reasons. As you move down the price scale, quality can suffer.

4) Don’t be afraid to ask for a close look. This is harder online as you can’t handle the props. Choose a magic dealer with a good returns policy. For example, Magicshop.co.uk offer a 365 day return policy on magic props, so you can take your time to inspect and assess them.

When visiting a magic shop in person, endure that you ask the shop assistant to let you examine and handle the props. Unless there is a very good reason not to let you, a reputable magic shop should let you check out the workmanship of the props before you purchase them.

5) Telephone the magic shop and ask the dealer lots of questions about the magic trick. No matter how simply the question, the shop will respect you for taking care over the magic you order. Build a relationship with the magic shop, as they should give you their honest and professional opinion on a tricks quality. Their goal is to support you in developing and growing as a magician if a dealer doesn’t seem to  have that intention, consider shopping elsewhere.

6) Get more information than just the advert will tell you. Ask the magic shop about the magic tricks performing conditions, its angles, its reset time, and as many other questions you need answered.

Most magic shops use stock product descriptions, written by the manufacturer. The shops don’t have the man power to  rewrite each description and expand on it. A Good magic shop will be happy to give you much more information if you ask them.

If you follow these 6 steps, when buying magic tricks, you should find that you will spend far less money on magic you will never use or find useful. You will move your buying process from a habitual urge, to a conscious, educated and considered decision.

Did we miss out an important tip? let us know in the comments section at the bottom of this page

NEXT: Why Magicians Stop Doing Magic Tricks

Best Magic Shops in London – Magic Shop Ratings and Reviews

by 1 Comment

Source http://www.flickr.com/people/dannynicThe Merchant of Magic’s bricks and mortar shop isn’t based in London, but it offers many of its magic tricks with free next day delivery within London (and all the UK). The magic shop often delivers packages directly to hotel receptions, for visitors wanting magic whilst on holiday, or performing in the UK.We often get questions from magicians who have arrived in the UK and are spending time in London. They phone or email to ask if the shop is based in London and if they can visit.

The Magic shop is actually based in Southwick, Hampshire. Southwick is a small medieval village, on the south coast of the England. It’s about 1 hour 45 minutes from central London.

If you are staying in London and want to visit the best magic shops in London, you have several choices:

Davenports
7 Charing Cross Underground Arcade,
The Strand,
London, WC2N 4HZ

Davenports is one of the oldest magic shops in the world and a very popular choice for tourists. Its history makes it a popular shop for visiting magicians in London.

International Magic
89 Clerkenwell Road,
London, EC1R 5BX

A very well established magic shop in London. They regularly hold magic lectures, courses and once a year they run their own magic convention.

Marvins Magic at Hamleys Toy Shop
188-196 Regent St,
London, W1B 5BT

If you are interested in watching magicians perform Marvins magic tricks for the public, you will enjoy visiting the Magic stand in Hamleys toy shop, it’s definitely one of the best magic shops in London for a good dealer demonstration.

As well as getting a chance to watch the famous street performers in the main square, looks out for a small magic stall in the street market area of Covent Garden.

So there you have it, 3 of the best magic shops in London you can visit whilst exploring the city. If you do drop by, be sure to say hello from the team at the Merchant of Magic!