Magic Tricks

This is probably my first review on here, its a shame it has to be derived from such disappointment, but here goes! I'm currently, like I'm sure many magicians are, having job stability issues on what is hopefully the final phase of the covid pandemic. I've, of course, modded or swapped all of my tricks to be pandemic friendly but, lately, have also taken to looking more at the business end of the job, not just the entertaining end. Im trying to figure out how to make my magic more of a permanent career, by every definition. And this book is NOT the answer. It has no answers. Just a single idea sprawled out across 23, er, excuse me, 19 pages (last 4 pages are product placement for his book that teaches you how to advertise on facebook, and the ad itself had more information than there is in the other 19 pages. But, i digress.) Ive worked professionally for 7 years before covid, but again, it was less of a career because of health reasons, so i was happy being on the low end of performance rates. Plus, I made good money with tips. I mainly do restaurant and close up work and I have a good parlor show, some small stage experience (>100), but very little big stage experience, which comes to my first issue.

THIS PLAN ONLY WORKS IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A $1000 STAGE SHOW! I cant believe I let another magician trick me this bad. I figured that would likely be a big key to the "secret", but thought there would be at least SOME mention on how to get good parlor gigs or close up comparisons, and at the very least some helpful advice and words from a true professional... NOPE! It constantly talks about how this ONE plan works this ONE way if you sell AT LEAST 100 seats (and up to 500 or more) with absolutely 0 advice about the performing aspect (not that it was expected, but it was just another disappoinment I figured I'd mention.) If you have ANY trepidation about large stage performing, this book is NOT AT ALL for you.

Then, in the 19 pages about how this one scenario works, he goes on to say incredibly obvious things like "have detailed and professional looking tickets and posters made up", again, without ANY helpful advice like useful printing companies (he says search online, but thats about it...), how to get professional looking photos without hiring a professional photographer, it doesn't even address the details that the tickets and posters should include! Then he goes on to say how the most successful magicians from lance burton to criss angel make much of their money through BOR (back of room) sales, and to have stuff to sell after the show, but again, NO INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO DO THAT! I dont have a line of magic kits in production or a stage dvd or anything of the sort! What am I going to sell? Headshots?! Not with this face. And expressing how important BOR sales are (but at the same time NOT EXPLAINING ANYTHING ABOUT HOW TO DO THEM) took up 2 of the 19 pages... The first line of the last paragraph about it literally says, "Although BOR sales are beyond the scope of this book, there are
several excellent courses on the market about conducting BOR sales."... I have a feeling theres a lot thats beyond the scope of this book.

I know you're probably thinking that with some creative ideas you could come up with answers about what to sell or what to make the tickets look like, sure, I could too. "When at a printer for tickets, see how much they charge for custom playing cards and sell them at BOR. And be sure the tickets have the date and time, seat number, and any affiliated groups or sponsors all written in a clear, professional font." there, that'll be $15, please. Even though I joke, this book honestly didnt even mention something like that! Usually, when buying magic you pay for knowledge, thats why its non-refundable. But there was none included in this book. I just paid 15 dollars (about a dollar per page) for a blog post with a single idea by a professional who has already made his success and booked thousands of venues. This is not for an amateur or even a professional looking for more gigs. This book, I can only imagine, would ONLY be useful if u already make 100k a year doing big stage Illusion shows, touring the US with an 18 wheeler full of contraptions and merchandise, and ur looking to make 200k a year instead. To some, im sure it has value. To me, and I assume most others, its obvious and unoriginal thoughts around a single idea that brings me no help or insight whatsoever. My disappointment is immeasurable. But yet I must. 1 star