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stannmaple Elite user 487 Posts |
A friend of mine asked me to do his son's birthday party. I say I'm relatively new to this. I do entertainment for adults mostly, but I volunteer about every other week at the children's hospital, so I have a show that plays well for kids, but I have no idea what to charge. I have a rate for table-hopping for adults because that is what I do regularly. I've done one birthday party for a close friend's son and she gave me 50 bucks. Is this a reasonable rate or should I go higher... or lower. Like I said, I've got some experience with kids, but I'm not a "children's entertainer" per se so I would not even think of charging 300 bucks or something like that. My show is good, but I'm sure not the best there is. For some reason, kids love me, but I wouldn't say I'm "good with children" as far as being a GREAT children's entertainer. I live in West Michigan and I'm 24 years old. Hope that's enough info. I'd appreciate if you all could give me some kind of price-range even in a PM rather than abstract "charge what you're worth" kind of advice. I'm sure finding out what my show is worth will come with more experience as people start PAYING for it. Thanks in advance
Dann |
The Magical Duo New user USA 35 Posts |
Check your competition. If you are relatively new and people don't know you too well in that market, charge about half or 3/4 what the competition does. After a few shows (if well recieved) start going up by $5 or $10. I make it a policy however, for my starter customers that, should they repeat business, I give them the same price as the last show. They probably gave you the referal for which you upped your price. However, I don't tell them this is my policy incase I do have to up the price eventually (which probably will happen). I have used this method with success. Hope this helps!
The Magical Duo
You've got to remember that these are just simple farmers. These are people of the land. The common clay of the new West. You know... morons. Gene Wilder BLAZING SADDLES
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krantis Regular user AUSTRALIA 106 Posts |
Well said duo......
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stannmaple Elite user 487 Posts |
Great idea! Just one question. How do I find out what the competition charges? Although I've done magic since I was 8, I've only been in the local ring for just over a year. I don't really know many people very well. What is the best way of finding this out? Thanks
Dann |
Gideon Sylvan Special user Deerfield, IL 541 Posts |
It is fine if you don't know them, perhaps better. Call them up and ask them how much they charge (as if you wanted to hire them). Or just call them and ask them so you do not undercut anyone and make sure everything works out great for future entertainers.
You know you are a magician when you have boxes full of lecture notes you have never read, but still are excited about going out and buying more.
www.gideonsylvan.com |
sluggo New user Mike B. 85 Posts |
Look in the phone book and call several of them up as if you are going to hire them. Ask what their show consists of and the price. What is your show going to consist of? One thing I will stress for any kid show is a proper warm up. You don't want the kids to start warming up to you during your show you want them ready to go before hand.
A good six to seven minute warm up will have them eating out of your hand.
Dad, magic, ventriloquism, facepainter & balloons.
A weakness for coffee (caffeine) |
KyletheGreat Special user Georgia 560 Posts |
It would be rude yet to the point to ask..."how much are you worth?"
Are you positive that your show is good? If so, then you should feel comfortable charging around the same price or close to your competition...I don't know about others on here...but my friends and family of friends get discount shows from me...usually because they have helped me out in some way. If you are new to the business it is more important to not worry about the exact high price right yet anyways...it is more important to get your name out into the public so you can be recieving calls... Like Slyvan said...just call the competition up and ask for show information and prices...this way you can find out what the price for what is offered will be... |
Alan Munro Inner circle Kentwood, Michigan, USA 5952 Posts |
Being from GR, I know that some of the guys in the Ring would be happy to sit in on your show and give you an idea of how much to charge. West Michigan isn't a high paying market, but the upside is that the cost of living is low compared to much of the country. I typically get $100 to $125 for a 35 minute show, but then I've been performing a version of this show for two decades. It's practical for working in a living room and gets the entire audience going.
I'll be offering a higher priced show soon, to those who can book weeks ahead. It will have a higher production value than the typical kidshow in this area. Hopefully, there will be a market for it. |
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
I agree with the others about calling and asking as if you are booking a party. What I did differently was after I found out the going price I started by chargeing more than my competition. I still call and price the others then raise my prices accordingly.
Yes I lose a few because of price, but people still believe that what costs more is worth more so I still book over 80% of the calls I get. If someone does say that magi X is less money, I will tell them that I agree, but he knows what his show is worth and I know the value of my show. |
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