Getting that gig?

[James Wise Magic]

So I'm starting to work on gathering information about how to get a paying gig. There is a hookah lounge around the corner from my place that I go to all the time and I thought it would be a great investment to actually get hired and perform there. I've watched several different videos and read several things about "Getting that gig" and etc and something I ALWAYS here is to never under price yourself. But that's the problem, I'm terrible at haggling a price, I'm not sure what is considered too much or too low.

I was thinking of performing there 2 nights a week for about 4-6 hours each night(ie. there's no stage, it would be pretty much close up magic/table hopping) for about $150 a night. But I'm thinking that's too much.

Any ideas on what would be a good price or at least how to figure out what would be good?

 

[RickEverhart]

6 hours a night table hopping is ridiculous. You ever stand on your feet for 6 hours straight performing? Your legs will be shot by the end of the night.

Here is what I would do but take it for what it's worth. I'd perform there two nights per week on their busiest nights during their peak hours. For example: Maybe they are slammed from 8-11 p.m. every Saturday night. That would be a great time to be there. Maybe they are also busy on Wed. from 5-8 p.m. I'm just throwing options out there.

You could definitely get $150 for 3 hours of work. That would be $300 each week of table hopping.

 

[James Wise Magic]

6 hours a night table hopping is ridiculous. You ever stand on your feet for 6 hours straight performing? Your legs will be shot by the end of the night.

Here is what I would do but take it for what it's worth. I'd perform there two nights per week on their busiest nights during their peak hours. For example: Maybe they are slammed from 8-11 p.m. every Saturday night. That would be a great time to be there. Maybe they are also busy on Wed. from 5-8 p.m. I'm just throwing options out there.

You could definitely get $150 for 3 hours of work. That would be $300 each week of table hopping.

hey man! Thanks for the advice! But luckily there are chairs all over lounge so I wouldn't have to stand all too much.
And thanks for the price advice, I just wasn't sure if $150 was too much. So thanks!

 

[RickEverhart]

Sounds good about the chairs but even with them, 6 hours of magic is an awful lot. I know how I feel after 2-3 hours. Not just physically, but mentally drained as well because you are entertaining and performing. I really do think $150 is fair for 3 hours. I charge $75 - $100 per hour for strolling.

 

[Jacob L]

I would say 3 max, and only do 4 if you're going to be getting some trade out of it as well. Like a free meal or a free hookah (not the actual thing, but like getting to smoke a free bowl or something). I do three hours a night twice a week at a pizza parlour and get 300 for the weekend, plus whatever tips I can ring in. Although now I'm only doing two hours a night since they need to cut back these next two months, but you get my idea.

 

[Randy]

I don't know if a hookah lounge would be the right place for a strolling performer and being there for 6 hours is way too much and would burn you out too quickly. I've heard stories of guys who tried to do that ended up felt like they ran a marathon afterwards. If you do try to do the 6 hour thing, I am going to tell this. Get a REALLY comfortable pair of shoes and get those jellin things for your feet. Because no messed up sleight, no heckler or broken prop is worse than trying to do any type of job that requires you to walk around, when you have blisters on your feet.

I would say to check out the pricing on the menu of place though. This has been mentioned before but If the place has the highest thing on the menu/whatever being around 15-20 bucks tops. Then chances are they won't be able to pay you 150 an hour.

 

[RickEverhart]

Randy..I meant he should get $150 for the 3 hours total. I think the general rule of pricing is take the highest menu item for a dinner and triple the price for your hourly rate. $30 steak = $90 per hour strolling. I believe it was Justin Miller who told me something similar to this.

 

[Luis Vega]

Randy..I meant he should get $150 for the 3 hours total. I think the general rule of pricing is take the highest menu item for a dinner and triple the price for your hourly rate. $30 steak = $90 per hour strolling. I believe it was Justin Miller who told me something similar to this.

Wow..That actually great advice...helpful to even those who have sometime in the busssiness...

 

[formula]

"GIMME SOME GOD DAYUM WORK COS I LIVE IN A CARDBOARD BOX" usually get's me the gig. Sorry I couldn't contribute more, I'm in the UK so I don't really know US pricing.

 

[Ang]

Randy..I meant he should get $150 for the 3 hours total. I think the general rule of pricing is take the highest menu item for a dinner and triple the price for your hourly rate. $30 steak = $90 per hour strolling. I believe it was Justin Miller who told me something similar to this.

I really like this way of pricing magic

 

[Justin.Morris]

Great advice.

Whatever you charge, make sure you deliver.
It would probably be most helpful to go to a local magic club meeting and ask what others with your level of experience/skill are charging.

If you charge $200/hour for your walk around, then make sure that your magic is going to profit the restaurant that much. If you are just a mediocre magician, doing all standard tricks off the shelf, then you should probably just work for much less if not just tips. If however, you have some experience, then charge accordingly. How much do you think you will help the business? If you sell yourself that you can increase their business on their slow night by 5-10%, then as long as you deliver, you can charge whatever is appropriate.
For example ((not necessarily accurate numbers/results)), if your presence at a steakhouse brings in an average of 20 extra customers on nights that you work, let's say those 25 customers are eating steak and the restaurant is bringing in $15-$20 profit from those meals (on say a $30 steak dinner). They are making an extra $375-$500, that evening. If you are working 3 hours, and charging $270 for the night, they are profiting and you are worth it. If you are working a burger place, and the profit per meal is only $4.50 a burger, then your presence is profiting them $112.50 per night. So say you charge $30 per hour/$90 per night, then you are going to need to work harder to keep your job, and bring in more customers. The point being, whatever you promise, make sure you deliver.
Restaurant magicians, also have additional benefits they bring:
-they can reduce anxiety during line ups and during wait times for food
-they can help servers get more tips
-they can work with servers to keep tables happy in case of kitchen mix-ups
-they remind customers about the restaurant because they...
-they help convey and enhance the brand/message of the restaurant
-they make happy customers
and so on...

So there is a lot to sell on aside from profit, but make sure you can produce results for whatever you pitch to those who hire you.

Good luck! And don't be afraid to try. I learned so much from performing in a restaurant, I'm sure you will too.