Making Money From Your Magic

Mark · 08-29-2011, 12:29 PM

I make money by ending with a borrowed money-trick and asking the spectator: "If I make it disappear, can I keep it?", usually resulting in a very exciting "Yes, sure." and often resulting in getting more money to do the trick again.

Business cards and/or findability are musts. I can simply say "YouTube Mystery Mark (with a K)." so I usually don't need to hand out business cards. If you aren't findable on the internet as easily, be sure you definitely have something to hand out (you can write it on a playing card as souvenir too). And sometimes I get asked for my card anyways, so I make sure I carry them around if you don't want to waste playing cards.

Albert gave the basics. Although... don't do newspaper ads if they are too expensive, and if you do, be sure the readers of the particular newspaper are the same people that would actually hire you. It's a little risky.

I think it's better if you'd perform at a busy street (I am very lucky to live in the only city in the Netherlands where a permit is no must for performing in the streets) or (and I found this extremely well working in the past) perform at stores that sell playing cards such as toy stores. Especially if you go there when it's not too busy and manage to do some tricks for the cashiers as well. But be sure you ask if you can perform something first though. And don't just grab a deck from the store and open it without paying for it first.

08-29-2011, 12:29 PM	#5
Mark Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 935	I make money by ending with a borrowed money-trick and asking the spectator: "If I make it disappear, can I keep it?", usually resulting in a very exciting "Yes, sure." and often resulting in getting more money to do the trick again. Business cards and/or findability are musts. I can simply say "YouTube Mystery Mark (with a K)." so I usually don't need to hand out business cards. If you aren't findable on the internet as easily, be sure you definitely have something to hand out (you can write it on a playing card as souvenir too). And sometimes I get asked for my card anyways, so I make sure I carry them around if you don't want to waste playing cards. Albert gave the basics. Although... don't do newspaper ads if they are too expensive, and if you do, be sure the readers of the particular newspaper are the same people that would actually hire you. It's a little risky. I think it's better if you'd perform at a busy street (I am very lucky to live in the only city in the Netherlands where a permit is no must for performing in the streets) or (and I found this extremely well working in the past) perform at stores that sell playing cards such as toy stores. Especially if you go there when it's not too busy and manage to do some tricks for the cashiers as well. But be sure you ask if you can perform something first though. And don't just grab a deck from the store and open it without paying for it first.