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Isaiah Veteran user 376 Posts |
I am in a dilemma. I need to get an idea of what other people are charging for birthday parties. I am new to the pricing game. I would like to know what is acceptable for birthday parties and school events? I don't have competition at this time. Help, my clients are mounting up.
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Magicray80 New user New Jersey 69 Posts |
It all depends were you're located. Some places anywhere from 90-165 some areas 150-225 for birthday parties. School shows depend on what programs you offer. 200-600 for 45 minute show, maybe more. Charge what the market will bare!
Look in your local yellow page and call up other entertainers and ask what they offer and how much they charge. Ray
"And What Not!!!" paisa23 you know what i mean.
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Starrpower Inner circle 4070 Posts |
Call few and pretend to be hiring for a party.
Is this ethical? Maybe, maybe not. But it's certainly what the "Big Boys" do---K-Mart shops Wal-Mart, Wendy's shops McDonald's. That's between you and your conscience, but it will get the answers you need. |
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Joseph_Then Special user 747 Posts |
Quote:
On 2005-01-26 19:25, Isaiah wrote: Sorry to sound a little rude here, but you are new to the pricing game and you don't have competition? How do you know you have NO competition? Let us know which country/area you are from, in that way someone from that area MAY tell you the average rates. And, if you are new, are you new in performing for birthday parties? |
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Gideon Sylvan Special user Deerfield, IL 541 Posts |
Prices rang a lot, from area, to situation, to skill of performer. I can tell you that I am 15-years old and charge $75-$100, depending on the situation. Balloon animals would be something that could make your prices be higher and could make it so that you are hired more also.
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 |
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Isaiah Veteran user 376 Posts |
Well, I guess there is always competition, but what I mean is that there is nothing listed in the phone book and I have heard of no other magicians in the 60 mile radius.
I live in a city in Wisconsin of about 85,000 people. I feel that charging $75-100 may steer people away from a show. I have been performing magic for many years, but have never really brought it to a marketing level. I would normally do it for free because it is a passion. I now need to fund my tricks, so that is why I am now charging. I have been telling birthday parties 30.00 School events $50.00 This seems very low to your opinions, but if I rate higher will I get the gigs? I don't want to lose the business, but instead build a clientèle. I need further discussion. Thank you. |
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macmagic Veteran user MA 400 Posts |
Well, your prices are waaay too low! You should be charging what your show is worth and what you feel it is valued at! No offense. If you feel your show is only valued at $30, you should not be doing this.
Why? Well, for one I am not sure if you are doing this full time or not, but if not then you may be taking a lot of jobs away from others who use this to put food on the table. Being a marketer and performing many years, I do get a lot of people who say well this other guy said he would do it for $20 less than you. Of course I can explain to them why it's better to go with my show and get the gig, but if I am selling a 200 dollar show and you are selling a 30 dollar show well...you get the picture! Now the other problem is, our main money is repeat business, so for people who are always going to see your show as a $30-show (I am just using $30 as an example). and you're going to be stuck in that rut. Yes, you will be able to charge more slowly. You won't be able to do a $30 show and then when they call next year tell them it has gone up to $100. Just won't work! I am not trying to discourage you, but if you have a good show and experience, etc., you should be charging a lot more! I would say for birthday parties, the going rate is from $150 to $200 depending on length, etc. My suggestion would be to invest in some marketing programs that will teach you how to market. Also I wouldn't really go the sneaky route and call other magicians pretending you want to book a party. Call and be honest. Tell them you are new to the area and are just trying to find out the going rate. You never know some of these guys may send gigs your way and you could do the same for them! Greg
"Its a magic thing...........you wouldn't understand"
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Chrystal Inner circle Canada/France 1552 Posts |
Hi Isaiah,
I understand your feelings when you feel like this price may be too much, but let's put this into perspective. One of the greatest mistakes people make in business is of the mindset, "I couldn't afford this so others probably won't". Wrong! I often use to joke, "If I were me, I couldn't afford to hire myself!" I was fortunate enough to have won a government grant years ago which allowed me the opportunity to be paid for my living expenses and get a marketing diploma when I first started my own company in Children's Entertainment. The advisers were the ones who challenged me on my previous mindset, that if I raised my prices no one would be able to afford it. Wrong again. Think for a moment. If your shows were a mere $30 compared to $100, you would have to do a bit more than three shows to the one at a cost of $100 dollars. Now put into consideration all the time spent on putting together a show, the unpaid hours - weeks, months you have taken to build up the skills for the show. Next your costume, your props which are fairly expensive and the tools of your trade, much like a mechanic. The travel and gas used going to and fro. Now deduct that from your $30, and you may come up in the red. See what I mean? You have to figure out your worth and believe you are worth the amount you ask and sound convincing. Although, you claim you don't have competition, I bet you will alienate all others in your area that do the same thing - you are underselling them. Most entertainers know one another and sort of have a price set for their particular area. It may be on the low end, approx $75 to the high end $250, depending on the economics of your area. Please trust me on this - check your phone book and call others in the same field. Most will be more than willing to spend the time answering your questions as it helps them all. You may find new friends who will help in networking and broadening your business. They may be willing to pass shows to you if they get busy, providing they feel secure that you have the skills necessary to do a good job. Remember that each step you go up you have to remind yourself...just because I can't afford this fee doesn't mean others can't. Last year I was booked to do four half-hour shows at a high-end resort. I was a bit befuddled at first when I listened to the message, as I knew that the fees they paid entertainers were quite high. I went over it in my mind several times and had decided that I would charge $700. I called and the woman said, "This includes transportation, an overnight stay in a condo, meals and $1000 dollar fee. I hope this is okay?" To which I replied, "yes, that's fine". Even after all these years in the business, I too sometimes feel a bit uneasy about the prices I charge. I try to remember my own advice. Don't undersell yourself! Good luck and let us know how it goes. Chrystal |
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Gideon Sylvan Special user Deerfield, IL 541 Posts |
Charging too low can be a problem. But if you are the only magician in your area, and the cost of living is lower there, than sure make it lower, but what you said is pretty low. My first show was for $40 (30-minute show plus balloon animals). I have been slowly raising my prices ever since.
