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For many amateur and professional magicians, the pandemic has been the longest break from performing live magic shows with a live audience. Many of us have adapted to perform on the virtual stage via ZOOM. But performing for a live audience is very different from a virtual audience. Now, with the return of live magic shows and the busiest holiday season around the corner, here's a list of important performance advice for magicians who are getting back into the swing of live shows and real audiences. This is a topic we recently chatted about in detail on the Magicians Talking Magic Podcast. 6 Essential Tips for Magicians Returning to Live Magic Shows 1. Timing! How to re-adjust your timing for a live audience. As performers, we rely on unique skill sets to connect, entertain, communicate, and dazzle our audiences. Professional magicians listen to their audience, read the room, and spontaneously react-- all while executing sleights and secret moves. Virtual shows are a completely different beast-- timing is different. For starters, your audience is typically muted, and most of the two-way communication vanishes. Virtual magic shows are still interactive but without searching for volunteers and applause. All of these factors impact your timing. Here are a few other tips for adjusting your timing and getting back into the swing of live magic shows Slow down, soak it in, and enjoy it. Continue writing new jokes and material. If you’ve been doing virtual shows for over a year now - you’ve just been talking to people, not with people. 2. Invest in the routines you already perform Thinking about adding new material? Is now the best time? For your first few live performances, we recommend you stick to the material you already know and are comfortable performing. It takes a lot to “sell” a magic trick - Performing a new magic trick will never be the same as a routine you've been presenting for years. Is the story you’re telling actually good? - Now is a good time to look at these routines in detail. Can you tweak, cut or edit the storytelling? Rewrite the script again - writing out your script is a great way to drill it into your brain! Take the time and re-write your script. Explore the method - can it be simplified or made more devious? 3. Be Prepared: Anything can and will happen Anything can happen on stage. There's lots of variability with live performances, which is part of the enjoyment for many magicians. But some surprises increase stress. Being prepared is the real secret. Returning to the stage, your skills as a magician and entertainer might be a little rusty. This "stage rust" will take a few performances to wear off. Being able to cope, interact and reduce errors all boils down to how prepared you are. Working for a live audience is the reason we all became magicians! Some of the best jokes, lines and moments in our shows have been influenced by our audience. So keep an open mind and be prepared. We all think and imagine how the show will go, but we only have so much control. Successful magicians have to be agile and go with the flow. And that's where preparedness comes into play. Spend at least a full week going over your routines again and bringing them back into muscle memory. You don't want to go onstage and focus entirely on building a strong connection and rapport with your audience. 4. Rehearsal: How to Prepare Before the Show Amateur and professional magicians must rehearse their tricks, but it's also essential to rehearse your full show. Rehearsing the right way can really accelerate your growth in magic and help polish new and old routines quickly. How should magicians rehearse their magic? Here are a few important tips. Write out your script - Writing out your lines and script is essential. This includes writing out your transition lines. Keep your script up-to-date. Have your script easily accessible on your phone-- Having your script gives you a huge advantage to re-read throughout the days leading up to your show. Waiting in a line or queue? Pull out your phone and review your script. Drill that script into your head! Be prepared to trim and chop-- cut as many words as possible and learn to script concisely. Say your lines out loud. They're never the same in your head; you must say these lines aloud and be prepared to edit and change them. As your comfort levels grow, you'll discover new lines and ideas. If you are using music, rehearse with music. Muscle memory and music hits take time but can help keep pacing. Run through your routines with props and without props - this helps make sure you have the routines down solidly and have a full understanding of each routine's timing. Rehearse at different times of day (morning, afternoon