I notice a few things I want to bring to attention, as it may not be the right "venue" but there is an educational opportunity for all...so:
I notice many people who rang in on fee charge $75 to $150. I also noticed a few mentioned a price list. These things send trigger signals for issues. I have a few long winded stories, but they will change your thinking, I hope.
First - when I was in school, I paid my way with JUST close up, however, I would get calls for kid shows. I didn't do them, but felt I was losing money, so I made a deal with two local guys to promote them and take a percentage (booking fee) as their (sorta) agent. They were happy with the deal. Anyhow, one guy felt his show was worth $150.00, as he didn't want people to say "no", he had been doing kid shows for 10 years. The other guy did children shows on the side, and had a decent show, but he charged $300. Seeing both their shows, I felt they were pretty equal in ability, so when people called for kid shows I would say, "Sure, I have two different magicians that both provide a quality show" - then I would tell them their prices for a hour. 90% of the time - people would take the more expensive one...and I realized, your fee represents value. We can both get a pair of basketball shoes - one at Wal-mart for 30 bucks...or a pair of Jordan's for $300 - anyhow, some people DO like to have a more expensive product. If you can charge that much - it is because you are worth that much...as long as people feel, after the show, they got their moneys worth.
Second, work smarter not harder - a children's magician, I can't remember his name right now, shared a story about charging $50.00 a show and he booked up every Fri/Sat/Sun - making $75.00 (back then, this was good money). He wanted to make more, but wasn't sure how. His 12 year old son said, "Dad, charge $75 - if 2/3 book you, you make the same and have a day off...if they all book you, you doubled your profit". Smart kid. The guy did, and often he would book all three, but even when he didn't..he still made $25 more, for one day LESS of work.
Sometimes, you have to learn to say "No thanks" - just because someone wants to book you, doesn't mean you have to take the show. I am BLOWN away with how little people charge, as this says to me a few things - ONE - You don't feel your show has value - TWO - You are limiting your growth - THREE - You don't care because you don't do magic professionally, but essentially you are undercutting people that are. Here are the issues explained.
ONE - Bill Malone gets (rumoured) 50 000 a show - Micheal Weber makes a killing on consulting fees...and you charge 100 dollars or so a hour of magic? Nice. I have turned down shows for anything less than a certain dollar value...think of it this way. It is like dating EVERY girl/guy that asks you out...regardless of who they were - you would date some real losers if you did that. However, if you have standards, you can hold out for a good person - think of this...but when accepting business.
TWO - If you are charging $150.00...this means to make a living, just a little above what Welfare pays - you would have to do 140 - 150 shows....or about 3 private parties a week CONSISTENTLY...no slow periods. So, to make JUST above 20 000, you would have to perform EVERY Fri/Sat/Sun...and you could live like you are on welfare. Nice...and we wonder why so many working pro's are STARVING!
THREE - so you do it on the side - you feel it is okay to charge a little, and bring in a little extra...BZZZ, wrong. Here is why. Imagine that "on the side" someone undercharged for a service...it lowers the value of the product. Essentially, this is BOOTLEGGING - it undercuts a working pro - but FAR MORE importantly, it devalues YOUR product. Like the story above, you make it look like you aren't worth that much. Live performances are expensive - even a local band will run you 300-500, and they are less memorable than magic. I have a friend that is a police officer, and magician - he once charged a similar price to all, as he was making good money as a cop. However, I reminded him that he was an award winning magician, and that his talent had a value - he would get better venues, and more clients if he charged a price that represented his work. He did - and I was right. Not to mention, now he makes more money, that he spends on magic...lucky bugger.
Anyhow - pricing issues are hard - but this is the BUSINESS side of show business, and it is obvious their is a lack of guidance.
I think (as guys like Dee said) your price needs to reflect your audience, I would NEVER list a price...as I would have lost out on making thousands on one show...but by listing that price...woudl have missed out on small house parties, that still paid well, but couldn't afford a few grand for a hour of magic. You also have to ask yourself, what am I worth...and what prevents me from charging more? What makes me uncomfortable about asking for more? These are real questions that will help you grow your magic business. If you aren't comfortable charging more...why? This answer will maybe open your eyes to the fact you aren't ready to be a working magician...or you are, but your price is low.
There is a lot to swallow here...I hope some of it helps. Cheers.