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Vinnie Laraway Inner circle 1272 Posts |
Hey guys.
Just wanted to know how much would be the ideal price to charge for: (1 hour from start to finish) A 20 minute kid's magic show 40 minutes of balloon twisting for the kids [and after my time is up, I'll be walking around showing the adults some tricks] I got paid $100 from someone I did a party for last Saturday (doing the above), and got a few more shows coming up. How much should I charge? Thanks -Vinnie |
HypnotizeAmerica Veteran user 399 Posts |
Vinnie -
If I were you I'd find out what the people around you are charging and then I'd find out what the best and most expensive person is charging in your area and set me fee equal to that. People equate quality to price most of the time so the more you can get the better. |
Gerry Walkowski Inner circle 1450 Posts |
Vinnie:
Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you've been performing, especially kid shows. I think it would be a BIG MISTAKE to charge the same fee as the top guy in your market if you're just a novice performer. Yes, you might get some shows but if you don't have a great act and experience, you might have a short career. Gerry |
Vinnie Laraway Inner circle 1272 Posts |
H.A.: I don't know of any other magicians in my area that do kids shows.
Gerry: Thanks for your response. Well, I'm 16 years old, and have been doing magic for about 8-9 years now. http://www.youtube.com/vlaraway is where you can see some of my stuff. I have done a few shows for kids already such as my cousin's birthday, my mom's work for grand parents day, and a few others. -Vinnie |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Vinnie baby
A 20 minute show is rather short, you should do a 30 to 45 minute show. Balloons should be an extra expense to the parents. What kind of tricks do you do? I hope you are not doing your dove act for $100, the birds should be extra also. I know where you live and $100 is about 1/2 the going rate. Your pal Al Hey guys although Vinnie is only 16 years old I know him, and he is a serious magician.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Julian Franklin Regular user Houston, TX 139 Posts |
Here's a link to a pair of articles that were published in The Linking Ring and then were re-published in a few other forums including "Smoke and Mirrors" and a puppetry magazine among others.
First Article Second Article You can also access several other articles on similar topics by going to www.JulianSpeaks.com and clicking the link to Free Stuff |
TroyRoark Loyal user Springfield IL 282 Posts |
Vinnie,
You look a lot like Eugene Berger... and who's the kid in the picture? When I was a kid, I wouldn't sit down for an hour for Doug Henning (not true, saw him several times, sat through all of it.) Point being, an hour is way too long. Make it a 30 min show, then you have two 30 min shows, it's easier to book a completely different show for next year's party. Just a thought. If Al says you're good... well, I'll assume that you're good... what you charge isn't really a matter of how good you are. It's a matter of what you are comfortable charging. The question isn't "How much should I charge?" The real question is "How much do you think you are worth?" If I called you tomorrow and asked "How much for a 1/2 hr show?" Could you say, "One hundred dollars." without flinching? How about saying, out-loud "The cost of a 1/2 hour show is $250.00" Can you say that with confidence? Whatever amount comes out of your mouth with extreme confidence is what you should be charging. If you think you are worth $150, then charge that for a while. Then, when you are booking as many shows as you can handle, try moving the price up $25-50. After a while, when you're doing as many $200 shows as you want to be going, move the price up again. Over time, you'll develop a reputation (hopefully good), and you'll become more confident about your pricing. Until then, charge what you are comfortable with. One more work of advice... if you are considering raising your prices immediately, do not fall back to your old prices. If you are finding it hard to charge $200, then realisticly, you're not ready to charge that much...yet. But you will be in time. Good luck. |
Magic_Steve Inner circle Maryland 1476 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-12 22:14, TroyRoark wrote: WoW! Some great advice right there...print this out and save it! Thanks Troy! Steve |
Vinnie Laraway Inner circle 1272 Posts |
Al, LOL, no, the dove stays home. =]
Well, the thing is I don't have very many kids tricks. that's next on my list of things to get. My act so far is this: Spongeball Routine - Start off showing a purse frame. Reach in and pull out a yellow sponge ball. Place it on the table and do the squeaker gag (Williamson I think created: 2 squeakers, 1 squeaks, one doesn't). Then saw the sponge ball in half on my hand. I ask the volunteer to hold out his/her hand and I place both in. Reach in my pocket, take back out the purse frame. Reach in and pull out an invisible sponge ball. Make it 'vanish' (usually gets a laugh). Ask the volunteer to open their hand, there are now 3 balls in their hand. Now I do the "1 in the pocket, 1 in the hand, 1 in the pocket" three times, and finish with no balls in my hand. Cut and Restored LONG Rope - I present about an 8 foot piece of rope and have 2 volunteers hold either end and stretch the rope. I run my fingers down the rope and have someone call out stop. I stop their, pull the rope up from my hand, and cut it. Shove the pieces back down and say the magic word: the rope is restored. Vanishing Silk to Hat - Display a 9" silk and make it vanish with some patter. It appears under my hat. Mouth Coils - Call a volunteer up and do the 'do as I do' mouth coil routine with the 2 napkins. Water in Cups Trick (Slush Powder) - I have three cups numbered 1, 2, and 3. I pour water into cup number 1, and explain were going to play a game. "If you guys can tell me which cup the water is in, I'll pour it on my head". I pour it into cup 2, and finally into cup 3. I move the cups around a little, and ask where the water is. The audience yells out "THREE! THREE!!" I say "One?" and pour one on my head. No water. The same thing happens with 2. Then finally I move in to take cup 3, very scared, and slowly turn it upside down, on my head, and the water is gone. 20th Century Underwear - I do this to myself. (Self Explanatory) Bigger Finish - Jay Sankey's Bigger Finish. (and I may throw in a few more tricks such as Gene Andersons T&R Newspaper) ...And then I'll do the balloon animals. Hey Troy! Thanks for the advice! Yeah, it is kind of a hard thing though to find out what you feel comfortable asking for and what you think you, yourself is worth. Any help on how I can distinguish this? Thanks guys! Your a big help! -Vinnie |
Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
You need find your own fee.
