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the conjurer New user 38 Posts |
Hi All-
Just a quick question. How much to charge for shows at retirement, nursing, assisted living homes? I have done my research and read pages of posts about what to charge for all kinds of shows. But no one really hit the nail on the head. It varies, I know. But I'd like to give the client a "fair" rate. The details-- 30 minute show (Stage, not walk-around) Audience size (30 - 75) (Per Show) (Several shows in several locations) Location: Southern California (L.A. area) Performers experience: Extensive in several markets (This is a new market for me. I was contacted by a company that manages retirement homes/villages and they wish for me to do a series of shows for them.) As I said above, I have done my research. And-- In previous posts several have stated the standard: "Get what you can get." Or "Charge whatever the market will bear." That is the reason for this post. I am not certain what the market will bear and would like to hear from other working pros and at least get a "ball park" starting figure. Any help will be greatly appreciated. And I am sure that like all my past posts the great folks here in The Magic Café will step up and help. That is why I spend as much time as I can here. The people are great! Thanks, The Conjurer |
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BalukMagic Veteran user Toronto, Canada 319 Posts |
I think it's fair to ask you what your normal rate for essentially the same type of show for other venus.
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rossmacrae Inner circle Arlington, Virginia 2475 Posts |
Who are you serving, in your conception of the service?
Serving the nice old people to bring a bit of joy into their lives? Do it free. Others volunteer, too (from the day-to-day wheelchair pushers to the once-a-week bringers of happy doggies). Serving the management of a high-dollar-volume business? Charge a businesslike rate - you can bet the suppliers of food and electricity transact business just like they do for anyone else. |
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the conjurer New user 38 Posts |
Hi BalukMagic--
A fair comment. But not sure if it applies. I am a corporate magician and my rates are too high for this market. (See below) As well I am tailor-making a show that will appeal to this age group. So the show is not comparable to other shows that I perform or other venues. Rossmacrae-- I have done many "free" shows over the years for seniors, charity, telethons, etc. But in this case I have been offered a series of shows from a coporate client that has several types of businesses, including assisted-living homes. This client is aware of my coporate rate and has stated it would be too high for these shows/venues. I know other vendors charge, and I will too. I just want to charge a "fair market rate". Thanks for the input. The Conjurer |
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
The best thing is to call a center and ask the activity director what they pay for entertainment. There are a few things to keep in mind. If you want to make them clients and go back over the course of a year then you fees need to be on the lower side. If you want to do them less often then you can charge more. I use them as fill in or during the slow times. Also it depends on where you are located. Some areas pay more then others that is why you need to find your area's price point. I would feel safe to say that the average price for these shows are $75.00 - $150.00. I have tried to raise my rates $25.00 and found a HUGE drop in bookings, so price is important to them. If you have a sponsor that is going to pay for them then I would up it if you can. Again, where you are working is important you can get higher rates in larger cities than you can smaller towns. If you are doing a special type event then you can charge more than if you are an activity.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Thank goodness that Bill actually answered your question and discussed fees. Everyone else danced around the issue.
In my neck of the woods, I am not able to get more than $100 for a show at a seniors home. I have done several booked by myself over the years, as well as been a part of some volunteer shows for seniors homes presented by our magic club. Now that my minimum rate for a standard show is much higher than that, I really only expect to book shows at seniors homes when I decide to offer an extreme discount special of either $75 or $100. I know of some homes in the city that won't even pay any performers more than $25 - $50 (I have never done a show for seniors for that fee!) BTW, if they call and ask for a show for an event that includes the staff's families as well as the clients, then you have a staff social event (example - picnic), and in my opinion, that is not a show for the clients so much as it is for the staff. Then regular rates are in effect. Not had a single group yet willing to pay my regular fee. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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flourish dude Inner circle from ? But I know where I am going! 1195 Posts |
Donald,
Thank you for making it more clear, make sure the show is only for the seniors. If it is for families and staff then you need to charge your normal rate. I also make sure it is a 30 minute show, during the day time, during the week. You need to be very clear on this helps explain the lower rate.
Nothing of the same will bring any change, take action today!
Just taking a step, is a step in the right direction because when you stop working, your dream dies. www.magicalmemories.us |
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jkvand Special user Johnstown, PA 658 Posts |
I have had the same experiences with Senior Centers as Donald. When I first was starting out I took some $50 shows, but now I charge $100. I've never been able to get more than that in my area, and often have people that don't want to pay that much. If there are people in the group that I know, sometimes I'll do it for $75. It's a good way to get started, and to get a little extra income during the slow times.
