|
|
Go to page 1~2 [Next] | ||||||||||
magicalsongwriter New user 91 Posts |
Hi,
I'm sure this topic has been covered before but I would like to get an idea from working pros what a reasonable fee for walkaround magic is per hour. I realize that fees can vary based on the venue so could you please include a price for private parties and corporate gigs? Thanks Jeff Blum |
|||||||||
RobertBloor Inner circle The Socialist Republic of the USA. 1051 Posts |
Jeff,
Why not run a search of the forums since this topic has been covered in depth. Thanks! Robert Bloor
"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government,"
-The Declaration of Independence |
|||||||||
truthteller Inner circle 2584 Posts |
I think you will find a range from $125 per hour to $1,250 per hour. It really is dependent on who you are and what value you can offer your client.
|
|||||||||
Jon Allen V.I.P. England 1771 Posts |
Jeff,
I personally do not charge by the hour but I take the job as a whole. If it's delayed for whatever reason and you charge by the hour, can you go up to the booker and say you're going to be charging them more? I couldn't do that. I say that I am there for the event. I know from the details they give me how long it should last. Sometimes it's longer and sometimes it's shorter so it evens itself out. As for fees, everyone is different. You have to ask yourself how high up the ladder you think you are and charge accordingly. If someone says they charge $1000 an hour, I don't think it is right to say that is the market value of magicians...only that particular magician. The worst thing is for someone to tell you that you are not worth the money they paid. If you need experience, then it is worth waiting for the big money until you can justify it. I don't know your situation so I can't say. Having said that, charge a bit more than you think you can get, then you can always come down to the price you are happy with. One final thought: If the booker only wants to know how much you charge rather than what I can do for them, they will probably want the cheapest anyway. Whatever you do, don't be the cheapest!
Creator of iconic magic that you will want to perform.
The Silent Treatment, The Pain Game, Paragon 3D, Double Back, Destination Box and more. Available at www.onlinemagicshop.co.uk |
|||||||||
Bill Hegbli Eternal Order Fort Wayne, Indiana 22797 Posts |
A man once said, "if I put your name on the billboard sign outside my business will you fill my business?"
If not charge accordingly. It is a lot of work doing close-up, what is your time worth, how much profit can you produce for the business. Have fun! Bill |
|||||||||
michaelpaulmagic New user springfield MA 6 Posts |
I'll take a stab at this one. It all depends what the venue is of course, but I'd say it's a pretty safe bet that 50-75 is average for weekly restaurant work. Private work is trickier because it depends on your market. I live in a smaller area and get between 350 and 975 an hour for close up and walk around (depends on the nature of the show and how many hours they need). There are guys in NY and Boston that are getting easily twice that much. Supply and demand will also be determining factors. Do you live in an area saturated by magic (prob. not...) or do you have that market to yourself? Lastly, think about the budget of your client... is it a public school on a strict spending limit, or a classy wedding couple whose budget may be more flexible?
I hope this gives you something to think about. |
|||||||||
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Michaelpaulmagic asks if your client is "a public school on a strict spending limit, or a classy wedding couple whose budget may be more flexible."
Oooh! That sounds a bit like "charge what the traffic will bear." And that's just bad, in my mind. I charge a fixed rate, no exceptions -- none, never, ever. If I do anything other than the fixed rate, it's for free, for PROVEN charities. That way, nobody has any room for complaint if they should compare fees. (And don't EVER think that doesn't happen!) And what is a PROVEN charity? That's easy: any group that can't afford entertainment and is putting on any form of production where nobody is getting paid -- not the renter of the hall, not the caterer or food service person, not the DJ, not any other entertainer, and not any other person. If the group can afford to pay ANYBODY, then they can afford to pay for entertainment! |
|||||||||
p.b.jones Inner circle Milford Haven. Pembrokeshire wales U.K. 2642 Posts |
HI,
I agree with Peter Marucci fully on his previous post. Phillip |
|||||||||
Lee Darrow V.I.P. Chicago, IL USA 3588 Posts |
I have a base fee, but I always, ALWAYS ask if there will be other entertainment, who it will be and if they have a budget.
