Hard time for working magicians...

[Close-Up Expert]

Personally, I think even $100 is cheap. Nowadays, I won't do anything for less than $200 minimum. $250/300 seems to be an average number for me, and no I don't mind putting my rates out there. Honestly, you do have to work up to the higher rates, but $25/hour for private events is just ludicris. It's so cheap that it would definitely make the client wonder what they are really getting, and probably not hire you.

Believe it or not, you can easily charge too little. The saying "you get what you pay for" is true, and most people know it.

 

[Steerpike]

I had a paid gig that was supposed to happen two weeks ago and they called an canceled a few days before because they said that they "the church organization" thought my price was too high.

Yeah, you're gonna get that. Everybody thinks they know our industry better than us. I've heard some real horror stories form working pros of working with hotels, churches, and other organizations and companies who were rather aggressive in their ignorance.

That might sound stupid to some of you newbie's who haven't done paid gigs yet but for others who know where I am coming from...you understand.

You're completely in the right. Tolerate no disrespect of yourself or your business.

That's ridiculously expensive. At that rate, you're charging about $133 an hour - and unless you're some godlike performer, that's much, much more than you should be charging.

I'll bet my appearance fees that you're not working for a living.

Amateur magicians should start off at about $20/$25 an hour, maybe a little more.

Again, everybody thinks they can tell the pros how to do their friggin' jobs.

Intermediate-skilled performers to professional hobbyists can charge a resonable price of anywhere from $40-$80 an hour. (For restaurant/small party settings)

The money you pull down from a restaurant gig weekly is about minimum wage, all told. The real money is in the private shows you book as a result of the networking from the restaurant performances.

Do not question my wisdom in this matter, for I am all-knowing.

Don't charge more than you're worth.

That maxim is "Don't charge less than you're worth."

Have fun never making it as a pro.

Personally, I think even $100 is cheap. Nowadays, I won't do anything for less than $200 minimum. $250/300 seems to be an average number for me, and no I don't mind putting my rates out there. Honestly, you do have to work up to the higher rates, but $25/hour for private events is just ludicris. It's so cheap that it would definitely make the client wonder what they are really getting, and probably not hire you.

You have to act like a king to be treated like one. My own appearance fees are actually going up at the end of the week. How much you want to bet I get more income than that chucklehead Benji charging 25 bucks an hour?

 

[Sean_Raf]

Do not question my wisdom in this matter, for I am all-knowing.

All of a sudden... I feel like i've just been hypnotised... Steerpike is all-knowing, I will not question his wisdom in this matter

Seriously though, I'm finding this thread very helpful and a good read, so from an outsider view, thanks for the advice and thoughts in this thread from those that have contributed.

- Sean

 

[RickEverhart]

Wow...I'm glad steerpike and steve agree with me on this one. For a minute I thought maybe Ben knew more than me....or something I didn't know....ha ha..yeah right. Just kidding Ben. Hopefully you up your fees man...that is..if you are doing paid gigs.