Magicians Should Be More Human

 

Magicians are fascinating creatures. We spend hours talking to playing cards, whispering to coins, and practicing hand movements in the mirror until even we start wondering if we’re okay. We’re masters of illusion, mystery, and the occasional strange Amazon purchase that’s impossible to explain to a non-magician.

But there’s one skill that often gets overlooked and that’s being human.

By that, I mean the ability to genuinely connect with prospects and audiences. It’s a lot easier for the magician who reads widely, interacts with people, and understands how the real world thinks. The magician who lives entirely inside the magic bubble? Well… sometimes they forget.

The Magic Bubble: Comfortable, But Dangerous

Magic is built on secrets. Because our best tools are hidden, we tend to hide ourselves too. Practice sessions happen alone. Reading happens alone. Rehearsal happens alone. And before you know it, the magician has transformed into a one-person underground civilization, surviving entirely on card decks and caffeine.

Stay in that bubble too long and a few things start to happen:

• You begin speaking fluent “magicianese” and forget regular humans don’t know words like “DL,” “IT,” or “angle-proof.”

• You start performing tricks with no presentations because every magician you watch online says, “Here’s how to fool your friends,” and never mentions charm or character.

• You wonder why the barista didn’t react when you pulled a coin from behind their ear, even though they were obviously on break and just wanted to make your coffee.

Being in the bubble feels safe, but it also limits you. The outside world is where your audiences—and your customers live.

Audiences Want People, Not Puzzle Masters

Yes, audiences love magic. But they don’t only love the trick they love you. They want to enjoy your personality, your stories, your humor, your energy. They want to feel like they’re spending time with someone real.

When a magician hasn’t interacted with non-magicians in a while, it shows. They perform like someone trying to impress a panel of magicians instead of trying to connect with actual humans.

But the magician who reads, explores, listens, and learns outside the magic world brings something totally different to the stage:

• Fresh perspectives

• Better storytelling

• Relatable humor

• Emotional intelligence

• Confidence that isn’t based on secret moves

• A genuine understanding of how people think, react, and feel

The Well-Read Magician Wins Every Time

Let’s be honest: reading only magic books is like eating only microwave burritos. Will it keep you alive? Sure. But should you branch out for the sake of your health and the well being of those around you? Absolutely.

Reading beyond magic introduces new ideas, cultures, characters, emotions, ife. And all of this pours directly into your magic.

When you read broadly, you naturally develop:

• Better communication skills (which makes selling your show MUCH easier)

• Better comedic timing (because you’ve absorbed humor from countless sources)

• Better scripts (because you understand storytelling structure)

• Better character development (even if your character is “regular person who does very irregular things”)

• Better empathy (which helps you handle everything from nervous spectators to demanding clients)

And here’s the fun part: audiences can feel when a magician is well-rounded. Your show has layers, not just secret methods. You become entertaining, not just impressive.

Magicians Don’t Need to Be Mystical 24/7

Contrary to popular belief, you do not lose magical ability by stepping into sunlight or talking to non-magicians. You’re allowed to enjoy hobbies, meet people, learn new things, and have conversations that don’t start with, “Pick a card.”

Being human makes you a better performer. It makes you a better businessperson. It makes you more relatable, more interesting, and ultimately more bookable.

Yes, being human plays a very important role when it comes to booking shows, talking to prospects, and chatting with audiences. Clients don’t want to hire a magic robot; they want to hire a person they feel comfortable with. When you can hold a natural conversation, laugh a little, share a story, and communicate like a real human being, you instantly become more memorable and more likable. And that likability often does more for your business than the most complicated sleight-of-hand ever could. After all, people book people… not just tricks.  Magic is at its strongest when the magician is a real, grounded person creating wonder for other real, grounded people. 

Be Human. Be Magical. Do Both.

So yes, practice your sleights. Study your books. Learn your methods. But also:

• Read a novel.

• Listen to someone’s story.

• Have a conversation that isn’t about magic.

• Watch how people react to things outside of a performance setting.

• Live in the real world as much as you live in the magic one.

When you combine strong technique with genuine humanity, something amazing happens: your magic becomes richer, deeper, funnier, more engaging—and far more memorable.

Because at the end of the day, the magician who understands people will always outperform the magician who only understands tricks.

Be human first.
Be magical second.
And your audiences will love you for both.

Now, Be Sure to Bookmark This Blog and Check Back Daily

Tom