Just wanted to share…

I hadn’t performed for pay since college. (Quite some time ago). I’ve been doing some busking for last few years, but was more fun then money. Earlier this year somebody posted on neighborhood Facebook page they wanted a magician for an adult birthday party, and I did it. I had a blast and made a few bucks. Not sure how, but afterwards I got contacted by Bark.com, wanting me to sign up with them. They gave me a bunch of free credits. So I did and have booked three shows with them.

I realize at my age, and skill level, I’ll never be full time performer, so set a goal of being “cost neutral.” I want to earn enough money to make up for my years of purchases, and to offset future purchases. At the rates I’m charging, I need about 10 more shows. Then think a show a month after that to pay for overhead and new stuff.

Right now I’ve an hour long close up show , best for adult gatherings. And a hour parlor show (based on my busking set) that’s family friendly, but can also be geared to an adult audience. Lots of opportunities for kids shows, but that’s a special performer who can do those, and not my strength. So haven’t done those. I’m still working on my character…right now I’m going for the affable bumbling nerdy type. It works well with my show/routine. Plus I’ve found added bonuses. If I’m not all that slick with the cards (I.e. No carsdistry) the tricks have greater impact. Also, if I do screw up, it can be covered bymy bumbling character. Still a work in progress.

Still lots to learn about the marketing as well. Right now I’m book through Bark or word of mouth and have been very casual about it all. For Bark, I’ll submit quotes, but have rarely did any follow up or phone calls. I’ve got about 20% success rate. As I learn what to look for, and get some reviews, I think that will climb. Though December for my area has been less that what I expected. Not as many holiday parties as I thought. It’s also interesting to see difference between cities. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Not a ton of leads via Bark. But I also see leads for Chicago, and wow! Lots and lots of them for the Windy City! Also, the rumors are true…lots of requests for bachelorette parities! It’s very cool to see all the interest in magic in Chicago, and suspect once The Hand and The Eye opens up, it’ll will grow.

Ironically, since starting this a few months ago, I’ve really checked my impulse buying. When I see something in market here, or sale at Penguin, I asked myself, “do I need it? Will it fit into my show?” And 99% of time it’s no. I’m mainly buying consumables like cards and ropes.

Also have found I really like planning of doing shows. The challenge of putting routines together with a theme, the call backs, building to a finale. Reviewing show afterwards, on what went well, what didn’t, how to improve. It’s been more rewarding then the occasional trick for family and friends.

That’s my coffee fueled ramblings this morning…thanks for listening…

Sounds like you getting a handle on the impulse magic buying, and that is a good thing because it can add up. Reasonable priced non-magic marketing and business books, sales and self-improvement books are always a good investment for the new self-employed regardless of what the business is.

Hang in there and good luck with it.

Tom

Congratulations on getting back into it. You do not need to be full-time to have fun, make some income, and receive great feedback from event hosts and audiences. Many of the most well-known names in magic were only ever part-time but most don't realize it.

I think one of the things you have to your advantage now that may be different from when you were in college is the benefits of maturity and practicality as it pertains to buying magic and "wanting" every new shining release that comes along. As someone now a bit older with life experience having the ability to now focus on "needs" as they pertain to your show(s) it makes it more manageable.

You are correct, Chicago is one of the greatest magic cities in the world and has been for 100 years. Also, it is a major market, whereas Milwaukee is a medium market which can still provide many opportunities, just not as plentiful. I have owned several entertainment agencies and production companies in Chicago and our market has always extended up into Milwaukee, Kenosha, Lake Geneva, Madison, and all of the surrounding areas. There are still opportunities around if you position yourself and market properly.

Not sure I would put too much effort into Bark but you will likely get some lower-end consumer bookings, which may be all you are seeking at this point of just doing it for fun and a few bucks.

I wish you the best of luck as I think you will do fine, and if you ever expand into taking bookings in Chicago/Northern Illinois there will be more opportunities, but also more competition.

Yes, I agree that performing for real audience sis MUCH different in so many ways than just performing for family and friends. You will get much more out of it and much greater rewards.

If you continue with this you will soon be faced with a similar type of "impulse buying" but this time not with tricks and prop releases, but rather with marketing and promotion opportunities...Gigmasters/The Bash. GigSalad, Next Door, Social Media, website, emailing marketing, magic directories, SEO, GEO, local business expos, parent magazines, and so on. It is an exciting place to be at though, so enjoy the ride!

