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Evan Williams Elite user 439 Posts |
Cool! Coffee house, here I come!
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cardboy18 Regular user New york 128 Posts |
My plan is going to check out my local Outback. If I can't get a job there then I will go try at my local diner.
Does that sound good or should it be the other way around? |
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Michaels Elite user 412 Posts |
Cardboy,
Most restaurants won't even consider hiring for money below the age of 16 because of insurance, local laws and ordinances. Also many chains have budgets and policies that may or may not allow paid entertainment. More often than not managers are not given the leeway to deviate from corporate policy. I'm not trying to sound negative but just trying to prepare you for the possible numerous doors that may closed in your face especially if it's not a private family owned restaurant. The point is- As good as you may be sometimes your age alone will dictate which doors will open for you. Good luck!
"Our technology is ahead of our humanity"
Albert Einstein |
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CSStanton Loyal user Suttons Bay, MI 228 Posts |
Wow!
I first started doing shows when I was 15. I remember I charged $75 per hour and that was for everything. Walk-around, birthdays, whatever. I did a show at a kids house and when the lady asked "How Much?" I replied, $75. She gave me a real weird look. I said, "Well, whatever you feel I deserve." She wrote the check for $100 and said I was amazing. A few months later, my father tipped that I could charge more per hour. Then it was $100. I remember one lady calling about me doing a show for her and asked what I charged. When I said $100/hour, she flipped. Almost hung up the phone. She couldn't believe that I charged that much. Later, I bumped the rates to $125/hour. Recently, I was approached by a local restaurant that wanted magic every Monday night. I talked to the gentleman over the phone and stated my rate. He wanted me for 4 hours!! 10 Monday x 125 x 4 = $5,000! I couldn't believe my possible fortune. When I met with this man for an interview, he offered me $100 a night. I was appauled. Less for four hours than I would have charged for one? No way. Finally, after haggling, we settled on $150/night for 2 hours, 10 weeks, one night a week. This job is perfect. I had my second night tonight. It's at a bar/restaurant that is mostly outside. I talked with Reed McClintock about this deal and he helped me. He told me some great pointers. If you are charging only 'x' and it costs you '2x' to get to the place, clean your cloths, buy your cards, and get your flash paper, your loosing money. Now, I started in this buisness loosing money. Doing shows for free just to get a good idea of what to expect. Now, I know what to expect, well - most of the time. After you feel comfortable with youself, how you perform, and how you present yourself, then you are ready. Remember, a lot of times the musician is getting paid about $100 a night. And you are about as entertaining as him. Hope this helps some, -Casey, 17. |
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cardboy18 Regular user New york 128 Posts |
Well, ok, here is my revised plan. Im going to go to my local diner first, and only charge the 2 times the highest priced item. This would get me exposed to performing in a restaurant and still get money off it. As much as $75 dollars an hour appeals to me.
I don't think I could get that because of my age. However, here in New York, you can get your working papers at 14 not at 16 as it used to be. So I don't think it would be a big hurdle to get over, especially if the manager sees me perform. Wait I forgot to say thanks to all the people who have commented and helped me out here. This is really helpful for someone inexperienced in professionally performing. Thanks alot guys. |
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Evan Williams Elite user 439 Posts |
Cardboy, I live in New York as well and your information is a little faulty. When you are 14, yes you can get your working papers, but usually it's only for something like farm work. I looked all over when I was 14 for a job (other than magic) and NOBODY hires people under 15 or 16.
For magic I'm sure it is different so they probably would stretch it for some good quality entertainment. I'm just saying, don't take it personally if they laugh at you when you tell them you just turned 14 and want $x/hour for magical entertainment. Lastly, go for it! It can't hurt to just go out there and give it a try! Regards, Evan |
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cardboy18 Regular user New york 128 Posts |
I understand it is going to be hard to be taken seriously, but I'm going to try anyway.
Also many of my friends have jobs already at 14. The norm would be a bus boy but others have found jobs at other places. |
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Sean Irvine New user N.Ire UK/Ireland 55 Posts |
Im personnally gonna do magic on the streets for some 'free experience' and then move onto restaurants after a little while of this. Just to let you know, Im 16.
