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Hi all, this is the 3rd installment on my progress with public performances.

Okay so this wasn't a gig at all really. I hadn't performed anything to anyone for a month as I have been away getting married, and I was clucking to get out there again and feel the rush. So, I headed to town last night as my daughter and wife were both elsewhere for the night. Thinking a saturday night would be great as it would be packed in town and I could try my effects on plenty of people. I live in Hitchin, which if anyone knows is quite small and has around 10 bars in the town center. I'd already decided beforehand that I wouldn go to two of them where I personally thought I'd have the best chance to be heard. A small wine bar, and a hotel, I chose these two especially for the reason they have beer gardens.

The Bad:
First and foremost I'd like to point out I dissapointed myself. I'm normaly a very confident, cheeky person and have never had a problem walking up to anyone and holding a conversation...until last night! It's something I really need to work on, and that is my initial approach, or as Fiftytwo called it in my previous post 'Cold Starting'. If anyone has advise or can tell me where I can read up on anything that would help me in this area I would be really grateful as this has really knocked me for six.
The only catastrophe of the night was for a couple, a very simple effect that I COMPLETELY ballsed up. I cut one selection to the wrong place, dropped another whilst doing a twirl change, and laid the wrong selection on the table.....f***!! So I just stopped it and appologised, threw the cards on the table and said 'We'll move away from those shall we?" and performed a prop based effect in their hands which was great, and then a mind reading effect to leave them with a biz card each. I still got likened to a current magi on TV beginning with D, MUCH to my surprise after such a c**k up.
Another thing that I thought was perculiar and again really didn't help my already subsiding confidence levels, was the fact that every time I'd got my self prepared to approach, within a foot of the prospective specs, about to open my mouth, rows between couples were breaking out. From one pair I heard the words 'Will you pack it in', another group a woman started shouting 'It's all that John's f*ing fault' and one couple frankly told me 'Not now mate can't you see I'm busy'. I'd hazard a guess someone has had experiences like these and again any advise would be great, I just kept on walking.
WOW thats alot of bad!

The Good:
Not much in all honesty. The effects I did perfrorm were recieved well and that famous D name was banded about a lot so I thought that was pretty cool. One guy challenged me to find the card he was thinking of, I took a chance and culled the Ace of spades to top of deck with intention of doing an ACR if at was something else, and what a fluke!!
He named the Ace, I palmed it off, golden.
I have an effect in which I use a friction pen for, sometimes it hits and sometimes it misses and I have a great effect as an out for that. The first couple I performed to it well and truly hit, and to top it off there were candles on the table and I let the spectator make the reveal herself.
I did manage to remember the names of each spectator during performance and said it back to them as much as poosible. I was pleased about this as in the past I've been so busy concentrating on the effect instead, and I could see immediately the rapport being built as people began to lean into my space.
I learnt a very valuable lesson, and that is cards are a nightmare when it's humid. I could feel them gluing to my fingers and breaks were much harder to obtain without leaving enough gap for a bus. I knew this would be the case in such weather, however after experiencing it I'll make sure in future the s.o.hand work wiill be kept to a minimal and maybe stick to a few more props instead.

In summary I'd say I bombed. My goals were to improve my approach and I quite simply didn't. I just hope this doesn't become too big an issue. I think it's a lot to do with the fact I've not been invited into someones space whereas the two parties I did recently, I was. My first port of call is to go and watch Lee Smith in action at a venue in town and see a master at work. Also I'm going to read about salesman cold calling patter and see what I can apply to me, and if anyone else can point me to any good resources I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this. I hope someone gets something from it and I'll hopefully have something more jolly to post next time
KP

Everyone has bad gigs and problems from time to time. Don't lose heart and i am sure the next one will be a great, best of luck.

It's really interesting to read your experiences since I'm pretty much in the same position as you are now (albeit slightly earlier). I have routines but I'm trying to build the confidence up to go out and perform them. I think it's incredibly brave of you to go out and simply approach people around bars. I don't think I'd do this simply because of the alcohol variable. I always remember Osterlind saying that if he turned up at gig and people were drunk he would refuse to perform - I'm not saying that this is the case in your situation, and I'm just trying to quantify the risk. Can I ask what time you went out and for how long??

My plan is to start with some gigs where the crowds are guaranteed not to be hostile. I have a few ideas but I have a kind of bawdy presentational approach which I need to reign in before I get them booked. Incidently, I'm only in Huntingdon so if you need a stooge to have a heart attack at your Hitchin act, let me know and I'll make sure you draw a crowd!!

I think its brilliant that you can be honest with us here, but mostly with yourself. I support thee.

You have balls of steel to go out and throw yourself in at the deep end like this. Bravo.

I've just started going out in public too with a more experienced friend of mine. It really helps having another magician to take the heat off and to give you feedback from their perspective. It's much easier to approach people and is less weird for random victims.

