The Professional Magician

#114 - Do you attend magic conventions? They are a great way to learn and connect with other magicians. But there are a few things you can do that will easily enhance your enjoyment of the next convention you attend. This week's Trick Talk features Michael Ross's Long Salt Pour! Get Michael's Salt Pour HERE By the way…whenever you’re ready, here are 5 ways I can help you grow your m...

#113 - Looking for a new income stream? How about one that covertly teaches kids important character-building skills? This episode is all about Discover Magic, an amazing program that teaches kids magic. My guest joining me is Brian Scott Ambrosch, an ardent user of Discover Magic and one of the nicest guys in our business. After listening to this, you might want to expand your offerings to includ...

#112 - Are you making enough money in your magic career? Many who aren't think the answer is simply more shows. While that is one option, let me introduce you to a few other ways of increasing your income... This week's Trick Talk features Trevor Duffy's Pro Diminishing Cards! By the way…whenever you’re ready, here are 5 ways I can help you grow your magic business to book more show...

#111: If you want to succeed in this business long-term, You've got to listen to my guest, Christopher Weed. Chris amazes me. He runs multiple businesses successfully to the tune of severa millions of dollars in revenue. And he's always looking for and developing new ideas. I always feel like I'm sitting under a learning tree when Chris speaks. Enjoy this episode - I know I did! Thi...

#110 - Has a client ever asked you to create a special show just for them? While it  might be fun to buy a bunch of new props for that show. it's not ideal if you want to turn a profit for that show. I've been creating themed shows for decades. So when a client asked me for a theme show, I knew I was not likely to ever perform the show again. Listen in on how I created a theme show my cl...

#109 - If you're new to performing, you may think traveling to a gig is no big deal, right? But there is a lot more you need to consider if you're going to travel any distance to gigs regularly. Check these tips out and make life on the road easier and less stressful! This week's Trick Talk: Pocket Python by Wolf's Magic! Get Pocket Python HERE . By the way…whenever you’re read...

#108 - Want your show to get better? REALLY better? You need a second set of eyes on it. My guest this week is a professional theater director with decades of experience. And he's also a professional magician, making him the perfect director for magicians! Listen and learn from my wonderful guest and friend, Jim Vagias! This week's Trick Talk features Balloon Oracle! Jim Vagias email: Va...

#107 - Crafting a specific show to fit a certain audience, niche, or situation is one of the best ways to serve your clients and your audiences. In this episode, I detail how I created a show for both a specific audience and specific performing situation. This week's Trick Talk features Peter Loughran's Phantasm Pro! Get Phantasm Pro HERE By the way…whenever you’re ready, here are 5 ways...

#106 - It's part two of my amazing interview with Chipper Lowell! Want to become a better performer? Listen to Chipper. Want to become a kinder performer, one who listens to their audiences, listen to Chipper. I am such a fan of Chipper and you will be too after hearing what he has to say. This week's Trick Talk features Bill Abbott's Stabbed & Shot! Get Stabbed & Shot HERE...

#105: Are you 'in the moment' during your shows? Or do you perform on 'autopilot?' My guest Chipper Lowell has mastered being in the moment during his shows. He's dedicated to ensuring every audience has a unique, special experience. I've been a fan of Chipper's work for years. After talking to him for 90 minutes I'm an even bigger fan of him as a human bein...

#104 - What do you talk about during your shows? How do you set up a routine? How do you move the routine along? For many magicians, this topic is the least important aspect of performing. I maintain it is the most important part of a great magic show. In this episode, I delve into 10 tips to scripting better shows. And this week's Trick Talk features the PITATA Magic Smart White Board! Check...

#103 - There's a secret ingredient that influences how successful you'll be in magic. It has nothing to do with your tricks or your talent. This 'secret sauce?' Your attitude! How you feel about all aspects of your business will help determine your path forward. My guest Brian Cassidy is a living example of the power of positivity. He treats magic as his job and it shows. Enjoy...

#102 - Have you ever bought a version of a trip or routine after being told it was "the best..." only to discover it didn't fit you at all? It's easy to fall prey to tales of "the best." I explore this concept and why "the best" is never a guarantee. To illustrate, I discuss in detail three different Linking Finger Ring releases! The Missing Link HERE Nick L...

