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Pinto2 New user 76 Posts |
I'm just starting to do shows and am wondering how much an average rate is for kids birthday parties. As well as how much a half hour and a hour show cost. Extra information about bars, restaurants and other locations would be helpful too.
Daniel |
ryansmagic Regular user Reading, PA 147 Posts |
I guess it depends a lot on where you live and what you plan to do.
I will start with this... I am not a "Full time" magician, I do however put on a professional show. Also I don't advertise all word of mouth. My system for birthday party shows. Close friends - Always free, you help your friends because they help you. Friends of Friends - $50-$75 depending on how close and how I feel. People I don't know - $100-$150 My birthday show is about 40-45 mins. and I also do balloon animals. Corporate events I have charged up to $100 an hour for walk around. A lot depends on how I feel. All of the money I make it extra for me and I just spend it on magic anyway. I don't live in a big city, use animals, or an assistant all of these things should matter when finding your price. Most importantly, make sure you are worth what you charge. Thats as honest as it gets. |
Daniel Santos Special user 562 Posts |
Be careful with the time limit. Think about the attention-span of the children you will be performing for. I've performed at parties for some children 10 and younger so I've done 15-20 minutes shows. For a good 15 minutes I charge thirty dollars, and as I increase the time I would make the price slightly cheaper. So, for example, 15 min. = $30 and 30 min. = $50. The price also depends on the props you are using. If you plan on including larger tricks with animals (ie. doves, rabbits, etc.), you might charge more. If it's all close-up (ie. coins, cards, etc.), you might charge less. For friends and family, discounts are always nice.
Daniel |
Jailhouse Jonny New user 81 Posts |
If you are new, you probably should offer about a 20 minute act. Most people won't complain if it goes over time. If things are going good, often times the patter expands with ad libs thrown in. If it isn't a good crowd, 20 minutes is enough to possibly leave them wanting more while still keeping your sanity. Fifty bucks sounds like a good starting place.
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Pinto,
Here's what I did when I started in the business: I called the entertainers in the phone book and explained who I was and that I wanted to know the going rate. There were two reasons for doing this - #1 You don't want to alienate the established performers in your area and if you really undercut the going rate you may do this. I realize you should charge less when starting out than an established performer, but you should be still within the price range for your area. Various cities and countries have more or less established rates for birthday parties and other events. You may be on the low end of the established rate and a seasoned performer may be on the high end. Another reason to give them a call and explain who you are is: (out of the 17 I called, 16 went out of their way to assist.) The performers in your area will explain the going rate, may lead you to bookings they are unable to do themselves and will want to keep a level of professionalism for their industry. They may need another hand at a show and while it may not be as large as their part it helps you network and establish friends in the industry. I never recommend anyone unless I've seen them perform as it's a reflection of me if the show wasn't up to par. Many performers want to establish a network amongst themselves in case of an emergency but more importantly you pass off business to one another. When I started I recieved most of my business from the seasoned performers and as I got established I in turn pass off shows to others whom I trust have a good show. It appears that the going rate is aprox 100 -200 for b-day parties in my experience. However, the clientele and the area which you are doing the shows warrant the price. Fairs, School shows and Civic events pay more. You should base your pricing on the numbers that will attend. Corporate shows and Resorts are used to paying performers several hundred dollars for a performance. Again, it's why it's a good idea to network with others in the same field as they will be able to help you. One thing is of importance whatever your pricing - stick to it - and don't give deals if you know someone as it will come back to haunt you. People will get highly offended if they hear you gave so and so a deal but not them. Good luck! Chrystal |
Tom Stevens Veteran user Australia 361 Posts |
Excellent advice from Chrystal!
Some performers are very happy to have you see their show, others might be concerned about someone (you) using their material. Meeting them in person is a good way to start and like that they might even bring up the subject and invite you to see their show. I've been invited by several performers, although I was not able to attend all of them. Seeing others perform made me feel confident in the price I was asking. |
Mrbimble New user Tucson, AZ 56 Posts |
Damm Chrystal I guess great minds thing alike. That is pretty much the advice I was going to give. Maybe instead of practicing my clasic palm I should practice typing faster....nah!
Jerry M.
Mundas vult decipi ~The world wants to be deceived Multum in parvo ~Much in little(packs small/plays big) |
Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
Bless you if you do Birthday parties. Not my venue. But I couldn't even imagine doing a gig for $50 or even $100 unless it was going to get me some other benefit - networking, Superbowl tickets, etc. Otherwise it may as well be free.
