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Does anybody remamber the first time they did magic for strangers. What was it like walking up to them and asking to do magic for them? How nervous were you? What response didi you get?

Yes, I remember mine, but it was in another setting.

I was asked to do some magic for kids, well, in the age of 10-12 years. And they knew about it before I came, so, I didn't need to ask anything. They just came running to my table, some very enthusiastic, and some with the setting of "haha, i don't believe in magicians, I'm gonna expose you!". Well, too bad for him, he didn't, and was quiet for the rest of the evening Anyway, if the guys you are going to magic for, don't know about it, you should find a good reason to approach them. There are couple of ways of course, one could just be to be honest and say, "Wanna see some magic?", but not everyone likes that, but it might work as well. I really don't care anymore. What you could do, is to ask some persons at a table, if they have an item (that you need for a magic trick). Let's say you gonna do a cigarette trick, you just ask for a cigarette.

Finally, introduction MIGHT be important, but it's not a must. The important thing is that your magic is great and maybe fun.

Good luck !

Just done first open-air to 350+ people.

The fact that I had practiced until I could do it without even realising was absolutely essential as sound and other things worked against me.

One trick went pear-shaped and yet overcame it such that people thought it was part of the act. I was really nervous on my first gig and was (now I think about it) totally unprepared - could do the trick most of the time!

Not good enough though, scraped through by skin of teeth and learnt from it. Now only walk up to strangers when I know that nothing can go wrond (I wish!!!)

Vic

Should add that first magic trick is like the audition for magic club/society.

So nervous as they will obviously see what a fraud I am, realise that I know nothing and shouldn't be allowed in, etc.

Did the routine, felt very self-conscious and at the end, past president came up to me looking very stern. I was sure he was going to order me out of the building the look on his face.

Then it happened . . . .

He asked me how the heck I'd done one bit of my routine

We all wonder why we do magic at times I suppose, but the thrill beats the fear every time,

Vic

where do you think is the best place to start doing magic? I know people say kids parties, but that's not really realistic for me, people haven't seen my magic, and I don't think I could handle a kids party.

Well, apart from family and friends (who are then in danger of either being bored or having stuff done to them before it's really ready) I'd say join a club, make some magical friends who can watch, advise and help you get ready for the world.

Family and friends is always there for you but good magical relationships will not only watch, but advise and help you build your confidence and skills (and patter and presentation and watch the angles and comment on naturalness and . . . the list just goes on!).

Kids parties are O.K. if you are able to do the tricks you chose well enough to be able to cover when they don't and in my experience the problems of exposure or revealing are heightened during and after (watch them go through your kit if you're not on your toes) kid's shows.

Family & friends - magic club or society (and of course once you've got friends of your own age, mindset, etc. the world is potentially yours in terms of doing and thinking up new stuff!)

Hope this helps,

Vic

Thanks for your kind words.
Unfortunately there are no magic clubs or anything like that around me.
I think I will just go around a few bars and show some of my best magic.
I'm sure if everything goes well, and the reactions are strong enough, I will gain more confidence.
Sometimes it can be a bit discouraging seeing professional magicians on television, and the ease and confidence with which they control the stage.

Sometimes it can be a bit discouraging seeing professional magicians on television, and the ease and confidence with which they control the stage.

You need experience for that. Initially, you will experience a lot of failures due to unforseeable circumstances.

But with more experience you will gain the ability to hide the accidents and still impress your audience. This is nothing which you can learn while practicing at home, though.

Personally, I found it very helpful to join Toastmasters. This will help you to overcome your stage fright while also improving your presentation skills. It is again the experience you gain which is important here.

All the great stage magicians have started small. They just were not discouraged by their initial failures, but have continued and learned from them.

It wasn't my first gig but I rember one of my first children's gigs and arriving to see it was a massive outdoor party, with loads more kids than they had suggested and a lot older than they had told us plus a sizable adult audience to watch, bouncy castle etc. We were that nervous that we considered driving away
In the end we did it, but the planned routine needed drastic changing and it was really hard work, though it did go down well.