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Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
I have met a couple of magicians who like to offer their services to a client along with other artists. I have been trying to introduce this service, and a client has now asked me to hire a number of different things. (namley, a DJ, 3 magicians in total, a caricaturist, and also a choclate fountain).
I have contacted the other artistes/services, and they have give me a quote and now I shall forward these details onto my client. My question is, do you charge an agents fee for providing these extra services? Do you add on 10% of their fee? My client has also asked for an itemised bill. So do I put 10% on top of the other charges and settle that with the artistes? Or do I have an extra fee at the bottom of the bill for the extra time I have spent organising the other entertainment? I have booked other entertainment before for a client, but not this much. I would appreciate any help from people who know this field of work! |
markthorold Inner circle Shrunken heads atop 1942 Posts |
Never charged a booking fee but rather ask for recomendations via the artistes if the situation arises ,great way to make contacts.
E.O.I
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
I recommend my friends, and they recommend me FOR FREE. My only requirement is you have to be good.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
Dannydoyle Eternal Order 21219 Posts |
It may very well become a far larger pain in your hind parts than you are looking for.
Danny Doyle
<BR>Semper Occultus <BR>In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act....George Orwell |
Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Most acts that I book give me a booking fee. Others I charge above their rates. It really depends on each act and what they are willing to do.
Most clients don't mind knowing that you are charging a little more than if they would call and find the acts themselves. You are providing the service of 1. Doing all the grunt work for them 2. Saving them time 3. Already know of the quality of service of prospective acts/services 4. Are a solutions provider |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
My method is a no brainer. If you want a stilt walker call my friend Dick, here is his phone number. Within 24 hours Dick will call me up to thank me, everybody is happy.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
drhackenbush Special user 686 Posts |
I have one person I really trust who I recommend if I'm not available; we've worked at many of the same events and I feel comfortable recommending her. However, I otherwise work exclusively by word of mouth and have chosen not to work through any agents. One woman booked me for her child's party, then told me she's an agent, and she said that since she gave my name to other people, she expected a commission. I played her party, but I also sent her a very polite letter letting her know that I was not interested in her services. I might've sent her a $15 check at some point to leave things on a polite level, but when I would receive a call from her clients, who mentioned her name, I didn't take the gigs (there were only a small handful and I didn't want there to be any assumption on anyone's part that I was accepting her services; I didn't tell the callers why I wasn't available, I just declined the gigs). It's just what works for me.
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
Quote:
On 2007-08-06 19:11, Al Angello wrote: But Al... What about Tom and Harry? |
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
Mrbilldentertainer - can I ask how much is acceptable to add on? Is it as simple as 10%?
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Bill Nuvo Inner circle 3094 Posts or 2742 Posts |
That is totally up to what you feel comfortable with. Judge what your time is worth in contacting this other act, doing paperwork, stressing on making sure they show...
If they are only charging $300, 10percent isn't a big amount (which can be good as it doesn't scare the client when you charge 330). In the same manner, charging 10 percent to the entertainer doesn't reduce their intake by that much. I know of some bookers that take 40 percent of the fees (this covers advertising, office space, etc.). You, as a performer, may still make close to your original fee, but the client gets a huge bill that you have to live up to justifying that cost. Like I said, often you just have to negotiate with the acts on what they want/are willing to give up and judge that amount of work for you to set all this up and make sure it works smooth. |
Big Daddy Cool Inner circle 1604 Posts |
I do this alot. I hate it, because of the headaches. But, I add a mark-up to the performer's fee. That is what I quote the client. It is a service fee for me doing the footwork and arranging the talent.
When you submit the invoice, do not show the mark-up, just make it a part of the itemized total. EX: if a performer charges $200 for 30 minutes of strolling, then I add $100, so the bill reflects $300 for the performer. I hope that makes sense. |
Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
Mr. Bill
Tom is a fire eater, and Harry is a rope twirling Elvis impersonator. When you do big jobs for years you know who to call, and needless to say Tom, Dick, and Harry recommend me all the time. Al
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
MagicB1S Inner circle Knoxville Tenn. 1039 Posts |
I agree with Al One hand washes the other. However if you feel the need to charge 10% why don't you split it and add 5% to the performers fee and ask the performer for 5% of his fee This gives you your 10% and the performer is only loosing 5% and the client is only paying 5% more.
"There are Tricks To All Trades.... My Trade is all Tricks"
"An amature practices until he gets it right. A Professional Practices until he can't get it wrong" www.Themagicchest.webs.com bobswislosky@yahoo.com |
Flec Special user UK 585 Posts |
Big Daddy Cool, thanks. That would probably be the easier option.
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magicman02 Veteran user 304 Posts |
I am a talent agent at a big company in southern california, if anyone has any questions regarding how agencies work, PM me.
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SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
I book entertainment for corporate functions. When I do, I find out what services they are looking (I may even suggest a few due to my past experience) and then place my calls. I keep a data base of entertainers that I work with so I know them first hand. Basically all I do is find out what the entertainers need (money wise) and add a small fee to that. I then present the final figures to the client and sell the heck outta it. I almost always will give them an itemized list of what each performer costs.
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Marshall Thornside Inner circle chicago 2016 Posts |
I do referals and its ultimately up to the
venue or producer if they want to hire them. in return they will refer me.
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 |
SoCalPro Inner circle Southern California 1634 Posts |
I tried referring when a client wanted a magician and I wasn't available. I found that most of the time, for some reason they would not call my referral. I found that we had a better chance getting the gig if I sold the client on the magician and booked the gig myself.
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Christopher Starr Inner circle Heart of America 1850 Posts |
A long time ago, I offered other acts to clients of mine, but after a couple of them either performed poorly or didn't even show up, I quickly got over my "entertainment bureau" phase. I originally did it because I thought that it might add credibility to my act, that is, to have the appearance that an "agency" was representing me, when in fact, I was the agency. I used to see many magicians using that same ruse during the 80s.
Point is, if you can count on the other acts that you are willing to refer or respresent 100%, then go ahead. Otherwise, it is not worth the potential damage to your own reputation as a service provider to have some other act screw up on your behalf. My 2¢ Chris |
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