As spectators pass by and watch what magicians do, the sentiment is usually the same: "What a cool life" (or something to that effect).  The reality is that the performance is the culmination of a lot of effort.  There's marketing, cold calling, planning at home, costume design and purchase, restocking on used and damaged props, new material, travel, lectures, crafting, repairs, networking... the list goes on (that doesn't even talk about all the costs).

Building a regular business of being a full time magician comes at a cost.  While growing the performing business, there are still bills to pay.  For that reason, I imagine, lots of us maintain a backup "regular" job.  All of my coworkers know I'm a magician outside the workplace, but it always seems like they look at me like it's just my hobby. 

When I meet new people who will be involved in my life in more meaningful ways, I try to warn them that I tend to have a big personality, and while the magic is new and exciting now, it will get old and boring because they will have seen it a LOT of times.  The reality is that as a solo performer, I am my own marketing, accountant, manager, agent, etc.  So, I try not to miss any opportunity to make heads explode with some effect or trick.  You never know who you'll run into. 

Everyone who thinks of magic tends to think of the traditional magician pulling rabbits from top hats, or a continuous stream of ribbons from their mouth, or any number of things usually found at a kids birthday party.  However, there's a lot more opportunities to perform beyond those.  I recently did a three day event working for an insurance broker at a booth in a home show.  All the other booths had shiny displays, cute kids to show they were a family business, toys as souvenirs for passers by, one booth even had a very friendly dog to attract people.  

Sometimes events are just great all around.  While I was paid to do walk around magic for the guests in attendance, I definitely wasn't the focus here.  But that didn't stop people from gathering around my table.  

As spectators, we often see magicians doing wild effects.  And this is perfectly fine... on tv or internet.  It works because sensationalism sells.  They get to design a "WOW" scenario, and practice it over and over again until it looks perfect.  But then what?

Of course it's hard for any solo act to accept performing for less than they are worth.  But, that is the struggle of the up and comer.  We all like to surround ourselves with people who can get us to the next level or tell and show us how to do it.  But there's something to be said about playing the small gigs.  Those spots where you don't know if you'll make enough to cover the gas it took to get there.  You try harder.  You engage more.  There's more on the line for you to be consistent and get it right 100% of the time.  

What a crazy week!!  This was my first long distance travel to perform magic.  On Tuesday I got the new tricks in I had ordered specifically for this show.  So, I had very little time to get them all setup.  Also on Tuesday I picked up a quick stomach bug, so I was down for the count while trying to get everything together.