and evening) - I always rehearse at different times of the day. I run a new routine first thing in the morning, literally holding my coffee in my hand and pressing play on the music. Then, in the afternoon and late evening. If you find yourself getting anxious or nervous, rehearse! That state of mind resembles how you'll feel on show day. Rehearsing under different emotional states will help accelerate your growth! Muscle memory is essential - You don't want to be on stage worrying about your ability to execute the moves AND work with the audience. Full costume practice-- Practicing your set in full costume is important for pocket and prop management. The whole point is to eliminate surprises that pop up during show day. The best way to do that is to duplicate those situations as much as possible during rehearsal and practice. 5. Showtime! What Magicians Should Do on Show Day Hopefully, all your preparation and hard work will make show day a breeze! I think you'll be surprised at how familiar it feels to return to the stage and a live audience. Here are a few tips to help you do your best on show day! Focus on Rapport with Your Audience - Your rapport with the audience is more important than your magic tricks. The tricks are important, after all, they are coming to see a magic show, but your rapport with the audience takes precedent. It's much easier to dazzle people who like and trust you. New Material Sucks - You can’t fully predict how a routine will land until it’s been performed. When presenting a new routine, take your time and get through the first performance. It will take several shows to work in a new routine and a lifetime to polish that routine! Adding New Material - Where should you add new material to your show? - What's the best place to add new material to your setlist? After you’ve established rapport with your audience. 6. COVID Best Practices for Magicians The pandemic has added a new layer of concern when working with volunteers. Here are a few reminders to consider for your upcoming live magic show Have a mask in your pocket - follow the rules of your region or country and always respect the wishes of your client or audience. Put hand sanitizer and wipes at the front of the stage - your audience and volunteers may or may not use the hand sanitizer, but they recognize you are prepared. Be thoughtful and respectful of audience concerns. Do we think virtual magic shows are here to stay? Absolutely, Yes! We still highly suggest you develop a virtual friendly magic show and offer these services to your website. If you need a little help adding new routines, we have prepared a list of 30+ virtual-friendly magic tricks that professional magicians can easily add to their virtual shows and live-stream events. Get the PDF here.

Greg Frewin is an acclaimed magician and illusionist who has won some of the most prestigious awards in the magic industry. Recently, we chatted with Greg Frewin for the podcast but held these five rapid-fire questions just for this video. Watch the full video below! Enjoy! Five Questions with Greg Frewin 1. Name your first magician mentor. "That's an interesting one. I mean, obviously, the first mentor for me is Doug Henning, I was twelve years old. He was the guy that got me interested in magic." 2. Most watched childhood television magic special or routine? My most watched routine has to be Lance Burton's bird act. If I were to go get the tape right now, you'd see that the tape plays well, except for the Lance Burton part. Plus we also asked Greg Frewin: 3. What's the strangest place Greg Frewin has been asked to perform magic? 4. Name a trick or routine that's caused Greg the most embarrassment. 5. If you could have dinner with a magician from our past, who would it be? Listen to Greg Frewin's full episode here and subscribe in your favourite app!

This week on Magicians Talking Magic Podcast, we are chatting with Nicholas Wallace and Tafelmusik about the upcoming release of Music & Magic! Nick has been working on an exciting project, an Award-Winning baroque orchestra from Toronto, Tafelmusik, and in this episode, he shares details about the upcoming virtual concert and magic show! In the episode, we chat with Marco Cera, the musical director of Tafelmusik. I was thrilled to participate in this massive collaboration that magicians worldwide can watch and enjoy. Let’s jump into this conversation with Nicholas Wallace, who shares his appearance on American’s Got Talent, Penn & Teller Fool Us, how he developed his eerie style, the best piece of advice he received, staying creative and more! Watch Episode 149 of Magicians Talking Magic Podcast Music & Magic Nicholas Wallace & Tafelmusik About Music & Magic Open your eyes and ears to the world of illusion