Hiya Gang,
I just read another thread about rates and thought I'd repost this here (I wrote this on another forum 4 years ago) with some updates. 2 things right off the bat, though:
1) Never undercharge
2) You don't have the event booked until the 50 % deposit has been deposited into your bank account (and cleared!)
Okay. here we go:
This will be directed at the Strolling or Walk Around Performer:
I believe, and this is simply my opinion, that you should work at a level system. What level you're at will depend on a number of things, such as:
A) How many shows you've done.
B) Whether any of those shows have booked you again.
C) You're popularity, or demand.
D) What your clients are willing, or able, to afford.
E) How much you want to work.
Based on those factors, you can start to gauge whether you're a:
A) Beginner/ Let's say 1-25 shows
B) Occasional Worker/ 25-100 shows
C) Semi-Pro Worker/100-200 shows
C) Pro Worker/ 200+
D) Superstar/ No one cares how many you've done, you're so cool, with it, etc.
What constitutes a show?
A 'show' should be any environment where you're able to approach complete strangers and say, "Hi, My name is Jamie D. Grant and the host of this party has asked/hired me to entertain you for a few minutes. I'm a Magician."
As you can see, showing your family, even if they're all in the same room, some card tricks doesn't count. You have to be there at the request of the planner.
The Rates
We'll start at the top- I generally price for 1 and 2 hour shows.
Superstar:
Whatever the heck you can get.
Pro Worker:
2 hours- the average rent for a very nice 1 bedroom apartment in your city.
1 hour should be the rent divided by 2, plus 10%. So here in Vancouver it would be-
2 hours=$1000, 1 hour=$600
Semi-Pro Worker:
2 hours- half of the Worker's 2 hours.
1 hour- half of the Worker's 1 hour.
Occasional Worker:
2 hours- half of the Semi-Pro's 2 hours.
1 hour- half of the Semi Pro's 1 hour.
Beginner:
2 hours- You shouldn't be doing 2 hour gigs as a beginner, in my opinion.
1 hour- Free, volunteer, or exchange for goods. Now when I say 'Free' I'm not saying that you should approach Apple and say that you'd love to do an hour of magic for nothing at their Christmas Party.
If you're a beginner, you should be looking for shows at places where you're able to volunteer. Old folk's homes, Scouts, whatever you can find. But it needs to be an event. Maybe an awards ceremony, for their cocktail party, something that's organized.
The way I started was at local art shows and I'd trade for Art- I think it's always important to give your magic Worth- even at the beginning. When you go to a volunteer gig, it seems like you're being generous and the Worth you're getting is Satisfaction. But if it's for an Art Show or Play Opening- ask for art or tickets. Never say the word 'Free'.
I guess that's about it. According to the above examples, my level system looks like this:
Beginner:
Barter.
Occasional Worker:
1 hour for $150
2 hours for $250
Semi-Pro Worker:
1 hour for $300
2 hours for $500
Pro Worker:
1 hour for $600
2 hours for $1000
(this is my current level)
Superstar:
Thousands!
Of course, all those factors we mentioned in the beginning (A-E at the top) will play a big part in whether you should bump yourself up, or down- don't base your level solely on the number of shows you've done. As with anything, Quality is worth more than Quantity. You need to have a good idea of how you're viewed by potential clients and how you're being received by current ones.
That's about it. Don't undercharge, and give yourself credit!
Jamie D. Grant
www.Professional-Magician.com
UPDATES/September 2010
1) Never listen to what another magician tells you he makes. The competition will always try and intimidate you by saying they make more. Don't worry about it.
2) Be brutally honest with yourself. Are you ready to take on a gig? If it doesn't work out- you'll burn that client forever. I've done the same company's Christmas Party 7 years in a row. That's several thousand dollars that could be thrown out the window if you take the fist gig before you're ready.
3) Send a contract. Read that sentence again.
I hope that helps!
I just read another thread about rates and thought I'd repost this here (I wrote this on another forum 4 years ago) with some updates. 2 things right off the bat, though:
1) Never undercharge
2) You don't have the event booked until the 50 % deposit has been deposited into your bank account (and cleared!)
Okay. here we go:
This will be directed at the Strolling or Walk Around Performer:
I believe, and this is simply my opinion, that you should work at a level system. What level you're at will depend on a number of things, such as:
A) How many shows you've done.
B) Whether any of those shows have booked you again.
C) You're popularity, or demand.
D) What your clients are willing, or able, to afford.
E) How much you want to work.
Based on those factors, you can start to gauge whether you're a:
A) Beginner/ Let's say 1-25 shows
B) Occasional Worker/ 25-100 shows
C) Semi-Pro Worker/100-200 shows
C) Pro Worker/ 200+
D) Superstar/ No one cares how many you've done, you're so cool, with it, etc.
What constitutes a show?
A 'show' should be any environment where you're able to approach complete strangers and say, "Hi, My name is Jamie D. Grant and the host of this party has asked/hired me to entertain you for a few minutes. I'm a Magician."
As you can see, showing your family, even if they're all in the same room, some card tricks doesn't count. You have to be there at the request of the planner.
The Rates
We'll start at the top- I generally price for 1 and 2 hour shows.
Superstar:
Whatever the heck you can get.
Pro Worker:
2 hours- the average rent for a very nice 1 bedroom apartment in your city.
1 hour should be the rent divided by 2, plus 10%. So here in Vancouver it would be-
2 hours=$1000, 1 hour=$600
Semi-Pro Worker:
2 hours- half of the Worker's 2 hours.
1 hour- half of the Worker's 1 hour.
Occasional Worker:
2 hours- half of the Semi-Pro's 2 hours.
1 hour- half of the Semi Pro's 1 hour.
Beginner:
2 hours- You shouldn't be doing 2 hour gigs as a beginner, in my opinion.
1 hour- Free, volunteer, or exchange for goods. Now when I say 'Free' I'm not saying that you should approach Apple and say that you'd love to do an hour of magic for nothing at their Christmas Party.
If you're a beginner, you should be looking for shows at places where you're able to volunteer. Old folk's homes, Scouts, whatever you can find. But it needs to be an event. Maybe an awards ceremony, for their cocktail party, something that's organized.
The way I started was at local art shows and I'd trade for Art- I think it's always important to give your magic Worth- even at the beginning. When you go to a volunteer gig, it seems like you're being generous and the Worth you're getting is Satisfaction. But if it's for an Art Show or Play Opening- ask for art or tickets. Never say the word 'Free'.
I guess that's about it. According to the above examples, my level system looks like this:
Beginner:
Barter.
Occasional Worker:
1 hour for $150
2 hours for $250
Semi-Pro Worker:
1 hour for $300
2 hours for $500
Pro Worker:
1 hour for $600
2 hours for $1000
(this is my current level)
Superstar:
Thousands!
Of course, all those factors we mentioned in the beginning (A-E at the top) will play a big part in whether you should bump yourself up, or down- don't base your level solely on the number of shows you've done. As with anything, Quality is worth more than Quantity. You need to have a good idea of how you're viewed by potential clients and how you're being received by current ones.
That's about it. Don't undercharge, and give yourself credit!
Jamie D. Grant
www.Professional-Magician.com
UPDATES/September 2010
1) Never listen to what another magician tells you he makes. The competition will always try and intimidate you by saying they make more. Don't worry about it.
2) Be brutally honest with yourself. Are you ready to take on a gig? If it doesn't work out- you'll burn that client forever. I've done the same company's Christmas Party 7 years in a row. That's several thousand dollars that could be thrown out the window if you take the fist gig before you're ready.
3) Send a contract. Read that sentence again.
I hope that helps!
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