That's weird evil Dan that "watch" has never worked for you. What pitch is your regular daily pitch?

Dartagnan

I didn't say never.

Which pitch again?

I like to keep my pitches to myself.

You will see results after 1000 shows.

I saw results after only 999 shows, but good results took me a few extra tries.

After about 10,000 shows, I knew I was good. It took me that long to stop wanting to show magic to my friends for free, and think of it as a real job.

Now I just kinda don't care any more. I do stuff for people when I can, they usually enjoy it, and they pay me for it without me having to beg them to. It's good enough for me.

Other days, it just rains.

Good Morning!

When I busk, I do it in what is considered one of the most difficult cities for street performers in the USA, Atlanta Georgia. When I first started street performing my routine consisted of the following:

1) Silk Vanish - Draw

2) Sponge Ball Routine - Build (Close-up, great reactions, makes them come closer to see what is going on).


Show

3) Invisible Deck (Sometimes performed as a mind reading effect others as a comedy bit with the original "Invisible" premise).

4) Linking Ring 4 Ring routine (Pop Hayden Teaching Act)

5) Rope Routine - No Scissors - Fiber Optics style routine.


I used (and still do use) a blue and white rope to create "my space" on the sidewalk. I would lay my props neatly on the ground inside my circle. I dressed nice, you know, like a Magician....and I made a special magic wand. This wand is a piece of hardwood dowel rod that is 3/4" it has copper pipe caps glued to the ends. You can bang this stick really hard on the concrete and you will only ding up the copper some. I will bang the stick a few times like a judge banging a gavel and then yell "MAGIC SHOW!" I will repeat this in a few different directions, shouting towards the largest concentrations of people nearby. This method also works well at festivals.

I eventually added the cups and balls to my show, necessitating that I also add a table. Do I make more money now? Yes. Is it because I added the cups and balls? I don't think so. I think it is because I have learned how to better work a crowd. In fact I did some experimenting and found that if I do a 3 effect show, not including the draw and build, so really 5 I guess, but found that 3 effects and about 15 minutes is best. It maximizes turnover but still gives your audience a show that is worth $5s and up!