and enchantment in this new digital concert blending two captivating art forms. Musicians and magicians may use different tools to create their art, but for both, the goal is to delight, spark our imaginations, and create startling moments of intense emotion. Inspired by his lifelong fascination with magicians, Tafelmusik oboist and visual artist Marco Cera has conjured up Music & Magic, a mesmerizing new digital program for all ages featuring the award-winning magician Nicholas Wallace. Music & Magic delves into the world of 18th-century English conjurer Isaac Fawkes, a contemporary of Handel. The first magician to take his act from the streets of London to the stage, Fawkes performed before King George II at the Haymarket Theatre — the same venue where Handel presented his operas for royalty and the public alike. This film combines magic vignettes with music by Bach, Handel, and Purcell, along with a performance of Spring from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. PROGRAM Henry Purcell Excerpts from The Fairy Queen Antonio Vivaldi Concerto for Violin in E Major: Spring (from The Four Seasons) George Frideric Handel Aria's “What passion cannot music raise or quell” from Ode for St Cecilia's Day (arranged) Johann Sebastian Bach Andante, from Sonata for solo violin in A Minor G.F. Handel Overtures to Flavio & Ode for St. Cecilia's Day Credits Conceived & programmed by Marco Cera Scripted by Marco Cera & Nicholas Wallace Stage direction by Ryan Joyce Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra Directed by Elisa Citterio Nicholas Wallace magician Quinten Melo contortionist

The FISM North American Championships of Magic has just wrapped in Quebec City, and we've got all the magical details. Featured Artists at the FISM North American Championships of Magic included Julianna Chen, Aaron Crow, Shawn Farquhar, Carisa Hendrix, Billie Kidd, Jared Kopf, Luc Langevin, Ondrej Psenicka, Ted & Marion Outerbridge, Spidey and more! In this episode, we share a detailed recap of the recent FISM North American Championship of Magic, the incredible line-up, the qualifying competition for the World Championship of Magic, and a fantastic line-up of special guests. Get all the details with a special co-host and long-time friend of the podcast, George “Kid” Oldman. Listen Now in your favourite podcast app or watch below. FISM North American Championships of Magic Contest Winners In the back row are Nicolas Dutel, Stuart Macdonald, Yannick Lacroix, Erik Tait, and Ed Ripley. In the front row are Elliott Hunter, Simon Coronel, Shoot Ogawa, and Shane Cobalt. Photo Credit: Vincent Bernard

Tips and ideas for modernizing magic clubs! Recently, on Magicians Talking Magic, we are discussing the future of magic clubs, why magicians should join their local club, PLUS tips, ideas and suggestions for breathing life back into the magic club. Tips and Ideas for Modernizing Your Magic Club Here are three areas we see magic clubs can improve. If you have additional ideas or suggestions, please leave them below in the comments. Be Agile Don’t waste your time planning out the entire year, but plan out your season in quarters and pillar months. Look ahead but not too far down the line. Mix it up! It's not always card magic or mentalism. Offer more than just in-person meetings. Embrace virtual and in-person gatherings. Benefits of Virtual The lecture pool opens right up to magicians worldwide Don’t have to leave your home - parking and commute is a snap Great for the introverts! Potential for your club to make a little more $ by opening up its reach Listen & Share Ask for input from your members - everyone’s magic interest is different Update your club’s website & online presence Have multiple forms of communication. I bet your members are diverse, so be open to that. Keep in mind not everyone’s needs can be met. You can’t please everyone all the time. Ongoing, open communication is key. Collaborate Have a project, event or yearly goal. Work on something together as a magic club. Hopefully, it will be something public-facing that attracts new members. Charitable Shows Ticketed Shows Brand Awareness Get your club on the local news! Work with other magic clubs, rings, and assemblies. Link back to them and help promote them. Have magic club meeting exchanges and special evenings. Build local connections and relationships. Your magic club should build its presence within your community. Ask for help when you need it - We all have our own toolkit of specialized skills. Marketing Web Development Team Building Virtual Production What is the purpose of your magic club? Here's a simple idea: We offer a welcoming space to learn, share and perform magic with fellow enthusiasts. What suggestions do you have for magic clubs?

