The #1 Magic New Year’s Resolution Is…

Whew…I’m glad that wedding is over.

My speech went okay, but I forgot to say a few key lines that I wanted to include.

In addition to the speech, I was also responsible for planning the bachelor party, playing bass guitar during the ceremony, and keeping track of the rings.

To top it all off, the minister pulled me aside RIGHT BEFORE the ceremony began and said…

“I’m feeling a little sick, I may ask you to fill in for me if I have to go.”

He was a funny guy, and always joking around so I said,

“Ha ha, yeah right!”

He grabbed my arm…

“No, I’m serious…My stomach…it’s not good. Can you do that for me?”

(Can you imagine the panic I felt? 200 people were waiting for a wedding to start!)

“Uh…I’m not really qualified to do that…um…is there someone else?”

“Oh! No, I don’t need you to perform the CEREMONY…just the BLESSING BEFORE
THE MEAL!”

Still, that had me pretty nervous, but it wasn’t nearly as bad. Just add it to my list of “best man” responsibilities!

So again, let me repeat that I’m glad this weekend is over and I’m excited to get back to my normal work routine!

(That makes me think…How many people are excited to get up and go to work?)

Speaking of normal routine, let’s get back to our series on…

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Top Ten Magic New Year’s Resolutions - Part 3
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2. Master a new routine or skill

My advice on this is similar to my advice about performing your first show.

If you want to learn hypnosis (one of the more popular desires according to the survey), then get out there and hypnotize people.

If you want to learn cold reading, then get out there and give readings.

It’s simple.

You can LEARN a skill at home, but you can’t MASTER it until you get out there and do it.

Here’s a GREAT resource for learning hypnosis:
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/pages/Learn-Hypnosis.html
1. Bring joy to others

I’m glad that this was the number one response.

It wasn’t even an option on the survey, but MANY people wrote it in the “Other” box.

I thought that “getting famous” or “improving my magic” would be the top response, but it turns out, magicians aren’t selfish after all.

Magic really is a tool that can bring joy and fun to other people’s lives as well as our own.

That’s a worthy goal in 2009 and I hope to help you accomplish it, and accomplish it in a big way that you never even thought possible.

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. Hypnosis is a pretty awesome skill.

Not only will learning it give you a new type of show to perform, it will give you a new skill to add to your magic.

I often use hypnotic skills when performing my magic and it’s a very powerful technique.

Oh yeah, and hypnotists often make twice as much as magicians do…maybe more!

Get started here…
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/pages/Learn-Hypnosis.html

Top Ten Magic New Year’s Resolutions - Part 2

After I finish writing this email, I’m heading off to a friend’s wedding.

I’m the best man, and I gotta say, even though I perform magic in front of people almost every day…I’m nervous as heck to give the customary best man speech.

It’s funny how most people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of anything else…including death.

As magicians, we’ve got to overcome that incredibly powerful fear.

We HAVE to.

Unfortunately, there’s no way around it. Magic is a performance art. It’s gotta
be performed.

Today’s post will have some advice about how to overcome stage fright.

Let’s get to it!

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Top Ten Magic New Year’s Resolutions - Part 2
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Today, we’ll take a look at some more of the top ten NY Resolutions that magicians made in ‘09…

5. Earn more money from magic

This is similar to #8 (make magic your full-time career), but this one is a little more popular.

Times are tough and entertainment is something that people need even more so they can forget their troubles.

Performing for them is a great way to supplement your “real job” income on the side…AND have fun doing it!

Again, my book would be a great help to you if this is your wish for 2009 and beyond.

http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/birthday.html
 

4. Perform your first show or a new show

If you want to perform your first show or “break in” a new show…Then I recommend that you get out there…and get a booking any way you can…anywhere you can.

There are always groups around who are willing to watch you for 20 minutes, 40 minutes, or an hour. Just keep your eyes open.

Senior clubs, preschools, family gatherings, churches, etc.

The first show is always the hardest. Get it out of the way as quickly as possible and you’ll be FAR better off than if you procrastinate and put it off.

The experience you gain from performing a new act in front of real people will be invaluable.

