talkmagic.co.uk

Hello guys, Good to meet you all.

I've been practicing magic and mentalism for a while now but nothing serious, just started getting involved in XCM

Anyone got any tips on where to start with XCM, and I'd also like to set up a bit of enterprise to make money from magic? Anyone know how best to start making a few quid and increase my confidence?

Any help appreciated

dominono wrote: I'd also like to set up a bit of enterprise to make money from magic?

wouldnt we all.

I think if your serious about making money from magic, the first thing you should do, if forget about xcm.

Its dying off big time, because of the limited audience appeal.
No layman is that bothered about someone who can ballance a playing cards on their chin.All they want to see, is a card trick that they can get involved with.

Yeah and it's all to easy to start doing fancy bits while you're doing a piece of mentalism with cards, trust me I know. Get yourself into local bars, I used to get a few free drinks for performing at one bar and it'll get you're confidence up and teach you the hard way about angles and crowd control.

yeah the XCM part is a bit more of a hobby, I don't expect any great gains from it money wise.

But In bars, how do you approach a group of people?

I don't wanna be like 'hey guys... wanna see some magic?'

Do you need to speak to the owner before performing in a nightclub?

first.... become a regular in the bar or club, without performing any magic. This way, people get to know that your an ok guy.
then, with a group of your mates, start to do a couple of things. If your any good, word will still spread and people will start asking for things.
make sure that your close to the bar when you do stuff. the staff will notice, and word will spread in house.
then, valentines day, or Halloween, ( Thats the good one ) ask the management if they have anything special on, and would they like a magician.

There always out for a bargain.. and if they know your good, they will jump at the chance to have something to put on their posters.

but it hangs on you becoming known at the bar first.

dominono wrote:yeah the XCM part is a bit more of a hobby, I don't expect any great gains from it money wise.

But In bars, how do you approach a group of people?

I don't wanna be like 'hey guys... wanna see some magic?'

Do you need to speak to the owner before performing in a nightclub?

Nahhh man, just do it in there. He is unlikely to be happy if you expect people to give you money for it though.

As for the approach, normally being straight forward like that works best.

that's awesome advice thanks. You recommend street magic? In the summer in parks and things like that? Is it always best to film those kinds of things so that people feel more like they are part of something rather than me just trying to impress everyone?

I honestly wouldn't go approaching people in the street or just going up to people in the pub, most people don't want to be bothered. Let the people come to you, start doing something visible in the park or street, cups and balls is quite good and draw the crowd in that way. The same goes for in the pub, start by doing some tricks for your friends or wait until you're asked to do something. Then keep and eye out for anyone who's watching you or seems interested, invite them over and perform for them. Trust me, this works much better than just going up to people where you'll get far more knock backs.

I really would check with the landlord before doing magic in the pub though, most will be ok with it but it's just polite.

But be warned this is a double edged sword, last few times I've been to a pub where I'm known I got hassled all night, not that I didn't enjoy it but sometimes ya just want a quiet drink