The KW Magic Society is an official International Brotherhood of Magicians Ring. Located in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, we're Ring #235 The International Brotherhood of Magicians is the world’s largest organization of magicians, with members in 88 countries. Join the KW Magic Society (IBM Ring 235) Check out the KW Magic Society's official website: https://ibmring235.org

Welcome to the exciting world of virtual magic tricks! In this comprehensive guide, we'll unlock the secrets to performing captivating magic tricks in a digital setting. Ideal for online shows and virtual gatherings, these tricks are specifically designed to engage and amaze your audience through the screen. Key Takeaways: Tricks tailored for digital performances. Techniques to adapt magic for virtual audiences. Variety of illusions suitable for online shows. We asked magicians from the Canadian Association of Magicians and listeners of the Magicians Talking Magic Podcast about the tricks they performed virtually. We wanted to know if they had one “go-to” effect or a favourite virtual effect? Let’s get into the results and key virtual takeaways! List of Popular Virtual Magic Tricks We also asked magicians to share ONE piece of advice for performing virtual magic! You can find these survey results and other incredible articles in the July 2021 edition of VANISH International Magic Magazine! READ: What is the Best Magazine for Magicians? First, we asked magicians if they had one piece of magic that performed virtually more often than other tricks. 60% of magicians who responded had ONE piece of magic for their go-to effect, and 50% of those tricks were mentalism. The magicians who responded to our survey included 35% stage magicians 35% hobbyists 10% Close-up & Stage 10% Children’s performers. We also asked magicians if they had a second favourite virtual magic trick, and 66.7% of those magicians said yes! Virtual Magic Tricks Magicians Are Performing Here is the list of magicians favourite virtual magic tricks (sorted alphabetically) BM Project by Bakore Magic 4D Burger Board by Magzaic BWave by Max Maven Decisions by Mozique Deepest Sympathy by Jim Steinmeyer Invisible Deck by Joe Berg Kirigami by Max Maven Cardboard Connection by Paul Harris Looch prediction/ mystery solved by Looch/ David Penn Manifest by Danny Weiser Matrix by Al Schneider Outside the Box by David London Peekaboo Bunny by Silly Billy Pointless by Greg Wilson Prementaliction by Chris Dugdale Rope Evolution by Juan Pablo Nine Card Problem by Jim Steinmeyer What advice do you have for magicians about performing virtually? After one year of the pandemic and virtual magic, we were curious to hear from magicians what their biggest lesson or advice for performing virtually. Here's what they told us: "Commit to Camera" - Steve Valentine Don't sit to perform your virtual shows! Interaction! Lighting and good mics. Be personable - don't be that stage character because this isn't a live performance - it's like television. The show should be more varied instead of just card trick Engage! Find a way to involve the audience. Otherwise, I can watch YouTube. Look into the camera Invest in PRO Gear; otherwise, you’ll look like an amateur. Get a quality camera and separate microphone Make it simple! If your show is for kids (zoom or in-person), do not do more than one card trick. (I have watched Zoom magic shows for kids where the magician only does card tricks. Boring.) Use the borders outside the camera. Lighting is of utmost importance. Don't BE a virtual magician. Be a magician who can perform under nearly any condition. Don't do too many card tricks. Make sure you are lit well and have good audio.

A stunning card penetration that GETS INCREDIBLE REACTIONS! It’s a surprisingly solid-though-solid that's easy to perform and a SHOCKING VISUAL. A great fit for any virtual audience. Your audience watches as you openly push the spectator’s freely chosen playing card into the centre of a packaging air bubble. It’s a COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED and MIND-BLOWING moment for your audience PLUS it makes a KILLER ENDING to one of YOUR ALREADY EXISTING CARD ROUTINES Effect: Tell your audience YOU HAVE A UNIQUE WAY TO KEEP SPECIAL memories. You introduce a packaging air cushion and their chosen card. You then openly and freely push their card into the centre which is shown from all angles I’m Ryan Joyce and this is Air Lock, I’ve been having a ton of fun performing this and I know you will too. It’s a SUPER EASY and VISUALLY SHOCKING In this download you receive: Full step-by-step videos Instructions PDF Download INCLUDING How to make the gimmick at home in just a few minutes PLUS Extra Routine ideas and Handling Tips Don’t forget-- after you download and watch the explanation be sure and check out the Bonus video with a few advanced tips and ideas for turning this into a souvenir your audience will never forget. You will ABSOLUTELY LOVE PERFORMING THIS and THE REACTIONS YOU GET FROM YOUR AUDIENCE! Get Air Lock by Ryan Joyce Here: Check out this review in VANISH Magic Magazine by Paul Romhany!! I love being fooled by great magic, and I was fortunate enough to see a show Online where Ryan performed this. It left me completely fooled and when it came up for review I couldn't wait