OK you have done an important thing. You have a goal. You have set some realistic expectations. This is not a bad thing.

Curbing purchasing of magic as "toys" is also a great idea. I have always said you have to know the difference in your tools and your toys.

You have a product to sell. This again is a good thing.

All of this is internal. So now think external. What are you presenting to the world? How are you going to choose to position the show for the perception of the public? This is going to be the key to making money. It will decide which shows you take and which you pass on. Will you want to be a local performer, a regional performer or a national act?

So you want to work with agents or do you want to do all that work yourself?

Also you will need a plan for what happens once you make your goal. How do you move on and keep progressing? Have a 3 month, 6 month, 1 year and 5 year plan, while still keeping track of the small steps as you go along.

You want to conduct yourself as a business person the entire time, whether you are working it as your only job or not.

Forget the self help guru stuff. It can be too easy a trap to fall into that makes you feel better with rah rah slogans and not much in the way of progress.

Not a big fan of bark. But if you are buying leads, it's worth making sure you get on them immediately. Most just book the first guy, so if you're guy 3 I wouldn't waste the money. Also, if too much time goes by they will likely have booked someone from somewhere else. I've had numerous folks tell me they asked for a quote on Bark or thumbtack immediately before contacting me. So be aware of that.

I would suggest you do a few things right now. First, make a business account on Yelp. Yelp has done more for me than any other website. And it's completely free. Second, make a Gigsalad account. They also have a free option.

I don't know if you have already, but next show bring a friend or a professional photographer to take a few photos and video for your promo kit on Gigsalad and yelp and whatever else.

These things alone should get you the few gigs you're looking for and then some.

You should also make a Google business profile. It's free and makes your name easily searchable.

Later on if you decide to go further you can make a website so you have an easy place to direct clients. Many on other gig services will ask for a website.

That's probably good enough for what you're trying to do. Best of luck!

Just remember the internet is forever. You don't get to take back things. If you start in the cattle call sites that are helping people price shop that will not go away.

There are ways to use those sites to success no doubt. In essence most of them facilitate price shopping and whoever calls first. It is a cattle call in which it is very difficult to distinguish yourself in any way. You are another nameless and faceless performer that sends an email. Anything that is unique about what you do and who you are can get lost.

I wouldn't always look for the most free option you can find. Often it is worth every penny you pay for it.

About video be careful. It is often what people go to first on any site. If you are just starting, well the video just might not be what you are trying to put across. You are FAR better off having no video than a sub standard video. I have said it a billion times. If you want to have a video done there is a right way and a whole lot of bad ways. You know your show. Figure out in your head what exactly you want your video to be. What moments do you want to capture? (Please don't do the fake audience coached reaction stuff.) Storyboard the whole thing out. Then when you settle on a videographer capture those shots one at a time throughout a series of shows. In addition to a great video, it also subliminally shows you have done a lot of work. Directly mic yourself into the video. Don't depend on the microphone from the camera to pick you up. The right video and pictures are so much more than just having a friend show up with an I phone. Also spend the time and money to have a professional video editor do just that.

The fact is that while you are only looking for a show here and there, you will be competing for shows with people who are much more invested than that. The competition will have all these things. If you want to compete on any real level, even the level you described, you have to be seen in that light by the client. The client has no idea you are just sort of starting and doing this here and there. They may look at you a bit differently if you do. This is the same reason I personally have always avoided those sites like Gigmasters or wahtever. Don't always look for the free or cheapest version of everything. Be prepared and ready to compete not only with the show, but how the show is sold.

Thanks for all the advice, tips, and encouragement.

Agree, while magic spending is limited, I've been finding myself wanting to splurge on the marketing stuff now, but keeping in check as I learn things. Bark.com has been good to me. Learned early that if I wasn't first, or second, to reply, I'd be out of running. Also figured out that requests for no dates, or wishy-washy language (I'm hoping to book..or, Was wondering about having a magician...) we folks just shopping. As you pay for credits to submit a quote, it's annoying to be ghosted. There was one post from pscyhology club from local college (which is my alma mater), wanting a magician to come in, do a show, and then they could talk about it. I thought how fun...spend $6 to apply, and all I asked was for $20 to cover credits and parking. Despite a follow up email...never heard a peep back...very annoying.

