I have been asking myself that question a lot lately. What was I thinking?? It was a crazy idea that turned into a boat load of work, and no free time. No, I am not talking about CupsCon, but the crazy idea of trying to become a full-time magician.

You know the old saying, "The man that has a job he loves is a rich man indeed." Well folks, that is full of you know what. I love magic, and love being a magician, but I am got sick of being broke. Maybe if I was better looking I could stand on a stage and open and close a box, but I'm no VB. Plus, you add in the fact the world's ecom went to hell. May have something to do with the fact people just are not spending money for entertainment. I have been hopping tables, and doing parties for over a year now. I have a lot of red ink to show for it.

I would normally spend about 30 hours a week looking for and working to get gigs. 2 plus hours every day practicing. All of this to work maybe 4 hours a week. I was going crazy. 

So, where am I going with this bit of rant. I miss my cups! Hell, I miss dreaming about cups. So, I have picked up a 9 - 5 job again in telecom. Almost doing what I did before I moved to RI. I am only preforming part-time, and I even had some time to put together a small cup routine for a lecture I was asked to do for my Magic Club. It felt great too.

So, it looks like I am back in the right set of mind again. 

Till next time,
Sean

Sean,

Great to have you back. Welcome home.

Etienne

Welcome back Sean!

Your story, and many others like it, is one reason I have never had the nerve to take the step and become a full time pro. Years ago I performed quite regularly and really, really, enjoyed it. Yet for some reason I was always reluctant to really go for it and quit the 'day job.'

Then again, I think part of my concern has always been that if I did do magic full time it would turn into a job and all the fun would be gone from it.

Wishing your continued success in all endeavors,

Doug

Doug,

What I should point out is that I never quit my day job. I was laid off, and could not find work. I was unemployed for two years. So, as my unemployment was running out. I though my hat in the ring, and did what ever I could do to make money. I had a skill that could help bring in some type of income. In the summer things are great. You stay busy, and the work comes in, but as soon as it starts getting cold. The gigs dry up fast. All of my restaurants stopped doing any type of events.

The fun has never gone from magic. What was driving me nuts was the people that thought that paying more then $75 for a hour of magic was way too much to pay. That and the charities that thought I should just give my work. SO, I could pass out some business cards.

I thoughts on this is if you give away your work. Then people will not think of it as having any value. 

Till next time,

Sean

Sean… We are glad to see you return to posting… rumor had it that you gave up on Cups and started collecting electric trains, another that you ran away to Canada.

I tip my hat to you for giving the full time magic thing a good try. Besides the frustrations, I am sure that you have learned some things as to performing magic as you did… when you can please share them.

Welcome back oh “Mad Man!”

Bruce

I couldn't agree more Sean. Giving one's show away in hopes of future gigs is a losing proposition. When I performed regularly I was often asked to do a 'free' show under the premise that there would be many potential clients in attendance who want to hire me for their event. Only took one time of agreeing to this to teach me that it was a fool's errand. Most of the folks that see a performer at a charity event know that the person is working gratis and therefore expect the same or at most a nominal fee for their event.

Best,

Doug

This is so true!  Any work done on speculation is a waist of your time.  
The one I love is when a client tries to talk down your rate because their going to have lots of work for you.  If you take that job it will be the last you ever hear from that client.  Free shows on the promise that there will be future clients at the show will most likely turn out to be an audience of friends to the client.  People that would never have any need to hier a magician.  Again you won't hear from them again.
Stand your ground!  You will be taken more serious as a professional, not an amature trying.  Clients like this will try to even throw a gilt trip at you, that your making a big misstake not working for them, but you are better off not taking the gig.  Other jobs will come.

Wes