Question about advertising yourself

[Dchubb13]

I've searched the internet for a while now trying to find one of the best forums for me to be able to use when I have some questions and to receive feedback from.

So here is my first couple questions.

I've been thinking about starting a Facebook page so I could advertise myself and get information out about my magic. What are all your thoughts about doing this?

Second question. I'm sure I already know what answers I'm gonna get back on this one but imma ask it anyway. Any advice on the best way to tell your friends and family about your interest and dedication in magic? I have been practicing, learning, and evolving for some time now and from what reviews I have received from the small amount of people I have performed for has been positive. The downside is about 30% of people that I know that I have told and offered to show them some tricks, I have received harsh comments from just from me telling them of my interest and dedication.

I'm not someone that gets offended or gets my feelings hurt so it doesn't really bother me, just curious if I am going about it the correct way.

Thanks

 

[Craig Browning]

Oh my. . .

How Old Are You and How Long Have You Been Doing Magic?

From the sound of things you're relatively new to the scene and for that reason I wouldn't go running out to build up any kind of web presence in which you're promoting yourself just yet. . . as I explain to all hopefuls and dreamers, YOU MUST HAVE A PRODUCT TO SELL FIRST and you don't have that.

Take your time and learn the foundations of the craft first. This means you need to invest a bit of cash up front, on BOOKS. . . I know that's an evil term now days but in an art form as antiquated as magic tends to be, books are going to be your best resource all the way around. So in the order of importance you want to get the following;

1.) The Mark Wilson Course in Magic
2.) Now You See It; Now You Don't by Bill Tarr (books 1 & 2)
3.) Modern Coin Magic by Bobo
4.) Royal Road to Card Magic
5.) The Amateur Magician's Handbook by Henry Hay
6.) Magic & Showmanship

This will give you the foundation that you will need but there are a few other investments I suggest, starting with the Tarbell Course in Magic; this is an older format but it gives you TONS of information that no other magic course has. Truth is, if you start with this as your 3rd big investment vs. Bobo and RRCM, you'll go further. But don't go on the cheap and only buy the CD of the series, invest in the books! It gives you an easy to use resource and reference when it comes to your future and what you can bring to the stage.

You will find that I'm an anti-playing card Nutsy and with good reason; too many fans of magic get addicted to cards and seem to go blind, thinking of nothing other than card magic. DON'T DO IT! Know that there is a lot more to this craft up front and choose to learn as much as you can from the many niches it has to offer. Eventually (usually within 2 years) you will find your own niche and all going well, it won't be one that's being over-done. . . cards and mentalism tend to be the two primary areas that are being over done now days because of Criss Angel, David Blaine, Derren Brown, and the other talking heads on TV or You Tube. The moral of the story is to be your own person and strive to be true to yourself rather than a trend.

Magic is an expensive hobby though there are ways around the cost. The first being to learn solid slight of hand and learn how to do magic with what's in front of you. The second way of keeping costs down is to look at the key areas you like and find a more pragmatic means by which to pull it off. In other words, learn to be resourceful as well as creative. If you can follow those two rules of thumb, you'll go far.

Never hesitate to ask me anything. If I don't know the answer chances are strong I know who you should talk to in order to get the answers needed.