I certainly am not going to charge the same rate for a party that will also feature performances by Sinbad, Cirque de Soleil and Kenny Rogers! Likewise, I will also charge for any travel I might have to cover. It's a bit silly to do a gig for $400 when you have to buy a $350 plane ticket and cover a $125/night hotel room, or to drive 1,200 miles for a $75 gig. So, I have a base price and can add on to cover extras and I have extra things I can add on to up-sell the client. Hope this helps! Lee Darrow, C.Ht. http://www.leedarrow.com
http://www.leedarrow.com
<BR>"Because NICE Matters!" |
|||||||||
Paddy Inner circle Milford OH 1571 Posts |
I have learned through experience that when dealing with religious institutions, no matter what religion, when it comes time to be paid I get the same story. "Well, will you take half of the fee and donate the other half? It is a tax write off." I even had my own church group do this to me. What was aggravating was they had already cut the check for half of my fee. I am still waiting for the other half that I was promised. The show was done in 1999.
This has happened so often I don't even bother to explain that it is not a write off (in the U.S.) if you do it that way. So what I do as I quote the job is double my fee and then tell them "but for religious groups I give a 50% discount." I know, I have been criticized for this but it has stopped them from asking me at the end of the show and handing me a check for half my fee because they "knew" I would accept it. Peter |
|||||||||
FTAMagician Loyal user 291 Posts |
I'm in such a small market that my "goal" right now is to become a "magic greeter" at the new Super Wal-Mart they're building in town!!!
I know I'll have to do really quick stuff, but that's a fun challenge and maybe after a while, word will spread and people that want to see more magic will ask to see that!! Plus I'll actually get payed for it...better than ALL the FREE stuff I've done with the clown group we have here...but I still want to keep doing that too!! For the GOOD stuff I've learned and "invented," I probably make LESS for performing than anybody on here!! But I'll have just as much FUN...maybe more! |
|||||||||
Texas Worker New user Kerrville Texas 55 Posts |
Listen to Peter Marucci. The only exception I make is to charities, but I ask for expenses.
|
|||||||||
Joshua Lozoff Inner circle Chapel Hill, NC 1332 Posts |
Boy, I do EXACTLY the opposite of Peter. My regular fee is so expensive, that if I were to charge everyone that, I would end up doing parties only for rich folks, which doesn't interest me at all. I love the idea of a few folks who are low-income, but so moved and affected by my magic that they scrape together money to hire me for a party. It would be absurd to charge them what I charge the resort hotels and corporate clients.
If I followed Peter's advice, I'd have to do one of two things: only work for rich folks because making the absolute most money I possibly can is my only goal; or lower my regular rate so I charge the corporate and wealthy clients what my lower-income clients can afford. Both of those options stink. I proudly charge a sliding scale and it's fine with me if my clients know it. One of the most wonderful things about being a close-up magician is the range of venues in which we can perform. It's great that one day I can be sharing magic with tuxedoed country club members and the next be out at a country barbecue making rednecks scream. Why on earth would I limit the places I can perform by only taking gigs from clients who can pay a pre-determined fixed amount? |
|||||||||
C Christian Loyal user 288 Posts |
Hey magicalsongwriter,
It's a very interesting subject. As you can see everyone here has their own system that works for them for there clientele and in their area. I suggest you find a happy medium. I like what Lee Darrow and Peter Marucci say (they've been around the block) and I fit in both of their styles of charging. So it may take you a few years to come up with a solid answer for yourself but when you do stick with it and make changes only when necessary. Hope this helps, Cheers Chris |
|||||||||
Peter Marucci Inner circle 5389 Posts |
Joshua Lozoff writes: "If I followed Peter's advice, I'd have to do one of two things: only work for rich folks because making the absolute most money I possibly can is my only goal; or lower my regular rate so I charge the corporate and wealthy clients what my lower-income clients can afford. Both of those options stink."
