Hiya Gang,
Lol, I'm writing a ton these days because I'm off to Paris and London at the end of the week, and will probably be without a computer. So I need to get all of this out of my system before I go, lol.
Anyways, it was mentioned over here about approaching people for tips. Now I might get banged on for this but I'm going to put it out there. I never work for tips alone. With one crucial exception: busking. (Click here for a video of me busking for the very first time- it's waaaaay different from celebrity parties, that's for sure!)
But we're not talking about busking, we're talking about a function or party environment. And here's the reason, in my opinion, why you don't work off of tips:
If you walk up to a table and tell them that you work off of tips and are not getting paid- you've basically hijacked their time. Give it some thought. Where will they go? Most people don't have the ability to get up and leave when they feel uncomfortable and will simply sit there miserable. They won't be thinking about your magic at all, but rather how much this is going to cost them. No fun. At all. Even if you're amazing, I can promise you all they're thinking of is what's the lowest amount that will make you not cause a scene. Harsh, but true.
It also puts you into a position of lower positional status. You've lost all credence of professionalism and probably come across as less than the wait staff (after all, at least they get paid). Compare this with, "Hi, I'm the magician here tonight and I've been paid by the host to absolutely blow your minds. Hold on!" or whatever your opening line is. This puts you in a great position of power because they feel that the host sent you. It would be rude of them not to have their minds fly out of their fingernails.
Now, that said, we need to get into a discussion some other time about whether you accept a tip, if one is offered. Another time, though.
So this all goes back to what I've been saying. Give yourself worth. You guys are awesome. I know it. I read your posts and have seen your videos. Everyone here on this forum can make a living at as an artist. So with that in mind, why would you not charge for your services?
And I'm pretty sure your answer for me is- "Jamie, I'm too young! Who's going to hire me when I'm only fifteen?!" My reply? They're right. You won't get hired...yet. But this isn't the time to try and get the money. This is the time to hone your craft, to build your skills, to become, really become, an artist. You don't walk into medical school looking to get paid by a patient for doing brain surgery. You go to learn how to become a doctor...
You guys rule. I mean it. Try not to worry so much and put in your time. It'll come back to you, when you're ready, a million fold.
All my best,
jamie
Lol, I'm writing a ton these days because I'm off to Paris and London at the end of the week, and will probably be without a computer. So I need to get all of this out of my system before I go, lol.
Anyways, it was mentioned over here about approaching people for tips. Now I might get banged on for this but I'm going to put it out there. I never work for tips alone. With one crucial exception: busking. (Click here for a video of me busking for the very first time- it's waaaaay different from celebrity parties, that's for sure!)
But we're not talking about busking, we're talking about a function or party environment. And here's the reason, in my opinion, why you don't work off of tips:
If you walk up to a table and tell them that you work off of tips and are not getting paid- you've basically hijacked their time. Give it some thought. Where will they go? Most people don't have the ability to get up and leave when they feel uncomfortable and will simply sit there miserable. They won't be thinking about your magic at all, but rather how much this is going to cost them. No fun. At all. Even if you're amazing, I can promise you all they're thinking of is what's the lowest amount that will make you not cause a scene. Harsh, but true.
It also puts you into a position of lower positional status. You've lost all credence of professionalism and probably come across as less than the wait staff (after all, at least they get paid). Compare this with, "Hi, I'm the magician here tonight and I've been paid by the host to absolutely blow your minds. Hold on!" or whatever your opening line is. This puts you in a great position of power because they feel that the host sent you. It would be rude of them not to have their minds fly out of their fingernails.
Now, that said, we need to get into a discussion some other time about whether you accept a tip, if one is offered. Another time, though.
So this all goes back to what I've been saying. Give yourself worth. You guys are awesome. I know it. I read your posts and have seen your videos. Everyone here on this forum can make a living at as an artist. So with that in mind, why would you not charge for your services?
And I'm pretty sure your answer for me is- "Jamie, I'm too young! Who's going to hire me when I'm only fifteen?!" My reply? They're right. You won't get hired...yet. But this isn't the time to try and get the money. This is the time to hone your craft, to build your skills, to become, really become, an artist. You don't walk into medical school looking to get paid by a patient for doing brain surgery. You go to learn how to become a doctor...
You guys rule. I mean it. Try not to worry so much and put in your time. It'll come back to you, when you're ready, a million fold.
All my best,
jamie
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