talkmagic.co.uk

Hi all i want to make magic my job but dont have a clue on how to go about it. I played in a band when i was at performing arts college so i assume it would be the same principle to getting bookings, however that was before youtube so im wondering if its worth having a youtube account and grabbing a friend and doing some street magic effects in bars where i know the managers just to have something to show people. i know what i eventually want my stage show to be when i can afford all the big effects to do vanishes and appearances ive even started working on a parlour magic show in the guise of ricky jay with card work and my chop cup aswell a few more extreme illusions such as the threading the needles in my mouth which is still quite popular as penn and teller have done it recently on itv.i just need some guidance as what to include as most of the effects i have are from childrens magic kits from when it was just my hobby. please help if you can.

If you show your magic on youtube you may be better off not giving the vids any tags and not putting magic or card trick or anything like that in the title.

This sounds daft I know, but when Youtube identifies your videos as a card trick or magic it will load lots of other magic video's as suggestions for the viewer. Half of these will be videos of some numpty exposing the illusion you just performed and this kind of takes the magic and kicks it square in the nuts.

Thanks for the advice i never thought about that, which is odd considering each time i buy a new effect i use youtube to watch videos of people using the same effect,(example of this was paul daniels with the chop cup) to get ideas of the boundaries of whats effective as the instructions give you a basic routine. thank you.

I may be wrong, but I can't see youtube getting you a single extra gig. Invest in cards, promo materials, etc, instead, and you will build up a business.

I agree with Tony. Get good business cards, promotional material and begin advertising when you feel ready and try to get a good website. Much better than using youtube.

Invest in a good website.
Have a link from your website to a private Youtube video channel which has your promo material. Avoid any chance for some know-it-all kid to post comments about your tricks. They will probably expose your methods and/or leave insults about your performance.
Try to have videos of actual performances so people can see your personality as well as your technical skills.

Youtube and a website will not bring in any work through casual browsing. It is your electronic business card so that people who are actively looking for you can get more information about you. You still need to promote your name and web address by every means possible. When performing in the street try and build something into your routine that ensures they have a card to keep in their purse or wallet.