Koz,
I trained sales people for 10 years because I had done it all, won every award possible except maybe one. For me, it is really easy to teach. SOmebody earlier said it best, when it comes to the hats, "Some will, Some won't, who cares, Next???"
I do know this for a FACT though, there will always be pushy salespeople that most of the time get the money but the ones that people like will be comeback customers and don't mind paying several times.
When I watch a fellow magician, I'm looking for a couple of things, does the audience like him?? Also, how good is his magic and hopefully comedy lines??
The applause and money at the end of his set tells me how he went over, sometimes I agree with the crowd sometimes I don't.
If your main focus in your act is money, money, money then you are definitely going to lose a lot of people that might have stayed and put bucks in your hat.
Focus on your act and the rest will follow.
Tape yourself for the next 30 days and watch the shows yourself as an audience member, would you have put anything in the hat?? How much and why??
Just some food for thought.
Bill