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 |
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Andy Wonder Special user Auckland, New Zealand 747 Posts |
Whatever your fee, you should always charge more than you think you are worth. This will motivate you to improve your show in order to justify your fee.
Also don't base your fee too much on what others charge. In my birthday party market I am the most expensive. The second most expensive magician charges about half what I do for birthday parties. Instead focus on what you need. Work out how much you need to live on pay your expenses, taxes and save for your retirement.
Andy Wonder, Auckland, New Zealand
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paisa23 Inner circle 7293 Posts |
I'd say charge the full price you intend, and if that family gets you more gigs like son's friends or what have you then offer discounts. Don't forget also if you are giving things away like balloon animals and such then you have to do what you do. Good luck.
June 22 2012 9:02 AM baby Usnavi was born!
http://twitter.com/paisa233 http://www.facebook.com/people/Wilder-J-Rua/505202382 http://www.myspace.com/wildrua |
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Isaiah Veteran user 376 Posts |
Great advice. I think you are all right. I am going to start charging more for my shows now, so I don't get caught in a predicament. I can't explain how much this has helped me. Thank you all.
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Creative Coach Loyal user Anderson, SC 294 Posts |
Sorry, it took so long to make this post, but I just got out of the hospital after having a cardiac arrest over your prices (hee,hee).
Please tell me you're joking...$30 for a party & $50 for a school? Are you booked until 3015? What type of tricks do you do? Do you drive a car? Do you do balloons? After expenses you're truthfully making about $10.00. Yes, everyone's got to start somewhere, but if your show is fun, entertaining and gets nice referrals it's worth at least $100.00 minimum. And that's for a newbie magician. You really need to read some marketing books like Jim Snack's Success In Magic. Do you have a good job and just do this for laughs? I've never met a magician with lower fees, and I thought I had met them all. Sorry to go off on a tear, but my pulse is still racing. Follow Chrystal's advice and raise those fees! |
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Isaiah Veteran user 376 Posts |
Well, in fact I do have a good job, and yeah I still drive a car. I understand this price thing sounds very low, but remember magic is a passion that I would like to turn into a profit, so I am going to raise my prices as suggested and have fun at the same time. Can't beat that now, can you?
Thanks for the advice, and, oh yeah, I actually work in cardiac rehab. I am a Exercise Physiologist, and I am not joking. If you need help on that cardiac arrest I will have to charge you for it. Peace. |
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chichi711 Inner circle 5810 Posts |
I am in an area with very little competition. I give my family a big family discount for a birthday party, and I charge them 30 bucks (99% of the time they give me $40). I wouldn't do a birthday show for less than $75 if you are just starting.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I have kids in my SYM club who are getting well over $100 for a kids show and deservingly so. As long as you are giving your client a great service, a fun show and meeting and exceeding their expectations, then asking $100.00 is more than fair no matter what age you are.
Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
It would takes a $200 signed contract to get my butt up off the couch, and an extra $50 to travel 100 miles.
Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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todd75 Inner circle 1277 Posts |
There is an old that goes something like this...
you get what you pay for! |
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
You are right Todd. My moto is NEVER NEVER NEVER SELL YOURSELF CHEAP. I find it to be very satisfying to say no to a customer who thinks your time and art is valueless. It is a noble thing do free performances for charities, but when the charities start coming out of the woodwork to solicite your valueless services, you begin to realise that you are a marked man.
just my opinion Al Angello
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
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zur Special user California 671 Posts |
It really depends on how you personally feel about the situation and mood. I would charge only enough but not to over charge so that the client feel satisfied.
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