I have done a few table-hopping gigs and a few walk-around gigs. When I approach people I introduce myself as a magician and I ask them if they would like to see something. For the first trick people kind of look at me and don't know what to expect, it's like they're thinking "what's this guy doing? Is he for real?"

After the first trick once I've established mysdelf as a magician they seem to connect with me better and relax.

I would like to make this connection with them from the start. Do you have any tips or advice for approaching people in these situations? In kids' shows I have a warm-up which makes this connection but for adults what can I do?

Also, I find you need fast impactive, easy-to-follow tricks. What do you recommend?

Thanks,
Mike

I follow the Jay Sankey Rule. NEVER ask them if they want to see a trick.
They are not qualified to answer that question. They also might say no.
Most people have never seen a close-up magician, so, as you said, they don't know what to expect.

In the restaurant I work, I approach a table just being friendly.(Small talk) They know I'm officially part of the restaurant staff, but not a magician just yet. I then tell them I want to give them something free, open up my wallet and give them a blank piece of paper... this leads into a routine where I change it into a million dollar bill. This (for me) allows them to get to know me a litttle, we get to interact and they WANT to see what is going to happen to that paper.

I then go into other routines. It depends (as you gain experience) on reading people. My approach changes depending on my feel for the guests (sometimes I misread them) but for the most part I use my above approach. Also the magic happens in my hands first, respecting their personal space. (they don't know me.)

After that then I ask permission to borrow their hand and then that is where the magic happens. Much more impressive to the spectator.

Just be friendly!! Sometimes I say, "Hello, just wanted to stop by and thank you for coming to XYZ today" "Have you been here before?" Then I use the gag and say
"Have you ever seem me before? (No!) Then how do you know it's me?" It does get a laugh and spurs more conversation. NOTE!!!! Some people don't want to be bothered for any reason and you'll have to watch the body language. Sometimes you can change negative attitudes, but this skill will need to be developed as you gain experience.. Well, that's enough rambling for now. I'm sure other pros will chime in to help...

All the best,

David Paul

The post above is very sound advice on approaching the table and conversation, I'll take the "What magic to do first?" question and share my opinion.

This is not "new" advice by any means, but you really need to open with an effect that requires no thought on the part of the spectator. I'm not a huge fan of "eye-candy" just for the sake of it, but it does have its place and this is a case where it is very useful. You made a good point that after your first effect you get a more cohesive relationship with you audience, so logically it makes sense to make the first effect short, sweet, and jolting.

I always wear a finger ring and it is the very first item that I use for an effect for everyone that I show magic to, no exceptions. Whether I am approaching someone or a group is approaching me makes no difference in my decision making. I remove my ring and small talk about people suspecting the ring. I perform a pass, blow on my hand and immediately show it back on the finger that it originated from. Like I say, nothing "new":" here, but the effect is startling for several reasons.

This effect in particular will serve you well as it is over in a matter of about two seconds. The spectator is caught completely off guard, and most importantly this the type trick in which the magic happens before they are ready for anything to even start happening. There are effects that are structured to have the spectator anticipate the effect (Ambitious Card) and then there are effect in which they do not even suspect an effect to be possible at that moment. In my opinion, you are looking for the latter as an opener. The ring effect is a perfect example of a group at a table being caught in that moment of "Oh *#&%!!!"

An effect like this brings surprise-evoked laughter from someone (if not everyone) in the group 99.9% of the time. It is a great way to start of with genuine amazement, when people are caught off guard in this way they immediately lose their inhibitions concerning first meeting you and thrust themselves right into a conversation/reaction. In other words they are involved and reacting within seconds of meeting you. If I can only do one thing when meeting people, this is it. It works for me! Let me know if it helps you any.

Best,

Clark

Blimey. Don't try this in Britain. You will be overpowered by deadly cynicism within five seconds.

Seriously, I'd quite like to see some magic while dining. But I wouldn't want to be chatted up by a stranger whose purpose was uncertain. I'd suspect he was trying to sell me something, or convert me.

I'm with both people on here! Those are very good approaches.

I'm particularly fond of the conversational approach myself. You start talking about non-magic things, then you move towards that with the conversational 'in' so to speak. But, like Paul said, not everyone will be responsive and you have to be ready to recognize that.

I think most magicians have to fight a battle of sorts with adult patrons, since most of them think magic is for kids and that you are going to finish your performance for them with a balloon animal that has an enormous ding-dong or something.

But if you handle yourself in such a way that they will know you are good at what you do, your confidence will be just as important as your execution of any slieght or performance, because ultimately that have to like YOU and not so much the magic... and that all starts from the minute you first open your mouth.

Sorry, I guess in retrospect maybe this isn't at all helpful, but, there isn't really a straight answer either. Good luck on your journey to find it, these fellas have given you an incredible start!

I won't repeat the good advice of the previous couple of posts... I will say that in my opinion, Sankey's advice is wrong for most of us... it certainly is for me (of course I haven't been the house magician for 12 different establishments as he says he has... makes me wonder though why he's moved around like that?

Certanly if he acts at a table the way he does on his last videos I can see why he needs to jump right in with some magic). In any event, the original poster wanted to know how he could connect sooner with a group. For me it's not by showing them a trick or stuffing magic in their faces hoping they'll want to see more. There are so many nuts around I think you have to introduce yourself and tell why you are there.

I have a couple of inviting comments to make (or offer to show something for kids if present) but some people don't want to see magic or be interrupted by anyone for any reason except their wait-staff. Maybe they are talking business or breaking up or coming back from a funeral. They might suggest a new place to put the "pen through anything".

