On 2006-06-28 21:44, Jamie D. Grant wrote:
Those figures are actually just examples based on the rent equation, listed under The Rates (I didn't come up with that idea but I can't remember where I read it) which would help to figure out what's appropiate to your city...

On 2008-10-19 01:56, Purist wrote:
Wow it took you a year to reply jamie!

On 2009-05-15 02:05, Jamie D. Grant wrote:
Still think this is a useful idea for a thread...

On 2006-08-01 13:05, ku7uk3 wrote:
Perhaps I missed it, but nobody seems to have commented on the level of skill that is relevant when setting a price.

I have seen many magicians doing self-working tricks and effects such as dynamic coins, which don't require any skill. They use cheap plastic props (that look gimmick ed) and can often be found in your local toy-shop.

I'm not saying that this is bad, but those people cannot charge the same rates as someone who does an Elmsley count with a key card double undercut flourish with a pack of cards.
Or fancy maneuvers with a coin, rope and ring etc.
These tricks require serious skill, and it shows. I've worked gigs next to other magicians who did these self-workers and they got no respect at all. I then came along to the same table and they refused to let me leave!

I know, to the client who pays the bill, they have no idea on the magicians level of skill. So its up the magician to explain that to them, and show them that you have quality effects, which is why you charge a little extra.

My two cents.

Stephen

P.s: I charge £65 per hour. Every hour. I have on average 3 shows per week. (Manchester, England)
I know that's cheap compared to the competition, but I still have clients who cannot afford that. So I thinks its the right price.
And I know some of you are going to laugh at that price. I don't care. You might be able to charge double. But I get repeat booking, I get happy clients and I get the opportunity to perform on a regular basis.
When everything about you is about money, and how much you can rip off the client for, then your only good trick is making their money disappear.

P.s. - At Christmas I charge £95.00 per hour.

On 2009-05-29 21:32, Scott F. Guinn wrote:
FWIW...

I worked restaurants 3-5 nights/week for a lot of years.

At one point, I worked the same place 4, sometimes 5 nights EVERY WEEK for about 2 years. I didn't charge them much. I don't solicit tips, but unless I'm instructed not to accept them, I take them when they are offerred. At this place, I made as much and often far more in tips than I did in pay from the store. In addition, I booked a ton of gigs off it, and my "chops" were at their best ever. I got $30 an hour for 2 hours a night, plus a meal, plus tips and bookings. Not a lot of cash, maybe, but not bad for a couple hours work at a BBQ joint in Middleton, Idaho (population at the time about 1500, and only 5 minutes from my house).

As Jamie points out, restaurants are vastly different from one-off corporate gigs. I typically don't do JUST strolling at a corporate gig. I usually book an after-dinner show, and I try to up-sale them on strolling during the cocktail hour. The reason I do this is simple: I usually have to get there before the event starts to set up my PA and act, so I'm there anyway--might as well make a little extra jack during the "down time" until my show.

Here's what I do...

Let's say I'm talking to the client, and she has just booked a 60-minute platform act after dinner for an audience of several hundred, for say, $750. I would then mention strolling magic, explain what it is, and how it is a great warm-up, etc, etc. I'd state that my prices for strolling are cheaper than my platform show because I don't have to load/unload, set-up/tear down. I normally get $400 per hour for it, but since she has booked me for the platform show and I'm going to be there anyway, I'll give her a big discount if she'd like to add strolling to the booking, say 60 minutes for another $250. Much of the time, they go for this, so I get an extra $250 without much more work during a time where I'd be standing around waiting anyway--everybody wins.

Further, the strolling allows me to make personal contacts that I wouldn't make from just a platform show, resulting in more long-term income.

One more thing: I've heard and read a lot of people saying that you should never join the client for dinner at the banquet. You're supposed to decline, and these folks say it makes you somehow seem more prestigious and professional. I TOTALLY disagree with this philosophy! I WANT to sit down over a meal with corporate bigshots and their spouses (who are often bigshots at another corporation) every chance I get! It gives me an opportunity to make more contacts, it makes it more likely that they'll remember me for repeats and referrals, and often I make new friends. I think you are missing out on strong relationship/networking opportunities if you decline having dinner with them.

On 2006-08-01 15:54, Bill Palmer wrote:
An every night restaurant gig may only offer $100 a night. That's for about 4 hours of work. I won't do it, but there are a lot of guys who will.

On 2006-08-01 15:43, Alym Amlani wrote:

Quote:

On 2006-08-01 13:39, SoCalPro wrote:
"I charge £65 per hour"

What is this in USA money?

http://www.xe.com/ucc