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Shodan Special user Isle of Man 663 Posts |
Hi folks,
A magician friend of mine is interested in getting started in the restaurant business; he was describing a potential opportunity to me and I advised him to post it here to get some perspective from the many very experienced professionals who frequent the forums. He doesn't have the right kind of email address and so is unable to register, so I am posting on his behalf. He's been offered a position performing at a local restaurant, entertaining people while they are waiting to be seated. He's currently waiting to hear back after the manager has spoken to corporate. The manager didn't ask for any kind of audition, and isn't offering any money, citing “experience” and potential private bookings as the benefit to my friend. I have expressed my opinion – that if you're comfortable to perform in a professional environment then you should start thinking of yourself as a professional, and professionals get paid. However, I do mainly corporate and party work, and have never done a restaurant gig so I thought the insights of those who have would be more useful. Cheers, David.
"You don't go up to strangers with a stick and come at their head...introduce yourself first, then come at them with a stick." - David Williamson
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echomagic Veteran user 344 Posts |
Perhaps one time only for an hour without pay. Just to show management how this type of entertainment attracts PAYING customers for THEM.
If you need to explain why you should be paid, my suggestion is to reference people like Jim Sisti or other restaurant magic veterans who have great reasons why paying you to do magic in that venue will make them more money. |
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I believe one should be compensated for any work done, with the exception of certain instances such as charity work etc. I'm thinking this restaurant does not fall into any of the exempt categories, so just to throw another thought out for consideration, compensation comes in many forms, and money is merely the middleman means to the end. What else does this restaurant have to offer that your magician friend would benefit from? I am never opposed to an equitable trade, if the other party has something that I can use. Beaver pelts for gunpowder?? Blankets for whiskey?? Whatcha got to trade??
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Quote:
On 2010-02-20 12:31, echomagic wrote: Wow this is exactly the OPPOSITE of what I would say to do. If you draw attention to the fact that you cost money, then they will be looking at the fact that you cost them money. It should not be about money, more about ambiance. If you tell them they are going to make more money, how are you going to go about proving this little tidbit? I have asked many times for anyone to point to a line on a spreadsheet where it can be proven the magician has increased business in any fashion. Save your time, you can't. Most restaurants in order to have an expence like a magician, piano player, or whatever will then have to make that up in sales. They have to sell between 4 and 5 X what they pay you TO BE EVEN. If you are working in a family restaurant, and only getting $100 per night, this is $500 to make up! Dude that is a heck of a lot of extra nachos to sell! (This is one reason I always say work in fine dining establishments, but that is another thread) Now it becomes your job to convince the management that it is YOU selling the extra stuff because of your stunning magic, and not the weather, festivals, time of year, or any of the other THOUSANDS of things that can have impact on the business. Good luck with that. Also, IF the restaurant does not see an increase in money, and you have promised such a thing, guess what will happen to your job? I will give you 3 guesses and the first 2 don't count. Most restaurant management people are numbers types, and magicians... well not so much. Sell them on customer satisfaction, (then get a billion customer survey cards that say they loved you) sell them on ambiance, but don't mention cost any more than you must.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
dpe666 Inner circle 2895 Posts |
Never ever work for free. Experience and "potential" bookings as pay is a joke. The only publicity that he will get by working for free is the publicity that he will work for free. There are other retaurants that will be willing to have him perform and pay him to do so. If they don't pay, he shouldn't play.
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Shodan Special user Isle of Man 663 Posts |
Thanks very much for the replies so far folks - especially Danny, that's a greatly insightful post, thanks for sharing it.
"You don't go up to strangers with a stick and come at their head...introduce yourself first, then come at them with a stick." - David Williamson
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Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
I agree one should always get paid for their work. But, like all jobs, those who are just starting out need to take what they can to get their feet wet. If your friend is truly inexperienced then experience IS what he needs. When I started I worked at a lower wage than most for a few months and got a "raise" later (although I was also 14 at the time). More goes into restaurant work than just doing tricks at tables, and your friend needs to get to know that. So, what I did starting out might be a good option; agree with the manager to have a lower wage for a certain amount of time. When the time comes, they will be required to give him a raise. If not, he can go elsewhere and at least list that restaurant as a reference of experience.
Not everyone may agree with this idea, but it would be a good start. You can't expect to have top pay when you're just starting. Also keep in mind that some restaurants could just try to take advantage of you. If it sounds like this manager might be doing that, it would just be better to walk away. |
aitchy Loyal user 222 Posts |
If your solely after experience then maybe find another venue or volunteer with NFP groups for one off events.
But in a restaurant or other professional environments - don't work for free! If your good enough to work such an environment your good enough to earn. By not getting paid you'll harm yourself and also other magicians. You have (i assume) a talent that took years to learn that just 0.01% of people have. So the idea that the kid washing the dishes is earning and your not is crazy. As for the chance of getting private bookings from this gig- it sounds like the manager has just hung that carrot - "i wont pay you - but Maybe one day someone else will on my behalf - aren't you lucky!" my advice would be to do one day, do it perfectly - then walk away saying you cant perform for free and will need to find another venue. You'll either get a great recommendation letter as payment for your free day of work - or hopefully they will revalue you and decide you deserve at least some payment. its been said on here a lot - "the publicity you get when working for free is to publicise the fact that you ARE willing to work for free." |
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