So I did sign up for a trail version upgrade for Bark. You get two free leads a week, but only leads with no replies after 48 hours. So not really helpful. So don't think I sign up for paid version.

I created a Gig Salad account, and just got my first booking there. So I'm on track to meet my goal of 1 show a month (helps to have a really low bar). Like Gig Salad as you pay only when you get booked.

Thanks to your all's advice, will work on business account for Yelp and Google Business account. I've created a short video (mainly montage of photos), and need to get photographer at an event. And with new year, will set up basic website...seems like a lot of folks want a page to check out...

More as the adventure continues...

Happy to hear it's working for you!


I believe that may have been a mistake on your part. You charged a token amount. Which I understand because it's your old school and it's not your full time job. But looking at it from their perspective, they're likely looking for someone who knows what they're doing. Especially if they will be discussing it after.

By charging so little you made yourself look unvaluable or that you didn't know what you're doing. Charging too little can be just as dangerous as charging too high a lot of the time.

Unless it's a charity or something, avoid undervaluing yourself.

It was for a University Club. In my quote I stated I was giving them huge break from my regular fee as I was an alumn. They never got another reply that I saw on Bark. So guessing they didn't book anyone.

I do charge quite a bit less than others in the area. I figure I'm just getting back into things, and need to get my chops. Plus, as I know many of the magicians in the area, I don't want to compete with them for business (well, not yet). So I often won't reply if somebody else has. I plan on upping my fee next year, likely in February as I get some more shows (and more confident in providing value in a show), and get the webpage up...things that give the perception of professionalism.

Here's an update...

I set a goal of one paid show a month. So far, I've made it. Additionally, I've done some free practice shows for my neighborhood to workshop material. And I've been helping a local full time magician with his show. Don't perform, help with taking tickets and AV, but learn a lot, and make a few bucks.

Regarding the various booking services:

Bark.com. I signed up for their "elite" package for $50 a month. For that was to get 2 free leads a week, which I figured would pay itself. Trouble is, that to be "free" a lead must be posted for 48 hours without anyone else putting in a bit. So the only free leads are not strong ones. Success rate on Bark is about 30%. Maybe could be higher if I got reviews, more marketing material, and was more aggressive (in a good way) for following leads. But starting to grate on me to have to pay just to put in a bid...then have it fall through. Also, have been seeing same requests on Gigsalad as on Bark. So I dropped paid membership for Bark as of this month.

Gigsalad. Have booked two shows in last month with Gigsalad. Like their interface with saved quotes and messages. Makes thing easier to bid. Also, no cost to bid, and the fees they take are less that what Bark charges just to put a bid in. Have found have to pay attention when making bid. Had a person look at my profile and specifically request quote from me. It was couple hours of strolling, so I thought to increase my rate from my hour show. I typed in rate in the box...composed a note saying how great the show would be, and sent it off. Almost immediately I saw reply they went with somebody else. then I saw the quote. I hadn't select all of the old quote when I typed new price. So it just put the new price in the middle of the old. Instead of a few hundred dollars...it was a few thousand dollars. I tried to reach out to apologize, but replies were blocked. Besides that, have been having better luck with Gigsalad.

Yelp-Business. Sorry to say, but feel setting up a Yelp Business account was huge mistake. Shortly after I did it, I began getting bombarded with calls...quite a few spam calls pitching services for my business (including one offering janitorial services...I told them I don't make that big of a mess doing magic!) But mainly from Yelp Salespeople. Often at the most inopportune time. Finally had time to talk with one, and it was like buying a car. Guy had a script...asking me to go onto Yelp to show how horrible my hit rate was. I told him it's just a part time thing right now with a goal of a show a month. He told me how doing a show a week would quadruple my revenue (great math skills). And how they could get me there. He then pointed out how Danny Orleans Yelp presence was...went on to tell me how Danny was just doing part time work 5 years ago...and then, with Yelp, he's this highly demanded corporate performer. I had to mention that I know Danny. Have followed him a long time, interected with him on Facebook, have his lecture notes...know that he's been performing full time for quite some time...was kinda funny to hear him stammer. He tried to close, taking me through various packages...at some low daily rate he could offer me...but only for a limited time. Doing the math, it worked out to $570 a month for the basic package he was offering. And all that did was increase my hits on Yelp. As I hadn't booked anything via Yelp, it didn't look like a good deal for me at this time. Told him perhaps if I grow, I would revisit, and politely declined. He said he understood and was here to help, to reach out with any question, any time. Ironically I did email him asking about increasing business radius...he'd mentioned it but didn't show me. I couldn't find out how to do it. So asked him. He's never replied. Was going to take off my phone from listing, but new Apple IoS update has call screening feature...so that's helped with spam calls.

