talkmagic.co.uk

Hello

As a new comer to the world of payed performance I have a quick question to the seasoned pro or anyone who has done a fair few payed performances.
Last week I had my first two payed gigs, one bar walkaround at a private party and one wedding evening do.
At both of these when I approached groups of people, politely introduced myself and asked whether they would like to see some magic I got a 50% refusal. Is this a normal thing?
I don't get particularly offended as I do realise that at functions people are engaged in conversation, catching up or are not interested in magic but it left me doing alot of walking around and little performing.

On the positive side the people I did perform for enjoyed it immensely and the people who hired me seemed very pleased. One couple said they'd seen a few close up magicians at weddings and I was the best. I bet they say that to all the performers...still it buttered my ego up plenty.

So is there a large refusal rate at a walkaround?

Both these gigs were evening, boozy, loud music do's rather than visiting tables before the meal type things. Is a seated captive audience easier?

Has this question gone on too long?

Refusal is counter-acted by carefully judging a table before approaching.

People who are deep in discussion, or eating, don't usually want disturbing.

I also used to find that once people knew you were table hopping, you could look around and gauge tables where people were either 'awaiting you with eagerness' or 'dreading you coming their way'

Its a judgement call to avoid refusual—prevention better than cure etc., but yeah, it's going to happen anyway.

But 50% is a little high perhaps? Did you shower that morning ?

I just look out for tables and people who are watching me when I'm performing for others.

Well maybe not 50% but there were quite a few.

As I'd said before I understand that refusals are part of the game and I'm certainly not offended by anyone who doesn't want to see it.
I think it is a matter of experience knowing who is chomping at the bit and who isn't?

Most of the people at both gigs weren't at tables and were mingling so I couldn't see who was watching.

Is it off putting then if I chase if they run?

I did shower yes but I used Mackeral scented aftershave.

Derren Brown talks about the idea that you're being invited into their space to perform in Absolute Magic. Well worth reading.

50% is a bit high, but it really does depend on your audience. At a wedding I would expect a 100% take up rate. At a restaurant where people are perhaps not expecting you to be there, I'd reckon on a 25% refusal rate.

However... one of my regular gigs is at a pub restaurant next door to our local arena where all the big stars play. I normally get turned down about 25% of the time, but recently Cliff Richard (!) was playing at the arena and the old folks who were there to eat before the concert were the worst I have ever tried to perform for. The refusal rate was up in the 70% bracket, they looked at me like I was a con-man out to swipe their pension, and they didn't even put a "thank you" onto the end of the sentence when they said "No..." The best set of fans I ever performed for was Take That fans. Happy days!

In all seriousness though, judge the people before you approach them. If they're deep in conversation or eating (as stated above), leave them alone for a while and go to the next table. Always approach with a confident smile, introduce yourself and tell them that you're working at the reception/bar/restaurant tonight so they don't think you're some weirdo who's just wandered in off the street. And be very, very confident. This is your gig, your performance, your turf. Then freak them out.

greedoniz wrote:I did shower yes but I used Mackeral scented aftershave.

Blimey, I didn't realise you could still get Hai Karate

It's not often that I get refusals at weddings but there again, I usually start after people have already had a few. I don't do restaurants.

I usually find that at weddings it's where family haven't seen each other for a few years and have some catching up to do. They usually try to catch you later on though.

This is a slightly off topic, but it's related enough that it's not worth a fresh thread:

For someone that has never done any walk-around magic, or has even witnessed such - how do you know when it's over?

Does a magician typically get booked for an alloted amount of time? Do you come and hit every table that wants to see you? Do you ever repeat tables?

I understand this is mostly a non-issue when at a bar or such when there is constant in/out flow of people - but what about a wedding? You've got the same crowd the whole time...

When table hopping the first thing to find out is how many guests will be attending, the seating plan and the budget.

You can generally work it out from there as to how much time you will need if they want you to work every table.

I've worked a smallish wedding reception for about 50 guests and did the 6 tables, had a break and reloaded with a new set of tricks and then did the tables again. If there are abot a dozen tables then it may take three hours with a break if you're doing 10 minutes of magic and an introduction at each table.