They do, indeed. So why limit yourself to only two options? The fee for my kids' birthday party act, for example, is purposely set low for a reason: Most kids today, raised on a diet of computers, DVDs, and television, might never see another live performer (another reason to be very good at what you do!). The financial difference is made up through adult shows, street shows, table hopping, corporate and hospitality shows, etc. So, you say, you DO have more than one price! Yes, I never said otherwise. What I said was that I would NEVER change my price on a particular type of show -- kids, adults, street, etc. -- for the reasons that I stated, above. As for altering my fee depending on who else is on the bill, that doesn't make sense; if a "big name" performer is on the bill, is my act better so, therefore, I should charge more? I don't think so! And it's none of my business, nor is it my place to decide, who is "rich" and who is "low-income." That is patronizing to the extreme! |
|||||||||
sniper1 Veteran user malta eu 343 Posts |
Unfortunatly in Malta magic is not that much appreciated so I charge 35 maltese liri per hour. That's around 130 dollars. Any more than that and they will just turn you down or tell you, "for that price I can get a pianist who will give me four hours instead of one."
THE MOST CRAZY MAGICIAN ON THE MALTESE ISLANDS
|
|||||||||
Popo Loyal user Valparaiso, IN 219 Posts |
I have found that if you negotiate a fee once, then you tend to do it over and over. Also, the client doesn't always think that you are wonderful for giving them a lower rate; they think you must be second-rate and will not always book you again. I agree with Peter and others in the sense that you charge a standard fee. Mine is based on what I think I'm worth, what kind of entertainment I provide, and the market. I do not charge as high as others because I am not of that caliber but I do not come down because I am of a certain caliber and my time and investment is such. I get plenty of shows for both the "rednecks" and "rich people." I think this system is just more professional.
|
|||||||||
Jon Allen V.I.P. England 1771 Posts |
I do not come down in price if someone wants me for a lot less than my normal fee. How can you justify doing the same high standard for a much lower fee? Alternatively, ow can you justify charging a lot more for the same standard as your lower fee? I tell people I have worked my way up to a position where I charge the fee I do.
As for charities, I do not do them for free. I charge a fee and tell the organiser I will raise money for them. This way, they will either make a profit or get top class entertainment for a very good price.
Creator of iconic magic that you will want to perform.
The Silent Treatment, The Pain Game, Paragon 3D, Double Back, Destination Box and more. Available at www.onlinemagicshop.co.uk |
|||||||||
michaelpaulmagic New user springfield MA 6 Posts |
Hey Guys,
I probably should have explained that one better. If one of my regular restaurants wants me for a certain date (that I have open), I will charge them close to my regular restaurant fee, after all, they have commited to me on a weekly basis. If the gig is a public school, you may find that the time they need is a latenight (for a school lock-in type event), or early afternoon (performing during school hours). They probably have a tighter budget, and so I work with them. It's better then sitting at home on the couch and making nothing. Weddings are probably having a $900 dj, and I'm not typically willing to break on my price just because the client feels like they can beat a better deal out of me. One of my regular clients (hires me for almost every family event that he hosts) asked me if I could give him a break on the price of a show because he was having a small gathering for his parents in from California, not a huge event. His house was on the way to one of my restaurant gigs, and we worked out a deal. He was happy,and I got another 2 gigs out of the deal (at full price). I just mention some of these situations to show that it DOES matter who your client is, what their budget is and so on. Now, I don't mean to say that you should raise or lower your price according to how much money you think the person has, that's just dirty. But it never hurts to help people out, make friends, and get paid for it. Overall, as a professional magician, you have to be an entertainer, and a business person. You have to think like a business person, and run your career like you would a serious business. I would think long and hard about before turning down a potential client who needs a (reasonable) break. I hope that clears up my thinking a little bit! |
|||||||||
Magic.J.Manuel Special user I have danced upon 663 Posts |
$900 DJ? Around here I see DJs getting between $1,200 to $3,500 for a bar-mitzvah. They may work more than for a wedding and provide several people, DJ, +dancers, + emcee.
Some add a 1hr. strolling magician for about $300. So that may be a starting point. Depends on the area, so get to know the market by talking to party planners and banquet hall staff in your area.
Nothing would get done at all, if man waited so long that no one could find fault with it.
|
|||||||||
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » Fees for walkaround (0 Likes) | ||||||||||
Go to page 1~2 [Next] |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.04 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |