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Matt New user 41 Posts |
I mostly do kids birthday parties and some adult club shows at a small town locally. I have a couple opportunities and would like some thoughs on how to adjust my birthday fees for these events. One is at a locally owned winery about an hours drive away. Another is for the warehouse crew of a really big international cooperation about 90 minutes away. How should I adjust my local family fees for businesses, really big and small, and how do I figure travel? Thank you very much.
Matt |
Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Pricing is complicated and often depends upon your business model, the characteristics of your local market, your level of experience and reputation, and your personal decisions on how you value your time and travel expenses etc. Since you are just starting in that market, perhaps do a modest increase to your birthday rates and go from there as you get feedback and experience. Take the opportunities and don't worry too much at this point.
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Robin4Kids Veteran user Lower Alabama 396 Posts |
I agree with Scott. I think you have to find the pricing formula that works best for you. In my market, the biggest concentration of surrounding cities is about a 60 mile radius. I try to set my base price to include any travel expense up to 60 miles out and that way I don't have to be adding on travel costs for the majority of my bookings. However, if I book outside of my 60 mile area, I do add a mileage fee. I don't do any adult shows, but you may want to have a different base price for your adult shows than what you charge for birthday parties based on a longer show, bigger props, etc.
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Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
Prices for the corporate market vary-First you have to have a show that is corporate Orientated,Always Play to your audience
which is now older,A bit sophisticated,more Intellegent have seen lots of other acts in all varieties. Comedy & a bit of Mentalism work well as do money effects..Dont adjust a birthday act and try to play corporate-it wont work. Costs can vary depending on Travel but Ive heard comments from other performers say that for eg-Fifteen hundred dollars is that all!!! and the opposite where People I know have charged Four Grand etc and they havent battered an eyelid, also I know of younger people trying to get into the market charging $200... for corporate functions... I perform only for this market and don't do childrens shows at all but some local performers adapt well to both but they have an act that works.. Pic below doing regular monthly corporate gigs at Winery for International functions.. cheers-Good Luck Brent Click here to view attached image. |
Vick Inner circle It's taken me 10+ years to make 1120 Posts |
Scott as usual is spot on
What about not thinking of it as adjusting you birthday show fees but having a corporate show fee structure? It's not a local family show, why think of the fee as an adjustment of such? Do you have a show that is appropriate for corporate events? You mentioned doing some adult club shows. Are you including stage illusions? Will you need assistants, sound system, lighting and backdrop?
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Illusions By Vick Blog of a real world working magician Magic would be great, if not for magicians |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
The other thing few rarely talk about is there are different levels of corporate work. There is the lower level which tends to be in the $400-$750/$800 price range. This is the level most performers work at or those coming from other areas/markets typically start at.
Then there is the $800-$1500 range, followed by the $1500-$3500 level, and then $3500-$7500. Then of course there is the $7500 and up level. This is often overlooked or misunderstood even by performers. Not all corporate markets and events are the same and not all corporate entertainers' value is the same. Mu guess if you're coming from kids and family performances it should be at level one regardless of the variables (daypart, length of performance, size of event, etc.) Of course this goes without saying you MUST have a corporate-ready and corporate appropriate show ready and polished. Don't think you can just do your kids show executed more formally, unless it is with the single exception of a company picnic, which even then should still be corporate tweaked. |
Brent McLeod Inner circle 1792 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-09-01 22:37, Mindpro wrote: Well said.... |
robvh Elite user Calgary, AB 440 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-09-01 22:37, Mindpro wrote: There seem to be plenty of good books for birthday party and children's performers on how to put together a good show. However, I'm not aware of many good resources for developing a good "corporate-ready" show. What are the best books and DVDs for developing a corporate show (strolling, banquet, and trade show) and for building a magic business in the corporate market (e.g. marketing, forms, how to engage with prospects and new customers, what questions to ask, etc)? Thanks, Rob |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
I think you have a narrow perspective perhaps on putting together a show. Books will provide you information, however it is your own execution and experience that will create your show. Reading a book or viewing a DVD will not give you a good show, kids birthday parties or otherwise.