Only go into it if YOU think your ready. Don't let other people influence you - except me
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Sean Irvine ([8^v> "If the world didnt suck we'd all fall off" |
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Evan Williams Elite user 439 Posts |
Wow, I don't know any 14 year olds that have jobs unless they know someone in the family that owns a business.
It's good that you are going to try anyways because if you do not find a job, I will still get good practice working on your approach to get that job. Good luck to ya. |
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CSStanton Loyal user Suttons Bay, MI 228 Posts |
I started working at the local marina when I was 14. Pretty easy job. Lots of time to practice the coin roll.
-Casey |
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magicsoup Elite user 461 Posts |
When approaching restaurants be prepared for a lot of rejection. Don't take it personally. Many managers have never seen magic in a restaurant before and may have some false preconceived ideas about it (like you'll be in the way).
I'd be surprised if you'd make $75.00 an hour(great if you do.) Different markets pay different rates. To get the two jobs I currrently hvae I performed for two hours for free one night. When they saw how well it went I got the jobs. One guy kept trying to talk me down $5.00 per hour so stick to your guns if your price is resonable. Be careful about trying to get huge $$$ per hour. One place I approached loved the idea of magic but couldn't do it because head office had a policy of no magic. A location in their district had a great but expensive magician. He wasn't able to keep his job and now they won't hire anyone even for a much lower rate. |
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Evan Williams Elite user 439 Posts |
I guess I was just unlucky about finding a job at age 14. Hmmm
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CSStanton Loyal user Suttons Bay, MI 228 Posts |
I agree on the 'first night free' deal. The manager needs to see if you are going to make people happy, entertain them and most of all - bring them back. Remember - to make people happy, you have to entertain them - not fool them. Fooling can be part of the entertainment, but if that is it, then it could make people unhappy.
Best of luck! |
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stine Regular user TN 152 Posts |
My first job was at 18 in a restaurant. I tried the Bert Allerton approach and didn't charge the restaurant.
Made up cards at each table saying "will perform magic at your table for three dollars. Ask your waitress."Didn't make much that summer but felt good to be a working magician. There are no rules. If you got the moxie to approach a restaurant for work and you love doing magic, do it. |
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Monte New user 82 Posts |
I did it a couple of years ago at the age of 16 started doing magic at a restaurant. (I was there for a year before I quit to move on to big and better things) My advice is to find a restaurant that is using entertainment already or has used it in the past.
They are more likely to hire you than the other restaurants that have not used entertainment. Approach the boss (THE BOSS and nobody else) and show him your best and give him a your best proposal.
Monte, as in the 3 cards.
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MYMagic New user Florida 24 Posts |
I like the price of a dinner for two times two. Seems like a fair price.
May your day be filled with MAGIC!
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geminijg New user Corpus Christi 13 Posts |
Being a young magician is hard. Where I'm from, I was working in a magic shop at the age of 16.
The "older guys" gave me no respect because of my youth. Then I eventually beat out some "vets" for jobs at a new Chinese restaurant (which happened to be my first job). I earned $75 a night, two nights a week. Not bad for a kid. But as you grow older, wiser, and better, you'll eventually bring you price up. I just turned 19, and I'm paying rent, making $125 an hour three days a week, and free meals save me money on groceries!
Gemmy
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Carron Special user UK 958 Posts |
This thread is great! Many thanks. I am currently trying to get a table-hopping job over here in the UK, but many of the restaurants really have never heard of magic in a restaurant which makes me quite a unique asset for a company (ahem). I am 16 years old, and this topic really has helped me especially on the problem of how much to charge.
Tom |
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swiftshifter New user Philippines 94 Posts |
True, Tom, this thread is indeed great. I'm 20, and I too have tried to get a job at a restaurant. Thing is, the manager would not even ask me to show him my stuff. What I'm doing now is upgrading, getting my level of skill up to a level that one trick, or if it comes down to it, one routine, would get them to offer me a respectable price.
I guess all we can do is keep at it. |
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Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
Everybody is talking about how good a magician they are but can't get a restaurant job. The general manager or owner of a restaurant could give a rat's patootie about how good an entertainer YOU are. He wants to know what can you do for HIM. How can you help the restaurant.
Find the general manager's particular pain, and then show him how you can cure that pain. That is the secret of sales in our business. Peter |
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