Street Magic Tips?

[camrynsmagic]

I love performing magic, and I'm very interested in street magic. I love the idea of walking up to someone, blowing their minds, and then walking away (maybe after being given a tip). The only issue I have, is walking up to someone.

How do you approach a random stranger in the street to start performing magic? Do you just walk up and say, "Hi, wanna see a magic trick?" I don't know, but if I picture myself doing that, I just think the stranger will think I'm the world's biggest dork and walk away.

Please give me tips on approaching people, because I really want to start performing for others, not just my friends and family. Help??

 

[PurpleMustache]

most people these days know about street magic becuase of people like david blaine. just say something like "hey, im a magician. do you think i coud show you guys something?"

 

[James Wise Magic]

I typically film alot when I perform street magic and I usually say, "Excuse me. Hi my name is James I'm a magician we're here filming some magic, is it ok if I show you guys something?" If they say yes then I'll perform some stuff. If they so no I say, "Ok it's all good, have a great day!" and walk away.

It's hard walking up to people for the first few times of doing Street Magic, it feels awkward and unnatural but it's something you will get over after awhile of doing.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

I don't really dig the Blaine style of street magic, personally. Also, I would assume you will never get a tip that way. If you want tips, get a busking show going.

You don't have to approach people cold, though. If you do something that catches their attention, they may well come to you. Or say something to you, which opens the door for you. Things that are kind of showy and big and easily seen from a distance. Personally I've gotten people hooked into a show by using D'Lites, juggling, shouting at them, randomly pulling objects out of their ears/shoulders/scarves/etc., card springs and randomly doing PK stuff. Stuff like the Boomerang Card (where you throw a card and it comes back to you), the Hummer Whirling Card, billiard ball manipulations, floating pen .. whatever. If you draw someone's attention you can just say, "Hey. C'mere. Watch this." Or there's a decent chance they'll come up to you and ask to see more.

In my admittedly limited experience, I got a lot of rejections when I approached people and tried to enter their space, but got hardly any if I seemingly got their attention by accident and brought them over. Also, one somewhat manipulative way of getting people to stay for a show is to hand them something as part of the introduction of the show. "Hi. How you doing? Here, hold this while I do this." Something like that, but more developed.

 

[PurpleMustache]

I don't really dig the Blaine style of street magic, personally. Also, I would assume you will never get a tip that way. If you want tips, get a busking show going.

im not a professional so i mainly do street magic for experience rather than tips. i dont even expect tips becuase i normally just do a trick or two for a small grop (1-3) then leave rather than gathering a big crowd and keeping a show going for a while.

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

im not a professional so i mainly do street magic for experience rather than tips. i dont even expect tips becuase i normally just do a trick or two for a small grop (1-3) then leave rather than gathering a big crowd and keeping a show going for a while.

I was referring to camrynsmagic's comment about maybe being given a tip. It's not terribly likely in that situation.

 

[camrynsmagic]

Thanks for the tips!! I do know that it's probably not likely to get a tip from performing street magic, but I'm just thinking outside the box, I guess. I was also planning on filming some performances for my YouTube channel, so I enjoy James1Wise's comment. Thanks again!

 

[WitchDocIsIn]

Having a professional-looking camera man will probably help. People like to be on TV.

 

[AlfieGWhattam]

I love performing magic, and I'm very interested in street magic. I love the idea of walking up to someone, blowing their minds, and then walking away (maybe after being given a tip). The only issue I have, is walking up to someone.

How do you approach a random stranger in the street to start performing magic? Do you just walk up and say, "Hi, wanna see a magic trick?" I don't know, but if I picture myself doing that, I just think the stranger will think I'm the world's biggest dork and walk away.

Please give me tips on approaching people, because I really want to start performing for others, not just my friends and family. Help??

Make conversation first, in order to be a good magician you first need to be a good person.