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Thanks for the tips, As a starting magician this is really helpful.

My tip would be if you are performing for people you don't know (e.g. friends of family members or friends of friends) have some business cards on you. Not necessarily to push onto these people but to have them available in case they ask.

There is nothing worse then loosing out on a gig because you haven't got anything with your details on.

As far a practising goes I'd say if your happy with how your magic looks in the mirror record it several times from different angles and play it back afterwards. Some moves will look better then you think, however, it will highlight other moves/effects that need further practice.

I was reading something recently that DavMac put me in mind of...

Practising in a mirror tends to show you a straight-on view, which is almost certainly the wrong angle. Work out where your audience's eyes are going to be, and angle the mirror accordingly.

For instance, if you're table-hopping, the audience will be looking up at you from a lower viewpoint -- if you're on a raised stage, they'll be lower still. If you're on the flat with banks of seats ranging upwards (like an amphitheatre), they'll be higher than you. Either way, if you've only practised in a straight-on mirror, you have no idea what it looks like to them and what you might be exposing (ooh-er missus).

in need some tip's im trying to to the one hand card dissapearing trick and i cant seem to make it a seamless move any tip's

What form of one handed card disappearing card trick? Is it b**k P**m?

This is serious stuff! Keep the good work!

Thank you

Wow - this thread is gold. Excellent stuff guys!

Two words Pocket Management...

Everyone mentions it but it's not until I started performing that I realised how important it is.

It's taken me a while to learn this but lots of pockets doesn't mean better pocket management.

Try and limit the amount of stuff in your pockets, if you do need extra props pack a close up case (flight case, tool box, camera bag etc.)

Also you are allowd to have empty pockets!

Practice with your performance clothes on (bingo?!), learn where everything is for each effect/routine and put everything back in the pocket it came out of at the end of the effect/routine, that way your ready for the next group. (There is an additional comment about fumbling in you pockets but 1 bingo point in this post is sufficiant! )

Cracking thread! Some great info.

A couple of things that help me:

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication" and "Make the difficult look easy, make the easy look beautiful"

Hey IAIN you post here really a very great topic n given a mindblowing tips, i read this whole and it was really a interesting..

When you going to roll this all up into one tip book Mandrake?

Sell it on lulu and pay part of the operating costs of TM

It's a tempting thought..... but we'll leave it here so all can read it - we're a very generous forum!

Really good thread - lots of great tips so thanks to all for posting.

I just wanted to add that I think it is just plain wrong to use sleights / tricks to trick people out of money - this is not magic, but hustling - don't do it!

If you are working in a restaurant / bar arrive early and take time to show some magic to the staff if you can - you are part of their team for the evening - they will really appreciate it, and you may need their help during the evening.

I always share any tips I get with the staff - chances are they are having to work harder than you, and without decent service / food / beer etc you would have no audience!

Eating plenty of decent food before a gig and drinking plenty of water during a gig has always helped me keep my head when all around are loosing theirs!

Man awesome thread, some really good tips.

One thing that really helped me advance my performance (I have only performed - mostly one-on-one - for family and friends) is pacing. Time-misdirection and relaxation are pleasant to use, but also fun to enhance the magical experience. Going slow is fun for everyone.

Anyone got a tip how to respond to someone that happens to call out a move somewhat correctly, without trying to be a a know-it-all? It always seems that no matter how I respond they'll always assume they're on to something.

I typically smile and say something along the lines of, "Perhaps."

I give them the impression I want them to explore that option which usually results in them second guessing themselves.

Its worked for me so far.