#101 - WOW! If you want to 'dig deep' into the nuts and bolts of what makes truly great magic, you'll love my interview with David Parr. We went about 90 minutes and could have gone on for much longer. This is truly a great interview! Learn from one of magic's great thinkers. This week's Trick Talk is HOODOO! Get HOODOO HERE David Parr's website HERE By the way…whenev...

#100 - It's the big 100th episode of the Professional Magician Podcast! Will; I celebrate by playing clips from past episodes? A walk down memory lane with my guests? No...I choose to celebrate the 100th episode with my own public shaming! Join me as I share tales of woe from the road, bone-headed decisions I made, and a great roasting from one of my best friends in magic, Jim Kleefeld. It&ap...

#099 - Have you tried gig sites like GigSalad or The Bash? Many magicians dismiss them entirely, feeling these sites are nothing more than a haven for bottom feeding low-priced hack entertainers. But used properly, these sires can be a boom for your business, especially if you are just getting started. And unlike what many think, you CAN get high paying gigs from these sites. I've done it and...

#098 - What do you love about magic? This amazing art form offers so much! In this episode, I reveal what I love most about magic. See if you agree or disagree by listening! In this week's episode of Trick Talk, I review Scott Alexander's The Blades! The Blades HERE By the way…whenever you’re ready, here are 5 ways I can help you grow your magic business to book more shows at higher fees...

#097 - Ever been curious about working on cruise ships? VANISH magazine editor and full-time performer Paul Romhany has been in the cruise ship market for decades. In this week's episode, he shares some fantastic advice for working cruise ships along with incredible stories from his adventures at sea. Paul is one of my favorite people in the world of magic and I was thrilled when he agreed to...

#096 - Want to know what burns me up about magic Lots of things! In this episode, I rant about the things I hate most about our craft. Agree with me? Disagree? Find out by listening! And in this week's Trick Talk, I actually expose the secret to a marketed effect called Letter V! I explain exactly how this travesty of magic works so you can avoid it. It's REALLY bad! By the way…whenever...

#095 - How to be happy! Yup, that's just one of the surprising topics Michael Ross covers in part four of his routine to The Professional Magician podcast! As always, Michael is a 'deep thinker' who brings his A-game to the show! This week's Trick Talk features a look at Jim Kleefeld's custom Halloween banners! Visit Jim Kleefeld's site at www.jimkleefeld.com By the w...

#094 - To perform magic convincingly, you need to 'sell' what you're doing. You need to act! In this third part of Michael Ross's return to the podcast, he covers some simple yet effective acting tips. And this week's episode of Trick Talk features a review of Tales From Beyond by Jim Kleefeld! Check out Jim's site at www.jimkleefeld.com By the way…whenever you’re rea...

#093 - Want to become a more dynamic, effective stage performer? Listen to this guy! In the second installment of this four-part series, Michael Ross shares effective stage performing tips and strategies. And in this week's Trick Talk, I review Stately Spirits by Jim Kleefeld! Get Stately Spirits HERE By the way…whenever you’re ready, here are 5 ways I can help you grow your magic business to...

#092 - Michael Ross is a deep thinker. And I'm so glad he has so much to share! In this first episode of a new FOUR-PART series, Michael shares his observations when watching another magician on a big stage. Michael explains what could have been better, and more in his unique, philosophical, take-no-prisoners way. And this week's Trick Talk features Cody Fisher's Citrus! https://www...

#091 - Why do you do what to do? Are you performing because you love being in front of audiences? Do you strive to book a certain amount of shows because you need to...or because there is a part of you 'competing' with other magicians? Allowing jealousy to affect your goals can be harmful in the long run leading to resentment, burnout, or worse. This is an important episode you don'...

#090 - Ever have a bad show? If you're a full-time pro, you probably have at some point.  The real question is what you can do to recover from it. In this episode, I reveal simple techniques for shaking off the bad vibes and feelings we all get from those less-than-awesome shows. And in this week's episode of Trick Talk, I review Bowled Over by Christopher Talbat! Get Bowled Over HERE By...