As we enter 2025, it’s time for magicians and mentalists to set their goals to new heights. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your magical journey as an amateur, there’s always room for growth, improvement and innovation. Here are some ideas to help you elevate your magic this new year:
Master a New Skill
- Sleight of Hand: Dive deeper into sleight-of-hand techniques, especially with everyday objects such as coins, cards, and pens. Practice regularly to refine your skills and develop your style. Record your performances and refine them.
- Direction: Focus on directing your performance. Read some of the best books on directing yourself. Ask another magician or theatre professional for feedback. Maximum Entertainment 2.0: Expanded & Revised by Ken Weber is a highly recommended book.
- Costuming and Prop Building: Invest time learning stagecraft, construction, props and the costume you use. It may be time to change from the traditional top hat magician outfit to something more appealing to your audience.
Build Your Brand
- Online Presence: Build a strong online presence through social media such as Instagram, TikTok, Snap-chat, a website, or a YouTube channel. Share your performances, behind-the-scenes footage, prop building and client testimonials.
- Networking: Connect with other magicians, HR/Marketing professionals, and potential clients. Attend magic conventions, join online forums, and participate in magic communities. The more you network, the more you learn and gain new business.
- Personal Branding: Develop a unique brand identity that reflects your style and personality. Your stage persona, marketing materials, overall tone, and color can be considered your branding. You need to stand out from your competition, not just other magicians. Remember, you must compete against comedians, clowns, mime artists, etc.
Perform Regularly
- Local Venues: Seek opportunities to perform at local events, bars, restaurants, and community gatherings.
- Online Platforms: Leverage platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Discord to reach a broader audience and showcase your skills and talent. You are no longer limited to your city.
- Corporate Events: Consider corporate events a lucrative avenue for magicians—network with event planners and corporate clients to secure gigs. Consider LinkedIn as an online place to connect with professionals. Exhibitions, Annual retreats, Annual awards, Christmas Parties, and client cocktails are ideal events for a Magician. Educate potential clients.
Learn from the Masters
- Mentorship: Seek guidance from experienced magicians. A mentor/coach can provide guidance, valuable advice, feedback, and support. Magic used to be an art passed down by a master. In today’s context, this is no longer due to the availability of knowledge. But an experienced professional can groom you better and faster.
- Workshops and Conventions: Attend magic conventions and seminars to learn from top performers and industry experts. FISM Italy 2025 and Magic Live are good conventions to plan.
- Magic Club: Join a local Magic club. International Brotherhood of Magicians, The Society of American Magicians and The Magic Circle are renowned longstanding clubs to start.
- Online Resources: Explore online resources like magic forums, tutorials, Videos and e-books to expand your knowledge.
Experiment and Innovate
- Original Material: Create original routines that showcase your unique style. One way to achieve this is by substituting objects you use for real-world objects. For example, if you use balls, people may not carry a ball in a pocket, but you can make a paper ball from paper serviette.
- Technology: Incorporate technology into your performances to create interactive and immersive experiences. Try using your mobile phone, chatGPT, email, etc.
- Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Collaborate with other artists, such as musicians, jugglers, or comedians, to inspire your thought process and perform together in a new act.
Focusing on these areas can elevate your magic to the next level in 2025. Never underestimate consistent practice, dedication, and a passion for improvement.
What are your New Year’s resolutions as a magician? Share your thoughts, goals, inspirations, and aspirations in the comments below.
