Most magicians need a lot of room to perform, and some time in advance to prepare the show. If other types of acts are to perform at your event before or after the magician, make sure you all get together to discuss the magician's staging requirement for before and after the show.

Some magicians specialize in mentalist tricks, including hypnotism. They're great for loosening up a crowd -- everybody loves seeing the boss act like a chicken in front of the whole company. These shows generally last for 45 minutes to an hour.

Close-up magic is ideal for banquets and large parties. With this variation, the magician goes from table to table, doing card and coin tricks, small illusions, mentalist demonstrations, and similar quick performances. It's a great way for the audience to get into the act.