to find out more about this. Airlock is a modern take on a card to impossible place. Imagine a coin in bottle routine where the coin visually goes through the bottle. This is that premise but you are using an airbag (these are bags that come with most Amazon parcels and are filled with air), and a playing card. You can use a signed card that you might have signed throughout your show, perhaps a torn and restored card where you visually pass it through the plastic in to the airbag at the end of the trick, etc. There are so many options and ideas you can do with this concept. You aren't limited to cards either. You could visually melt a small object in to the airbag that you had used during your show. This is a download with video tutorial and PDF files. The props can be made very easily and take only a few minutes. You will need to supply your own airbags and the extra gimmick can be purchased from any stationary type store. As with all of Ryan's tutorials they are professionally produced and the quality is extremely high. He does a great job teaching the trick, the handling and offers some bonus ideas where you can send the airbag out to the spectator as a souvenir. This is a really terrific idea because people love getting things in the mail and the cost of postage will out way the value this will have. People will not give it away and it can act like a business card that keeps on giving. I love the presentation ideas with this because everybody can relate to the getting parcels and seeing these airbags inside. We all know they are filled with air and if there was a hole in them they would deflate. At all times during this routine the bags are fully inflated and THAT is what makes this such a great routine. The bonus ideas on here are clever and enhance the routine. I particularity love the funny gag Ryan has included and you can make it yourself. I'm going to start doing this in my own Online shows and the final gag is an addition that is a must. If you are doing any type of Online magic show I highly recommend you check this out. It's unique, original and super easy to do. The visual effect of the card just going from your hand to inside the airbag will fool everybody. Download the Virtual Magic Tricks Now:

At the 27th FISM World Championship of Magic in South Korea, FISM International President Domenico Dante made a historic announcement about the upcoming 28th host city. "Here is the vote. Spain 180 votes. Quebec City 232 votes." Huge applause! Watch a full recap of the FISM North American Championships of Magic in Quebec here! Historic Decision for Canadian Magicians It was a proud day for Canadian magicians and an important day in the history of the art of magic that brought the FISM (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés Magiques) to Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, in July 2022. What makes this decision so significant? Since its founding in 1948, the FISM World Championship of Magic has never appeared in North America or been hosted by any North American magician society. That is... until 2022! The multi-day magician's convention and competition are the most prestigious globally-- representing over 100,000 magicians in 106 countries. The 2022 FISM in Quebec City, Canada, brought over 3000 magicians and 150+ contestants from over 50 countries. Magicians recognize FISM awards as the highest honours in the magic industry. Magic competitors compete in 8 categories—each one seeking the title of FISM Grand Prix Award Winner-- a prize not consistently awarded. However, before magicians can compete at the FISM World Championship of Magic, they must first qualify in a regional contest organized by a FISM-recognized magician society. Pandemic Impacts and Updates Like all events, the pandemic impacted the FISM World Championship of Magic. Initially scheduled for 2021, the FISM World Championship of Magic was rescheduled for 2022. Many regional qualifying conventions worldwide, including the North American FISM Qualifying Championship, have also been moved one year. Original FISM Dates Rescheduled The FISM World Championship of Magic was rescheduled to July 25 -July 30, 2022, and the North American FISM Qualifying Championships were September 30 to October 3, 2021. Both events were hosted in the same city by the same organizers, Renée-Claude Auclair and Pierre Hamon. Renée-Claude and Pierre Hamon are no strangers to producing magic events. Together, they have grown Le Festival De Magie (Quebec Magic Festival) since 2011. I chatted with Renée-Claude for our Magicians Talking Magic Podcast, and she shared essential updates for the FISM World Championships of Magic and the North American Qualifying Championship. WATCH: FISM 2022 & North American Championship Update with Renée-Claude Auclair Related Links In-Depth Guide to FISM and the FISM World Championship of Magic FISM QUEBEC 2022 World Championship of Magic Website North American FISM Magic Championship Website FISM International Website Le Festival De Magie De Quebec / Quebec Magic Festival Photo Gallery of Quebec City, Canada Magicians, have you ever competed before? Tell us in the comments. For a look at the FISM World Championship of Magic, judging, the eight categories of competitions, and more, visit this Guide to the FISM World Championship of Magic.

