A Thought Experiment
/Let's imagine the greatest stage manipulator in the world, Cardoni, is performing a show. (I'm using stage manipulation as an easy example, but the point will hold true for close-up, mentalism, whatever.) In the audience are Charles and Lynn, two very intelligent and perceptive spectators.
Two Scenarios:
Scenario One
Cardoni stands at the foot of the stage. "Ladies and Gentleman, what you see tonight is all real. I was gifted by the universe with the power to manipulate an object's reality. Tonight you will see objects appear, change, and disappear through no other means than magic. Please open your minds to experience true wonder."
He then commences his stage manipulation routine. It is flawless. As he is making cards appear and disappear, grow and diminish, he turns to the audience and says, "Just a reminder, this is all accomplished by the power of real Magic."
Lynn turns to Charles and whispers, "Yeah, right. I think he's hiding the cards behind his hand somehow."
Scenario Two
Cardoni stands at the foot of the stage. "Ladies and Gentleman, what you see tonight is a kind of juggling. But instead of just trying to keep objects in the air, this type of juggling is meant to fool your eye. I will manipulate the objects in such a way that they will seem to appear, change, and disappear as if by magic. I hope you appreciate the illusion created by this style of juggling."
He then commences his stage manipulation routine. It is flawless. As he is making cards appear and disappear, grow and diminish, he turns to the audience and says, "Just a reminder, this is all just a clever juggling trick."
Lynn turns to Charles and whispers, "But it seems so real!"
If your goal is to create intrigue and amazement with your performance, there is a good chance the approach you've been using is completely backwards.