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LVMagicAL Elite user 460 Posts |
What do you charge for a Themed Summer Reading Program Library Show? I've done a few in the past but would like to do more next summer and just curious if my pricing is "in the ball park" so to speak. I have charged $350 for a single show and offered a $25 to $50 discount for multiple shows in one area and/or early booking discount. Since I've not done too many of these shows (yet), I'm just trying to get a feel for if my pricing is in line. Thanks in advance for your comments.
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Donald Dunphy Inner circle Victoria, BC, Canada 7563 Posts |
Al -
There are some library rates discussed on this thread and on this thread. I once asked the question about library fees on another forum, and was told the range was $250-$350. And I was also told that performers often charge more for school shows than for library shows. I also think there is a thread or two on this topic in The Little Darlings area, but I couldn't locate them quickly. If you have a bit of time, I would encourage you to search through the threads there. Here's one of them. - Donald
Donald Dunphy is a Victoria Magician, British Columbia, Canada.
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Eldon Inner circle Virden, IL 1137 Posts |
Your in the ballpark. In the midwest we charge $400.00.
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LVMagicAL Elite user 460 Posts |
Thanks, Donald and Eldon! Keep the comments coming!!
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Al Angello Eternal Order Collegeville, Pa. USA 11045 Posts |
There is a recession going on in Pennsylvania, and you would hard pressed to get the kind of money that Donald is talking about around here. My good friend, and neighbor Sam Sandler gets lots more than what other magicians in my area get. Sam obviously has the ability to charm the librarians out of their money.
Al Angello The Comic Juggler/Magician
http://www.juggleral.com http://home.comcast.net/~juggleral/ "Footprints on your ceiling are almost gone" |
w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
I was pretty busy this summer with Library shows. I do a kids program called "The Magic of Patriotism." I charge 500 dollars for the 45 minute show.
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JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Wow. I'm breaking into the market this fall and using a low rate to them to know me. so maybe for the summer I should go up to $300.
Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
I have actually sensed the opposite in regards to PA and recession. I have seen business gone up and in fact am coming in at a record year for 2010. I am seeing more folks willing to spend more money and certain markets that were dry are no longer that way.
The money is out there, you just have to go and get it. =) The range in our area of PA tends to be around the $250-$350 range as a general rule of thumb. Of course it can vary according to what you offer and also according to some of the library systems that the libraries belong to. I have had no problems getting the fees from librarians. The key is not so much "charming" them as it is in effective and active style marketing. If you have a program that is educational and empowers kids, you are already peeking their interest. The idea is to be a solutions provider to them. Make sure your show has direct benefits that THEY see as a value to their library and the children that attend. The more problems you can solve for them, the higher your perceived value becomes. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
I'd be interested in how much your outlay is in getting those shows Kyle? With sending out promos, calls, more promos, gift certificates after the shows,,,etc etc.
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
Honestly, it is a system I have had in place and created over the years. The cost for me is really not much at all. A lot of what I do is based on my website, SEO and effective active style email marketing campaigns and a follow up system. The most this cost me is in time and effort.
I simply do not wait for them to come to me. I actively go to them. I market several times each year for National Library week and then also for summer reading clubs. I also make sure they know who I am and I am on their minds thjrough out the year. Using systems like Mailchimp makes it easier for me to send out emails in a snap to my entire list and have it looking sharp and interactive. I can also track every email and gain stats from the emails going out. My website is also set up using Google analytics. this allows me also to track every aspect of my website and also use it to track things after a marketing campaign egst sent out. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
w_s_anderson Inner circle The United States 1226 Posts |
Kyle, can I pick your brain for a day or two.....LOL! You definately have a grip on what you are doing. Kyle also hit the nail on the head with having a theme to your show. If you are just presenting a standard magic show you are much less marketable to a library than if you were presenting say....The Magic of Math/reading/geography....ect.
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
WS: You (and anyone) can pick my brain anytime you like. =) I have no problem helping those folks who want to help themselves. Always my pleasure.
