So, you’re really serious about getting out on the street doing a few shows, and passing your hat? Well, there’s something that many of you need to realize! It’s going to be a bit of a disaster if your approach is wrong.

I know many of you are going to go out there with a routine that you put together specifically for the street. Something you may have never performed before, but “it would play well on the street”. In fact, you may have even purchased a book or DVD (or two), and you have really done your homework right? And you’re ready right? WRONG!

First and foremost, the routines/effects/tricks you are doing should be perfected before you even begin to consider them for the street. You have to know them COLD! (Inside and out!) This should go without being said. (There’s a reason I’m saying it, and I’ll get there shortly.) Are you going to go out there with a routine you just learned yesterday, or last week? I hope you’re ready for a disappointing day, because you’re going to get it. The reality is that if you try to do something that is foreign to you, or new to you, you will be concentrating on too many things at once, and you will fall short. This will hinder you from getting this important little piece of gold…

CONFIDENCE!!!

You see, confidence isn’t just exuded because you think you know what you’re doing, is exuded because you KNOW what you are doing!! Let me ask you this. Would you trust a doctor who wasn’t confident when he was explaining to you a procedure that may or may not hurt you? Will you look like you know what you’re doing if you ‘just learned a routine’? No! So why would an audience want to watch a person who’s “just trying to get it right”?

Take what you already have in your arsenal of magic that you know inside and out (because you’ve been doing it forever) and put together a routine with that. I can assure you that you will fare better in the beginning because you will be more relaxed and confident about who and what you are, and what you are doing. This will come through to your audience and they will stay with you through the show. (I don’t say “watch you” because a good street act doesn’t just show people magic. A good street act has his/her audience with them.) Confidence is such an integral part of what we do, because if we believe in ourselves, others will as well.

Once you have chosen your established routine that you are confident with because you have experience with it, and you know it cold, take it out to the street. At this point, you will be able to relax and really focus on entertaining your audience rather than just trying not to screw up the “new trick”! This will give you more confidence and ultimately you will be more successful in the long run. You may not be raking in the cash your first day out, but overall you are on the right track. Remain confident and just know you’re going to get better.

Remember to always be yourself. You’re better at being you than anyone else, and you know what your strengths are. People will respond to you, and you will make a few bucks. You can’t lose.

You may not always win, but you can’t lose!

As we say out here on the bricks... Until next time and Fat Hats!