Attitude is key

When people are performing, they try to put on a stage persona, or a character to make them more entertaining. Sometimes that works wonderfully like for Apollo Robbins as the "Gentleman Thief" (Congratulations on marriage by the way...you are awesome), other times it ends up looking like...Ke$ha (if only I can make her disappear) or worse. Your attitude when performing is very important. You are playing the role of an entertainer, not a cunt; do not act like one. A good entertainer may not be the best technical sleight of hand artist or illusionist, but they are able to take the crowd and make them roar with laughter and applause. Skill is an important factor, do not misquote me as saying it is not, it really is. But is the world's most sleight complicated card trick as impressive as a simple trick that the performer uses to illustrate a great story? The story will be more engaging, and more interesting than the trick if it shows your passion.

Perfect example of that insight is Christian Cagigigal. He takes an age old card plot and uses it to paint a picture with his card effect. Was the effect technically demanding? No, not necessarily. Was the end result of the effect entertaining? Absolutely. He exudes confidence, intelligence, and passion for his craft. His attitude was that of an intellectual person using magic as a medium to tell history for the purpose of entertainment. There is a reason he is San Francisco's Magic Champion.


Now attitude off-stage is just as important as it was on stage. Being humble is an important virtue. At its bare essentials, you are working to put a smile on peoples' faces. That moment of wonder is what I assume got most magicians into magic. So if you were doing that on stage, it is important to do it off stage and just come off as an overall nice and genuine person. If you treat it as a job and not a passion, then the negative attitude will show. Body language, and tone of voice will show this. People are perceptive, people will catch this. Not only will people like you more (which means more business and renown), they will respect you as well.