Every magician agrees that live events will always have precedent, but virtual services are here to stay in some capacity. Being able to speak on camera and entertain audiences through any medium is an important objective for magicians. I’ve rounded up some essential tips, suggestions and strategies for magicians who need help with their virtual magic show. Let's take a look. Jump to Section: Biggest Virtual Magic Show Differences Your Virtual Performance Space Tips for first-time virtual magicians Thoughts About Magician Websites Social Media for Magicians Relationship Building Key Takeaways for Magicians Magicians Guide to Virtual Magic Shows Virtual magic is here to stay. At this point, I don't think all established performers need a virtual show, but for those wishing to stand out, it's an opportunity to pull ahead. The virtual show doesn’t resonate with all magicians. I get it. It doesn't serve the reasons many of us got into magic. However, I don't believe it's fading away anytime soon. Virtual conferencing has opened up a new world of opportunities for magicians. First, Let's Talk About Virtual Magic Shows In an episode of Magicians Talking Magic Podcast, we discussed a few essential survival ideas for magicians performing their first virtual magic shows. It's important to understand the key differences between live shows and virtual performances Here are the key takeaways: Instead of asking for applause or volunteers, you ask for comments in the chat, and helpers unmute themselves. This will feel less like a performance and more like a meeting. If you are a heavily scripted performer, you’ll get a much better response by ditching the script and replacing it with a good story. Mix it up with conversation, questions, trivia, and the occasional reminder for the audience to get involved. Rethink Your Virtual Magic Show Timing Chit-chat and banter take longer, but searching for volunteers in virtual shows is much quicker. You no longer need house lights, just a bright yellow emoji. 😛 When you start your virtual show, I highly recommend you tell your audience how to interact with you initially. My opening virtual magic trick instructs the audience on engaging AND delivers a visual WOW moment. Virtual shows can be shorter. It's common for 15, 30 or 45-minute or shorter programs. Ultimate Virtual Magic Show Opener I'm biased because I created this magic trick, but I think this is the best way to open your virtual show. Here's the video: It's essential to get your audience to take action early. I found showing your audience precisely what buttons to push helps tremendously. It helps remove obstacles. It also makes it easier for those less familiar with ZOOM or virtual software. Asking your virtual audience for engagement early in your virtual show helps prime your audience for a more interactive performance. Virtual Magic Show Tip: I always remind the audience to quickly unmute their microphone by pressing and holding the space bar. This works in all the popular virtual conferencing apps. You can download the Ultimate Virtual Opener on Vanishing Inc. Your Virtual Magic Show Performance Space Our stage, backstage and dressing room are now our homes. Try to find a dedicated space for your shows and start thinking about a virtual set. Probably a spare room, bedroom or kitchen. Your area should be clean, well lit and visually attractive. Consider magic posters and magician artifacts; a bookshelf or lighting fixture can jazz up dull space. Don’t let your backdrop steal the focus from the show. Tips for First-Time Virtual Magicians If you haven’t presented a virtual show, it’s time to dive in. It would help if you began thinking about adapting your favourite routines to the virtual. Not all magic can be performed virtually, but you’ll be surprised what you can do in the virtual space. ▶ Get your feet wet. Consider starting with a shorter show. Start. If an opportunity comes up for you to present your first virtual show, consider a shorter 15-minute or 25-minute show to start. ▶ Learn how to use the software and be prepared to teach your audience how to use it. ZOOM, Google Meets, and Microsoft Teams all have very similar functionality. Here are the current most popular virtual platforms: Zoom (300 million meeting participants per day) Google Meet (over 100 million daily meeting participants) Microsoft Teams (over 75 million active daily users) ▶ Virtual shows are all about engagement. Plan all your transitions. Heavily scripted performances will fall flat. Be prepared to ask questions and call out for comments in the chat. ▶ Good quality audio and lighting are your most important investments for your virtual show. Spend a few dollars on an LED ring light and a decent mic. I promise you already have all the tricks you need to assemble a great show. A Few Thoughts About Magician's Websites Your website is the only space online you have complete control over. It’s your branding, personality, messaging, marketing and voice. Facebook controls your content distribution, and