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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-09-30 09:17, lunatik wrote: Agreed. |
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Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
Thanks for all the help. As far as the money aspect goes, I was "guessing" at what good acts get in my neck of the woods. When I quit 25 years ago I was making $800-$1200 for company parties, picnics, etc., so I figured a similar show should be up in the mid-4 figures now. (I was *assuming*, with everything that includes.) But from what I've been able to discover in the last couple days, $1500ish is probably the going rate now for something like that.
Of course, I plan on being better than I was back then, but still, my perceptions were warped at least a bit. Someone who asked about a video -- I have nothing from the olden days (and while video cameras weren't ubiquitous like they are now, I can't believe I didn't rent one at least once) and I'm still working on putting things together, so nothing current. But when I do have something together I'll update this thread. Jay
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Wow.
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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Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
Obviously not a mentalist because I'm not picking up the target of the Wow.
Jay
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
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tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
Jay -
You mentioned "the going rate". That is a limiting belief for many variety acts. Based on my experience, there is no "going rate" because every company is different. Each event has a desired result, and the value the company places on those results vary. You assumed - and assumptions are not a good way to plan if you intend to run a successful business. Learn everything you can about a market before you try to enter it blindly. Otherwise your shortcut could set you back years. |
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David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
Hi, Jay...
Initially, I ignored this thread because I thought it was someone flaming. When I read it, I thought what Danny did: "Wow." I'm not speaking for Danny -- who is generally a little more verbose...but I have to admit I've never seen you and am not familiar with your work. I don't see where it is impossible to pick up where you left off...but at best it seems to be to be like jumping into a sports car that has been sitting unused for years and expecting to go zero to 60. It's possible, I guess. You've already thought in terms of doing some shows just to shake the rust off. I think that's a great idea. I get rusty if I go a couple of weeks without a show. I can't imagine how difficult it would be if I went years without performing. I think there's a muscle that gets built up the more shows you perform...and that deflates fairly rapidly if you don't get in front of an audience. At the bare minimum you need absolutely perfect marketing materials: a video, a complete package. You need an act that is polished and fresh. Ideally you need representation so you can crack the corporate level you're looking for...and you need to deliver on every single promise to get repeat bookings. Your whole on stage package has to be white hot. If you go before you're ready, you're shooting yourself in the foot. I'd set a plan if I were you: a specific period of time for you to get to where you're going and the specific steps you're going to take to get there. I wish you all the best. Keep us posted. I'm interested to know how you make out. David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-01 12:08, David Thiel wrote: Great point. Probably more than anything performance-related (except maybe for audience's attention spans) to me one of the things that has changed the most is how people buy entertainment and how entertainment is marketed and operates as a business. This includes promotional materials. I'd rather not comment on David's built up muscle. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Wow= the two above posts.
In general I am much more verbose. But what you plan has about a 95% chance of absolute failure. But you have said you have decided to do it so nothing anyone says to help you is pointless. You have your answer and then you ask your questions and do your research. Performing in you mid 20s as a kid, and make no mistake you were, does not translate. Especially since the world.has changed in 25 years. The idea is you grow into your performance. If you think you can do your same show from 25 years ago and it will fly well I can direct you to a few Hollywood movies to show you what will happen. You have almost no experience and what you do have is so old it is worthless. Radio experience and church worship bands not withstanding. Experience from when you were 8 is hard to count. I am afraid you may lose money at an impressive rate. The only thing you might have going for you is living in a state where there might be very little competition. Good luck. I hope you blow the doors off and explode into a huge success. I hope you can come back and tell me how full of crap I was. I hope you have more mid four figure jobs than you can handle in a weeks time. I seriously do. Please come back and update me as to how wrong I as. I sincerly hope you do. It will be a pleasure to be wrong.
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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Scott Burton Inner circle 1131 Posts |
Your assessment is correct I believe Danny.
