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MagicManNFlorida New user South Florida 8 Posts |
Hello All,
I joined the Café about a month ago but have been out of town to post.. Anyway I am NOT new to Magic (I have been playing around for about 14yrs) But I AM New to the "Professional" world.. I Actually just got my first Paid Gig 2 weeks ago & got paid $150 for 45mins of table magic.. does that sound about right for pricing?? I do loads of card tricks, several sponge ball routines, money magic (paper & coins), Fire Magic, Color Montes & other 3 Card montes, Twisted sisters, Etc… I am just looking for an average price to charge for table magic.. Thank you for any advice you could give to this "rookie" -Brad (MagicMan) |
Sammy J. Inner circle Castle Rock, Colorado 1786 Posts |
I think $150 for 45 minutes is about all anyone in the normal world could hope for! From what I understand, $50 - $75 an hour is a respectable payment. Way back in the early 1980's I got $100 an hour to be a magic Santa, but it actually took an additional hour to get there and get dressed (unpaid). Sounds like a lot of card work to me, plus I wonder about multiple sponge ball routines. I think that too much card work gets tired. Maybe some rope work, or other close up with different items. I would suggest you mix it up a little more!
Cheers, Sammy
Sammy J. Teague
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MagicManNFlorida New user South Florida 8 Posts |
Thanks Sammy..
Yes - I don't do ALL of those at once.. (thats just what I am able to do.. lol... & thank you I do know some rope routines as well.. for my gig I did 2 card tricks & a Sponge & kept it moving:) *& yes I was very happy with the payment (the 150 included the tips as well) that's kinda why I'm asking for prices... Thank you! |
Bryanpier New user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 62 Posts |
If its a company I charge $300 for the first hour $200 each for the second and third hour. If it a cocktail party I drop $50 for each hour of my corporate price. However, what I charge may not work for someone else. It really all depends on how long you have been working, your media exposure etc. Some people sell themselves short just to get the job but I charge what I feel I am worth and stick to that price even if it means losing a gig or two. It's up to you to sit down and decide what you feel you're worth.
If pro is opposite of con, then what is opposite of progress?
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lou serrano Special user Los Angeles, CA 671 Posts |
Brad,
Are you talking about a regular restaurant gig where you are working weekly or a one time gig at a party? The answer makes all the difference. Lou |
MagicManNFlorida New user South Florida 8 Posts |
Hi Lou..
Well I am trying to book Restaurants Could be a regular thing. But I need 1 time First! .. Thanks -Brad |
Bad to the Balloon Inner circle Clearwater Florida 2116 Posts |
Wow discussing pricing is kind of a no no on forums ... price fixing and all that.
I would suggest reading MAGIC magazine's latest article by Jeff McBride. He speaks more indepth about charging why not to charge and why you want to work in a restaurants.
Mark Byrne
AKA Mark the Balloon Guy As seen on the TODAY SHOW www.balloonguy.net Creator of Bad to the Balloon DVD series Go to my store: http://tinyurl.com/Bad2theBalloon |
Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Mark is CORRECT! You don't ask how much people make...as a general rule. Not good!
You must figure out what your MARKET is in YOUR AREA. I could tell you what I bill out here in Dallas but that won't mean a hill of beans in South Florida. I would speak to your local magi (whom you are friendly with and trust) and get an idea for YOUR MARKET!
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
TheAmbitiousCard Eternal Order Northern California 13425 Posts |
I really don't think it's that big a deal.
Ask away. People will either respond or they won't. Lou is absolutely correct about whether it's a one time thing or an ongoing gig. A drawback to posting rates is that a potential customer might see it here (via google) and try to hold you to it. If you only charge $100 per hour for a particular on-going gig, you don't want to have to convince a potential customer why they should have to pay more for their one-time gig. If you're happy with the fee then you're probably doing just fine. My fees increase when I don't feel comfortable with the current rate any longer.
www.theambitiouscard.com Hand Crafted Magic
Trophy Husband, Father of the Year Candidate, Chippendale's Dancer applicant, Unofficial World Record Holder. |
Bryanpier New user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 62 Posts |
I don't think its a big deal asking how much others make. You need to get a general idea somehow. I also don't think you should base your fee on your area. Figure out what you honestly believe you are worth and charge that. Good luck!
If pro is opposite of con, then what is opposite of progress?
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Futureal Inner circle 1695 Posts |
Charge as much as you possibly can while at the same time i) ensuring that you get the show and ii) that the client thinks they get value for money.
What that number is will depend on the client and how good your presentation is, to be honest. |
KENNYRB New user 65 Posts |
The truth is that all of us get what we can and as much as we can. If you perform long enough your market will let you know what you are worth. There are several variables that play a big part on what you can expect. Where you are performing, the type of show, your talent, the economy (things change and so do our rates) how well you sell yourself. I have seen less talented performers charge more and get it just because they know how to sell. One of the ways to decide is to determine how much you need to earn per year and figure out how many shows at what price it takes to get there. Again reality will always be there to set you straight. Good luck.
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-08-27 14:26, Bryanpier wrote: I disagree with that statement! NO RESTAURANT could ever afford to pay what I'm worth! I'm sure you could say the same for yourself (I would hope anyhow!). The market you live in will dictate a "base" for what you could charge. Find a happy medium.
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
Bryanpier New user Milwaukee, Wisconsin 62 Posts |
Quote:
On 2009-08-27 22:38, Christopher Lyle wrote: I agree with you Christopher as far as restaurants go. No restaurant could afford to pay me what I feel I'm worth. I was referring to more of a private party. If I don't get the fee that I want I walk away. I hate the idea of selling myself short just to get the job.
If pro is opposite of con, then what is opposite of progress?
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Christopher Lyle Inner circle Dallas, Texas 5698 Posts |
Quote:
Agreed! But I believe he was NOT speaking about a Private Party...but trying to go out and book a restaurant and was unsure of what he should bill the venue.
In Mystery,
Christopher Lyle Magician, Comic, Daredevil, and Balloon Twisting Genius For a Good Time...CLICK HERE! |
dduane Special user Bridgewater, MA 784 Posts |
One-time gigs vary a lot as to what you can get. You can get more from larger companies - less from private parties. As for restaurant work... After you have done several interviews/auditions, you will know what to charge. If the restaurants are interested, but say they don't have that much in their budget, you may be asking for too much. Still, though, I would start out on the 'high' end, because it may be hard to ask for more (a raise) later. It really depends on the area and the culture. For a regular gig, a resort might pay a 'known' magician 2 - 4 times what an unknown might get. In southern New England, I have found that family restaurants are hard-pressed to pay more than $50/ hour. If you can a lot get more than that for a weekly gig -- please let me know how you did it! Good luck to you. - Duane
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torontomike New user Toronto 9 Posts |
Never be afraid to charge to much, you can always bring your price down, but you can never put it up after another one has been said. At least not easily. Charge what you think YOU are worth, and before setting a price in, give them a freebie hour or two, just to see how you work. You also have to sell yourself to the restaurant you are performing at. Why should they pay you? If you can make them more money than they are paying you, then you have it made.
- TM |
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