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AragorntheMagician Veteran user Metro-Atlanta 304 Posts |
Here in HotLanta for Senior Center type shows it goes from $100 - $150. Basically what you get for doing a DayCare. But as us BabyBoomers age there will be so many more of them.....lol.
Yours, Aragorn TM
aka: I used to be BOB (It's Cellini's fault)
"All Right, Who's Volunteering to be Turned into a Frog???" www.aragornthemagician.com |
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jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
This is an extremely helpful thread ... I'm starting to market to some retirement communities as I think these shows would be an excellent way to polish up material.
Have a great Independence Day! Joe Libby
My new FREE ebook on the classic Mismade Bill trick is ready for you:
https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/ |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Actually they are not that great a way to polish up anything.
Lets be real guys. The audiences are NOT that responsive. What works and what dosn't work, well tough to tell. Timing and things are different. Now to the issue of fees. Most retirement homes expect the show almost for free. And because so many guys are willing to do them for free (I am not saying it is right or wrong, only that it is easy to find free retirement entertainment) it keeps prices way down. These 2 factors alone have kept me away from the market in general. Good Luck.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I charge whatever they can afford. They are afternoon, week day jobs, and usually they're budget is 100 to 150 dollar. The nursing home of the Sisters of Saint Francis of Assisi can only afford $75, but that job make me feel the best of all, because Saint Francis is the patron saint of the poor. The reason why I'm so cheap is because they make me feel LOVED.
HAPPY 4th Al Angello PS- Remember if we are very very lucky we will be old one day too.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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jlibby Inner circle 1044 Posts |
Perhaps. Perhaps not. But hey, you gotta try new stuff out somewhere!
See ya! JPL Quote: On 2006-07-04 13:14, Dannydoyle wrote:
My new FREE ebook on the classic Mismade Bill trick is ready for you:
https://funnybirthdayshow.com/mismadebill/ |
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DanielSteep Inner circle 1409 Posts |
I charge 1/3rd of my normal rate because I know some day I'm gonna be old and put in one of those homes too
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magicmarkdaniel Special user Bolton, England UK 831 Posts |
One thing worth remembering is that the private homes are BIG business. They have no hesitation in charging scandalous rates to you and your family when a relative is forced into one of these homes. A relative of mine is in a retirement home and it makes you wonder where they get their prices from.
As already mentioned, there are entertainers who will go into these homes for free or for a very small charge, and that's great, but only if the owners of the home aren't money-grabbing businessmen. I'm sure there are some magicians who advertise specifically to retirement homes, I personally don't. Not because I don't enjoy performing to this age group, or seeing the pleasure it brings, but because my 'free' time I feel could be better spent in somewhere like a hospice which is a charity, and not a major profit making establishment. I'm all for supporting certain charities. I help to raise thousands of pounds a year for local charities with my show, but when your time and talents are being used for free to save the big guys dipping in their wallet, that's when I don't want to know. Just my personal thoughts, I'm sure many will disagree but that's what this place is all about. Mark
Mark Daniel
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TomBoleware Inner circle Hattiesburg, Ms 3163 Posts |
One of the better ways to do the retirement homes is to get a few local business places to sponsor the show. More work, but way more money.
Tom
The Daycare Magician Book
https://www.vanishingincmagic.com/amazekids/the-daycare-magician/ My Blog - https://boleware.blogspot.com/ |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Mark has made a very inportant point, the for profit senior citizen communities who supply fine living accomodations for well to do senior's can afford quality entertainment. The elderly all deserve special considerations, but some more than others.
HAVE FUN Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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tctahoe V.I.P. Lakeland Fl. 731 Posts |
What kind of places are you taking about here? I used to do show at Leisure World in California and depending how the length of the show they needed I got between $1000. and $2500.
Retirement communities have money to spend. I usually worked with ‘blasts from the past’ Singers and dancer from the Lawrence Welk show, Big Bands, that type of thing. Always try to find out what they have had in the past, it is a great way to judge their budget. |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Tctahoe
The "Little Sisters of the Poor" don't have a homeless mission in South Beach, or Palm Beach. You my friend are comparing apples to oranges, $2,500 a show, GIVE ME A BREAK. At the senior centers around here I would have to do 25 shows to make that amount of money. Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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tctahoe V.I.P. Lakeland Fl. 731 Posts |
I don't think I am comparing apples and oranges, the conjurer question was about the fees in Southern Ca. That is were I worked for almost twenty years, I know what I charged and that is the info I passed on. So, not really sure where the apples and oranges come into it.
As far as the money you make in your area I guess the seniors in PA don't have the same money that they do in Ca and Fl. Sorry you have to work so much harder than I do. |
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