Start offering your services and you may be amazed at the response.

(One last thing…a show at the local magic club does not count as a show.)
 

3. Gain confidence

This is a BIG one for many people.

For some reason, many magicians are terrified to show people their magic.

They’re worried about getting caught or being found out.

My advice?

Who CARES?!

If you flub a trick, no big deal. Life goes on.

There are wars going on, people are dying, and you’re worried about someone seeing the extra coin in your palm?

I’ll have more on confidence in future lessons.

That’s it for now…I’m off to deliver my best man speech!

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. Can you guess what my 2nd best-selling trick in ‘08 was?

http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/numismatic

Top Ten Magic New Year’s Resolutions - Part One

Last week, I surveyed 1676 magicians.

One of the questions was, “What is your biggest goal/dream for your magic in 2009?”

Here are the top results, along with some advice on how to achieve those dreams:

10. Gain other people’s respect/fame

Maybe you want to get famous. Maybe you want to prove to your spouse or parents that you deserve more respect.

In order to do that, you need to first respect yourself and your magic. When you do that, it will start to show in your performances. Remember, your magic DESERVES respect.

9. To teach other magicians

Do you want to put out a DVD? Do you want to give a lecture in 2009? Are you looking for a “protege” or apprentice?

In fact, my teaching is one area that I hope to continue to improve in 2009.

8. To do magic full-time

This is a dream that you may have deep-down, but are afraid to express.

I can tell you that every day, I do what I love to do…when I love to do it. If this is the desire of your heart…I encourage you to plan accordingly and make it happen.

Birthday parties and kid shows are the easiest and fastest way to do that.

There are more full-time family magicians than there are all other types of magicians combined.

If this is your New Year’s resolution, then let me give you my book, “How To Dominate
Your Local Birthday Party Market In 3 Months Or Less”…

http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/birthday.html

7. To perform at a certain venue

Do you want to get a new restaurant gig? How about perform at the Magic Castle?

Clearly define your goal, talk to other people who have done what you want to do, then model their success. Also, make sure your act is ready.

6. To invent magic or make magic “your own”

Is your resolution to add more of your own creative touch to your magic?

Then do it! Put away the instructions! Think for yourself! TRY out your ideas! Let your
personality shine through!

You can practice creativity just like you can practice your sleight of hand.

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That’s it for today. I’ll be back tomorrow with the rest of the Top Ten Magic New Year’s Resolutions.

Until then, go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. What would you guess was my best-selling trick of 2008?

Here’s your answer…

http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/unmake.html

(I wasn’t surprised.)

Looking back on magic in 2008

As we move into the new year, I look back on how 2008 has been for the magic world.

A lot has happened in 2008. Some good for magic, some not so good.

I remember the NBC reality show about mentalism called “Phenomenon” (and the Criss Angel fight).
- GOOD for magic

Criss Angel’s Cirque du Soleil act.
- NOT good for magic

A TON of new tricks were released to the magic fraternity
- GOOD for magic

A TON of new tricks were released to the magic fraternity
- NOT good for magic

Here at TheMagicTeacher.com, I’ve been busy, busy, busy…

- I released a few tricks and DVDs:

(Unmake, Shelled, the Numismatic DVD, and the S.O.S. DVD)

- I’ve developed a web site community for serious card magicians:
(www.CardTrickInsider.com)

- I’ve written a book for beginning card magicians:
(High-Impact Card Tricks)

- I’ve maintained my professional performing schedule.

- I’ve had a ton of FUN with magic.

For 2009, I’ve got some pretty big dreams - Including becoming THE BEST and MOST POPULAR magic teacher on the Internet.

Can we do it America? YES WE CAN! (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

I want to inspire others to make great magic and spread wonder the way that Mark Wilson’s Complete Course In Magic inspired me.

I want the next Criss Angel, David Blaine, Doug Henning, or David Copperfield to be a student of me, Tim David.

Hey, maybe it will be you?

I hope so, because I’m going to do whatever I can in 2009 to help you achieve your dreams in magic.

Deal?

