Im sure I'm like many of you, that when you tell people you are a magician, they ask to see a trick. I rarely carry stuff, but I thnk I will start. what small, killer, quick trick do you, or would you carry around to make people ask for business cards?

Invisible Deck (or anything with a deck of cards). Fits in a shirt pocket.

Yes, when they want to see a trick I ask them "do you ask a doctor for a diagnosis when you meet them?" Then explain that magic is how I make my living, come see one of my shows.

Paddy, true. It is kinda annoying, but this seems like an opportunity to showcase in front of a prospective client. You get a test drive before you buy a car. This seems less like "entertain me for free!" And more of an evaluation.

If you can't take three minutes out of your day to do a card trick for someone, you're in the wrong field. They're not asking you to put on a 45 minute show for free. Personally, if a magician ever blew me off like that, I wouldn't come see them perform. That's just about the worst sales pitch I can think of.

You're absolutly correct. If their interested enough in magic to ask you to show them something, then as a magician you have a duty to show them something.

Plus, its not like magicians are like doctors. People pay hundreds and thousands of dollars to get diagnosed and treated. Uncle Bob can do a card trick for free...

A free show is another thing. I will still do free shows for good will/publicity etc, but the prep, travel, show that normally cost hundreds is different than a Svengali deck for 2 minutes.

Yes I understand what you are all saying, but you're wrong. You seem to think like the laymen that we are not professionals. We are. Uncle Joe is an amateur he does something that took 10 minutes to learn. We have spent a lot of money and hours perfecting our performances

First of all Tricks are performed by dogs and girls on the street. I am a magician, I perform effects, or minor miracles if you prefer. We as entertainers spend a lot more than just 40 hours a week working on our shows and selling the shows to the public. When I refuse to do "a trick" for a layman, I always do it with courtesy and respect and don't just blow them off.

Also I have found that the only thing free shows do for you is being asked to do more free shows. I do not do free shows with one exception. There is one organization that I have turned down a paid show so I could give them a free show but that's the only case.

I have long past the part of my life where this matters.

I have heard all the stories of how this or that fantastic gig got booked by doing this trick or that trick. It is simply not how I want to be perceived is all. I don't do too much outside of the context of my show.

Now that is not to say I will do nothing mind you. But I don't carry things with me. Ever. If someone hands me cards, I will do some quick things but just enough to get them the cards back without incident LOL.

Do you know what you feed a hungry horse in the morning when you want to get a full days work out of him? Just enough to let him know he is hungry. Same principal with showing tricks when you are not being paid. Show just enough to let them know they want to see more.

It's pretty simple really.

Kameron
"Extreme Burn 2.0", but nothing is for sure.

When they ask to see something, pull out a short stack of business cards and turn them blank side up. Ask them to think of a friend's name, or maybe count money in his pocket or wallet, or pull out a coin and think of the date .... you get the idea.

Write somehing on the blank side of the card. Then ask thm what they were thinking of. They respond, you hand them the card. They'll keep it.

Ed

I believe Michael Ammar has a book on the subject. (effects with business cards)

There probably isn't one trick that will guarantee they will ask, but if you want to increase your odds of being asked, then do a trick with your business card (that's common sense, isn't it?).

Looking for suggestions? Michael Ammar can help:

Easy To Master Business Card Miracles

http://www.llpub.com/zenshop/index.php?m......_id=1919

Ed, is that just a way to pass out your card, or am I missing the trick?

Kameron - think Vernet

Are we talking nail writer?

Yep, Charlie is right. Perform mentalism on a business card. It will make a great souvenir.

If the goal is to tell people you are a magician, so that they ask to see something and then ask to have a business card, then do a trick with your business card. That way you don't have to have playing cards or arm choppers.

Carry a NW. Do something out of Corinda and they'll never forget you.