Doug
Welcome to the Café. What do you feel contributes to the success of a full time magic performer? Why have you succeeded whereas others may have failed?

Donnie,
Probably the key ingredient to the success of any
performer, in my opinion, is your showmanship and
ability to entertain your audience to the best of your
ability. I also try to find effects that I really
enjoy performing because then I can put my personality
into that particular effect.

I guess I have succeeded and made a full time living
at Magic because I truly love what I do, and the
best comments I get from my audiences are
"it looks like you are really have fun up there."

If your audience likes you....they will usually like
what you do providing you have put the time into
perfecting your magic!

Hi Doug!
How exactly can you get that very first impression from the Audience a good one.
What would be your strongest piece of advice to achieve this goal in the first 1 minute of being onstage?
Do you give them a brief intoduction to who you are and give them a little taste of your personality? Or do you jump straight into the first effect and win them through that? - If so....How???
Many Thanks In Advance,
Sam Griffin.

Hi Sam
What works for some doesn't always work for others.
In my case I have designed my openings for all my shows using the same formula.
I want to establish my personality and magic quickly.
I have chosen items and lines (or music in the larger show I do) that work for my personality and me. I think this is a key ingredient to establishing yourself right away. Be it comedy, drama, finesse or whatever you choose. Your opening routine, as with all your magic, should fit you, be entertaining, and well rehearsed.

Also I let the host, or MC do my introduction. That way I can immediately get to doing what I was hired to do.......
ENTERTAIN the people!

I hope this helps. If not, let me know.