Eugene Burger says he judges his rates by whether the person on the other end drops the phone or not You can discount and pencil them in your calendar with the caveat that if a full-paying gig wants that spot they will have to give up their spot (with X hours notice - just to be fair). Be an artist and make your art worth it.
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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Pinto2 New user 76 Posts |
Thanks, these tips are really helping. I'm shocked to hear that $100's is a cheap rate, after all, I'm just starting out with shows. How long is the show your talking about, mabee that will explain? The more feed back I get the better, so please give me your $.02 worth.
Daniel |
Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Again Pinto,
In all honesty I'm only basing my opinion of what I know of my city and of friends that work in other areas. Your city, for example may have say 75 dollars as the going rate and for you to base a price say of 70 would not be unreasonable. If however, you charge only 40 dollars you can bet you will be undercutting everyone and not make you popular. It's why I suggested you get in contact with others from your area to find out. It also depends on how many entertainers work in your area as that may or may not affect pricing. If you're the only one there is no comparison shopping amongst people interested in your service. Most entertainers know one another and the standard rate is generally accepted amongst themselves - but again you do get those on the low end or high end depending on experience. Remember don't try to undersell yourself ..as I learned in marketing..just cause I couldn't afford me..doesn't mean others can't! Muggles have jobs which they show up for 8 hours a day and get paid an hourly wage. If you think of all the UNPAID work you have to put in BEFORE your show and broke it down you are worth at least 100 dollars for your time. The hours rehersing and months spent practising, the times you attend a convention or visit a magic shop to learn the craft, the time spent packing your case, driving to and from the show..all that is taken into consideration. Not only that but the money you've invested buying the items for your trade - much like a mechanic and his tools of his trade. They don't come cheap either. If you are going to hire yourself out then be prepared as you will be worth it. Hey thanks Tom and MrBimble for your kind words! The only reason I type fast is because I think I've greeted 10,000 people out of the 16,000..ha ha! Chrystal |
Tom Stevens Veteran user Australia 361 Posts |
Make every show THE BEST SHOW IN THE WORLD and you will be able to charge top prices.
Doing your very best is the key to providing value. But customers also want perceived value. If you have talent, presence (props and stuff, maybe amplification), can be on time, are courteous and professional, good with kids and keep their attention, make them laugh, are well presented, and make the audience feel good, then you have all the qualities needed to charge a decent rate. Once you are comfortable knowing you can provide those needs, you can quote any price you can say without flinching and you will get jobs. Not all jobs, but you will get more bookings by quoting 100C-shells than 50C-shells. That's where perceived value comes into play. When I was starting out I quoted a lower price and got a few jobs. Once I had the confidence to charge the higher price I started getting more work. (C-shells is just a generic term for currency since Australian dollars are different from USDollars and then there's pounds, and Euros and pesos etc. Also we don't want anyone to think that there's any price fixing going on in the entertainment community.) |
Pinto2 New user 76 Posts |
Thanks again for the hints, they really helped. Hopefully I'll have a routine that suites me soon, and then watch out. It will be funny in 10 years when some kid asks the same question and I'm the one answering it, but untill I'll just practice.
Daniel PS. The more input the better so please if you can give me more pricing quotes. |
RCarruth Veteran user Spartanburg, S.C. 341 Posts |
Hi Pinto
Try doing a Google search ( or Yahoo,or MSN ) of Magicians-birthday parties-rates, or something similar, and browse the websites of other magicians who offer birthday party packages. You can also do a Google search on a local basis to see if anyone in your area has a site, and if so, what they are charging..
Magic Roadshow - Magic's #1 Free Newsletter
http://magicroadshow.com |
Clifford the Red Inner circle LA, California 1941 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-01-06 20:39, Pinto2 wrote: Chrystal has some great suggestions for you. I am just stating my view as my time is valuable and I have expectations for what will make it worth it for me. Mind you, I don't need the gig. That is a pretty powerful negotiating position! You can certainly start at a level that's comfortable for you. Just don't live there forever. Grow, take some negotiating classes, and increase what you are comfortable asking for - what you deserve. That comes with just thinking about what you are doing, what the competition is doing, what you are making, what they are making and visualizing getting higher rates. Eventually, you will be comfortable with them. I learned a long time ago you will only get what you ask for so it may as well be what you deserve. Just think, some of your clients pay their gardener or their maid more than they are paying you, an artist. Not that those are worthwhile work, but they don't involve the training and years of work that goes into being an artist. An artist should be compensated properly. Can you tell I have no qualms about making them drop the phone
"The universe is full of magical things, waiting for our wits to grow sharper." Eden Philpotts
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