I just want to tell you a bit about my progress, and perhaps get a few words of encouragement...

I´m in that state where I have shown my magic to my family and to all my coworkers. Some of my tricks work fine and some need a little more work. The problem with the effects that need work is that the only way to get better is to go out into the real world and perform for "strangers". A good example is Looch "Hollow" where I have the mechanics working but need to work on the interaction part. This is very hard to do in a mirror...

So, my thought is to go out in the streets and perform...however...

My first try was a couple of weeks ago. I had my pockets loaded with magic and went out trying to work out how to start performing. In my town, there are basically no magicians performing with is both good and bad. The bad part is that people don't expect magic, and therefor are harder to interact with. The good part is that there is very little (if any) competition. I realized quite quickly that just going up to a stranger and ask if they want to see a magic trick is not the best approach. Most people are doing something, like talking or eating, and for them having a stranger walk up and start talking is jus unnatural. The logical reaction is to be "on guard" and not inviting, thus making my approach hard.

I did figured out a good approach for people with kids however...and that was to walk up to the kid and ask if he/she had seen my rabbit. I acted very concerned about loosing my rabbit and then, when the kid told me he hadn't seen it...I produced it from his ear and showed my 3d rabbit routine. This worked fine..but...I didn't want to spend the day doing sponge rabbits to kids. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, I didn't perform for adults nearly as much as I wanted to.

So...my next idea is to use a table and stand in a fixed place. I have also started a fundraiser for cancer treatment and will have a sign on my table saying "Magic for the benefit of cancer treatment". I figured this will get two things working; 1. people will come to me, expecting to see magic and 2. people will understand that I´m not selling them anything or trying to rip them off.

Has anyone tried this approach?

That's an interesting approach. I'm curious to hear how it works for you. I think if I saw that, though, I'd be a bit skeptical. I'm always extremely cautious about charitable donations "on the streets," because there are too many people faking it and taking the money for themselves. I'd watch the show, and if I felt like tipping the guy, I would, but I would offer an amount that I might tip, not the amount I would donate to a cancer charity.

Another thought: in this country, if someone walks up to a child and asks if they've seen his rabbit, people will chase him off with torches and pitchforks. In fact, even if I wanted to do some children's magic (which isn't what I specialize in anyway), I'd always approach the parents, not the children.

Just a thought: if you can get connected with a real known non-profit, perhaps you can set up with a restaurant, ice cream parlor, etc. to use a table. Set up a poster and jar: "Magic tricks - $5; $3 with any purchase. All proceeds go to this great cause." Or something like that.

Ed

Search Link:
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=n......teOLedSc

Links
http://www.buskercentral.com/dvd.php
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Money-Buskin......forming)
http://moreintelligentlife.com/story/life-tunnel-mole
http://www.investopedia.com/financial-ed......ing.aspx
http://www.musicradar.com/us/news/guitar......g-583203
http://www.wnyc.org/story/297229-busking......-living/
http://www.buskercentral.com/how.php
http://jimmytalksalot.blogspot.com/
http://magiclizarddowloads.payloadz.com/......ook.html

Try the penguin live download GAZZO live 2 as well.

I have started a fundraiser with a known charity so people can donate via SMS. That way, I don't have to hand cash and people are sure that the money is going to the right cause.

I agree that the charity-approach might sound suspicious to some, but on the other hand...I really have nothing to lose. If they don´t donate money, I still get to practice and perform my magic. I haven't had time to do this live yet, but I´ll let you know how it turned out.

The rabbit-approach did work fine. The parents looked a bit puzzled, but as soon as the rabbit popped out of the ear of the child, all was laughing.