talkmagic.co.uk

Ive been doing magic for 5 years now, and recently at the malll performing, a lady asked if i could do a high school prom as they were looking for a magician for $250. I got to thinking i should start doing restaurants to make a little cash when im not working my main job. So i think i know how to go about approaching the manager and all, but what i really need to know is what is the going rate for that kind of work so i can give a price. Ive been looking and havent really found a solid estimate, so i found a magic forum and here i am. Thanks.

You have not found a solid estimate because there isn't one. There are a lot of factors to consider.
1) Your location in the world
2) Your Venue
3) Your expenses
4) Your experience

Basically treat this like a business. Figure out what it costs you to do the show and how much you need to earn in order to make it worthy of your time.

I fly in the face of many magicians, I don't care what others would or will charge. That doesn't effect me because I have to make a living so I give the best possible show at the best price for my customer and for me.

If the show simply doesn't pay enough, I simply would not do the show. I understand that this is a 'side' deal for you, but if you really want to succeed you have to think like a pro.

I also understand that you are looking for somebody to tell you. Oh for a 2 hour walk around at a restaurant you should charge 250.00 dollars. But it just doesn't work that way. Never has, never will.

If you are only doing this part time, try not to undercut your fellow magicians who make their income just doing magic as that is just cheap and nasty. But if you come up with a price that works for you and your customers that is your business.

Lastly, do not sell yourself short. Take a good look at what you have to offer. Most business would pay a little more for a professional who does a good job rather than pay a cheaper price for a half arsed magi who will make their business look bad. Most business owners know that you get what you pay for. The question is: Can you deliver?

Well i live in wisconsin, and as for experience, 5 years. My only expense would be gas, because ive spent hundreds of dollars on tricks over the years. And for restaurants, just nice family restaurants, apple bees, ruby tuesdays, chancery, places like that. Nothing fancy. I understand there no concrete answer, but just roughly the range i should be in? I was on another site just reading, and one guy said he does two hours for 30 dollars, everyone there said thats pretty low. I think i do well, and i really do a good job performing my tricks for people, i wouldn't say im a pro or anything like that. I just dont wanna say $50/hour if thats crazy talk. I was thinking 30, do you think thats decent? I also need buisness cards and a contract as well. Im headed to one of the surrounding malls in my area in a little bit to get some footage to star working on a promotional dvd type of thing. Also, thank you for your response.

Firstly I doubt a chain restaurant will hire you, as anyone working there won't really get a say in restaurant policy, you should look for independent family run restaurants.

Secondly when you say five years experience, is that five years of practicing magic, or five years performing magic (as in performing to real audiences not family and friends?)

If you don't have much experience performing then your pay shouldn't be your biggest concern, talk with the manager and take whatever pay is offered. Experience working with a real audience will be the most valuable thing you can get out of it.
If you've got plenty of real world experience and your looking for a regular income, then when it comes to restaurant work don't think about how much you make per hour, think how much you'll make per week, work out how much you'll need and negotiate around that.
Also remember this is primarily a U.K based website so the advice you get may not apply to you.
Finally I recommend you get 'Menu of miracles' by James Prince.

Just another tip on the money front.
Once you set a price, expect to get enquiries that do not book you entirely based upon price. Be prepared to say "no" if someone offers a sum below what you expect to be paid.

I used to perform in a group and we had a minimum fee. Times were someone would ask the price, and then try and get a reduction for having fewer performers, or a shorter show, and while we would *sometimes* accommodate them, more often than not we'd just have to restate our price knowing it meant not getting the gig. Sometimes they think you're being unreasonable, but when you take the time to get there, the practice time and so on into consideration, often a pay cut means it's seriously not worth your time.