REstaurant workers handbook is a GREAT help to most.

People let you known within the first few seconds if they are intersted or not. learn to read faces is very importan.

I will have to respectfully disagree with the above mentioned advice at least for a restaurant setting. The people that go out to restaurants are not there to see a magician, they are out to have a nice meal and enjoy their time with friends and family. For the restaurant I work in, the food is not cheap so this is a very special occassion for the people to come out and enjoy this type of dining. In my opinion we do not have any right at all to 'push' the magic on people. I go out of my way to make sure the customers want to see what I have to offer. Just walking up and doing magic for people I feel that you are disrespecting them. It's their right to make up their mind whether or not they want to see your 'magic' or if they even want you around at all. I even make sure it's okay that I do a card trick for them! This might seem like overkill and I know that the card magic I present is top notch but some people just hate card tricks and want nothing to do with them. The same goes for magicians, some people just do not like us so by all means think twice before asking if someone lost a white knife and just jumping into your favorite routine.

Your friend in magic,
Luke Dancy

Gotta agree with Luke on this one. I completely dislike the walk-up and go into an effect approach. Letting them make a decision is absolutely the best way to keep customers happy.

Eugene Burger actually had two people look up at him early on in his walk around days and state, "Excuse me...we were having a conversation." As he pointed out, he decided to never have that happen to him again.

In short, make good choices.

Clark

You took the words right out of my mouth. The best thing to do is get your spectator's approval before doing the trick.

A sincere smile,and a non-magical pleasant comment,will usually allow you access to ENTER their space.

Example:"Welcome folks,is this a special occasion?

or.."It's nice to see smiling face's"[even if they are not actually smiling,very often they will smile at this,[and if they don't.. politely move on.].

"You have to present yourself,before you can successfully present your magic."

Best.
Rich

That's realy funny, thanks!

Pushin magic on people - no. However, presenting yourself in a manner that invites a "yes, please" response, instead of an automatic "no," is always a good idea for any strolling performer. A polite approach, introducing yourself as a member of the staff, the house tableside entertainment for the evening, is often a positive way to do things, especially in an upscale venue.

It is often a good idea to enlist the assistance of the host(ess) and/or the wait staff in such places as well, to let the patrons know about you before you make your approach or even to use the Eugene Burger model and to have the Host bring you to the table and introduce you as a special gift/treat from the management.

In upper class establishments, this is a superb way to keep from getting the "down-the-nose-rejection" treatment.

And, after an introduction like that, you have better deliver some pretty upper-crust material, folks. If you kick off with the 21-card trick, you are dead in the water from the get-go! But if you engage them with something interesting and amusing and visual, you should do well.

Just my 2 cent's worth after almost 4 decades in the biz...

Lee Darrow, C.H.

Okay...here's what I do. It mostly works. I assume the role of an actor, which I am as a magician.[Important point: A magician is an actor. Your act begins before any trick does.] Okay so we got that out of the way.

Anyway, I walk up to a table, smile and -- in a British accent -- say that the restaurant has asked me to perform for them. And very much in a polite tone of "I-hope-you-don't-mind-the-intrusion"-type thing, I ask, "Would you like to see something?" They are delighted to meet an English fellow who does magic, delighted to hear the accent, which I use with some very British-like banter [Sweetie! Could you cut the cards, then?] The misdirection begins with my voice and engaging English demeanor. They're meeting someone from another culture. They find me fascinating. And the magic, cool. They like me. And that, as all the magic literature says, is the key.

I like acting and doing accents. So it's something you have to be comfortable with -- assuming a role AND a voice. But this is a one-man/woman play that we do, isn't it, fellas? [read that last question a little like Ringo with an up inflection at the end]
Best, fib

I have the staff tell me who wants to see magic. They pitch the idea, not me. It makes it so much easier.

Man,..
MagicChris..you always have the best answers! the best product advice...reviews...more than 57-hundred posts....the best and most of everything!...Who ARE you?
Best, fib

Half the battle is won by what you wear.

If you look like a magician, then they know what your about. (So your not a bible-seller etc.)
I personally wear a tie with playing cards on it, along with a smart suit. I also hold a pack of cards.

I always introduce myself first, and ask if they want to see some magic. I've had events where the people had just come from a funeral. The last thing they want to see is a magic trick.
If you impose yourself upon them, they will most deffinetly complain and probally get their food for free, which will make you look bad. ALWAYS ASK FIRST.

Steve

You never know with guest's returning from a funeral.Several times over the years I have had them request me.I guess some folk's just would like a change of mood.
One recent long table turned out to be one of my best table's ever.They couldn't thank me enough for lightening things up for them.Very fulfilling.

Rich

In order to prevent bad experiences with patrons at restaurants I offer this bit of advice from a LIVE! Wire post I made...

Approach the table and ask if their server has been with them yet/taken their order yet etc.

If the answer is "NO" tell them, "No problem I'll let him/her know you're here."

And continue..."It's good to have you with us tonight folks. Just to let you know we do have a terrific magician here this evening providing complimentary entertainment at your table. Would you like me to send him/her over?"

(Or something to that effect)

If they say, "Yes" then you're all set.
If they say, "No" then you're all set.

Either way the point is to take the heat off of the patrons of being interrupted by a "magician" or saying "no" to the magician (which some folks might find uncomfortable.)


And since they believe you to be part of the staff at that point, there's no worries.

Robert Bloor

PS: The earlier comment about what you where is also critical. Don't look like a chump!