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. Did you check out Steve Fearson’s new trick that came out yesterday? It’s pretty good mentalism:

http://emagicsupply.com/137-MentalDirectory-51-custom.html

Guess What I’m Doing Today???

Happy Monday.

I hope your Holiday season has been going well and I hope you were able to use your magic to make someone’s day brighter during the season.

For me, this entire month has been A TON OF FUN!

Except for the fact that my New England Patriots did NOT make the playoffs for the first time in six years.

But hey, I’m not ashamed of an 11 and 5 record. Especially because they went out strong and won the last four games of the season.

Sometimes, even though you do everything right, things just don’t work out for you. All you can do is come back next time and try just as hard if not harder.

Jim Rohn tells the following story:

“A farmer plants his seed. Right before harvest time, a hailstorm comes and wipes out his entire crop. Does he plant his seed again next year?

Yes! I can’t promise you that another hail storm won’t come, but I can promise you that if you DON’T plant any seed, then you won’t even have a chance.”

If YOUR 2008 did not go as planned, if the “hail” rained down on your crops, then it is my hope that you come back and make 2009 your best year ever.

Which is exactly what I’m doing today.

My December was amazing because I MADE it amazing. I planned for it way ahead of time and then I stuck to my plan - regardless of how I felt that day.

Today, and for much of this week, I’ll be planning my entire 2009.

I have BIG dreams and I KNOW that I will accomplish them regardless of any economic climate.

2008 was great, but 2009 will be my best year ever.

How about you?

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David
See me on FaceBook:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Tim-David/44503187521

P.S. I also bought the new book test effect from eMagicSupply today. It’s a pretty cool idea that I haven’t seen before. Very practical and usable.

It’s also one of the funniest tutorial videos I’ve ever seen.

You have a prediction in an envelope.

Someone picks a page in a phone book and looks at a word.

Your prediction is 100% correct.

See it here…

http://emagicsupply.com/137-MentalDirectory-51-custom.html

If you like mentalism, you’ll love this routine.

Christmas Toy Explosion…

My soon-to-be 2 year-old daughter had quite the Christmas this year.

She’s the first (and still only) grandchild on both sides so she was spoiled rotten with new toys!

Seriously, it looks like a Toys ‘R Us exploded in my living room right now!

Toys are EVERYWHERE, but Elmo is still king. The way she plays with her new “Elmo Live” is adorable.

On Thursday we finished up our “12 Days of Christmas” series.

I’ve just got to show you this video…

It’s not magic, but it is the most amazing version of the 12 Days of Christmas song you’ll ever hear.

So if you have never heard this song before, now’s your chance…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kYEK-pxs_A

If you have heard it, you probably have never heard it like this.

There’s also a magic lesson in that video and it is this…

Those singers have serious chops. They are EXCELLENT at what they do and the songs they choose to sing highlight their talent.

But also, they take time to be funny and ENTERTAIN the audience.

As magicians, you need to be EXCELLENT at magic and excellent at entertaining.

Magic alone is not going to get the job done with today’s tough audiences.

You need showmanship, charisma, stage presence, and the “IT” factor.

Don’t worry if you weren’t born with it. Like magic, it can and MUST be practiced.

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. Incidentally, the best selling item throughout the entire 12 Days of Christmas was my card magic book for beginners…

http://www.HighImpactCardTricks.com

But you intermediate and advanced card guys might NOT be aware of its sister website:

http://www.CardTrickInsider.com

The Top Five Tricks I’m Buying With My New Gift Certificates

I hope you had a great Christmas. I know I did.

If you’re like me, then your friends and family buy you gift certificates to magic shops for holidays and birthdays.

Why? Because they know we love magic and can never get enough!

This year at Christmas was no different, and I have a few gift certificates to magic shops that I can’t wait to use.

Here’s what I’m getting…

5. Lior Manor’s Cell Phone Opener

I’m not even sure if this is available at the magic shop I have a certificate for, but if it is, I’m gettin’ it!

This is one that I’ve never seen, and it is relatively expensive. But I’m willing to take a chance because it is put out by a guy I trust, who is a “worker”.