Even if your mate is a juggler, comedian or just chatty morale support... taking a friend really helps break the ice and gives you the stepping stone your confidence needs. I know it's often hard to find one to help and I only suggest this as it's helped me with my shaky lack of confidence.

It also helps that it's the Edinburgh Festival at the moment and being a local, it's a lot easier to get access to people who are looking to be entertained or see something different. If your town has any occasions or attractions that attract a lot of tourists, get out there and use them.

You hit yourself hard there, no need. Approaches somethimes feel worse than the spectator perceives.

Anyway, heres an idea or two to be going on with.

1.
"Hi, Im epicawesomemagiciandude.. dont worry, I'm paid to interrupt" - bring out cards and politely ask if they'd like to see something.

simple line, not trying too hard.

2.
Listen until you catch a name, write their name on a blank card, or on the face of one of their cards...
Go up and say... hey, can you do me a favour - pick a card... and simply force their name card, saying - is that your card?

This one is good, because you already have a name, and have made a potential contact in the group.

3.
Ask the previous table/group if they know anyone else, and get them to introduce you to the new group/ person if they do. Seamless integration into new group. Happy days.

4.
Tell the bartender/person who booked you to send people over. Raise the awareness. Its rare that people do come over, but they might...

5.
Make Noise.
No.. not screaming. And don't beatbox. That never works for me.
Get people clapping and laughing on your first few tables. If a table is interested, stay but change performance angles/ move around the group/table a bit. Try and get another group looking. As soon as you see them looking - drag them in/ask for their help, or politely say to your current table/audience - hey guys, ill be back in a sec, i wanna show this guy something!

6.
Tell every group that if they want to see more just ask. Quite often, and group will grow as more people turn up. They will tell the newcomers about you if you left an impression, and invariably will want to show you off. If you have built rapport, they will ask you for more.

7. Rip off your shirt. Especially effective for women.


Hope this helps.

Keep plugging away Kyle,

Ive heard some good comments from Lee about your performances.

I suggest when you approach a group of people, Introduce yourself, and say Hi, Im Kyle, Im a close up magician and (name of the owner/manager) has asked me to entertain you for a little while.This tells them 3 things,

A) Your name
B) what you do
C) The owner has asked you to entertain his/her guests

Hit them with something quick and visual, when you have their attention just do your normal set.

If im performing in restaurants, not only do I want to impress my audience, I want to impress the owner. I say to them "they are doing a special tonight" the louder you applaud the more discount you get. They know you are joking, but this always gets a big round of applause, which lets the owner know his/her guests are enjoying themselves. Also when I perform Phil plus, which I do on a very regular basis, When they name MY prediction, I will say "if that card is named Bert or whatever, these people are going to give you a huge round of applause, this ALWAYS gets a great response. Ask Lee if this works, because the last couple of gigs ive done with him, he always says, christ mate what were they all cheering for then.Believe me mate, everyone will be wanting you to go over to them.

Keep up the good work

All the best

Steve

What Steve really means is when he gets a big cheer its because he has told them I will be coming over to them soon

I will call you tomorrow Kyle.

Lee Smith wrote:What Steve really means is when he gets a big cheer its because he has told them I will be coming over to them soon

I will call you tomorrow Kyle.

OK OK hands up, I will admit it. The News that Mr Smith has now entered the building,and will be joining you shortly, normally gets a huge round of applause.

Good luck Kyle.

Im sure that when Lee phones you today, He will pass on some of the very generous tips that I have given him over the years, that have enabled him to become the success that he is today.

A very good morning to you too Lee

All the best

Steve

Lee Smith wrote:What Steve really means is when he gets a big cheer its because he has told them I will be coming over to them soon

I will call you tomorrow Kyle.

OK OK hands up, I will admit it. The News that Mr Smith has now entered the building,and will be joining you shortly, normally gets a huge round of applause.

Good luck Kyle.

Im sure that when Lee phones you today, He will pass on some of the very generous tips that I have given him over the years, that have enabled him to become the success that he is today.

A very good morning to you too Lee

All the best

Steve

Mabybe you can post your thoughts here when you have done your third gig mate.

Sorry to derail the thread Palmo. But Steve needs to learn the ways of the magi.

Will catch up this week Palmo and can discuss in detail.

I've got my 3rd Gig at the end of Nov, 4hr wedding. I've tried not to undercut you Pros too much, so I've gone in at £125. This seems to be the going rate from what I can understand.

All the best

Steve

Thankyou for all the great advise so far.this is exactly what I wanted these posts to evolve into.
I'll be taking many things from this page and applying the knowledge as soon add possible.
Don't worry about the derailing at all, I'm really pleased there's a much happier tone than the first lump of gloom on here. Can't wait to see you this Sunday Lee, I know I'll take alot away with me after seeing you entertain.
Thanks for the tips everyone and I'll certainly be using them in the future
KP

Keep plugging away buddy. Amazing that you can be so honest on a public forum. Kudos!