I just realized a long time ago that there is a reason we call it "Show Business." Many may have a show but have no clue that 90% of what you do is the business. The business allows you to do the show. You need both to go far in magic. I am lucky that I have a passion for both and I enjoy both aspects of magic and the business side of it. The key to marketing library shows (or any show for that matter) is to put yourself in the eyes of the prospect. Propstects are not really buying entertainment persay. They really are buying a solution to a problem. That is why any consumer buys something. There is first a need or a problem that needs to be solved. They then go looking for the solution that best fits that need. We as entertainers need to learn what those needs are and then develop systems and shows that meet those needs time and again. Just offering a show to a library is not good enough. You need to really research and find out what are the librarians needs? What are they looking for? What would make their job easier? Each of these questions helps you to better have an answer. Kyle
Kyle Peron
http://www.kylekellymagic.com Entertainers Product Site http://kpmagicproducts.com Join Our Facebook Fan Page at http://facebook.com/perondesign |
JamesinLA Inner circle Los Angeles 3400 Posts |
Kyle,
How do you get their email addresses? Thanks. Jim
Oh, my friend we're older but no wiser, for in our hearts the dreams are still the same...
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Mindpro Eternal Order 10586 Posts |
Internet, Google, trade directories, associations, making phone calls. This is quite basic marketing 101. You've gotta do a little research and legwork.
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Al Kazam the Magic Man Inner circle Living in Perth Western Australia 1042 Posts |
Kyle wrote: A lot of what I do is based on my website, SEO and effective active style email marketing campaigns and a follow up system.
I did a search for magician philadelphia and after six pages of searching Kyle I couldn't see your website anywhere. I mention this as I'm trying to learn about SEO myself. I searched for library magician philadelphia and you were on the second page, which is a great improvement. It's not too easy for me to understand the long list of items many USA magicians give out at their parties. Deluxe magic wand, coloring sheet, magician's assistant certificate, complete magic set, then after is the thank you card, vouchers, and all the different promo material that needs to be sent out before hand. It seems very professional on paper, though I'm still wondering how it translates in the customers minds. "mmmm...this guy really goes way over the top....sure hope his show is good"???? Don't get me wrong I pass out an item or two at times, though I don't send out big contracts, don't send thank you cards, vouchers, or even promo packs before shows. Mostly it's done over the phone and via email. I've been doing quite a few shows lately in libraries as well, and am finding very quickly that a good show and being easy to deal with are the best assets they appreciate the most.
Magic guy in Perth Australia
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magic4u02 Eternal Order Philadelphia, PA 15110 Posts |
James: I took part in a library showcase. part of being in the showcase allows me to gain the emails for the librarians in the entire area. Most parts of the US have showcases. You may just have to call around to find out if they have one in your area. Also, you can create quite a good list simply by doing Google searches for libraries in your area. Many have websites that also include contact information.
JoJo: There is a reason why I am not highly ranked for the term magician Philadelphia. I simply have not optimized for that search term. The reason is that it is not one of my target areas. I tend to work more in the suburbs as well as Eastern, PA, MD and DE. The money is better for me in these locations for the markets my wife and I work. If you do searches in Google for any of the major suburban towns and "magciian" you will see vastly different results. Examples would be Collegeville Magician or Bensalem Magician etc. These search terms (and many more) are very much highly ranked due to the fact that I have done SEO for those search criteria and locations. It is all in the research as to what works best for the markets and demographics that Kelly and I specialize in. The show is always my number one concern. More importantly the direct solutions that I provide to my clients to meet their needs is also extremely important to me. In each of my markets, I know exactly what my clients needs and problems are and my marketing targets those needs by showing them the benefits I can give them. The more problems I solve for them, the better my perceived value is in their mind. I am a graphic designer and illustrator by trade. I worked hard on creating and maintaining a brand identity that is well known in the areas I work. This also allows me to make sure I am sending out a quality product no matter what materisls go out and at what time. I also create systems that work for my wife and I. These systems are built over time to maximize efforts at little to no cost to us. This only comes from a lot of research and hard work to determine what works best for us and what gets the best ROI. Hope this helps explain things a bit more in regards to what works for my wife and I. Each performer must figure out what works for him or her. Only YOU can figure that out. However one thing is certain, if you want success you must be willing to go iut and take massive action to get what you seek. =) 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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