Word of Mouth. I've had three solid leads from friends, referrals. None have panned out. I was not very diligent in following up with the leads. I told them availability, rates, and show options. When I didn't hear back, I didn't follow up. Mainly as it was holidays, and I'd met my goal. But if I do want to do more, or long term, I really need to work on this aspect...

Other stuff. Person who runs the Farmer's Market I've busked at in the past has reached out. She's running a new market and wants to talk to me about performing this summer. Would be paid, plus I get to hat the crowd. Friend and I are putting together an act for a Fringe Festival this summer. Have to do 3 shows over 4 days. Get 80% of ticket sales. If we get selected, and we get mid sized venue, 50-80 people, that could make my annual goal...plus fun of doing something different. One more item, not directly relate to magic. I participate in various storytelling events in Milwaukee. I won a Story Slam for "The Moth" last year, and was invited to be in the annual "Grand Slam" event in December. But got bad case of Covid and had to miss out. No pay, but wonderful practice, an great networking.

Buying Stuff. As big part of all this was to make money to pay for past purchases and to be more mindful of making new purchases. Other than buying supplies, I've only spent $10 at Penguin for a one of the Blizzard Deals for tutorial on a sleight I've been wanting to learn. So that's good.

That's an update on my journey into the wonderful world of paid performing...

Great job, thanks for the update. Learning and achieving your goals is a process. But a process that offers valuable returns. For your initial goal of one paid show a month it will become easier to achieve. The best way I'm sure you will find is that paid gigs come from paid gigs. For this small of a goal this is what I would focus on. Also, you haven't mentioned it yet, but the quality of gigs is/will become important. Quality gigs bring your more quality gigs. All gigs are not created equal.

I think what you are doing is a great start. I think it will be very interesting to look back a year from now and see where you are and what you have accomplished. While these lead services do have a place, they are not essential, especially to spend money on as you will find you get much greater returns out of personal efforts. Word of mouth is and always has been the best. Talk to people and venues about what you do. Your sales talk is what will book you gigs. Nowhere will you get greater returns.

GM and GS are far less than Bark, Yelp, etc. for a year with hundreds of leads if you must pay for leads.

I am not going to get into all the booking sites and such. I want to deal with this.

First of all again great having a goal. A goal you took action on.

I like the way you framed your "free practice shows". Not some nonsense about exposure, but as a way to get reps in. I think that falls into the "Paying your dues" category in that thread here.
Same with helping a local guy doing what you want to be doing! It is nice to get into EVERY aspect of the business. Ticket taking, AV and all the myriad of things to be considered if you expect to be paid.

Good on ya!

And congrats on sticking to tools, not toys.

Imgic,

Hang in there, you got this.

Tom

I'm looking for ways to get more reps in meaningful ways besides doing free show for neighbors. With gov't shutdown last fall, my wife and I began volunteering for a national group called "Lasagna Love." People get matched with others in need and make them lasagna. I'm working with local coordinator to do a fund raiser. Find a venue and do a show or two and take donations. Also, I live near a kind of "bohemian" neighborhood. Lots of fun bars and restaurants. Been thinking about putting word out to see if anyone would let me stroll, or have a table. But think for that to work out, I'd have to make regular commitment...like weekly. Not sure I want to do that for free.

As far as helping local guy...have learned so much! First he's extremely giving...I show him something I've been working on, and he's got 10 suggestions. Also, he rotates his routines, so I'm always seeing something new. And sometimes the new stuff is really old. Last time he did a routine where spectator has bunch of balloons and pops one at a time. Both spectator and magician have paper bags on heads, and magician even has back turned...yet he names correct color of balloon just popped. Great routine. But I will never ask how he does anything. If he wants to share great, but if not, it's all good. I'm at point where I can figure most stuff out. But this one was stumped. It took a long time to find it...it's an old Ali Bongo routine, only sold at Magic Inc. in Chicago. (and they're out of stock).

