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esmerdon New user Knoxville, TN 54 Posts |
Well today I finally did something I had been wanting to try for months now...I got out there and busked. Thanks to my wife, and my good friend who is also a magician, I decided to just get out there and do it. Despite the fact that I didn't have the tricks that I wanted to have ready for busking.
I'm not sure what I expected really. I don't perform a lot, mostly just for friends and family. This is part of the reason I wanted to get out there and start busking, to get more experience performing. In that sense I'd say I succeeded. I only did 4 quick side walk shows, probably about 5-8 minutes. The largest group I had was probably about 8-10 people. I only managed to get $1...I'm trying not to be discouraged by that fact, and instead focus on my reason for being out there. To get better at performing. I did find that by the last performance my nerves seemed to be handling it better. I didn't notice any shaking in my hands (a common problem when I perform) and I felt a little more relaxed at the end of it all. I had a hard time drawing crowds, specifically trying to get more people to stop while I was focusing on the people in front of me. I was kinda oblivious to everyone else but them. I do feel like everyone who stayed enjoyed the show, which is what I should really be focusing on. All and all I'm just glad I got out there and finally did it. I do feel like I'll be able to go back, now that I've already done it once. So I guess I'll see y'all at the pitch next time. For those curious I used floating spinning card to get people to stop, opened with Doc Eason's all screwed up, Chicago opener, triumph, closed with a sponge ball routine. |
D. Yoder Veteran user 376 Posts |
Good for you on getting out there. Don't wait too long before getting back out there for the second time. Depending on where you are, you may have to educate people that tipping is okay.
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Kyoki_Sanitys_Eclipse Inner circle 1513 Posts |
Congrats. Keep is updated I love hearing others stories
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SleightlyChris Veteran user Lancashire, England 360 Posts |
Well done. That's the real secret. The more you perform the steadier you become. Good on ya!
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cbguy Veteran user 350 Posts |
You have accomplished more than most of the people on this site who ask a million questions and never take the leap....Great Job!
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MagiCol Special user Dargaville, New Zealand 929 Posts |
Esmerdon, Thanks for the report; I enjoyed reading it.
The important thing is that you've got out there and got started. Now get out again and again and you'll grow accustomed to being there, doing your Magic Show, and asking for donations as it suits you. I performed for 4 years on the streets, part-time whatever that means, before I started asking for donations. That's how long it took for me to feel that my Show was worth a money return from folk and to get started on the habit of asking for donations. I think you've got your focus on the right thing; to get better at performing. The money income should be secondary. You wrote "I had a hard time drawing crowds". Well, you've got your focus on 'get better at performing' and that is more important than the number involved with joining in with you. You don't need a big crowd to get better at performing; a small group is adequate for you to improve yourself and your Show. Finding a suitable pitch can be difficult if the numbers just aren't there on the streets. Maybe you'll need to travel further to find the bigger pedestrian count. The magician who has give me the most personal help on magic tricks has decades of experience working with folk on the street, being paid to do it from time to time and also doing it just for the satisfaction of it, when I discussed not getting big crowds told me "You wont get the crowds [in New Zealand]." So here's a skilled magician telling me that. I wish I could prove him wrong, but so far he is correct. Crowd-gathering in a culture not accustomed to stopping to watch a Magic Show on the streets and where there are low pedestrian numbers doesn't happen easily. So I have to settle for small groups being involved with me. The satisfaction in my case, so far, has to centre on entertaining the people whom I do get to stop. I wish you well in future busking. Please keep us informed how things go for you.
The presentation makes the magic.
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esmerdon New user Knoxville, TN 54 Posts |
Thank you all for giving me the encouragement that I needed to hear. I plan on busking again soon, probably next weekend. I'll let you know how it goes. And thank you MagiCol that is a good perspective to hear. Especially about gathering the crowd.
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