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The Great Zucchini Inner circle 1347 Posts |
Steve, this is for you, because you're starting out, people set in their ways are set in their ways, but try making sure the kids don't have a thing in their hands when you start the show. No food, toys, drinks, balloons, nothing. Your reactions will be much better. In my opinion, turning up your mic will obviously allow them to hear you over distractions, however, take in to account the kids that are looking down at their balloon for a second, taking a sip of water, missing that razor sharp punch line because a child was fiddling with balloon. They hear you, but in reality, do they all? Nothing in hands, craziness-eliminated, a ton.
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SteveFromSpokane Regular user 199 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-06 07:35, The Great Zucchini wrote: That is such a good point. If one kid has a party favor in his or her hand it will occupy their attention as well as the kid sitting next to them. It is also hard to clap with only one free hand. |
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Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
Quote:
On 2013-05-05 09:10, stevegreene wrote: Steve, this is the biggest red flag to me. The kids DEMANDED more balloons? Who's running the show? You were told there would be 35 kids, you brought 40 balloons. You kept your promise. They client broke their promise by having 50+ kids there and not telling you. There is nothing wrong with saying to the children, "I'm sorry that's all the balloons for today." Quote: I don't know what the going rate is in your market, but yes, $200 seems very, very low for a 'gold' package. I'm think you know this now, but you really have to be careful with the balloons. They can really get out of hand. I charge $75 extra for balloons up to 30 children, extra at the rate of $100 an hour. This way I'm being paid for repairing popped balloons and making balloons for those unexpected guests!
All this for $200, did I under charge? Seems to me that should have been a little more money to deal with all that. I don't know what your show is like, but I have found that having a really strong show full of magic and fun for all ages is the best way to keep the kids under control. Make it so no one in the room will want to miss a moment. From you web site it looks like you have a set up full of color. That's good! But again, this doesn't matter when it comes to balloons. You have to shift into another mode. Don't get discouraged. It has happened to us all. That's how we learn. You are smart for posting here and asking for help. You'd be even smarter if you take the suggestions.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
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Dynamike Eternal Order FullTimer 24148 Posts |
Steve, after I finish the magic show for a lot of kids, I pack everything up and put it in my car before I start the balloons. I tell the kids to take a break while I start putting things away. One advantage is my stuff is safe in my car. I will not have to watch my stuff while making balloons. The other advantage is because I can just walk out when the balloons are done without the kids asking me for another one if they get rowdy and pop their balloons.
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The Great Zucchini Inner circle 1347 Posts |
Great points Ken, kids are very resilient-Tell them that balloons are done, they will be on to something else soon. Don't sit there repairing them all day. 'Guys, had a blast, but I have to go'.
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stevegreene New user 97 Posts |
Great advice guys,
Here is what I got so far: 1. try to make everything easier to set up , all in one case if you can. ( or in my case have my lefler setup before hand.) 2. I like what mike said pack up then make balloons 3. Try to get private time to set up, ( I like the kid body guards makes them feel important) 4. Have a contract in which it lays out your exact details of what you will do..and when you've made for the 35 don't bring out the un inflated balloons without charging more , and speaking to the client 5. Make the Gold show less time , and charge more money. It was a lot to set up my wireless mic system and the curtain I have as well as manage the kids, I felt under paid for sure. ( on the flip side I'm new , and I'm trying to build clients so I have to have a little cheaper rate in my opinion. But still think its worth more than 200) This is what I love about the Café solid great advice , Magicians helping magicians... A lot of this I will learn from experience but It sure doesn't hurt to ask for advice here so thanks guys. Right now this is a side business that is fun, who doesn't love hanging out with a bunch of kids and bringing out your inner child by expressing your love for magic and getting paid for it. Best hobby/job in the world. I don't know if I will ever make it my full profession, but I plan on doing this many more years to come. |
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danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
Add a lock to your case(s) so you don't have to worry about it before or after. I usually do a magic show and balloons and other stuff if I get time. I adjust what I do depending on how many kids are there, so if a ton of kids are there, I do a shorter show so I have time for the balloons, and I'll keep the balloons very simple if I need to (a choice of a sword or dog or whatever). This kind of stuff is quickly discussed when they book me, including the option to keep me longer if I don't have another gig to run off to. While being booked, I always offer to do longer than an hour (up to 3 hours)anyway, and I strongly suggest it when I know there will be a lot of kids. I won't stay more than 10 minutes late without charging them, so if it seems like an issue at the party, I'll ask the parent if they want to pay me to stay longer (if that wasn't already planned). I never pre-inflate - why do that when they don't expect it or pay extra, plus the whole process of making balloons can be really entertaining if you make it that way, which you should anyway. Of course some people pre-inflate and that works for them, but it only makes sense if you are getting paid quite well.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
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Greensboro New user 73 Posts |
When doing events larger than the typical 10-15 kids birthday party, I wear a police whistle. In a situation such as the OP described, I use it to get their attention and announce the start of the show. I rarely use it after that point, but it's there if it's needed. American kids are conditioned, from gym class I suppose, to stop and listen when they hear that whistle. You have to be judicious in its use. Too much would get annoying real fast.
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The Great Zucchini Inner circle 1347 Posts |
Great points Ken, kids are very resilient-Tell them that balloons are done, they will be on to something else soon. Don't sit there repairing them all day. 'Guys, had a blast, but I have to go'.
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