The corporate market is even more crucial, because someone's job can be at risk if you can't properly deliver, not to mention the corporate chain of reactions that exists. You also seem to be using the word "corporate" too generically. There are at least a dozen different types of corporate events and most require their own formatting, specialization and approach. What specifically are you considering? Why are you choosing corporate? What type of magic do you offer? These answers may allow us to better direct and assist you. |
MichaelDouglas Special user Portland, Oregon 766 Posts |
You mention putting together a show for "strolling, banquet, and trade show". These are each very different as has been mentioned. You'r MC profile indicates your interest as being Close-up magic. Without more information about you and your experience, I'll make one suggestion. If you have some solid close-up talent, and good social skills, then you may want to consider building your experience as a close-up magician in a restaurant. Find a locally owned restaurant rather than a chain and seek out a gig there. There are other threads here on the Café that will guide you on how to get a restaurant gig.
Good luck. |
Close.Up.Dave Inner circle Behind you! 2956 Posts |
Here's my take (being a guy who is finally getting decent traction throughout the year)
First, research corporate events and meeting planning services. Learn why they happen, what your service will actually be helping with, and build a good show that caters to those needs. Don't start from the position of: "Im a magician and I hear you can get work at 'corporate events.'" This is a blinding position and it will cost you time trying to be in this business thinking like a magician wanting to perform in bigger events. I know because I've been there. Be a corporate event solutions provider, learn all about what other industries cater to those needs, and what you can learn from them. Find a way to attend these events to sniff around. Once you realize you're offering something useful to the low end corporate crowd, increase your fees and learn to find a good sweet spot to fill up your calendar. When some calls you with a birthday party, give them a "birthday gift certificate" by signing up for your email list. Then you can market to them later for any public events, and you have a good reason to justify lowering your price. Expect this journey to take at least 5 years so you're not disappointed. Restaurants are lousy pay compared to corporate events (as a focus). I still do a couple of restaurants because they've been consistent cash over the last few years. And, they are good ways to network. Just be sure to ask people where they work and get THEIR info if they host events. But don't expect to make a living from them. |
amakar Loyal user 235 Posts |
Based on the research from my Magician's Salary Survey results, the average fees for a Corporate Presentation show was $1500.
The maximum fee was $15,000 and the lowest was $120. Travel expenses were also ADDED to the performance fee. For the Corporate Reception events, the numbers were different. If you're interested, the full survey results are available at: http://www.amazon.com/Professional-Magic......0F8RGGFI Hope that helps! Andy |
robvh Elite user Calgary, AB 440 Posts |
There's some quality advice here. Thank you to all who have replied so far.
To Mindpro, I'm not expecting to read one book or watch a DVD and have a show at the end. However, I'm sure there are some exceptional books whose focus is on developing a professional show (proper pacing, choice of material, structure, etc). I used "corporate" as a broad term because I'm interested in reading up on more than just one area. As for why I'm choosing corporate, it's because I've spent my entire working career in the corporate world (consulting and solution selling) working with the Director, VP and C-level and so I'm most comfortable relating to professional people (as opposed to kids or families). Also, my sense of humour is one of my strong suits but its based on wit and not silly stuff. So again, corporate makes more sense than shows that skew younger. So to build on the good advice above which is helpful but incomplete, what are the best resources (books and DVDs) for learning about building a show? Be that for a trade show, company banquet or team meeting, cocktail party, etc. |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
It's good to know more about you, your experience and a better idea of your interests. To be honest with you in every book I've read or been asked to review I've found little that I'd be willing to recommend.
Are you seeking info on the business of corporate magic, or performance material for corporate magic? I'm guessing since you mentioned show tat is your interests. In reality most anything can be adapted to corporate if worked and presented properly. However, I do like Seth Kramer's trade show book and Confidential Booking Reports by Dick Ryan come to mind as does Eddie Tullock's materials The Real Truth About Trade Show Magic for trade shows and hospitality suites. Hopefully that can be a start for you. Corporate magic has little to do with the magic and much to do with the business and interests of corporate clients. |
robvh Elite user Calgary, AB 440 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-09-30 14:54, Mindpro wrote: Thank you, Mindpro, for some excellent suggestions. Kramer and Tullock's books are among the ones that came up in my research. It's great to get confirmation and thereby shorten the list! Dick Ryan is a new name that I'll have to check out. |
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