I want to go pro

So I want to go pro. That sounds weird even just typing that. Pro. Anyway I’m letting you all in on this for a couple of reasons. One – Hopefully if I tell a few folk it will keep me motivated to keep at it and do something about it. Two – I can hopefully get some advice from you guys who are actually doing this and aren’t slaving away to earn a few pennies a week that all gets spent on cards and cheap lager. And finally I think it’s a good way to document it and hopefully I’ll be able to look back at this from my private jet one day and remember how it all started. Maybe.

So here’s what I’ve done so far. I’ve asked a shit load of magicians I respect over a few years for advice on it. I’m going to copy and paste all their nuggets of knowledge into a word document so I have it all in one place and then start working on what they say. These are some of the most successful guys in magic so I’m pretty sure they know what they’re talking about. (On a side note, talk to these guys, send them emails, ask them questions. They’ve all been very generous with their time and answering my questions.)

I’ve started building a website! Started being the key word. Need pictures n shit but a lot of the basic structure is done. Need some SEO too, apparently. And I did want to put a video on it but may just add pictures for the time being. Got a rough design for business cards done too so will probably order them cause I’m sure that’s a thing.

Magic wise I’ve started trying to structure routines. Honestly didn’t realise how much of what I do requires a table. So its actually been harder than I first thought to do that. Also been practicing a load of non-card stuff too which is a lot of fun, mostly mentalism type effects, which leads me onto the question am I a magician or a mind reader? I thought about putting both down but then I’m not sure I can actually call myself a mind reader and not want to curl up into a ball and cry.

So that’s roughly where I’m at right now. Its taken a while but I’ve literally been working non stop since November which is why I’ve probably decided to try and earn money from magic rather than pouring pints … Hopefully I’ll chime in here every now and again with updates and hopefully good news and I’m willing to hear any advice on any aspect of this any of you guys may have. I’m not bad at card tricks but I’m still having to learn this business thingy. Was also thinking about trying to land a residency in a restaurant or bar and then getting gigs from there? We shall see, long road ahead but I’m hopeful.

An Update

I’m terrible terrible at this blogging thing. Honestly wish I could actually keep writing but I go months without writing and it never even occurs to me to write something up. This is a quick update of what’s been happening in my life, magic wise anyway. I’ve recently tried to distance myself from the community a bit. I’m still posting any advice or that I have but I’m a bit fed up with the whole online magic community, culminating in Daniel Fucking Madison …

I’ve not bought anything new for ages, which I don’t think is a bad thing, so I’m catching up on my reading slowly but surely. Aside from that, I’ve been writing up a lot of my effects for no real reason! Might post a couple on here at some point but I’ll see. I’ve been creating a lot recently as well as trying to perform more and looking at my magic as a whole.

The major one is trying to earn money from this fucking thing. The reason I’m telling yous that is so hopefully I’ll keep at it. Started building my website and building routines and stuff so maybe I’ll get a gig or something soon. I’m bored as fuck in my job and in all honestly I can’t be arsed with it anymore. I’ve applied for uni while trying to do this for some money so we will see what happens.

Aside from that I’ve got a few ideas for some blog posts so who knows, I might actually follow through with them and start posting. Its unlikely but you never know. Will catch up with you all in another 3 months. Maybe 4.