In order to become rich and famous doing anything you must have a gimmick. What that gimmick is depends on your and what you do. Think about it. How did Lance Burton get to where he is today? First, he was good at doing magic – excellent magic – that decided to be a magic star, which he set as his goal. How to reach that goal involved first of all "hooking" up with the right people and being in the right place (Las Vegas). (That’s how Copperfield began – he was at the right place at the right time.) He chose the spot. Needless to say you will never become rich and famous in Syracuse, Buffalo or Rochester. You might become well know and become a big fish in a small pond. But, wouldn’t you rather be a small fish in a big pond? You have to go to a place where the opportunities exist for you. You start at the bottom but you don not stay at the bottom. You plan each step that will take you to the top. You won’t get there doing the 6 Card Repeat or the Egg Bag. You "fashion" your magic, create your style and publicize it. HOW?? By laying out all your materials – everything about you – all the good things, all the unique things, the different thins you do – before someone who can help you the most. It may be costly and expensive. It may involve sacrifice (many of us are not willing to do this). Sacrifice means giving up what you cherish most. Many of us can not do this. And something I have not mentioned -- LUCK! This all involves some kind of luck – like winning the Lottery. Doug Henning, when he appeared in The Magic Show on Broadway was a Canadian magician who created a show in Canada as the result of a Canadian grant. The Magic Show was a huge success and as a result, Doug was offered a TV special. He toured nationally and met many of the local magicians. He performed The Shadow Box, which Copperfield later adopted as his own. Many other things Copperfield did were credited by him to himself but were originated by Doug Henning. But, he made it big in other ways (Copperfield, that is), by vanishing the Statue of Liberty and a Lear jet. Even an elephant ala Harry Houdini. Getting back to becoming rich and famous also requires boldness and inventiveness. By boldness I mean the confidence to step forward and make yourself known. No one ever achieves any success by laying back on your laurels. Inventiveness refers to what you can do with ordinary things to make them different. For example, Larry Becker, a successful mentalist, uses what appears to be an ordinary wristwatch to predict time and cars. Robert Channing, the "World’s Greatest Mentalist", uses a thumb writer for unbelievable mind reading. The ordinary thumb tip is used successfully by many magicians doing trade shows which is another lucrative field for magicians, if you are inventive and can promote the sponsor’s products in a unique way. It also involves sacrifice – long hours on your feet for many days in a row.
So, think about how you can become on of the Rich and Famous in the magical field. Set your goals. Let nothing, absolutely nothing deter you and with a little luck, you may become Rich and Famous doing magic someday.