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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
I've noticed on this forum there are a number of magicians who work for weddings, especially in the UK.
In my market it seems the perception is magicians are like clowns jugglers and fire eaters and are not looked at as being legitimate entertainment for a hi end, high budget wedding reception. Do others find the same thing in their individual markets? How did you overcome that when booking a wedding reception for close up entertainment? Tommy |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I know what you face. It really depends on who is in charge. I only worked a few of them, but never really tried to attack that market. To give you a range of the wedding reception gigs I did, and since you know the area, one was at the Donnelly House on Highland Ave., and another was at the F.O.P. Lodge on Green Springs Hwy. Quite a difference between the two.
I have also worked rehearsal dinners, and some other peripheral wedding-related events. I think you just have to project an image that caters to what the client might consider appropriate. You have to be your own judge of that. If the bride is in charge of the decisions, that could be different than if the mother of the bride is calling the shots. If people consider magicians to be on the same plane as jugglers, fire-eaters and clowns, you may have to find a way to separate yourself from them, if that perception brings negative response. Like I said, I didn't try too hard to book weddings, so I'm not an expert. It may be a tough nut to crack, depending on the general perception of magicians in the area. When I first moved back to B'ham in 1986, I wanted the upscale restaurant market. At first, I met a lot of people who knew magic by way of Cousin Cliff, and considered it to be kid fare. It took me awhile, but I was able to change that perception, and ended up working some very fine events and often in the swankiest neighborhoods the city had to offer. The point is, it is possible to convince people that magic is a viable form of entertainment for grown-ups. (Notice me trying to avoid calling it, "adult entertainment." ) Weddings are still a funny thing. But, considering how much bizarreness seems to be associated with over-the-top proposals these days, there may be a good shot for a magician being just cool enough to be desirable. Find ways of making them want you.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
If you work restaurants (for instance) people will like you and know how much fun you can add to a dinner and they can easily imagine you at a wedding reception.
When chatting with people bring up amusing stories of things that happened to you at a wedding reception just to plant the idea. (Bill Malone made this suggestion on one of his DVDs). |
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jay leslie V.I.P. Southern California 9498 Posts |
Some of your pigeon holding can be due to people seeing you at a birthday party and therefore you are a BP performer no matter how else you present yourself. It's the American way.
Some of the pushback could be your attire, attitude, and image. Part of your job is to sell your services by explaining exactly why your tricks, effects, routines, demeanor and purpose is precisely suited for receptions. Tell them the features and benefits. And part of the problem may very well be the culture of your area. I have a friend with the opposit problem. He was booked every weekend for birthday parties in our area of SoCal. He moved to Arkansas and Poof, no shows. Not one. Not even when he lowered his price to 50 dollars (as a test). In his area you have to do company parties and entertain the kiddies on Saturdays at car dealerships or farmers markets while the parents spend money - home parties is not in the culture. Sometimes I wish I stayed in Europe. You tell someone you are a performance artist (Europe) and they say how lucky you are to be so talented. Here, in the states, people ask what your day job is. You can drive a newer Cadillac (like me) wear 1,000 dollar suits and perform theatrical and swanky routines, explaining this is how you make a living and they wink & nod and ask what your day is. I explain I have a masters in theatre and they ask what theaters I've built! Bottom line, find that Cousin Cliff and do the exact opposit, especially with your pictures and advertising... and attire... and marketing... and choice of material... and work on improving your diction & verbiage then buy a table at the wedding fair and tell stories about how you saved the day when old aunt Maude was sitting in the corner, all dejected, and you made her day. Or how you do this trick with two people that gets them to exchange phone numbers. Or how you do sparkly fluffy tricks for the womens and mechanical brain teasers for the men folk.
Jay Leslie
www.TheHouseOfEnchantment.com |
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
In the top magicians do get a lot of Wedding work in the UK and often win the "best entertainment awards" nationally and regionally, look at Wayne Goodman, Christian "Fleck" and Chris Cross.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
Thanks for the feedback. Interesting ideas and great suggestions. I have never seen a magician at a wedding locally nor I have I seen a magi at a bridal show. There is one coming up in January I may buy space to exhibit.....
Tommy |
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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
Michael
Old cousin Cliff had the same influence on a lot of magic in Birmingham. I remember trying to book children's birthday parties for $50 and people would tell me "why, cousin cliff only charges $25 and he's on television" I believe the best way to create a market for magicians at weddings here in Birmingham will be to work some of the bridal shows so they have a visual perception of what we are trying to do and also to dispel the premise of it being kid's stuff or Carnival tricks... |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 20, 2014, tommyellison wrote: Good plan, Tommy!
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
Has anyone written a book or lecture on targeting the Wedding market? I see some literature where it is mentioned but what about those that really target that market segment?