Sometimes the client will want an 90 minutes and you just need to do what you can. It's one of those things that you learn with experience.

All I can say is...WOW!!

Am I reading this right or am I missing something?!

I am hearing numbers like 50 and 25% refusals! Now I don't know what your magic skills, people or socials skills are but I work 4 bars/restaurants a week plus my corporate and private functions on the weekend and I would have to say I get turned down MAYBE....MAYBE once or twice A YEAR at best! And I don't recall EVER getting refused at a private or corporate gig....ever!

When I first started out eight or so years ago, I would maybe get a "no thank you" maybe once every couple of months, but NEVER as high as 25%.

at 25% if you only hit 25 tables in a night, that means you are getting shot down at 6.25 of those tables. If this is the case you are definitely doing something wrong and need to breakdown your approach, body language, clothing, etc and find out where the issue is.

Also, keep in mind it is not my style to just go up to a table and start performing. I am either invited over, ask permission after a proper introduction or they are regulars that are there specifically to see me. So it's not like I am some arrogant pig head that just starts performing and ignores the negative responses. Not in the least. The guests at the establishment are my guests as well and I treat them as such. I ALWAYS ask them first. Unless they are regulars that I know and/or I am requested.

Greedoniz, I would love to help you out if you want to PM me, because you shouldn't be anywhere near even 10%

I have the same advice as siege - check out the tables and decide who would be receptive. The most difficult is always the first.
If you have a really responsive table then do something really visual and unusual (other than card tricks or what people expect to see) - you'll find other tables may start asking to see you as well.

The thing about walkaround magicians is that they're a dime a dozen and they all seem to do the same thing, have the same lines and pretty much look the same. So - what makes you different. What about you would make them want to see what you're doing. Would they want to bring their friends back to see you or have newspaper reporters coming to the restaurant to interview you? It's possible..

If you get that right - then refusals will be the last thing on your mind - and when they happen it's usually because they think you're the devil or something..

As for time - I usually specify the time before hand (and my hourly fee - in case the client wants me to stay on for longer)

Hope that helps

in the past iv'e carried a bucket of roses so if i get turned down i can offer them to buy a rose instead usualy get me an offer to do some magic rather than fork out for a rose for charity.

but then again I'm usualy never mistaken for anything else but an entertainer because I'm usualy the brightest, flashiest person in the bar you know claybourne out of are you being seved or if its black tie then I'm the one with the flashing badge that says magician for hire.

fuma wrote:Also, keep in mind it is not my style to just go up to a table and start performing. I am either invited over, ask permission after a proper introduction or they are regulars that are there specifically to see me. So it's not like I am some arrogant pig head that just starts performing and ignores the negative responses. Not in the least. The guests at the establishment are my guests as well and I treat them as such. I ALWAYS ask them first. Unless they are regulars that I know and/or I am requested.

So, you've totally missed the point... how can you be REFUSED if you are invited?

Seriously, you've not read this post at all have you ?

seige wrote:So, you've totally missed the point... how can you be REFUSED if you are invited?

Seriously, you've not read this post at all have you ?

Well spotted Siege!

The trouble with working restaurants is that people don't expect to have a magician wander over and introduce himself. The first things that flash through their minds are: how much is this going to cost me, is this guy a weirdo, does he even work here, is he going to try to steal my wallet/purse/girlfriend/boyfriend??? Hopefully if you're friendly, look okay, and are polite 75% of the people you approach will get over that split second of extreme anxiety and say "Sure!"

Think about it - if you were sat in a restaurant with your girlfriend, waiting for your meal, and some guy walked up and said "Hello there, I'm Zargo from the planet Gog. May I show you my collection of Vardy Vard Vard for a few moments while you wait for your meal?" how would you feel?

I think a 75% take-up rate in restaurants is pretty good, no matter what anyone else may say.

Weddings is different - 100% take-up should be expected.

Oh - one more thing that I've noticed. Refusals in restaurants are contagious. If someone says "No thanks" it can spread like wild fire. It's the sheep mentality. If your first punters say "Yes!" so will the rest of the room. Generally.