But besides the magic, learn so much about the marketing he does, his music lists, audience management, lighting, how he reviews his shows, scripting, and just myriad of other behind the scenes things...and to top it off, he pays me. It works out to about $20 an hour...but I've told him, I'd do it for free just to learn!

Thanks all for comments, and I'll post updates in future...

Had to share an update.

I'd booked a 22nd Birthday party last Saturday. Was kind of last minute thing popped up on Gigsalad. Then had family event pop up on Saturday, so was bummed out I had to cut that short to go to this gig..then couldn't find apartment, and was not it best mood when finally got there. The kid comes out and tells me he's got 15 drunk college guys, and he hopes I'm ready for it...so now I'm really thinking what the hell did I get into...

Apartment is college chic...old ratty furniture, messy, keg set up in the corner. 15 or so guys drinking...whooping as the kid tells them the magician's here. I've got a quick set up, suitcase on tray jack, and I launch into it. First routine goes well. Second thing I do is "What's Next?" the card with 1 dot, 4 dots, 3 dots, etc. I use it as kind of a throw away bit. But it killed! They were floored and going crazy. At first I thought they were mocking me...but no, they were really amazed. I guess the old saying "the more you drink, the better I am" is true. After that I felt really good...got into a groove and we had a blast. Had a bit of glitch with Cody Fisher's Comedy Book test...the volunteer in second phase blurted out the word, and I didn't know how to recover, so ended it. But otherwise show was solid. I close with "Love Ritual" and was a bit worried about a bunch of drunks doing it...but went extra slow, took our time, and got about 80% success rate! One of the highest I've gotten with the routine. That really ended the show on a high note, and they actually gave me a standing ovation! I was really stunned. Looking back, from really not wanting to perform, to having one of best shows I've done...was quite the turn around.

They asked if I wanted to stay and do keg-stands with them...I politely declined and left. The kid sent me text next day thanking me for a great show. I said welcome, then asked if he wouldn't mind giving me a review. If he did, I'd be happy to meet him and some of his friends and to a close up set (been wanting to workshop some material) so felt it a win-win. He wrote me a glowing review, and now just waiting to find out when him and his friends are free.

One more side note, I'd mentioned I'd dropped the paid "elite" status with Bark. But still have my free account which shows all the leads. Had one pop up for a Children's Birthday party, which I'm not doing. So I clicked on "pass." I'm positive I've click on pass as Bark has burned me before...click on pass and it tells you you've purchased the lead: it's happened twice before. First time I didn't do anything. Second time I sent note and they refunded me. Been very careful after that. Plus I don't have any credits, and no elite membership. Still it said I'd "purchased" the lead. Guess I still had one free lead from my elite account. So it got wasted. I emailed Bark to let them know about the glitch, and explained that was one of the reasons I stopped paid subscription, and have not bought any more credits.

Those types of college parties can be tough even for experienced performers. Being double booked is an accomplishment when being able to pull it off. That is how you gain experience.

If you were going to charter an airplane and had to choose a pilot, and you only had a bit it information about then which would you choose? That bit of information? Turns out the first pilot had 30,000 plus flight hours. The second had under 30 flight hours. Which one would you choose?

You are gaining flight hours! This is the journey. Keep taking it because regardless of what those with no experience will tell you, experience matters.

An update...

First, I have to say I cringe when I see my topic title...cannot believe I misspelled neutral.

Things have slowed down a bit. I had one show in early March. It was so cute. A young woman in Iowa was looking for a magician to surprise her boyfriend who's going to school in Milwaukee (the same university as the birthday party I did a while back). She posted a really low budget, so nobody was taking it in Gigsalad. But I was intrigued and reached out to her. She thought the magician could just to a one-on-one show with him in his dorm room. I thought that a bit creepy (though I didn't say that to her) so I suggested it's more fun with more people, that she should have him invite three of his friends and meet me at the Student Union. We'd find a table and I'd perform there. I asked if it was okay if I invited some of the folks from the 22nd birthday party to pay them back for the glowing review. So, even though it was low pay, it would be win-win. Unfortunately the guys from the birthday party could not make it. So it was just me, the boyfriend, and three of his friends. We found nice quiet table in the union and I did an hour close up for them. For the last trick, I had him FaceTime his girlfriend, and had her choose a card. Then the boyfriend found her card (adapted John Archer's Deja Too routine). Was a great way to end the show, and everyone was happy.