that will meet the needs of your time, gear and expenses. once your fees are set. try to work with ones budget. there's always a compromise. and you'll have a job.
you will remember my name
World's Youngest Illusionista 7th greatest pianist in the world Go Red For Women and Stroke Ambassador www.mai-ling.net |
TroyRoark Loyal user Springfield IL 282 Posts |
I would start out be honestly asking yourself "How much am I worth?" or "How much would I pay for my show."
If you're not familiar with your local market, you will be soon enough. When someone asks you what you charge, and you say, "I charge $150 for a half hour show." and they come back with "Really, that's great!", you might be on the cheap end. If you are constantly being negotiated with, you might be a little high for your market. But I'm telling you, nothing tells you what you are worth like your own confidence. If you think you have a $1200, chances are you are right. I'm pretty sure your show isn't a $1200 show, but it's probably at least a $150 show. If you were charging $100 just recently, I'd bump the price to $150 for a while. See how it goes. If you're booking too many shows, bump the price to $175. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Vinnie
You need more parlor type kids (flashy) tricks that feature audience partisipation, and at least a 30 minute show before you do any balloons.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-06-13 12:37, Vinnie Laraway wrote: It's not about kids tricks. It's about you. Can you keep them entertained without the tricks? Kids are smarter than most magicians give them credit for. Don't dumb down the effects to "cater" to children. They enjoy "mature" magic just the same as everyone else. My 3 year old loves David Copperfield and not the Hippity Hop bearing magician. Kids love my straighjacket escape as do the adults of course. So in relation, your pricing should be indicative of your ability to entertain people with your personna not the tricks. 20 minutes is two to three routines. You need to do more. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
After reading Bills post I feel I must qualify what I mean by a kids tricks. Don't spend big bucks on Wolf, Axtel, or Mitchell type kid show props. You will be far better served with some affordable silk, or rope type magic tricks that will work for a room full of kids. If you want to do a little reading on kids show magic I suggest you buy "Seriously silly" by Silly Billy.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Hi Vinnie -
This thread might be of help to you, although some of the information on it is a little dated: Cafe thread titled... How much do you al......'s show? Here's another. Again, some of the information might be a little dated (for example, my birthday show rates are now higher): Cafe thread titled... Are my fees in or out of whack? Still another (again, it's dated. For example, all of my rates are now higher): Cafe thread titled... Birthday Rate vs. School Show Rate - Donald P.S. There are lots of other great threads, too. Use the search function. Look in both the Tricky Business section, and The Little Darlings section.
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Vinnie Laraway Inner circle 1272 Posts |
Thanks everyone for the help!
And thanks for the links, Donald! I will first pick up some effects and such that will add dramatically to the show, and that make me more confident in my show, and then I will set the price. You guys have been a great help! I'll post back within the month or so. -Vinnie |
Rocketeer Special user Westchester, NY 965 Posts |
Great articles Julian.
"Remember, if they come to you for price, they’ll leave you for price." That should be be engraved on the inside eyelids of every beginning magician.
I'm selling my hardcover autographed limited edition copy of Jerome Finley's "Thought Veil"
PM me for info. |
jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
... ouch!
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
Review King Eternal Order 14446 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-07-07 13:08, Rocketeer wrote: Wealthy people ask about price as much as poor folk. Wealthy people can be sold on value. Sell value!!
"Of all words of tongue and pen,
the saddest are, "It might have been" ..........John Greenleaf Whittier |
jlevey Inner circle Montreal, Quebec, Canada 2076 Posts |
Well said Christopher!
Jonathan
Max & Maxine Entertainment Magicians with a touch of comedy! ___________________________________ www.maxmagician.com www.mindreadershow.com www.monsieurmagic.com |
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