|
|
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
As our 4th quarter is in full swing, which for many performers is one of their strongest (yet November can be slow for many), I am interested in learning your slowest time or slowest months of the year for your entertainment business?
I know it is very dependent on the type of performer you are, the markets you work in, and whether you work consumer or professional markets, but what are your slowest business months of the year? Also, what do you do in these months? Do you try to do something to generate more business, do you seek new options and alternatives, or do you welcome the downtime or slower period? |
Ray Pierce Inner circle Los Angeles, CA 2607 Posts |
My years are never the same as I'm in such different markets from year to year, but my favorite thoughts were always summed up in this simple statement... "When you're working, make artistic improvements. When you're not working, make commercial concessions."
Ray Pierce
|
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
I tend to use Jan-March as a time to make repairs and upgrades to my show and practice new routines. Additionally, I use these 3 slow months to begin booking shows for spring, summer and fall.
I often found Nov to be slow, but I still managed to fill in some good dates by being clever and staying a few steps ahead of my competitors. I didn't wait for these shows to come after me. Instead, I agressivly sought out groups where my services and their needs were a good match. Gerry |
Kevin Ridgeway V.I.P. Indianapolis, IN & Phoenix, AZ 1832 Posts |
Our slow time is December and January. Which is good for us as we winter in Key West. Counting down the days as I type this.
Living Illusions
Ridgeway & Johnson Entertainment Inc Kevin Ridgeway & Kristen Johnson aka Lady Houdini The World's Premier Female Escape Artist www.LadyHoudini.com www.livingillusions.com |
Ken Northridge Inner circle Atlantic City, NJ 2392 Posts |
November is the slowest month for me. Also, there is a somewhat slower time the last 2 weeks of June. This is after schools have let out and before the bulk of the summer season kicks in.
I run into many magicians who avoid the children's birthday party business. But I'll say this, there are guaranteed to be birthday's year round, and there's a new generation being born all the time. Its good steady work.
"Love is the real magic." -Doug Henning
www.KenNorthridge.com |
danfreed Inner circle West Chester PA 1354 Posts |
Jan, Feb and March are the slowest. I kind of don't mind the down time, I need the break. I still get a fair amount of work then, but less.
Dan Freed
AKA The Amazing Spaghetti https://www.magiciandanfreed.com/birthday-party-magician-for-kids http://thecaricatureartist.com http://danieljayfreed.com |
Mindpro Eternal Order 10587 Posts |
It's interesting how we view our slower months now based on where we are in our business and performing career. When I was younger and just starting out I would fear, dread, and maybe even panic where there were slow periods as the lack of income would be of great concern to me and my family. I would actually feel great pressure during these periods.
Then as you become more established (and older too) we now view these periods as welcome and a chance to regroup, catch up, and even enjoy the slower times. You could actually plan projects, maintenance, and vacations and such during these periods. Or you can also strategize as how to boost these normally slower times and turn them into revenue-producing opportunities, taking a slow time and making it a time for new sources of profitability. Glad to see how everyone views it and the times that are slower and how they differ for each of us. |
Chad C. Inner circle 1522 Posts |
Up until this year, my busy times were May-July and then October-Christmas Break. Normally I would come up with the next summers library show in January and then book some random schools shows thru winter and early spring.
Now that I’m done with summer library programs (I homeschool 4 kids ages 5-12 and we now go thru the summer so their break is during my busy fall months) I am enjoying doing some gardening, playing with the kids at the lake, and doing family stuff vs being on the road all summer. The loss of income isn’t a concern for me as my wife is a doctor and has now started a full time position - I supported her for the 8 years of med school and residency and now we are switching gears. As far as the time off - I tend to book repeat schools each fall so I rarely do much magically speaking during the slow times once the busy season calendar is set. I actually had a day off today and confirmed several days for next school year via emails. As Mindpro mentioned, there was a time when I was going full tilt and hated to see empty spots on the calendar but my perspective has changed over the years. Of course, in a way my busy season from Oct-Dec is actually my vacation - homeschooling the kids is WAY more work and WAY more difficult than doing my shows. Chad |
saysold1 Eternal Order Recovering Cafe addict with only 10795 Posts |
For me the busiest time of year would run from mid February through May 1.
Then a slight slow down through the end of June. Things then pick up from July through October, and then the busiest time is November and December. 90% corporate- 10% private.
Creator of The SvenPad Supreme(R) line of aerospace level quality, made in the USA utility props. https://svenpads.com/
|
AnthonyCC New user 52 Posts |
February is the slowest time of the year for me. I still get booked, but it is the slowest income month. I set money aside in December as backup just incase.
|
David Thiel Inner circle Western Canada...where all that oil is 4005 Posts |
I found summer to be agonizingly quiet. So I started booking fairs and festivals during this time. Not as lucrative as the corporate bookings I do the rest of the year, but still reasonably solid -- and a great way to source new clients.
David
Whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Except bears. Bears will kill you.
My books are here: www.magicpendulums.com www.MidnightMagicAndMentalism.com |
Decomposed Eternal Order High Desert 12059 Posts |
Right now until the end of Covid 19.
Decomposing Business
ClICK HERE for HOW TO MAKE TRANSITION FROM MAGICIAN TO MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER WORLD NEW BOOK!
Click here for NEW PROMO TRAILER! 90 seconds of pure laughs without a standing ovation! Click here for Magicians Austin Mentalist Performance https://www.facebook.com/AustinMagicians https://www.speakermatch.com/profile/gianicano/ Magicians Company Entertainers in Dallas, TX https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8sHW_zVuSc https://about.me/motivationalpublicspeaker |
Vandecarr New user 90 Posts |
I can say that the slowest time for my performing business is during a Virus pandemic.
|
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Tricky business » » Slowest Time For Your Performing Business (2 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 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 < |