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sak07 New user Stirling/Manchester UK 54 Posts |
I've started to think about possible career options when I graduate and making a living from magic sounds great but I was wondering what the earnings would be for a full time pro. I've done a few restaurant gigs and the money is alright but I don't know if I could lead the lifestyle I want on it. I know it's cheeky but I was wondering if you full timers out there could enlighten me as to your yearly earnings.
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ddyment Inner circle Gibsons, BC, Canada 2499 Posts |
It's easy to understand the rationale behind questions such as this, but the reality is that there's no good answer. Or rather, the answers are all over the map.
I know people who describe themselves as full-time performers who don't earn enough to pay for the "latest tricks" they're always buying. I know another performer who signed a million-dollar contract for a single customer for a series of trade shows. I'm sure there's an "average", but there's an average of all the house prices in the world as well, and it's not very informative! ... Doug
The Deceptionary :: Elegant, Literate, Contemporary Mentalism ... and More :: (order "Calculated Thoughts" from Vanishing Inc.)
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cgscpa Elite user Ashton, MD 447 Posts |
For what it's worth, you might try http://www.salary.com
Could not find "magician" but could find "entertainers" and "performers". However, I agree with Doug, the final "answer" is all over the map and eventually depends on demand, that is, how highly will your skills will be in demand by prospective clients. Good luck! |
Chance Wolf Inner circle 2425 Posts |
Sak, Your Salary will be entirely up to you. Dedicate the time it takes to be a good Entertainer... then Magician, Study Business strategies, etc and once you have a confidence in yourself and what you are selling (you) then simply Create your Salary. If you are a decent salesman, you can darn near get whatever you ask... you just have to be ready to back up that Price Tag
Good Luck and do your homework! Chance Wolf
Creator of Wacky Wolf Productions & Fine Collectibles
A DECADE of building Magic and we're just getting started! http://www.wolfsmagic.com |
Steve Hart Veteran user Cocoa, FL 388 Posts |
I agree, if you are talented, once you learn this business, you get to choose how much money you want to make.
When I was young, I was told by everyone, including my parents, that I had to get a real job. They said 'magic' could not support me. Over the 20 years I worked full time as a magician, I have made everything from $25,000.00 a year to over $100.000.00 a year. It all depends on you. I don't let the world's ecomomic's effect my thinking, I set my goals and then find creative ways to reach them. The secret is to know and understand the secrets to your success. The book that got me started was "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. When you learn the Universal Laws and put them to use for you, you can create anything you wish. Those of us who are magicians should be challenged to think like true Wizards and create our own future. In my training program at magic2motivate, I teach how to apply these principles to get what you want. Steve Hart Cape Canaveral, FL USA
www.SteveHartSpeaks.com
www.magic2motivate.com "Motivational Magicians are some of the highest paid magicians, find out why?" |
Tim Zager Loyal user Kansas City 222 Posts |
Excellent advice Steve. I have always believed I should ask for a fee that *I* believe I am worth. I cringe when I hear people talk about "what the market will bear".
Tim |
docdazzal Veteran user San Tan Valley, AZ 360 Posts |
Greetings...
All of the above is true...however, I have learned that more than one source of income coming in from your show business is one of the key factors in having financial stability in your show business. Many of the "successful" full timers do not rely soley on performing. They also sell magic or related items, teach magic or show business related subjects, they may write a book, give lectures, or a combination of all the above. There are other sources of income that can be done which does not require a full or part time "regular" job...but can substantially add to your overall income. These would include business over your computer/website, party consulting, selling party related items such as customized magic sets, goodie bags, and prize bags. The bottom line...as stated above be the best you can at your show...but have other related sources of income as well for an all around financially viable show business. Breake-a-leg... Doc Dazzal |
R2 Special user 935 Posts |
One of the hardest things to temper whenever you decide to make a living full time with your magic presentations is:
"Do I lower my fee during those lean and slow times of the year?". Folks call and definitely want a "magician" You quote them your fee and the enthusiasm dies down somewhat. You will be tempted to lower your price. I have had to lower mine on some occasions because of lean times. I used to book a lower paying fee and then scramble to remove items from the show! Never more. I now have another magician who works with simple magic perform the gig and I work as his agent thus, I get to reap some of the rewards for my marketing expenditures. What strategies or advice does anyone have for someone faced with this situation? Please offer some input, as I am sure many have been here before? Times are good at the moment so I can relax, but anyone even considering going full time better realize that you will have to hussle if you wish to live comfortably. YEAR Round not just once in awhile. I know a few full time magicians who qualify and use the welfare system to support themselves and the show expenditures. I think this is sad! Many thanks in advance for all opinions and advice. rr |
Kline Veteran user 361 Posts |
We're supposed to get paid for this ? I knew I was missing something !
Steven Kline
<BR><BR>www.stevenkline.com <BR><BR>www.stevenklineproductions.com Follow me on Twitter @steveklinemagic |
glodmagic Special user USA 501 Posts |
By the time Chance Wolf and others like him get my money, the kids sit down to hot dogs for dinner!
"Dad, Fish sticks again?" "Shut Up kids and be grateful. Hand me that package from Hocus Pocus."
Remember ANY of your posts here can be Googled by your customers and Clients. Just entering your name in Google can bring up your negative comments that stay for years!
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
I've been told this many times by pros in my area. Learn the business, start with restuarants and kid shows. Those are some of the venues that get your name out there. Once you do a kid party, you can talk to the adults and subliminally suggest that they should hire you for more than just a kids party. You can talk to them about how you do corporate shows or weddings. As Bill Malone says "before and after the shows is the time to really sell yourself." If they invite you for a drink after the show, go with them and you can convince them to hire you for more than just the one show. If you have a good price and you are getting a lot of shows, you won't have to worry about raising your prices all of the time becuase you aren't making enough.
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RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Quote:
On 2003-12-28 22:26, Kline wrote: Always the last to get the memo...sheesh. :) Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
Thoughtreader Inner circle Calgary, Alberta, Canada 1565 Posts |
SAK,
Most of the "prfoessionals" you talk to will give you a bunch of different numbers, most made up, as to how much they make every year. The truth is that most of them usually have enough money to retire and live on, provided that they die tomorrow. ;-) The fact of the matter is that while it is a very gratifying thing to work for yourself and make a living from what you love to do, and the hours are great and the benefits are too however, it is SHOW BUSINESS. Two words, the later is what most forget about and fall down with too. It IS a business and like any other, you will get out of it as much as you put in. That means constantly looking for the next gig, the next contract and the next show. If you are not on the phone every day, designing new promotional material all the time (and that costs money too) you wind up going hungry. If you are on the road for an extended period, you need someone else doing that work for you too. My advice is to take some business courses and marketing courses in school which will help you imensley in your search for an on ramp to the road to success as a professional performer. PSIncerely Yours, Paul Alberstat |
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