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Are there too many magicians? It seems that everyone with an interest in magic, wants to go and do gigs, and although I've said before that an amateur magician can't compete with a professional, I'm starting to rethink it, when I called someone back and they told me they booked someone else because it was £20 cheaper, OK fair enough we have a free market, and I've also spoken before about how some people will always want to pay top dollar, some will always want the bargain basement prices... but surely an influx of amateur magicians who can charge low, because it's not their only income, will damage magic. I was at my local club yesterday and nearly everyone said, oh yeh I've been doing some weddings and parties.... and I know that some were underestimating, lying or doing that for free, but why do we keep pumping out the message that magic is easy, and anyone can do it?
I'm a bit annoyed because had a few inquiries this week, and only one booking from them so far, also trying to break into weddings and corporate and away from restaurants, where the price is a bit too low - any thoughts, ideas, comments or encouragement.
Thanks.

Jing wrote:Are there too many magicians? It seems that everyone with an interest in magic, wants to go and do gigs, and although I've said before that an amateur magician can't compete with a professional, I'm starting to rethink it, when I called someone back and they told me they booked someone else because it was £20 cheaper, OK fair enough we have a free market, and I've also spoken before about how some people will always want to pay top dollar, some will always want the bargain basement prices... but surely an influx of amateur magicians who can charge low, because it's not their only income, will damage magic. I was at my local club yesterday and nearly everyone said, oh yeh I've been doing some weddings and parties.... and I know that some were underestimating, lying or doing that for free, but why do we keep pumping out the message that magic is easy, and anyone can do it?
I'm a bit annoyed because had a few inquiries this week, and only one booking from them so far, also trying to break into weddings and corporate and away from restaurants, where the price is a bit too low - any thoughts, ideas, comments or encouragement.
Thanks.

dont take this the wrong way.....but there are those out there who could call you amateur!!! many members of this site for instance.....
unfortunately you are a pro magician at a time when dynamo just became popular.....i for one am the product of Blaine, like many others id imagine....... but there arent many of me left around now becasue people lose the passion and simply "give up"...... but with the likes of dynamo about proving that a man with the personality traits of a pertrified piece of wood can make it big in this field, there are bound to be those who just jump on the bandwaggon.....learn a few tricks then offer their services for the price of a bag of chips!!!

from watching your vids i can see you have a lot of skill..... just trust in this skill..... times may be hard now but have faith that once customers see how pants some of these guys probably are, they won't be recommending them to friends!.....ergo......more business back your way

someone mentioned before that magic is much like music......because theres so many musicians about its hard to get a paid gig these days and a lot end up doing free sets to get their stuff out....... it would appear that maybe magic is taking the same course due to the sudden boom in interest!!

The best answer to your question that i can come up with is ..... No.

BUT there are too many magicains out there that do the same thing.

competitive markets are a good thing,because in the end those individuals who have something different to offer, come out on top.

and....

surely an influx of amateur magicians who can charge low, because it's not their only income, will damage magic

you know,there are a few people out there who have magic as their soul source of income. they call themselves profesional because of this..
trust me, in performance they are ameterish at best...

Tell you what there aren't enough of.... Drummers!
You can never find a drummer when you want one!
Guitarists... all over the place! Drummers, where are you?!

theres a couple on the Bunny, if your desperate.

Thanks for your reply. Trust, I don't have a massive ego, although I used to have a residency at a restaurant called ego (that was funny!) I know I'm at the start, but I'm determined to progress, and to do it right. I turned down the local council a few weeks back because they wanted a freebie, and I told them I do a select few charities for free, but couldn't do it for them. It would have been easy to have taken that for the 'exposure' but it's what I said above, it just undermines it all, if everything is free. I'm sure it will pick up again, it's just a bit frustrating right now.

Jing wrote:Thanks for your reply. Trust, I don't have a massive ego, although I used to have a residency at a restaurant called ego (that was funny!) I know I'm at the start, but I'm determined to progress, and to do it right. I turned down the local council a few weeks back because they wanted a freebie, and I told them I do a select few charities for free, but couldn't do it for them. It would have been easy to have taken that for the 'exposure' but it's what I said above, it just undermines it all, if everything is free. I'm sure it will pick up again, it's just a bit frustrating right now.

its easy to understand your frustration bud......... but as everyone has said just be patient and the flock shall return to feed at your ampley skilled bossom!!!!! lol

i can play the drums lawrence........ba doom doom, ba do do do do....cha........see, im a natural

There are far too many BAD magicians who do give magic a bad name. They have poor presentational skills and practically no audience management skills whatsoever. So in turn their audience just tolerate their act.
C.L Ward is right when he says many lads watch Dynamo on tv, think i'll just pop online and buy the same tricks he uses and call themselves magicians. Work for free or very little and take work from the pro's.The good news is 99% of these will only be doing it it for a few months then move on to the next big thing on tv and we can buy their stuff on e-bay.
Being a good magician is not just about being able to perform good magic, you need to learn how to present it too.

Jing wrote:It seems that everyone with an interest in magic, wants to go and do gigs

Well, I don't. I have turned down a number of chances to work weddings and "big" birthdays. For me, magic is a hobby, and I want gigs to go to pros.

Even if I might be better than a lot of pros (based on what I've heard).

A lot of it might be the current "anybody can be a star" reality-show mentality, especially among the teens-and-twenties generation. Anyone who can just about carry a tune in the shower can be the next musical sensation. It follows that anyone who can do a couple of card tricks should be able to put on a magic show.

I'd agree that the no-hopers should soon be weeded out as their customers learn that they get what they pay for. In the meantime, if anyone asks why you're so much more expensive than so-and-so, you can point out how much better you are!

spellbound wrote:There are far too many BAD magicians who do give magic a bad name.

To be honest, I've never seen one in real life at an event that I've attended. I've seen plenty of rubbish ones in clubs but that's a different environment. Maybe I've just been lucky, but my experience does rather suggest that if there's a problem it's not endemic.

No, the reason why there are so many magicians out there, is because at the moment, Magic is seen to be cool.

Also.. and i wish this could be adressed.. It is far to easy to get hold of.
when i started out, you had to visit a shop, go get a book from your library, or search hard to find the elusive dealers who can supply mail order. Those you usualy discover, via a magazine,from another magic buff, or at a convention.

The only other route, and historicaly one that many people started, was via a simple magic set you got on your birthday, or christmas..( which explains why there are fewer lady magicians by the way.. the magic set was seen, and sold as a boys toy)

nowadays thanks to internet, you can get it any time, any place, anywhere...

Ted wrote:

spellbound wrote:There are far too many BAD magicians who do give magic a bad name.

To be honest, I've never seen one in real life at an event that I've attended. I've seen plenty of rubbish ones in clubs but that's a different environment. Maybe I've just been lucky, but my experience does rather suggest that if there's a problem it's not endemic.

Look on You Tube.

I have. Kids filming themselves doing poor performances is not a problem in my world. I said something to that effect a few years back when I first joined this forum, actually.

nowadays thanks to internet, you can get it any time, any place, anywhere...

That swings both ways. Speaking personally, I've found that looking around online at the awesome and impressive tricks I'll one day be able to perform has maintained my interest in practicing, when a dull and faded book of the same old card tricks probably wouldn't have.