|
|
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4 [Next] | ||||||||||
A Show By Joe Elite user Long Island 408 Posts |
Maybe the librarian was herself not experienced in hiring library shows. I would have told her of the years and amount of shows I do every year as proof of being able to connect to an audience. In my opinion,children do not discriminate with age of the performer, rather more with a weak show. Also, I wouldn't be surprised that it really was a budget issue.
I would have educated her on her decision. |
|||||||||
Michael Baker Eternal Order Near a river in the Midwest 11172 Posts |
I'd be curious to know the age of the librarian.
~michael baker
The Magic Company |
|||||||||
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
Since this was a showcase , I'm wondering if more than one branch or system was there.
Around here we have both. I remembering one system (29 branch libraries) the audition was before 3 people. Did you pick up any other libraries at the showcase?
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
|||||||||
arthur stead Inner circle When I played soccer, I hit 1777 Posts |
There are many of reasons why you might not get hired. I've experienced all of them personally.
One reason, as I stated earlier, is age. Whether they are right or wrong, some librarians imagine that older, experienced performers are simply not "hip" enough to appeal to today's younger audiences. Another reason could be the library system's hierarchy. In certain areas, individual librarians do not have the power to make decisions. They have to answer to one decision-maker, who dictates which performers they should or should not hire. Yet another reason could be laziness on the part of your clients. Despite the fact that your promotional material might appeal to them, they are just too used to taking the easy way out and booking the same acts they've always booked. Still another reason could be that the showcases are rigged. For example: In my area, there is one particular magician (let's call him Mr. X), who organizes all the local library showcases. He includes a variety of performers like clowns and singers, but deliberately does not to invite any other magicians. So if the clients want a magic act, he's the only game in town. In addition, if a library is interested in any of the other acts, they have to hire them though Mr. X! So he gets a nice commission for every other act that is booked. You might also lose out on library shows because someone else is undercutting your price. I've had competitors go behind my back and convince a librarian to hire them instead, at a cheaper rate ... even though my booking had already been confirmed! And finally, I hate to say it, but many venues have been tainted by the abundance of mediocre magicians out there. Whether they don't know how to handle a crowd, or haven't practiced enough, or don't have any real substance to their shows ... once a library client experiences a poor magic performance, it makes it really difficult for the real professionals to survive, regardless of how much better their programs may be. |
|||||||||
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7565 Posts |
Depending on how bad you want to chase after the customer, it might be appropriate to photocopy a number of testimonial letters from your past customers -- especially letters that mention how much you connected with the kids or how much the kids love you (highlight those parts) -- and send them to this person. Attach a simple post-it note that says, "My customers are very happy with their decisions to hire me, because I really connected with the kids (even though I'm not a kid myself)."
Plant seeds for future crops. :) - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
|
|||||||||
stempleton Inner circle 1443 Posts |
To give you a sense of everything that goes around comes around...
I was just secured to perform a 2-show engagement over an upcoming weekend. The coordinator said he had used a magician in the past, a younger individual, who charged only a donation payable to a particular group of which he was a member (not sure what it was.) During our preliminary conversation he told me he and the staff were disappointed in the performance because "he did not relate to the children very effectively." He shared the performer was probably in his mid 20s. |
|||||||||
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 25, 2015, magicgeorge wrote: No, George. It was in Dublin, a national competition with a good prize (which escapes me now). But I don't know who the winner was, and am fairly confident he is still working in Tesco, or wherever he came from. The guys who advanced just weren't funny. Just young.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
|||||||||
Rodney Palmer Inner circle 1317 Posts |
It all boils down to price. Jay's price was HIGHER than the 19 Year Old Kid. This is starting to happen more and more. I recently did a showcase for over 200 librarians. We have to pay $ 200.00 to Showcase and pay for our own meals, transportation, gas, lodging, etc. All in all it cost me around a $ 1,000.00 for a 2 day showcase. Did I get any jobs, PLAIN and SIMPLE NO. WHY, because of my price. My price versus the 22 year old that booked a lot of libraries without a themed show and his price was 1/4 of mine. I have a Super Hero Themed Show for this year upcoming years library theme, but the no themed shows that are way less expensive are getting the shows due to price. And it is happening not only with libraries it is happening with almost all of the people booking shows. They, the people booking the show wants someone to come in and perform a few tricks for $ 75.00. They do not care if they have experience or not. They would rather pay the $ 75.00 instead of my $ 350.00. And with me you get the whole show package. An experienced performer, a GREAT Show w/Skills, Professionalism, Dressed nicely, etc. It is getting harder and harder to book shows these days especially where I live in Michigan. I made a mistake of moving across the state to get married and think I could re-start my business in another town. It has not happened and it never will due to the mindset of this next generation of people who are hiring the entertainment. Yes I do have regular clients that I perform for each year and they are old school dedicated. In another 10 years us older folks 50 and above will not stand a chance to book shows no matter how good we are. The young ones who do not care about pricing the show properly are going to win out. Just my 2 cents and I am sure that not everyone will agree with my statement. But this is what I see in my area in my market(s).
rodney
"Creating Memories That Last A Lifetime"
In order to keep "MAGIC ALIVE" Please become a Mentor to a Young Person. |
|||||||||
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 26, 2015, Rodney Palmer wrote: That is a huge factor. But it can occasionally be overturned. When I moved from Limerick to Cork I went from being one of the cheaper acts to being the most expensive, and had to reduce my fee a bit to work. I got a call from a man organising a corporate barbecue, and when he heard my price there was a long pause. Then it came: the guy last year was more than a hundred cheaper. I replied: "Isn't it strange you didn't ring him for this year? But you have to pay for quality." The guy eventually booked me at my price (the other magician must not have cut the mustard). When he came to pay me he said he could see why I was more expensive. Sometimes a dose of arrogance can let the booker know what they are missing.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
|||||||||
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
I could be reading that wrong, but wouldn't more than 100% cheaper mean that they guy was paying to perform? 100% is everything! 100% cheaper would be working for zero! MORE than 100% means he is into negative numbers.