I think there are ways of accelerating a targeted career direction. Specifically, I mean that someone who is smart, talented, business minded, and truly focused and determined could take years off when one has a clear vision. I mean to say that you could take a 10 year development down to 3 or 4 years perhaps (just random numbers but I think you get the point). But to skip entire levels without paying some amount of "dues" is wishful thinking. Risky too. There is value in building a base to work from. |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Mindpro posted while I was. I meant wow = the 3 above posts.
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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Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-01 13:30, Dannydoyle wrote: You gotta be quicker on the draw to keep up with me Quote:
On 2013-10-01 13:14, Scott Burton wrote: I agree. Another way to do exactly what Scott is referring to is pay for a mentor. One on one development from someone who has done or is doing what you want at the level you desire to me is the absolute best investment in both time and money tat one can make, and as far as I know about the only true legitimate way to take serious time off the learning curve, but even then you still have to allow time practice and apply what you are learning, allow it to grow, become established and become polished to even be considered as a performer on an advance level. You must also invest in yourself and your business, and like most successful investments it takes time to mature. To me this is one of the biggest misperceptions and disillusions with performers, and especially with magicians (all that have been doing magic since they were 5 years old - don't even get me started on this disillusion) is they have a terrible time being real and honest with themselves about the true level at which they are truly at. Most seem to think they are more advanced than they are in reality. They watch another performer or someone on a t.v. show and truly think to themselves "I can do better than that" or "I am at least that good." Most are not. |
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Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
Thanks for the further feedback.
Jay [EDIT: No way to delete a post?]
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
If you do $300 shows you will have a lot more opportunities that if you only want to do $1,000 jobs. Without any previous experience doing $1,000 jobs why would anyone want you??????
When mom's call me up to do a kids birthday party they want to know all about me, so why would a corporate events coordinator do any less with you????? Don't give up your day job just yet.
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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Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
I have experience doing $1,000 jobs. 25-30 years ago I was getting $800-$1200 for corporate shows. (Not always that high, but often enough that it wasn't rare.)
And I understand the first new paying show (probably) won't be at the $1,000+ level. (Nor the second, or third, or...) I'm not planning on giving up my day job anyway -- I'm self-employed, so that part's really easy. My only concern with doing $300 shows is then you're seen as a $300 act. How do you then make the leap to being seen as a $1,500 act in a local area? I'm thinking I'd rather do two $1,500 shows than ten $300 shows. More exposure for the latter, but scarcity with the former could be a selling point (I think). Jay
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
What you can not skip is experience. Sorry. Your experience is very limited and dated.
You are probably not a $1,500 act and won't be by doing a couple shows a month.
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 would like to do 8 weeks in Vegas a year and go on vacation for the remaining 44 weeks, but that is not going to happen. LOL
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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tacrowl Inner circle Maryland 1633 Posts |
Jay -
Your thinking of the fee jump is flawed. You can't be worth a fee if your act is not ready. (Even if you feel it may be - at the fees you want, you have to be certain.) Taking shows that pay less will allow you to hone the material. For example, I have done paid street for the past four or five summers. Three to four sets a night for several weeks straight allow me to stay sharp in a way that two to five shows a month will not. Granted, the two shows pay much more - and the profit margin is greater - but without those street performances, my quality slips - and I notice it even when the audience doesn't. So how can I justify paid street vs. high dollar corporate events? I don't have to. They are two completely different beasts. Your fee justification is based on the show. Corporate performances are more about service. And the show quality is an expected mandatory. Tom |
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Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
Tom,
Quote:
They are two completely different beasts. Okay, that makes sense, you're not doing corporate events for less money. Thanks. Jay
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
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Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
Even if he was it is not relevant.
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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Jay Jennings Veteran user Scottsdale, AZ 332 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-10-09 18:37, Dannydoyle wrote: Why is that? Jay
Mystery arts articles and thoughts: https://ExclusiveMagic.com
Free video crash course for numerology readings: https://LoShuNumerology.com |
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