Actually Stigmata (if done to the teen crowd) will get people to get out their camera phones. While you're not exactly giving anything to them, it's something they will have with nevertheless.

What about getting poker chips personalised with your contact details and use these instead of coins. Then give them away at the end. People will keep them because they look too valuable to throw away.

Greetings and Salutations,

I've looked into poker chips, too expensive unless you're making good hats or are being well paid for your efforts.

A cheapter alternative would be wooden nickles. I don't have the info in front of me, but I believe you can get 1,000 for less than $100.

Just my $.02 (USD) worth. YMMV.

Joe in KC

But people won't want to take them!

Remember? "Don't take any Wooden Nickles!"

I believe it was daryl who suggested getting a stamp with your information & stamping the backs of cards. You could use these for predictions or have the info "appear" on the spectators card.

Several magicians in my area have had "superhero trading cards" with their pictures and "magical powers" made rather than business cards. When you give them to kids they're much more likely to hang onto them/talk about them/show them off than a business card....which most of the time kids don't really care much about. Another idea is that if you do a cups and balls routine using bouncy balls, and giving them out at the end of your routine....there will be balls bouncing all over the area in which you perform because the kids can't possibly resist doing that...which will draw attention to your performance! Best of luck!

Think about a coloring book or on one paper that you can have copy at a local store.you can put any information that you want on it.

I know a guy that uses some little finger puppet ... he does a few thumbil moves with him, and gives one to the kids. He works a resturant gig, and this gives the manager something to see - kids playing with the finger puppet means the magician is doing his job.

-JoeJoe

A bend coin is a great giveaway, but how about mindbender from ellusionist but with your business card rather than a playing card??

Stamp some napkins and make a napkin rose with a flourish - quick and cheap - if girl with a man give to man to hand to women, or child to pass to mum...