10 Tips for Serious Magicians (2025 Edition)

© McBride Magic & Mystery School

1. STUDY DEEPLY—AND READ WIDELY

Don’t just study magic—study art, life, and people. Learn what truly moves audiences by diving into a variety of performance arts: acting, comedy, dance, mime, music, martial arts. Watch documentaries and masterclasses on performance and psychology.

But never forget the power of books. The deepest secrets and timeless wisdom often live between covers—not in clips or reels. Read the classic texts of magic, biographies of great magicians, and books on theatre, storytelling, and psychology. A well-read magician has an edge. They don’t just do tricks—they create experiences.

Attend live shows and livestreams, study what gets real reactions, and join magic clubs (in-person or online). Subscribe to trusted sources like Secret Arts Journal or Genii Magazine. The world is your classroom—if you’re paying attention.

2. APPRENTICE (LOCALLY OR GLOBALLY)

Find mentors—people who walk the talk. Maybe they’re in your city, or maybe they host Zoom jams or run Patreon groups. Offer to assist, whether by setting props, managing gear, or handling social media. Real learning often happens in the wings.

Remember, you earn a mentor through sincerity, not pressure. Ask thoughtful questions. Offer your energy. Respect their time. When you show you’re serious, the right teacher shows up. That’s not just a saying—it’s a magical law.

3. PERFORM EVERYWHERE—ONLINE AND OFFLINE

Experience is the real magic formula. Perform often—for humans, not just your camera. Do charity gigs for senior centers, hospitals, schools, or arts events. But never undercut the pros—respect the craft and those feeding their families with it.

Also, don’t ignore the digital stage: YouTube, TikTok, Instagram LIVE, and Zoom. They’re not “lesser” stages—they're global ones. Practice creating intimate digital magic that reaches hearts across screens.

4. DOCUMENT EVERYTHING—AND MASTER SOCIAL MEDIA

This is your digital spellbook.

• Film and archive every show, rehearsal, and idea. Set up your phone or a small camera. Use tools like CapCut, InShot, or DaVinci Resolve to edit tight, clear performance clips.

• Post short, shareable videos—15–60 seconds—on TikTok, Reels, and Shorts. Use story-driven captions, strong openings, and great lighting.

• Curate your persona: Let your feed reflect your passion, progress, and professionalism. Mix in behind-the-scenes, insights, bloopers, or audience reactions.

• Create a content calendar. Use tools like Notion, Google Sheets, or Trello to track ideas and schedule posts. Consistency builds audience—and trust.

• Study trends but don’t chase them. Adapt them to your voice. You are a magician—not an algorithm chaser.

  
  

And always, always watch your own tapes—even when it hurts. Your biggest teacher is the mirror (or replay button).

5. IMAGE & STYLE—DRESS FOR DESTINY

A hipster once told me: “Always dress like you're going somewhere better later.” That advice stuck. It’s not just fashion—it’s magic.

You should be the most sharply dressed—or most memorably dressed—person in the room. Your look communicates mystery, intention, and presence. Whether it’s polished elegance or theatrical flair, your image is part of the illusion.

Today, that extends to your online style too. Use a consistent color palette, vibe, and visual identity. Use tools like Canva to create social banners, thumbnails, and overlays. You are your own brand. Show the world what you stand for—before you say a word.

6. PHOTOS & PROMO—YOUR DIGITAL BUSINESS CARD

Ditch the dark, blurry shots. You need clean, dynamic, high-resolution photos that capture your essence.

• Book a photographer for both live-action and posed shots. Get a few close-up “head and hands” portraits and a few stage stills with magical gestures or props.

• Keep backgrounds bright, clean, or with magical texture (fog, lights, bookshelves).

• Always credit your photographers and tag them—they’ll often return the favor.

• Build a digital media kit: a PDF or website with your bio, social links, photos, testimonials, and a short reel. Platforms like Wix, Squarespace, or Carrd make this easy.

Your promo materials are often the first spell you cast on a booker. Make it count.

7. ORGANIZE LIKE A PRO—DIGITAL FIRST

Your show might be magical, but your life needs structure. Use digital tools to manage your magic:

• Notion or Trello for act development, set lists, and rehearsal tracking.

• Google Calendar for gigs, deadlines, and content drops.

• Airtable or Excel for contact lists, client follow-ups, and invoices.

• Build an email list with tools like MailerLite, ConvertKit, or Substack—even if it’s small. A fan today might be a booker tomorrow.

Start now. It’s easier to build systems than fix chaos later.

8. BRAINSTORM & JAM WITH OTHERS

Solo work is sacred—but collaboration is electric. Form a “magic hive” with a few trusted peers (in person or on Discord). Pick a theme—“haunted deck,” “organic magic,” “one-minute miracles”—and meet regularly.

Perform, critique, and brainstorm together. Ideas grow faster in community. Great magic isn’t born in isolation—it’s forged in conversation.

9. BE READY FOR ANYTHING—ANYWHERE

Magic happens in weird places: noisy bars, windy rooftops, cramped living rooms, glitchy livestreams. Prepare for bad angles, no soundcheck, tight spots, rude kids, and rain indoors (you’ll see).

Design your show to “pack small, play big.” Have a close-up set, a parlor set, and a digital set ready to go. Make modular backups. Always carry duct tape, safety pins, and a good story. And learn to smile through disasters. That’s when the real magic shows.

10. RESPECT EVERYONE—EVERY TIME

Be gracious. That quiet tech person might run a festival next year. The camera guy might become your documentarian. A ten-year-old in the front row might be the next Mat Franco.

Be kind. Be real. Be thankful. Magic is a circle: what you give out comes back in unexpected, often wondrous, ways.