Instagram gives you the attention it wants before asking for your money. A magician's website is where clients land to decide between hiring you. Website Strategies for Magicians Selling Virtual Services Create a Virtual Show Page - Create a dedicated page for your virtual shows and services. Your clients will immediately know you are a potential prospect. Bonus points if you have virtual client testimonials and screen captures already posted. Does your website do the job? Take a good look at your marketing and copy. What is your website communicating to your clients? Can it be better? Write for different audiences - magicians need to have a page dedicated to each unique type of service or audience. You wouldn’t write the same content for a birthday party show page as for a close-up show page. Social Media for Magicians My view on social media has changed drastically. A social media strategy is essential for magicians; however, I see many magicians confuse ego with marketing. Who do they think is hiring them? My focus has shifted away from trying to survive on all social media platforms and increasing my effectiveness in the ones I enjoy the most. None of them :) Whether it’s Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, here’s a simple strategy for your social media. Tips for Magicians Surviving Social Media Remember who your audience is and write to them. Ask questions; engagement is essential for algorithms. Decide in advance on 5 - 7 topics that interest you and support your services or long-term goals. Remove decision-making by assigning days of the week for your topics. Create a vault of ideas and content that you can access when motivation is low. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule. Schedule your posts. Relationship Building One of the most effective ways a magician can grow their local businesses is by building relationships within their community. Discovering organizations and associations with overlapping interests can be a great way to grow your business long-term. The key to creating brand-new relationships is showing genuine interest in helping to serve, removing your immediate needs and business desires, and focusing entirely on helping. Relationships take effort and time to build but offer many layers of reward, not purely financial. How can you use your show, skills or services to help others within your community? Make some effort and do some research. Discover the projects they are working on or find some way to help. Excellent relationship-building provides a lifetime of word-of-mouth advertising. Conclusion Virtual magic shows are here to stay. The skills of performing virtual magic shows are similar to stage magic and, in some ways, easier. Albeit, the lack of applause is certainly missed. Create the best virtual show you can by adapting material you own and focusing on your audience connection. Be sure to tell your audience how to interact EARLY, and don’t be afraid to drop the show script. Offer your virtual show for free until you feel comfortable with your product. Use these free shows to build new relationships. Don't forget to update your marketing material, website, one-sheet and social presence to inform clients you offer virtual shows. Do you need images? That's It! If you got any value from this article, hit the ❤️ and share your comment below. Check out the Ultimate Virtual Opener by Ryan Joyce. There is no better way to start your virtual show!

Let's make a top hat from one sheet of paper! This is an easy craft and perfect at-home craft for magicians! Here you'll find Instructions, PDF download and video instructions. This one-page DIY magician top hat template download requires minimal supplies, takes ten minutes to construct and can easily be used as a pattern or stencil for specialty papers. It was also designed to fit standard-sized poker playing cards perfectly! Let's make a top hat! Table of Contents Melted Snowman Top Hat Best Papers Printing on Black Construction Paper What You Need VIDEO: How to Make a Paper Top Hat Step-by-Step Instructions Download Top Hat PDF Template Let's make a mini top hat with this free template below! Mini Top Hat Template You can use this template to make your mini-top hat designs and crafts. All the step-by-step instructions include images to help you conjure your magic in no time! This is a great weekend activity with kids interested in magic or a magician birthday party theme. Each of these takes about 10 minutes to make and requires a printed page template, scissors, and a glue stick. You can use the printout template on your preferred paper, or you can use it as a stencil and trace around on your favorite papers. Below we've used black construction paper with a small strip of red for the top hat's iconic red ribbon. Download the Magician Top Hat Template here Here's The Magician Top Hat Magicians Or A Snowman This one-page printable template is a great Christmas craft for a snowman or snowwoman. It's a perfect holiday craft with the kids. Just use black construction paper