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themagiciansapprentice Inner circle Essex, UK 1381 Posts |
Quote:
On Oct 25, 2014, tommyellison wrote: Wayne Goodman covered a lot of this is "The definitive guide to restaurant magic". Especially tricks to perform, what to wear, how to approach tables and engaging more than one table at a time. He also runs practical courses in restaurants where questions can be asked and scenarios discussed. If you have any questions particular to weddings in the UK, drop him an email via his website. But there are relatively few openings, most wedding fayres only have two slots for magicians so expect the serious long-time pro's to snap those up. Any literature I've read seemed to be a trick list and suggested variants on the Anniversary Waltz for the married couples souvenir trick. Sometimes if you work in a Hotel restaurant you may be asked to perform at weddings held there. Maybe an ad in a local Wedding dress shop might help. Certainly talking to them is useful.
Have wand will travel! Performing children's magic in the UK for Winter 2014 and Spring 2015.
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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
In pitching my DJ services, I have mentioned using a Magician to several "brides to be" and party planners. Their first response is "There will not be many children there so we cannot use a magician." Frustrating. I usually follow up with this is not kids magic but intimate close up magic designed to engage adults both young and old and is very much in keeping with the magic performed in Vegas' more exclusive entertainment lounges as well as the recent winner of AGT...
Still refining the pitch.... any other ideas? Tommy |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Avoid the connotation. If the word "magician" elicits immediate thoughts of children's entertainment, then try re-wording the pitch to avoid the word. You don't want to have to sell your way out of a mistaken or even negative impression.
Perhaps refer to yourself as a sleight of hand artist. If this brings puzzled looks, then follow with, "such as I use when working for dinner parties and my corporate clients. This will immediately define your clientele, if not what it is that you do.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
As always, great advise, Michael.
Tommy |
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inhumaninferno Elite user 452 Posts |
Close up magic at a wedding reception can play quite well. The few I have worked were from people who had seen my work in restaurants/bars so the whole "kids entertainment" was a non issue. Between a buffet line (if there is one) to the tables to the bar area, there are plentiful opportunities to work the crowd. Having a special trick/performance time for bride and groom can be done subtly or involve more spectacle if integrated into the planning.
Positioning is necessary no matter your market. Perceptions are generally based upon experiences. Also, a sad fact is that some adults are unable to process the "fooling/mystery" inherent in magic so they default to "oh, little Jimmy would love that..." to protect their ego. Regarding "...he's only $25 and he's on TV", I would be tempted to ask "Is everything you see on TV good?" Seriously, there are plenty of ways to overcome objections. Be prepared (so sayeth the Boy Scout). Finally, jugglers, fire eaters and clowns in the same group?!?! |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 9, 2014, inhumaninferno wrote: In fairness to that $25 magician, he was a TV pioneer who's career spanned from 1950 to the early 1990s. He was probably as well-known in the state as George Wallace. His show fee was aggravatingly low to most other magicians in the area, but his income came from sponsors rather than fees for appearances, which were seen by him to be more PR and community service. The $25. fee mentioned, which seems obscenely low today, was at a time when everything was less expensive (just not THAT cheap!). Quote:
Finally, jugglers, fire eaters and clowns in the same group?!?! Public perception. Entertainment in that region has always seemed to fall into 1) Bands, and 2) All other peripheral entertainment. The key is simply to be the one everybody wants.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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inhumaninferno Elite user 452 Posts |
"Honey, let's get a fire-eating clown that juggles machetes! Little Cindy and her friends would just love it!"
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tommyellison Regular user 159 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 9, 2014, inhumaninferno wrote: Your too literal, flame... the context was that some people's perceptions of magicians are sometimes grouped together with variety entertainment typically reserved for circus midways and carnivals. Jugglers, fire-eaters, magicians and ventriloquist are sometimes lumped together into one class of entertainment and considered too offbeat for a classy wedding reception. Needless to say, the perception does not reside everywhere as evidenced by magicians frequently working in the UK at wedding receptions. A quick review of UK wedding entertainers show their craft as a magic/magician so the perception is different their than in the UK. I wonder why that is? Tommy |
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Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
Quote:
On Nov 11, 2014, tommyellison wrote: Have you seen a Royal wedding?? It's enough of a benchmark for pomp and circumstance that even a fire-eating clown that juggles machetes would not seem at all extravagant anywhere else.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
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Rocky Elite user 486 Posts |
Most weddings I have been hired for are those where children have been invited to attend the reception (which most couples do as they are considered by many to be family celebrations).
The primary perception of a magician through laymen's eyes is that we are children's performers. In my opinion there are simply not enough working pros who perform for adult only audiences to make a dent in this perception. I have always been successful booking wedding receptions in the context of keeping the children entertained during those times during the reception where the children may not be overly involved (typically at the start of the event when adults are finding their tables and/or getting a pre-meal cocktail). Remember that most budgets will sacrifice any form of entertainment outside the cost of a good DJ or live band. If one feels that an adult focused sleight of hand artist would add to a wedding receptions appeal then pitch it any way you feel comfortable...I know its tough for many magicians to admit, but the guys who do kids shows every weekend are generally the ones making money through magic. |
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inhumaninferno Elite user 452 Posts |
Pander to perception all you want Rocky. Though I am not disputing the fact that the kids magic show business is a good one...but it sure isn't the only game going on. There are plenty of weddings (and other events) where budget is not the only concern (even though they like to play that card..)
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