I'v talked to a fellow magician named Eivind Løwig about this, he's one of Norways top table hoppers and a really great guy.
We agree that giving away some "gags" will improve on the overall experience for the guest visiting the restaurant/bar, cause when they get home they have a thing they also can perform.

I'm not talking about giving away magic secrets like the DL or a classic palm, more in the lines of the trick when you fold the president so he looks happy, then really sad (didn't know the name of it).
These are basically on the edge of what you can call a magic trick, it's rather more like a bar trick.

Any of you have any alternative give away "gags" that fits this description?

-e-

Erik
I give a dog made of beads, or the napkin rose, or a star shaped rubber band to the ladies and kids. The men are not important, you will score more points with kids and women than with their dull escorts.
Al

I would pick up a beginners book of magic from the library, and put together simple instructions based on some of those tricks. Print out the instructions with the business' name, address and phone number so they remembe where they got it.

You could make up a dozen or so and give out a different one every month. There are plenty of good, nearly selfworking card tricks, and some puzzles using coins that woudl work well without requiring sleight of hand.

Thanks for the input guys, as mentioned this is one way to make they remember you by in combination with giving away your business card.
But, how about giving away puzzles using common objects, guess Dan Harland has material that would fit this bill?
I'm on the look out for sources so if you know any good ones I'd like to hear about them.

-e-

Hi Eirik,

one of the best way I've used in order to be remind by the people, was using the "Fism Flash" (by J. Cornelius): at the end of the performance I've used to say: "You guys are so amazing that I'd like to take a picture of you... May I?". So I was drowing a small camera on the back of my business card, mentioning the big flash it have (at this time the people was so confusing on what I was doing)... I've never seen so many opened mouths when the flash came out from nowhere. After years there are people that still have my business card with the little camera and the big flash behind!

Paolo Venturini

On the back of your business card write:
A Bird in the
the Hand.

Have them read it most people will never catch the second "the", you bet it doesn't say "A bird in the Hand." then one word at a time point out how you win. Tell them you haven't paid for a drink in years with this one. They will keep your card forever.

Clever idea Keith! I'll be sure to find a similar sentence in Norwegian that conceals a word like the one you mentioned.

Paolo, I first saw the Fism Flash at a Finn Jon lecture, and I never thought of the alternative with the drawing on the business card, it does sounds like a funny and "magical" way to give out your card.
BTW any sources for the Fism Flash?

-e-

Elrik,
I have PMed you something I do. I am not sure if it is what you are looking for.

Sorry Eirik,

Cornelius discontinued his Fism Flash more than 3 years ago, I think you could inquire this forum at "Tricks and effects for sale or trade", or in the "The Workshop"; it won't be difficult, I think, assemble a flash with a switch... Also you could try to inquire some big and old magic shop, they may have it.

Good luck.

Paolo

Eirick,

Go to hocus-pocus.com and search for a Flash Burst. I read it on a thread here on the Café when I was looking for a replacement to my FISM Flash... Basically the same thing, premise, etc... Works out great for me.

Paolo. . . great idea. I am always looking for different presentations to use my flash with. I would love to hear possibly some different ideas you are doing in exchange I will pass on what works for me. Just shoot me a PM.... JPV

I'll search around.
If I don't find it it's nice to know that there is the Flash Burst as a alternative.

-e-

Does someone wish to sell their Flash Burst please?

Karl Norman gives away tiny little magic wands that he makes with some cut up little dowel rods, he just has a whole bunch of them in his pocket and his spectators get a little souvenir that helped with a trick and did “real magic”. I think it’s a great Idea.

I made up the Three Card Monte trick with the gimmicked card having my information on it. I made up a bunch of cards from old decks and printed up some instructions and put them in small baggies for giveaway promotional pieces. I also made up Two Card Monte's (even easier but not necessarily cheaper) which has my website info on the instructions.



Joe, as I recall, Tony Wilson from New Zealand had some smaller wands that are just a little larger than toothpicks that he gives away. Very cool, very small and extremely inexpensive. I'm not sure where to find a supply source for them, but I would love to know where to buy a ton of them.

yours,
Scott