The tricks that you perform and your presentations have to appeal to your audiences. Here are things to keep in mind when considering a new trick.
Tricks are for Kids?
Are you performing for young kids? In this case, you can toss all of those card tricks, predictions mind-reading feats and statistical improbabilities that fly over their heads. This would be like making kids watch television's "Meet the Press." For an audience of young kids, you'll want material that is visual and involving for their age.
Are you performing for grown-ups? Here you can toss those tricks that you perform for the kids, the ones with the characters and funny boxes and odd props. Grown-ups don't want to watch Barney the Dinosaur, they want sophisticated entertainment that challenges their adult sensibilities. This is where the card tricks, predictions and mind reading feats can come into play.
Are you busking on the street or trying to hold a crowd at a trade show? In this case, you’ll need hard hitting magic that can stop people in their tracks and make them want to stay and view the rest of your show.
Near and Far
Yet another question, are you performing close-up for a few spectators or for a crowd at a theater? With bigger audiences, your effects have to play larger, and typically, you'll have to rely more on audience members to come up on stage and act as the eyes and ears of the audience.
Of course, there are tricks that can work in more than one genre. However, the presentations will probably vary with the audiences.
So your first step in choosing a trick is to carefully consider your audience. What type of magic would best entertain them and what type of presentation would appeal most?
