talkmagic.co.uk

Hi all! :D
I've been a keen magician for almost ten years, performing close up magic with coins, cards and ropes for charities / hopsitals to improve my skills then performing for friends at parties when asked. I have recently been made redundant and I am wondering about the possibility of turning professional.

Although my question is far too general to answer fully I hoped some experienced guys and girls could give me a very rough idea of potential amount of gigs per year I should anticipate / very rough earnings? I understand it will take some time to become established. I wish to concentrate on weddings, restaurants (and corporate work over time). I anticipate the summer months and December to be busy and I'm not looking to make a fortune, more to see if it's possible to pay the mortgage using my passion or whether I'd need a full time job as well.

Any advice would be appreciated greatly. Please be gentle!
Thank you.

You'll find plenty of previous threads here about gigs, earnings and many other aspect of making a living by magic - give the Search Function a whirl.

Just found it - thanks. I'm new to the forum. I was just hoping to get a rough average of how many gigs a pretty good business person should expect (realistically) per year.

To be brutally honest, not many magicians make a living from magic alone, most have full time jobs, and their magic is a bonus income!

I perform full time. at the moment I am out working Wednesday to Sunday (six gigs a week) this includes restaurants, garden parties, weddings and corporate work. Most of my work comes from the restaurant gigs, so I would recomend trying to get work there first. As for earnings it all depends on how much you want to charge!

If you get a residency in a restaurant expect anywhere between £50 and £150 for a couple of hours. This might not seem much, but just remember that you are advertising your services.

In the good old days before Ireland went bankrupt about 400 gigs a year was normal. Now it has dropped to 250. It is different here from the UK. Here you have to be doing kids shows if you want to make a living (as opposed to a second income).

I don't believe there is any Irish magician supporing a family and paying a mortgage entirely with close-up. (I am open to correction.) Kids shows are a gold mine - you should look into them.

Prices here for kids work go from E120 to E300 for festivals and corporate events. For adult gigs you start around E200 and I have got E700 on occasion, but have never topped that. I live in hope.

Four years ago I made a good living. Last three years have been a struggle. Next year I will be a millionaire. I hope that helps.

The bottom line is that you have to really hustle if you want to make a living, but it is worth the effort. Best of luck.

Firstly, thank you for all your advice. It's really good to be able to ask experienced, helpful people.

Thanks Tony, I've thought about kids parties, I can see that's where the ££ is - I have slight reservations about performing basic magic / self working tricks to kids. I much prefer working to an adult crowd, I guess it wouldn't be enjoyable for me - maybe that's something I've got to get over to be professional. A gig is a gig right?

Finally, any thoughts about working for tips in London restaurants / bars / pubs or is that totally stupid? I don't wish to undersell myself (or any fellow magician) as I've spent many hundreds of hours learning my skills. I'm just wondering if anyone has experience of tips only as an income?

Thanks again guys. You are all amazing!