No paid gigs for the rest of March, and nothing yet for April. But, the big news is, as mentioned before, I've teamed up my cousin (the dirty rat who got me started in magic when we were kids) and we applied to do a show for The Green Bay Fringe Festival. And we were accepted. At first we were excited, but now freaking out as we realize we've got to get a show together by July. We have to do three shows over the 4 day festival. We signed up for smaller venues (around 50 people). And we get 80% of ticket sales. We agreed to do stuff we already have, or spend minimally on any new props. We have come up with a kind of unique premise for the show, in that we're going to let the the audience "pick" the tricks we perform. Given we live 100+ miles away, and won't have tons of rehearsal time together, this set up will allow us to do our own routines, and just work in playful banter. We can then just focus a few joint routines. He originally wanted to do a two person coding routine (We've both got the Morgan and West "Parlor Magic" book). But I'm not confident we can that up and running in amount of time we have.

With that in mind, yesterday I did a parlor show for our condo complex. Thought it would be good opportunity to workshop some routines I've wanted to do for long time, and some new stuff I just got. Also to try out some of the ideas we have about the audience picking the tricks. I have to say, given that my full time job's been crazy, I didn't get as much practice I'd wanted, but (sorry for tooting my own horn) I killed it! Did a solid hour stand up show. About 40 people showed up...so many more than I thought. And I nailed it. I did some standards I've wanted, but had never done. Tossed out deck and bill in lemon. The only routine I'd done before was my chop cup (this time producing lemon with bill as final load). I did Harry Anderson's Magic Square Routine. I've always wanted to do it with his "Practical Magic" book, but it's not available, so I made my own. Created it, got it printed an bound at copy shop (Details and permission given in his Penguin Lecture). Really wowed them. I also did Drunk Monkey from Chris Philpott's Odyssey 2 Magazine...well worth the cost. Cody Fisher's Book test and his killer prediction. John Archer's Laura Buxton Coincidence. Ended with a prediction reveal of the order of the tricks the audience had picked. Not a single flash or glitch...and we all had a great time. Guy who owns neighborhood bar came up and wants to hire me (we've talked in the past, but now that he's seen me, he wants to book me. But it's such a small place. And so crowded, unsure how it would work). And another guy has friend who books activities for senior centers. So I met goal of workshopping material, but also some potential leads.

And last weekend, my daughter's friend turned 30 and they asked if I'd stop by and do a bit of magic. So I subjected 5 young ladies to an hour of close up magic. I'd had rough night before, no sleep, so wasn't in the mood. But after doing chicago opener, it was all fun and games...ended up having a great time. One of my favorites was me placing a card face down, telling them it was a "half value" prediction, that the card would be half of the card to be chosen. When the 7 of clubs was chosen, they all smirked, until I turned over the card and it said "Look at Daughter's left forearm" She rolled up sleeve, and showed everyone her 3 1/2 clubs tattoo she'd gotten several years ago.

So while gigs have been slow, still lots going on...and I'm more energized and excited about magic than every before. More updates as warranted. Thanks for letting me ramble...

Happy to hear it's working for you! Best of luck with the festival shows. I will say you don't necessarily have to do an hour for a close up show. Particularly for a really small crowd. A lot of folks say an hour in their request on Gigsalad or elsewhere but that's just because it's a logical default. A little shorter can be better oftentimes.

Anyway, thanks for the update.

If I just do the routines, it's about a 40 minute show. But if group is engaging and bantering, it easily goes an hour, sometimes longer. In which case we're having so much fun it doesn't seem like an hour. I was actually shocked at this last birthday party when I did a time check and saw we were 45 minutes in...and I wasn't halfway through my material. I ended up skipping over some routines to make sure we didn't go too long.

As a side note, my main premise for my close up act is that I'm not a "move monkey" ...that I rely on the props and gimmicks you can get from magic stores, such a "Magic Playing Cards" (a pack of regular bikes that I slap on a label). I then base routines around that. For example I mention all the features the deck has, like it's marked deck. Most people haven't seen a marked deck, so let me show you... I then do Chicago Opener. I've an "instruction book" I refer to when I can't find the second card. The book has a page for "Marked Deck" where is says "It's always the blue card"

I bring that up because at the end I tell them that with such a magic deck, they too can do magic. And I deal out 4 cards to everyone and go into "Love Ritual." Them using a deck in play is a really nice convincer...