talkmagic.co.uk

And for someone just starting out, it may be a good chance to get some business cards given out. It is a networking event, so what better place to start. When people are just starting out, the advice that is always given is to do some freebies to get your name out there. What better place to start.

Very much the new boy in these parts but unless I knew someone in the forum I would not post to one with a request like that, not with the cash price being mentioned straight out. But that is me and everyone is different. I do however think that a couple of the responses were a bit rude but then I've spotted some on the forum are, shall we say, very direct.


No dig at anyone but reading this thread set me thinking (often a dangerous event) about what people outside the magic or even wider entertainment/events crowd know about what is available, costs involved or how to access entertainment beyond the ubiquitous mobile disco

As a non-performer I would have no idea how much an individual performer or agency would expect. How many people miss out on potential opportunities for bookings because people hosting events dismiss the idea of contacting them because they simply don't know the price ranges involved. Most would have a fair idea about hiring a disco but more specialist and diverse acts are not something most people would have a clue about.

Obviously it's not that difficult to do a Google search and phone or email an agent or act but the point I am trying to make is that I suspect many people would not even think of booking a singer, group, magician etc (other than childrens entertainers) because they'll assume they are out of their price band or because they just don't know the process. People do tend to stay well within their own comfort zones.

Pros or semi-pros here may have a completely different take on that. I'll admit to talking about something I don't know anything about - if anyone wants to put me in the picture as to how much acts cost feel free to PM me - but from experience I've attended many events where the organisers could have really benefited from having such an act/performer but never went further than booking the (dull but known) DJ.

Do you or the Agencies really do enough to market and promote yourselves widely enough? Obviously, it will depend on the sort of market you are pitched at but I presume many here would fall into the private parties and corporate events range.

There wasnt any need for a lot of the comments that have been made.

Its a little rude for the client to state a price too. Though she may not know better.

Perhaps if it was worded differently such as ' Im not sure what the going rate is for a proffessional magician, but unfortunately I am on a tight budget, so perhaps we could discuss a fee should anyone be interested. '

That way the comments may have been more favourable and perhaps if anyone was free they could negotiate.

I dont live in London but would do well to use the opportuntity to get further business. And for £100 perhaps would offer just up to the hour, with a short show and a bit of walkaround.

i pm'd for more details but have yet to get any reply, since the only contact other than pm is an e-mail adress it could be a ploy to get e-mail adresses.

edited by mods, will wait to see if i get contacted.

Speaking of ploys to get email addresses, you should put them up on public forums!
I once performed a test by doing that. Within 2 weeks it was receiving >20 spam emails a day!

Mate, my agent gets me 3 times that for half the work, and my accomodation is paid for.


Ask Uncle Billy, he'll do it for a fiver

still no response and only 10 days to go, hope they booked someone, perhaps they were just fishing for prices.

Maybe she doesn't work on a weekend and will pick up the emails on Monday morning?

Lol the poor woman has become a TM conspiracy theory after only one post.

good point.

...or one of you/us has made her disappear?????

its probably a coincidence but iv'e had an increse of 5 fold of spam since visiting there site, maybey thev'e been targeted by some spiders.

The "tradedoubler" bit had me on edge straight off as there are so many get rich quick outfits out there but I had not thought about it being a collecting ploy until the others suggested it. Erm, not nice (if it is).

surely if someone wanted a large number of enquiries they would have offered more money. i hope the enquiry is genuine, and i dont think anyone should be offended by the price being mentioned... if that's all they've got in the budget that's all they've got. surely it's a plus to declare that from the begining rather than waste everyone's time. no one's being forced to accept the deal.

It is a little bit weird that after all these responses TD Elena hasn't mentioned anything in the thread or in a PM to someone. It must have been a ploy of somekind .

Here are some thoughts:

1) it's still the weekend
2) maybe after the responces on here she felt it would be better to go elsewhere
3) maybe she will respond privately to anyone who has emailed her and that person doesn't feel it necessary to tell everyone here?
4) Its all a big conspiracy and she emailed here to get all of our addresses so she can send spam mail out or wanted to just wind us all up