David, thank you so much for the wealth of information you gave, and for free! Other people charge hundreds of dollars and the information they give doesn’t even come near of what you gave. Thank you again.
Absolutely one of the most informative, honest presentations about working full time as a pro!!! I wish you would not have put this out…I don’t need any competition. Great advice, about the truth…being a full time pro is hard work…hustle, hustle, hustle. Joel Bauer actually has DVD out about this. It might not be available anymore but he also tells it like it is. 5 STAR ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This…THIS is the information that is needed. I can’t even tell you how many flyers I hung in my life, or handed out on the street to promote. You are always selling your show…ALWAYS!
21:55 Absolutely ! Most who say they are a full time magician also have a spouse who pays the bills.....not the same as making one's $$$ from magic alone ! I'm single and I've worked a regular job since I was a teenager. 🎉
David…we’ll done! Fantastic! I love card magic, but only intend to keep learning and performing it as a hobby. But your YT video just now…inspiring! Sobering, but inspiring. I loved it.
Excellent and eminently practical advice. I whole heartedly concur, the only thing I would add - as a suggestion - is paint your left pinkie nail with black nail polish and your right pinkie with red nail polish. Always. Religiously neatly. Because your answer to the inevitable question can turn into seriously good bookings.
A couple of recent thoughts I had that you mentioned... don't quit your day job, that partnered with actually go out and perform to see if you love performing magic or is you love the 'idea' of performing magic. Next is market research... nobody is doing street performing in my town besides musicians from time to time. No street vendors performing on the regular. This is good and bad. Good since I could be the first and only one ( until others see and then get in on it which could be fun) and bad because maybe no body is doing it because there is no market for it. People in my area just might find it strange and not he interested. However we have multiple corporations and hotels and other gig opportunities. Any performing magician is almost 2 hours away. They do travel here from time to time for events but I feel that now is the time for me to at least take the chance to be a pioneer and launch street performing for my area. Thank you David and the individuals in the comments that really adding some extra nuggets of knowledge here for those of us that may be looking to get into the mystic arts!!
Lots of sound advice here for any type of entertainment biz (not just magic). Everything you said is really a constant evolving process and the aim is to get that massive snow ball that you've been pushing up the hill to find a plateau then a nice down slope (so you don't have to push). Great video.
David is in a huge see of sharks reviewer, probably the number one out there. Willing to share all his knowledge, always honest with his review, would be great to have a zoom call together, because can only be a honour for me to can chat with you. AMAZING AMAZING JOB
Ive been professional about 12 years. This is all solid info. Notice everything said is about "business, advertising, clients etc". Nothing about "tricks". The mistake I notice the most is that some guys focus on getting a "big break." There is no big break.
What you said is RIGHT-ON !!! It would have been great to know this when I first started out in 1995, and even 2008 when I went full time. The word "show-business" is 90 percent business and 10 percent show. I used to think that successful magicians had some secret to their success that they dared not share with others........if I could just find out that secret. Well, there is no secret. The way to become successful is perfectly laid out by you on your video. It is important to never stop the process or everything will atrophy. I personally have an ongoing marketing education by association with Brad Ross as my business coach and attend his annual "It Factor Live boot camp". Thanks for a well done video. I enjoy all your reviews of magic too......
This is good advice, good advice and this is a great channel, great channel! Just kidding David, thanks for probably the best RU-vid channel out there 👍
I'm a working, full-time pro and the best advice I can give is these 2 points: 1) Be an interesting person. Learn about the world, read, travel, have fun, don't concentrate on magic only, broaden your horisons. Talk with your clients about the watch they wear, the place they've been to, music, art, literature, tv, netflix, everything. Be a person, not just "mister pickyourcard". 2) Don't always hustle. Don't be a magician 24/7. That's the quickest way to get burnt out. I don't carry magic with me at all times, I don't sell my show everywhere I go. If somebody asks to see some magic I sometimes say "I'm sorry, I don't feel like performing" because sometimes I don't feel like performing. Do shit other than magic, get the work-life balance. Thats the hard part about being your own boss - you're in work 24/7 and that's a quick path to get burnt out.
I love magic especially card stuff. I have dozens of gaff card packs and try to learn the various sleights I have seen, so I am keen. However, I have never performed a single trick in public and have no incentive to do so. At 83 years old I am a bit too old to start but, it’s funny, but I have no interest in performing any card tricks to anyone, i.e I am an enthusiast but not a performer. Anyone else just a collector?
a lot of great magicians are only part time professional magicians. Isn't John Bannon a lawyer, Al Schneider a engineer, I believe John Mendoza as great as he was also worked a regular job. I think this is also true for Derek Dingle, Gene Anderson and many other legends of Magic. It' probably more realistic to only be a part time professional instead of trying to be a full time magician. The average college graduate will earn more money then the average magician.
