Essential Tools for Professional Magicians & Entertainers
From your first paid gig to your thousandth — these are the tools, gear, and resources that actually make a difference. Tried, tested, and recommended after 30 years of professional performing.
Running a magic business is about far more than learning tricks. After three decades performing professionally — from cruise ships and large-scale illusion shows to intimate restaurant close-up — I've learned that the performers who last are the ones who treat their business as seriously as their craft.
This page is a collection of tools and resources I genuinely use and recommend. Some are products we sell here at MagicWorld, some are from companies I trust, and one is software I helped build. Nothing here is filler — if it's on this page, it's because it's made my life easier or my shows better.
Booking & Invoicing Software for Performers
If you're still managing enquiries in your email inbox and sending invoices from a Word template, you're losing time and money. A proper booking system pays for itself within weeks.
I recommend PerformerDesk — booking and invoicing software built specifically for performers. It handles everything from the first enquiry through to a signed contract and paid invoice, with automated follow-ups so nothing falls through the cracks.
What makes it different from generic CRM tools is that it was designed around the way entertainers actually work: enquiry forms for your website, one-click contract and invoice generation, e-signatures, card payments, and automated reminders.
It's the system I trust to run my own bookings, and it's the one I'd recommend to any working performer.
Payment Processing — Get Paid Quickly and Professionally
Your clients expect to pay by card. Make it easy for them and you'll get paid faster. Two solid options:
Stripe
The industry standard for online payments. Integrates directly with PerformerDesk so your clients can pay deposits and final balances through a single link. Funds land in your bank account within days.
Visit Stripe →SumUp
A simple card reader you can carry to gigs. Perfect for taking deposits on the spot at wedding fairs or when a client wants to pay after a show. Affordable readers, straightforward fees.
Visit SumUp →
Business Cards That Actually Get Kept
Your business card is often the first physical impression someone has of you. A flimsy card from a budget online printer gets binned. A thick, matt laminated card gets kept in a wallet.
I recommend 450gsm matt laminated business cards from our sister company StockportPrint. The weight and finish are noticeably premium — they feel expensive without costing much more than the cheap alternatives.
If you've been using Vistaprint, try these once and you won't go back. The quality difference is immediately obvious.
Order Business CardsRoller Banners for Wedding Fairs & Events
If you're exhibiting at wedding fairs or trade shows, a roller banner is essential. You don't need to spend a fortune — a budget roller banner does the job perfectly. It's lightweight, packs into its own carry case, and takes 30 seconds to set up.
StockportPrint's premium roller banner (850 x 2000mm) is printed on 610gsm blockout PVC, so colours are vibrant and there's no light bleed-through. It comes with a carry case and is sturdy enough to reuse for years.
Keep the design simple: your name, what you do, one strong image, and a QR code linking to your enquiry form. Don't try to cram your entire biography onto a banner.
Order a Roller Banner
The Best Portable Performance Table
A good table is one of those things you don't think about until you're stuck with a wobbly one at a gig. I've tried dozens over the years and nothing comes close to the tables from InStand in the USA.
They're the most robust and portable performance tables I've ever used. The build quality is exceptional — they lock solid, fold flat, and survive years of being thrown in and out of cars. Professional magicians around the world swear by them, and for good reason.
They're not cheap, but they last a career. If you're performing stand-up, parlour, or trade show magic, this is the table to get.
View InStand Tables
Show Control — Music & Cues Made Simple
If you're doing anything beyond pure close-up magic — stage shows, parlour, speaking, kids' shows — you need reliable control over your music and show cues. Fumbling with a phone or asking someone to press play is not professional.
I highly recommend SOLO by Sam Fitton. It's a next-generation show control system that lets you trigger music, video, images, and more using RFID technology. No more playlists — you cue exactly what you need, exactly when you need it.
The companion app SOLOstudio is powerful but genuinely intuitive, and the hardware is small enough to hide anywhere. It's used by professionals worldwide, from Las Vegas headliners to family entertainers.
Explore SOLOPlaying Cards — Stick With Bicycle
When it comes to performing cards, keep it simple: Bicycle playing cards are the worldwide standard. Almost every card trick and gimmick released uses a Bicycle back design, so they'll match whatever else you're using.
They're affordable, widely available, and the finish is consistent — which matters when you're doing sleight of hand night after night. Buy them in bulk and always have fresh decks ready.
A Good Carry Case Makes All the Difference
Finding the right case for your gear can be surprisingly difficult. Most bags become heavy, messy, and disorganised very quickly — and fumbling through clutter during a gig is the fastest way to kill your confidence.
The best purpose-built option right now is the Ultra Lite Case by JT Magic. It's specifically designed for working magicians: extremely lightweight, with 8 dedicated playing card slots, 4 adjustable compartments, and enough room for close-up essentials without the bulk.
It's the kind of case you wish existed years ago. TCC occasionally release good options too, so keep an eye out, but right now the Ultra Lite Case is the best dedicated performer case available.
Beyond purpose-built cases, three other approaches work well:
The practical route: Camera bags and DJ equipment bags with multiple compartments and adjustable dividers often work better than anything marketed specifically to magicians.
The protection route: Foam-lined equipment cases where you can cut out custom sections for each prop. Pelican-style cases are the gold standard for delicate or expensive items.
The standout route: If you want to make an impression before you've even performed, try a vintage case or something unusual. A battered leather doctor's bag or an antique suitcase tells a story before you've opened your mouth. It becomes part of your character.
Whatever you choose, keep it organised. Arriving at a gig and rummaging through a mess of props does not inspire confidence.
View Ultra Lite CaseBooks Every Working Magician Should Read
There are thousands of magic books, but very few that teach you how to actually talk during a performance. Most magicians can do the moves but stumble over what to say — and that's where shows fall flat.
Scripting Magic by Pete McCabe is one of the most important books you'll ever read as a performer. It teaches you how to write, edit, and deliver compelling presentations for your magic. It includes 43 scripts and contributions from legends like Max Maven, Teller, and Jim Steinmeyer.
If you only buy one book on performing (not tricks), make it this one.
More book recommendations coming soon.
Get Scripting Magic
Invest in Yourself, Not Just Your Props
The biggest improvements in my career didn't come from buying new tricks. They came from pushing myself outside my comfort zone.
Take a public speaking course. Even if you think you're a confident performer, structured training in how to engage an audience, control your pacing, and handle the unexpected will transform your show.
Try drama or improvisation classes. They teach you presence, timing, and how to react naturally — skills that no magic DVD can give you.
Watch performers outside of magic. Stand-up comedians, storytellers, TED speakers, street performers. Study how they hold attention. The best magicians I know are students of performance, not just magic.
The performers who stand out are the ones who care — about their audience, about their craft, and about constantly getting better. That care shows in everything you do, and it's far more impressive than any trick.
More Tools & Recommendations
This page is a living resource. Coming soon:
- Invisible thread reels and essential utility items
- More book recommendations for working performers
- Video and photography tips for promotional material
- Social media strategies that actually work for entertainers
- Website essentials — what your site must have to convert enquiries
Bookmark this page and check back, or sign up to the MagicWorld newsletter to be notified when new sections are added.
Why Trust These Recommendations?
I'm James Anthony — I've been a professional magician for over 30 years. I've performed on cruise ships, at corporate events across the UK, large-scale illusion shows, and intimate close-up magic in restaurants.
Everything on this page is something I've personally used, tested, or relied on in my career. I don't list products for commission or because someone asked me to — I list them because they work.
If you have a question about any of these recommendations, use the live chat or drop me a message. I'm always happy to help a fellow performer.
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