When you charge a quarter, then you're a kid looking for candy money. You obviously can't do much when each "trick" is only worth a quarter, if you could do effects then you would busk and hat the crowd. One of my lines is "put any money that folds in the hat, my mother taught me to travel light and coins weigh too much to carry."

I live in the south, during a recession, and it would be at a yard sale. the people, no matter how good i would be, probably wouldn't be willing to give more than $1.00 at the max.

Contrary to professional opinion, I think it would be fun for a yard sale. Go for it and tell us how it goes.

go for it, as in to gain experience, or have a table with a tip jar, or what?

Don't worry about trying to "hat" them later. Just do your original plan. Wait until they pay and go from there.

There are several buskers (not necessarily magicians) who do well this way. Jugglers and box standers especially.

Saw a "human statue" juggler in Copenhagen with a bucket. He stayed frozen until you dropped a coin in the bucket (coins there can value up to $5-$10 each) and then he'd do a short juggling routine and freeze again until the next one.

cool! thanks for the advice!

I'm not sure whether I should be insulted or be flattered.

Are you saying that you agree with me?
Or that I am unprofessional?

I don't recall mentioning you either way. I'm just referring to the generally accepted "busker" theory of drawing a crowd, entertaining them, and passing the hat. In his case, I'm just encouraging him to try the "quarter a trick" concept and see how it goes.

My mistake. I thought you were referring to Paddy as the "professional".

had an idea last night! charge one quarter, but if they want to see the same trick again, they pay $5. too much> what do you guys think? i don't normally do the same trick again though.

I think you're delusional. One can tell by your postings that you're more interested in trying to get paid for doing magic (which, by the way, you're clearly NOT ready), rather than gaining some performing experience. Recession or not, just the title of this thread alone is a slap in the face to all of those who work very hard to practice and hone their craft. It's your type of thinking that cheapens magic in the eyes of potential clients by charging a "quarter a trick", and then have the nerve to say "I'll do it again for $5.00!" Now you've gone from looking like a beggar to a con man, and in the process, you've moved the art of magic even further down the chain of entertainment genres!

Before you can even begin to think about getting paid to perform you have to pay your dues. Which means get some entertaining experience by doing some freebies such as nursing homes, pre-schools and the like, or by doing some close up at this upcoming yard sale! Being a magician isn't just about doing tricks, it's about being an ENTERTAINER! The tricks are merely tools, whether the audience has a good time, or not depends on your presentation, not just the trick itself. Until you gain this experience, you're not ready to be a paid performer, whether it's a .25 or $1,000,000!

I'm not trying to be harsh with you. I just don't want to see what I, and so many others have dedicated a life long study to, to become cheapened any further!

I am a professional busker, however, Dave is also a professional magician and this is a difference of opinion between two magi. I, like Dave, see nothing wrong with working a yard sale, I disagree on "quarter a trick" thing. There are several reasons for my stand, first being a quarter, 25 cents, to see a trick cheapens magic down to a kiddie game. Draw the crowd into the yard sale, perform your 3 effect sidewalk show and "hat 'em Danno!" That makes a positive image to the magic.

Dave has his opinion and I hold mine, neither one is wrong just how we each feel about this subject.

Paddy

Yard sales are typically extremely cheap. Many items that originally sold for a goodly amount of money sell at yard sales for a dollar or less. I didn't suggest a "quarter a trick" but if that's the price point for the rest of the sale, who am I to argue? A "Buck a Trick" might do just as well.

Either way he'll have fun, the people at the yard sale will have fun, and he'll get in some good practice time interacting with random people in a controlled environment.

I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE MONEY!!! the ONLY reason i care about money, would be to get more effects, to show to people and see their faces( the reason i do it, i love the reactions, and how much they love it) OR to help my family out, thank you for the advice though.

If that's the case the set up a table with a tip jar. Asking for a quarter to see a magic trick looks like you're begging .