Are you looking for a free magician? Perhaps you have an event coming up and need to hire a magician to perform close up magic for you and your guests? You’ve probably already spent enough on the venue, the food and the decorations, so there is no point in paying out anything else.
Unfortunately this is how a view held by many people about magicians and entertainers in general. Recently I heard of a magician performing at a London event with a ticket price of £250, and yet the magician was paid nothing! Let me repeat that, because I couldn’t believe it either, £250 per ticket and they couldn’t afford to pay for the entertainment!
Entertainers incur costs, and deserved to paid, the same as you would for the venue, the food and the decorations. Yes, I perform at a selection of charity events, for local causes I support. However it is my choice to donate my time, not for it to be expected by the charity organiser. Furthermore a charity that does not provide an enjoyable experience, will struggle to attract guests for it’s future events.
Any magician who performs at an event that actually costs them more to perform at than they make from doing the performance, won’t be a magician very long. This is the worst business model I’ve ever heard of. It’s show business remember? You can pretty much guarantee that a free magician, isn’t a professional magician. In fact the term magician is a misnomer. In my mind a magician is someone who can entertain audiences with magic, and provide them with a sense of the impossible. A better description for the amateur ‘magic fan’, might be someone who has learnt some tricks, and thinks they are a magician.
Another argument I hear often is that magicians enjoy doing magic. This is true, but so what? I love performing magic, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be paid, just because I enjoy my job. To succeed in magic, to be a good magician, you need to be able to perform. I repeat myself on this so often, that I’m nearly sick of saying it myself. It’s all about the performance. The style and manner of the magician is infinitely more important than the latest trick they have bought. To be a good performer takes experience. It’s not something that can be read in a book, or learnt in your bedroom. I’m speaking to magicians here, your practice mirror is not real life. Furthermore, your friends and family do not count as performing experience.
Experience is something that can’t be bought, but it can be sold. Part of the price of any entertainer you book pays for that experience. As a professional magician, I am constantly honing my routines, analysing them and improving them. All of this takes time. The time you book me for is tiny compared to the effort and work that leads up to the showtime. At the time of writing I’ve been performing magic for over ten years.
Again, this is directly aimed at magicians, but may be relevant for other service providers too. A great piece of advice I heard once was, ‘if you expect to be paid for something, stop giving it away for free.’ Every magician that performs for free sends a clear message of their value to the booker – nothing! There are not a lot of magicians, so I would suggest that magicians performing for free, highlight the idea that all magicians are worthless, that you don’t have to pay for any of them.
If you’re looking to hire a magician for free, to perform close up magic at your next wedding, summer ball, family gathering, or other event, then you won’t find it here. I firmly believe that you get what you pay for. I love that saying ‘pay peanuts, get monkeys.’ If you want someone to insult you, to embarrass you and to use every cliché about magicians (and there is a lot), then don’t contact me.
If you’re looking to hire a professional magician, to perform interactive, engaging and impossible close up magic, that will leave you and your friends with memories to last a lifetime, then get in touch with me today. If I’m not available for your event, I’ll pass you on to someone who fits the above description. I perform in an upbeat manner with plenty of humour thrown in. I’m a member of Equity, the performing artists union, and the world famous Magic Circle, so you can be sure of getting someone reliable, responsible and above all reputable. Yes, booking me as your magician will cost you money, however I am regularly told that the entertainment I provide is worth every single penny. Contact me today and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have as to how I can help to make your event the best that it can be.
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Originally posted at www.magiciansblog.com Ed Sumner is a professional magician, available to hire a wide range of events including weddings, parties, corporate events and family gatherings. He is based in Staffordshire, an ideal place to access the rest of the country. To discuss your event, contact Ed Sumner today on 07792129828 or by email at www.edsumner.com