I got some stellar advice in a pm and when I finish my new sign I'll share it here. I think you guys will be impressed, or not, maybe we don't think alike...

My new signs

Front of case (This is what is normally hanging and what most people see)


Back of case (This side will only be shown as a joke during my show...)


What do you guys think of the changes?

Gr8--

I think this finds the middle-ground between handmade enough to encourage tips (doesn't look like you are sponsored or rolling in dough) and still professional enough to not look like a panhandler.

You might change the spelling on the "gag" side to be a bit more easily translated, like: $#!%%Y

Thanks Motley Mage,

I thought about making the $#!%%y as well but I don't want to offend anyone with children smart enough to figure it out. Also my Letter set didn't come with enough symbols. I had to create the asterisk my self out of Xs.

I too thought it was a nice compromise between hand made and professional. I also really like the contrast of the White letters on the black background. It really stands out.

I permanently glued the sign to the box as well to make it less likely to roll up and get "dog eared."

Gallagher was who suggested that I try both the gag as opposed to a plan sign that said "Magic Show" and also that I try to make it look more professional.

I use a sign at times since the underside of my table is a painting - Cellini style. It does the job when I need it to. Here's a blog-entry about it when I finished it three years ago. It did look cleaner back then. http://blogg.arkadia.se/#post43

Best,

I do a mix of a magic show and balloon twisting on the street, working in s small city where there aren't enough pedestrians to get to work magic alone for a significant income. The balloon twisting helps make my income bigger.
So when people approach me I often don't know what they want, Balloons or Magic? So the sign I use helps sort this out.
My sign is done on a computer onto A4 paper mounted inside a clear plastic holder. It hangs from my front table edge.

My sign reads "Ask to see my Magic Show". This often encourages people to speak up to ask. Plus, I'm doing my show because they said they wanted to see it, so they've invested their interest even before I start. Hey, I used to have the word "Please" added on to my wording, because a lot of the teenagers around the area, I think, need to learn how to ask politely! Well, I didn't have enough space when I last reworded the sign, so I dropped the "please' bit.
Underneath, in much smaller writing is "Magic by Colin xxxx from Dargaville. Ph YYYYYYY"

I was surprised one time when I was phoned up by a person wanting to know more about me doing magic for a birthday party. As I usually do, I asked "How did you find out about me?" because I knew I hadn't spoken to him at the pitch. He told me "You were busy at the time and I read your name and phone number on my signage.

I don't agree with the view that some have that all that is needed on your street sign is "MAGIC SHOW". I think people should be told who we are, during the Show orally, and also by seeing our name on the sign. I once had a person on the street come up and address me by my first name, to my surprise. I asked how he knew my name. "I read it on your sign," he said. I had forgotten it was there.
Having your name on your sign is a good ice-breaker as well as good advertising.
I don't want to be known as just "some magician on the street doing magic." I want people to know just who I am - with consequent benefits.

Lately, I've been thinking of getting a banner from vistaprint online. I get my business cards through them and I can get a very nice small banner that with a little nip-and-tuck will fit my table perfectly. You can get them for under $20 so the cost is not really an issue. I'm think of one made with my graphics uploaded. The main reason for this was touched on by MagicCol above. When I am busy, my website and phone are on display in a nice manner. At least anyone that "scoobies" a video of my performance and loads it to youtube will be free advertisement? That's what I'm thinking anyhow.

I have never used a sign before because I feel the "What the heck is that snappy dressed guy up to?" effect draws attention where are Magic Show sign may turn off the muggles who "hate magic" until they see what a good magician can do.

I have a banner ( designed and photoshopped) round my table which constantly advertises MagicNews TeleVision. And give out cards...Not a magician but Pedro Tochas has a handwritten card he puts over his trolley and makes great use of it.Doing street with so many eyeballs on it and in photographs it's a great lead generator...

Put your name on it, no need to put magic show, if they stop to watch they will know that, and if not who cares?
but your name, who are you? you could be all over the net, twitter, facebook, with the tag under the photo "some dude doing magic" or you can have your name in the photos.

That's the ticket right there! Very nice sign. Fits the overall image of your show. Really nicely done.

Signage can be a tricky thing. Really important for it to match the overall image of your show, but also, like others have mentioned, you don't want it to be so fancy that if you're hatting the crowd that there's a disconnect between how much money the sign cost, and how much they'll drop in the hat.

If you're just doing a paid show for a festival or fair, a sign like what Darren has posted is just about perfect.

The sign can be left out in between your sets (if you're doing 3 or 4 sets at a fair or festival) so people know where the show location is.

The only thing I would consider adding to an A-frame like Darren's would be show times. So people walking by at 2:45 know to make it back for the 3:00 show.

Nice job.

If you use the banner primarily outdoors, I would recommend upgrading to their heavier duty vinyl. I used the thinner vinyl outdoors for a fair season. And by "season" I mean it lasted 3 fairs.

Put a * after the word free, then under that in small print put "or best offer" and this will set you up for a hat line!

I wouldn't mention free. Also, I don't use a sign, and I do okay... But then again, I look like a giant tangelo.

The only theory I can imagine, is that a cardboard sign would scare away those who are afraid of disdainful of beggars.

But Jimmy uses a crude sign, and he seems to do alright.

I finally got my sign from Vistaprint. With shipping it cost $12.00 It's a stiff, plastic "Yard Sign" so it is weather proof to a point and very light weight. I'll hang it from my tray stand. I think it looks really good. We'll see what the people think my next time out.

Click here to view attached image.

Kendall, that look awesome! I use Vistaprint for a lot of advertising materials, they're really great, fast and quality.