He’s out there DOING this stuff and proving night after night that it “plays well” for real people. That type of experience is invaluable to any performer.

4. Hip-Pocket Mullica

I saw Nate Kranzo lecture recently and he motivated me to get one of these babies.

This routine is proven, and I can carry it around with me wherever I go.

I personally am not a fan of the card-to-wallet effect, but I know that most spectators go ga-ga over it.

3. Banachek’s Psychic Touches

I’ve done other versions of the Psychic Touches before, but only in casual settings. I’m ready to add a “touches” routine to my act and I want to get the advice of another pro like Banachek.

Experience is SO valuable and although I know the “secret”, I still want to improve my magical education by learning from other experienced pros.

2. How to Perform Stand-Up Comedy

I’m not just a magician, I’m an entertainer. It’s important to grow in my ability to entertain audiences.

Remember this, you can always get better at something.

And the number one item I’m going to buy with my gift certificates is…

1. My new S.O.S. Coin Production DVD!

Yep, it’s now available in magic shops around the world.

If you have a gift certificate, then this DVD should be at the top of your list too.

Everyone loves to see money appear…Especially in this economy!

Okay, that was a shameless plug!

But seriously, did you catch all the important lessons in today’s post?

Here they are again if you missed them:

- It’s important to invest in your art if you plan to get better.

- Buy stuff that you plan to USE. Have a purpose for your purchase!

- Buy what your spectators like, not only what YOU like.

- And sometimes it’s okay to buy stuff just to learn the secrets!

Go spread some wonder!

- Tim David

P.S. If you want to watch a demo video of my S.O.S. DVD, it is at:

http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/sos.html

Merry Christmas!

Happy holidays everyone!

Take some time today to be thankful for the truly important things in life.

- Tim David

(P.S. Go Celtics!)

Fraud Alert in the Magic World…

Whatever you do, don’t visit MagicalUniversity.com.

It is a knock-off site that is apparently trying to steal money from people.

I have NO affilliation with this site whatsoever, they are using my name and some content from my web sites (as well as other magicians names and web sites) in order to try and rip people off.

I’m going to be personally working on getting this site taken down and getting those con artists punished to the full extent of the law.

Our LAST Day of Christmas…

Well, it’s been fun.

In the last 12 days together, a lot has happened, and a lot of magic has been shared with the world.

Now, we’ve reached the end and it’s the last day before the REAL Christmas Day arrives.

I’m going to take some time off to be with my family and I suggest you do the same as well.

The Holidays only come once a year! (Unless you count all the other holidays - Like “Flag Day”…)

Since this is the last day, what do you say we go out with a BANG?

For the next TWO days, I’m going to re-activate every single “special of the day” that we’ve had during our 12 Days of Christmas.

That means today and tomorrow you can pick any or all of these…

Solid Breath - $4.98 (save 50%)
http://www.SolidBreath.com

Solstice - $3.48 (50%)
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/solstice.html

High Impact Card Tricks - $2.99 (70%)
http://www.HighImpactCardTricks.com

Unmake - $7.48 (50%)
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/unmake.html

NUTTY! - $2.79 (60%)
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/nutty.html

Symbiotic - $5.99 (60%)
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/symbiotic.html

Sly Art of Misdirection - $9.97 (50%)
http://www.TheMagicCollege.com/slyart.html

Floating Card - $3.48 (50%)
http://www.Free-Floating-Card-Magic-Trick.com

Numismatic DVD & Download - $17.97 (40%)
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/numismatic

S.O.S. Coin DVD & Download - $26.94 (40%)
http://www.TimDavidMagic.com/sos.html

The MEGA Package (Everything + more) - $77.81 (50%)
http://www.TheMagicTeacher.com/mega.html

So if you missed something, now is your chance to grab it — Today and Tomorrow ONLY.

Once Christmas is over, so is this special.

For now, have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

And don’t forget to spread some wonder!

- Tim David Claus (I’m gonna miss being Tim David Claus)

P.S. Thanks for being a part of my magic world in 2008. I’ve got a lot of great stuff  planned for you in 2009, so stay tuned! It’s going to be a rockin’ year.