Conjurer's Coffee Break

You might have heard the saying Always be Closing! But does that make magic too transactional? I think so. In tis episode, find out how I approach my business differently. More on this topic: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-030 All episodes: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

Where should magicians focus their attention? On audience who can afford them? Or those who want them at their event? The answer might surprise you! More on this topic: ⁠⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-029 All episodes: ⁠⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

What are the main differences between performing magic and stand up comedy? I've recently been exploring more comedy and compare both in this episode. More on this topic: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-028 All episodes: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

How can magicians write their own material? And why is it so important? Find out in this long promised episode! More on this topic: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-027 All episodes: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life. It's a trite saying, but how does it stack up for magic. I'll discuss this and my enjoyability index, in this short episode. More on this topic: ⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-026 All episodes: ⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

What do you really want? It's impossible to do everything, so at some point you have to make a decision, what do you really want to do? In this first episode, we'll explore that thought plus more. More on this topic: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-001 All episodes: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

Luck or Preparation? Like me, you've probably had situations where you've thought, "that was lucky!" but what if we look at that from a different angle? Perhaps it wasn't luck but simply good preparation. In this episode, we'll explore that idea, plus how to perform a show / event pre-mortem! More on this topic: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-002 Al...

How do you be present for a performance, for each and every performance? How do you make sure that you are giving 100% to that audience, and not letting other things distract you? We'll explore that in this episode, plus why it's such a good idea! More on this topic: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-003 All episodes: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

Can you learn confidence? That's the question we'll be exploring in today's episode. Spoiler, I think you can, and so I'll reveal a few techniques to help you to take the steps towards becoming a more confident performer. More on this topic: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-004 All episodes: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

Is new better? Magic moves on at what sometimes feels like a blistering pace, but is that right? Are the classics better? We'll explore some of those thoughts and more in this episode. More on this topic: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-005 All episodes: ⁠⁠https://edsumner.com/magicians⁠

Ever wondered why magic seems to attract poor performers? Join us in this episode as we uncover some of the reasons why and explore the solutions to how we can elevate the craft of magic from mere trickery to captivating performance! More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-025 All episodes: https://edsumner.com/magicians

In this episode we'll go over some of the important tech required to put on a magic show, including microphones, speakers and amplifiers and some recommendations about what might be best to purchase, and also some questions you can ask yourself when considering your requirements. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-024 All episodes: https://edsumner.com/magician...

Today I'm talking about a topic of importance to me, and I'm going to suggest that it should be important to you to, performing on stage. Even if you are a close up magician, I think there are vital skills that we learn from giving larger performances, and in this episode I'll explain what they are and why they are so important to your development as a magician. More on this topic: https://edsumne...

Here's a writing exercise that I've been using to help keep my creativity flow going. I'll share it with you today, in this short "espresso" episode plus a few simple ideas that you can use to help keep your creative mind switched on. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-022 All episodes: https://edsumner.com/magicians

A slightly more philosophical episode looking at the process of creativity and life in general, and how sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. This is certainly a thing that has been on my mind recently, so thought I would share it, and I hope this one is helpful to you. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-021 All episodes: https://edsumner.com/magicians

You don't know what you don't know. Well that sounds pretty obvious, but in this episode we'll explore how we come to know things through performance. How we improve or as I like to say polish routines, and what you can do if right now you feel like others are way ahead of you. Spoiler alert: it doesn't matter as much as you think it does. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-...

What is the purpose of magic? Why do you perform magic? What do you get out of it, and what does the audience get out of it. We'll explore that and more in this episode of the Conjurer's Coffee Break Podcast. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-019 All episodes: https://edsumner.com/magicians

Many magic tricks seem simple on the surface, but how do they really work? What's going on beneath that? In this short podcast episode, I'll talk through some of the ways that you can improve your magic by adding more, or taking something away. Sounds cryptic? Have a listen to discover how deception really works. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-018 All episo...

Misdirection is something we've all heard about, but what is it? And how do you learn it? Well, I can't teach it to you. I'll try to explain why in this episode, and give you a few tips. If you're a beginner magician, or more experienced, I'll unlock a few of the secrets of misdirection, but spoiler alert, there's no easy shortcut. Sorry! More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-b...

Want to find out what they are? You'll need to listen to this (potentially controversial) episode, but controversy is not my aim. It's just my opinion. Some of you will agree, some of you won't, some will agree in part. That's all fine, but hopefully this gets you thinking about the issue. Hopefully, like me, you love magic and want it to continue improving. More on this topic: https://edsumner.co...

Pricing for magicians, part 2. What do you do when someone asks for a discount? Do you negotiate? And if so, how? In this episode, I'll provide some thoughts of how you might be able to agree to something that everyone is happy with. A win-win situation, which should always be the goal. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-015 All episodes: https://edsumner.com/m...

Pricing for magicians, part 1. I'm putting this up here with some thoughts on pricing, but please understand this is just my opinion, and things are always changing. I do think the core idea that you need to set a price you are 100% happy with, or not take the booking still stands. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-014 All episodes: https://edsumner.com/magici...

Breaking into paid work can be a tricky balance. When is the right time to start charging for what you do? And where do you get the work from? In this episode, we'll explore the options available to you if you've been performing for a while, and are looking to make the first steps into paid work. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-013 All episodes: https://edsu...

We've all heard it, you're the best magician I've ever seen! But what does that really mean, and why does it matter? In this short "espresso" episode, we'll dive into the topic of magic literacy and how watching more magic, and encourages others to do so, helps you to improve your performances. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-012 All episodes: https://edsumn...

What are the main differences between those that perform magic full time vs those that only have it as a hobby? And what can part time performers learn from those who perform all the time as part of their livelihood? We'll explore that, plus ways to implement some of those ideas in this episode. More on this topic: https://edsumner.com/conjurers-coffee-break-episode-011 All episodes: https://edsum...