But all that aside, if all we're looking at is price, we're already lost. Maybe that one library is not worth the time it takes to sell her. YOu might be better served booking more libraries with less effort who see the value in quality. |
|||||||||
A Show By Joe Elite user Long Island 408 Posts |
I think Tony meant 100 dollars cheaper.
|
|||||||||
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
In Tony's case I think it might be 100 pounds cheaper (or is it Euros?)
|
|||||||||
The Great Zucchini Inner circle 1347 Posts |
Guys, sorry but I'm going to have to disagree with lots of what I'm reading. Age doesn't matter at all. Build your name, brand, and following, and it won't matter who comes along, because you will be requested, etc. Like Rodney said, he has regular old school clients. The answer is to create the new clients into fans immediately, and you can do it.
|
|||||||||
harris Inner circle Harris Deutsch 8812 Posts |
I'm 61 and still doing libraries. Though my days of doing birthday party are few and far between. (unless they are 40-90ish range)
I no longer crawl under chairs to retrieve things, but it is still high energy and yes kids can relate. Building relationships with new and old clients are important to me. Libraries in my neck of the woods book summer programs in January & February. As you workers know, librarians communicate with each other. I just learned yesterday a steady consumer, moved to another library. I asked them to consider me for their new location, while recommending me to their old branch. The most note worthy librarian I ever met, was one who told me she doesn't like to read. Harris reader & righter and still to old to know it all
Harris Deutsch aka dr laugh
drlaugh4u@gmail.com music, magic and marvelous toys http://magician.org/member/drlaugh4u |
|||||||||
Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 27, 2015, The Great Zucchini wrote: It did to this librarian, and she's the one doing the hiring. She told him, "...you're a lot older and I thought the new young kid would relate to our kids better." I happen to think she's wrong in her assessment, but her perception is that age DOES matter. Now he's face with either changing her mind (which to me seems like more work than it's worth for one gig) or move on and book shows where the librarians don't have this preconceived notion. By booking other programs he can do all the things you mentioned, which amounts to building a strong, positive reputation. |
|||||||||
charliecheckers Inner circle 1969 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 27, 2015, Starrpower wrote: Just because she said that to him does not make it fact. We are not always offered true reasons why buyers go in alternative directions. If audience relatability was truly an issue, it is up to the performer to demonstrate their capabilities and not let pre conceived notions stand. This is not something that should be considered extra work to get one gig, but a brand relevant concern. If one does not want to make the effort to brand themselves for the particular market, they should not complain when buyers go in alternative directions. |
|||||||||
A Show By Joe Elite user Long Island 408 Posts |
I don't know Jay personally. but it seems to me that Jay has made a brand for himself, and looked at as one of the better acts in his area. That being the case, for this librarian not to know him, or ask about him to someone, makes me think that she might be new to this. Even her comments, makes me believe this. She made a point to tell Jay how wonderful he was, but that the KIDS would not be able to relate to him??? A great show is a great show. I would have gotten some testimonials from other event coordinators for her to read for herself. Sometimes, people need to be educated. Her seeing for herself the type of professional Jay showed, that should indicate that he is an expert on the subject of entertaining any age.
|
|||||||||
Ian Richards Loyal user 226 Posts |
It would seem that the nature of the showcase was flawed to begin with. If bookers want to see you interact with a certain demographic then they need to have that demographic in attendance and participating or you should encourage them to do so. I realize that this may not always be possible but it creates a significantly more realistic situation and provides a more accurate representation of your show.
|
|||||||||
TonyB2009 Inner circle 5006 Posts |
Quote:
On Jan 26, 2015, Starrpower wrote: It was euros. It was slightly more than the hundred too - 130 to be exact. About $150. Now, after five years of recession, the booking goes to the cheapest act not the best. But it is beginning to change.
Check out Tony's new thriller Dead or Alive http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alive-Varrick-Bo......n+carson
http://www.PartyMagic.ie |
|||||||||
Anatole Inner circle 1912 Posts |
It isn't just librarians who try to get a bargain when it comes to booking a magician. John Denver's agent called me once after the local magic shop in Norfolk recommended me to perform for an after show party for John. I quoted a very reasonable price and at the appointed time showed up at the hotel. When I got there and introduced myself, Denver's agent called out to the rest of the staff, "Didn't anyone call that Narvaez fellow and tell him that we found someone else?" Nobody spoke up. It turned out that they had contacted another magician who had got the gig by quoting a fee less than mine. I controlled my temper--just barely. I knew the other magician well enough to know that he would do a good job, but I couldn't believe that the staff of a superstar of John Denver's quality would haggle over the fee for a magic show. They offered me free tickets to the show, but I said: "No, but you can pay for the parking garage." I thought he would realize I was being facetious, but the IQ of the agent was probably so low that he didn't recognize sarcasm when he heard it.
Definition of "haggle": to bargain in a petty, quibbling, and often contentious manner Yeah, it was a pretty petty and contentious situation... ----- Amado "Sonny" Narvaez
----- Sonny Narvaez
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » The little darlings » » Super rude librarian (12 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page [Previous] 1~2~3~4 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.05 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |