I'll get this thread started with what I'd like to see from now on:

1) You may open your online trailer with clips of reactions from spectators / participants to pique my interest.
2) You may show a few edited moments of the effect to further create interest.
3) You will quickly proceed to show a performance IN ITS ENTIRETY, without cutting away, exactly as a skeptical and sharp-minded audience would see it.
4) You will not expose the method of your effect in a place where the general public can see such exposure.
5) You will not wear your hat backwards, you fool.

While I agree mostly...

Numbers 3 and 4 could clash in actual practise...

Hat? What hat? Where can I learn about hats? Can you please be more specific and post a youtube link please.

Also, I bought a beeny hat which has no front or back. I heard LOTH has an, as yet, unrelased version of hat which is brilliant.

In all seriousness though - I'll just settle for an honest bit of blurb and reputation to buy something. Let me down or BS me and I won't be buying from you again.

That's what I do

Doesn' work for some of my effects.
The mobile opener and the big Trivia are to easy to do if you see the clip.
So there are some expetions

Lior

1. Release the effect to a few select people and a few random ones. Ask them to be honest.

2. Wait for the joy or the wrath of both and let word of mouth sell your effect if it's good or not if it isn't good

3. End

Bev

PS Quick guide on how to make me NOT buy your effect - create a video with creepy music which is 99% words fading in and out really slowly telling me how great or spooky it is and how people are going to be fried

How about this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXd3vJ3-m4A

Brilliant!

Forget the video altogether. Simply provide an ACCURATE description of the effect and its real world limitations/applicability (i.e., angle restrictions, does or does not require assistant, re-set, repeatable for same audience, suitable for stage, close-up, one-on-one, etc.) and, without revealing the "secret," honestly indicate what is NOT involved (i.e., threads, magnets, etc.), be willing to provide additional information or answer questions via PM. Those who have learned enough to understand should be able to know whether or not they have the experience and skills required to handle the effect. Those who lack the knowledge to understand what is involved are probably not experienced enough to handle it and shouldn't consider buying it.

Of course the foregoing presumes that the seller's motivation is to further the art and not simply to maximize sales.

I realize that this is probably little more than wishful thinking and bears little relationship to the real world of magic today.

That's fair, and if I read that on your site (along with the happy testimonials of those I trust), I'd be satisfied. The Mobile Opener is one of those things I keep meaning to buy, because I did read lots of those happy testimonials from real performers.

James, I love your video and I've seen your product up close. I like it a lot.

I can agree with most of the opening points but I don't get the hat thing or am I not picking up that it's a joke?

Do you have an example of an effect that does not use a gimmick that has a good demo based on your criteria?