and a red construction paper strip. I've included some tips for using black construction paper below. Snowman Top Hat Template Printable Here's a fun simple extra-fun twist on the snowman top hat template. Take a sheet of scrap recycled paper and cut it out in the shape of a puddle. Draw a carrot and two coal eyes for a perfect melted snowman & mini top hat craft. The template below can be downloaded and printed to make this fun holiday craft. Melted Snowman & Mini Top Hat Best Papers The best paper is thicker construction paper or stock paper. Standard 8.5 x 11-inch printer paper. Any paper can be used, but we suggest thicker stock papers. Don't be afraid to use lots of glue! When the glue hardens and cures, it will give the mini top hat a little extra strength. Printing On Black Construction Paper To make the black magician top hat, I ran a black piece of paper through an inkjet printer, and the black ink was barely visible but enough for me to use as a cutting guideline. Printing directly onto specialty construction paper could be suitable for some printers. A stencil is a great alternative. What You'll Need To make these crafts, we used scissors and a glue stick. We also found it easiest to trim the inside circle with a sharp knife. Always take caution and care when using sharp objects! How to Make a Magician Hat with Construction Paper Watch the step-by-step video and follow the DIY template instructions below! How to Make a Magician Hat This is super easy to make at home with basic supplies. The template is one-page and can be printed directly onto the final paper. An alternative is to use this as a stencil and trace this mini top hat template if you need to make several. These assemble quickly, just about ten minutes, with basic supplies. I used the following tools: Free Magician Top Hat Template Scissors Glue stick Sharp Craft Knife Step-By-Step Instructions Cut Out the two main pieces of the top hat template. (fig 1) Save the larger piece of scraps for later. We'll use them to protect the surface from the glue. Cut through the dotted lines. This will allow the paper to round nicely. Trim away all the little bits (fig 3) and cut out the inner circles (fig 4) Don't trim down the outer rim of the template. We'll do this step last to give a nice clean edge. Divide the top hat's rims in half. (fig 5) Add a 1/2 inch of glue at the top of the top hat cut-out. Use the non-printed side to hide any printer ink. Roll the top hat into shape (fig 7) and slide it into the top hat rim for fitting (fig 8). After you've adjusted the size, give it a good firm press. Make sure all the glue is holding nicely. Set aside the rim of the top hat. Glue both rims of the top hat. Bend the top pointed top hat bits out. Bend the bottom bits in. Adhere the two top hat rims and the top hat bits sandwiched between. Press firmly and make sure the glue gets good contact. Glue the two-round cut-outs. Center the top hat over the giant round cut-out. Slide the smaller circle cut-out into the top hat. Use a glue stick to press down firmly inside the top hat. Trim the mini top hat rim and any excess on the bottom. It perfectly fits poker-sized playing cards. We created the hat template download below to fit the magician's other favorite tool, playing cards! These top hat templates perfectly accommodate a standard poker-sized deck of cards 2.5 x 3.5 inches (63.5 x 88.9mm). A great table centrepiece for a themed event or party. Download Top Hat Template: Top Hat Printable PDF Template Download Top Hat Template PDF: Are you looking for a magic kit for kids? The Fantasma Magic Kit on Amazon features 200 Tricks and Includes Instructional Video downloads. A magician top hat isn't complete without a wand; if you need a printable template, we created one you can download here. Are you interested in learning other magic crafts and homemade DIY magic tricks? Check out the free Magic Crafts & DIY from Magician Masterclass! Related:

Fresh off his incredible performance on Penn & Teller: Fool Us, magician Boris Wild joins us for a great discussion on creating original magic, why magicians should compete and how to be an original magician. Boris Wild recently fooled Penn & Teller, and to start this episode, he gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his appearance for the magic duo. Boris is a multi-award-winning magician with some of the highest honours in magic. He is a Grand Prix Winner at the FFAP French Championships of Magic, a Monte Carlo Magic Stars Award Winner and a FISM Winner at the World Championships of Magic. In addition to Fool Us, Boris has appeared on Le Plus Grand Cabaret du Monde (five appearances), Champions of Magic (USA), International Close-Up Show (China) and Magic Castle 2018 (Japan). Magicians, check out Boris Wild's website and magic store here https://boriswild.com. We think you’re going to love this episode. Be sure to subscribe to Magicians Talking Magic wherever you get your podcasts. Did you see Boris Wild's performance on Penn & Teller Fool Us, Season 7? Watch: