talkmagic.co.uk

Hi all
Long time no see!!

After 12 years in magic I am finally taking the plunge into pushing myself to get into paid work

I have done gigs before but often for friends and friends of friends and charged mates rates.

I have been experienced enough now for probably ar least 5 years do get into paid work but I've always held back.

Anyway I have a wedding for next year.. and I am meeting the client tomorrow to discuss what they want and what I can offer and of course what I charge.

What is the going rate these days for table hopping at a wedding.

It is an old friend of mine but I am going to use this a spring board to get other bookings.plus there is a local venue to me where the owner wants to hire me for a few hours for a special event he is having.


Experience is not in question as I perform regularly anyway, and often do walk around and table hopping at events for the companies I work for, for in excess of 100 people.. I just haven't charges for it in the past.

So what kind of rates should I be going in at? I don't want to canvass magicians with false enquiries so thought I'd just ask here

Many thanks

Hey, it's been a long time!

How long are you going to be performing for and what sort of magic are you doing, table, strolling?

I think the rates vary quite a bit depending on where in the coutry you are, when I was performing I could get away with charging nearly double in London than I could in Kent. As a rough idea, I used to charge £150 for the first hour and then £100 per hour after. I might add extra on to cover my traveling if the gig was a distance away.

I'm discussing all that in the meeting as it's for an old friend so going for a drink to talk it over.

In the Midlands.table initially at the meal then strolling later at the reception..

It's local so no expense required

Good to hear from you Lady of Mystery!

As always gets mentioned, if you're good enough to charge, you're good enough to charge full whack. It's easy to get stuck with charging £150 a time when you're actually worth £400+. You also have to be aware that full time pros will charge enough to pay the bills & if there's an abundance of people charging a third of that then it's going to have a knock on affect. Magic is a skill which takes years of practice & honing your talent, why cheapen yourself & all the hard work by letting people book you for such a small fee?

As said above, Make sure that you charge what you think you're worth! After all those years of experience the client should know all the hard work you've put into making your profession, so don't let them cheapen your act!

Here is a reasonably good way to figure out what to charge. First, honestly consider to yourself what you think you are worth and get that price in your mind. Next consider what is the minimum you would accept. Now price yourself somewhere in the middle.

russpie wrote:As always gets mentioned, if you're good enough to charge, you're good enough to charge full whack. It's easy to get stuck with charging £150 a time when you're actually worth £400+. You also have to be aware that full time pros will charge enough to pay the bills & if there's an abundance of people charging a third of that then it's going to have a knock on affect. Magic is a skill which takes years of practice & honing your talent, why cheapen yourself & all the hard work by letting people book you for such a small fee?

Where is the like button?

Here you are...

Good to hear from you all. And thanks.

It's an old friend of mine do I told her I would do a flat £100ph.

She is inviting my wife and two children so I took that into consideration

Off the back of that she got me an enquiry from her friend who is getting married and I have quoted her £200 for the first hour and £125 per hour after that.

Seems reasonable for me. First real gigs so I'll see how the first couple go and adjust my price accordingly once I have a few under my belt.

You have to take into consideration the location as well, the job might be 100 miles away.

Nothing to add beyond...

Good luck I.D. and I'm sure it'll all go well for you