...God I love Marks.

[William Draven]

So I'm looking through the usual help wanted adds on craigslist to help bring in some extra cash this month, and I came across this gem. By the way, if you don't already use Craigslist to get gigs, then consider it. However be warned it's really hit-and-miss, most of the time it's crap, or doesn't pay. However if you want to get exposure, or don't mind taking a chance (there are some real gems in there too!) then I do recomend trying it.

Anyways, I digress. Here's the add

In need of an entertaining magician for a 60th birthday party to take place on November 7, 2009. Gig is only for one hour: 9pm-10pm. Magician must have multiple tricks they can do within a small area and be creative/clever with the tricks they choose. The magician will visit individuals sitting at their tables after having had dinner, just before cake and ice cream. Only experienced and fun magicians may apply. Interviews are necessary. Any new ideas of fun things that you can show is welcome. Only serious applicants please.


Location: [CENSORED]
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests
Compensation: $100 for the full hour depending on experience

Without having even replied to this add, I have to wonder if the mark even knows what it is that he wants. "Must be creative with their tricks", so does this imply that you want me to perform my usual lineup of material diffrently than I normally would for your party? I am being paid for the hour, but you only want me to entertain after dinner and before cake? Do you expect that it will take a full hour for 60 people to be served cake? Interviews necessary? I understand this is a job, but are you really quallified to be a judge of talent, let alone mine? "Depending on experience" So you're saying that $100 is the maximum you will pay, and at your descression you may offer less if my experience doesn't meet your satisfaction? There are some clients who turn out to be more trouble than they are worth. This may just be one of them.

I think I may reply to this add, just to see what happens. If anyone's interested I'll post updates.

Sorry.. there really isn't anything constructive in this post. I just realized that I typed this all out to rant. [/rant]

 

[RDChopper]

100$ for an hour? I would say hell yes, most money I got from a recent gig was 20$ and I performed an hour and half.

 

[William Draven]

Oh please please don't take me for complaining about the pay. I'm not. A bill is a bill. And it's 100 more than I have right now. Even though I normally charge at least $200 for this type of event, I've been known to cut my prices for the sake of getting a gig.

I'm just picking appart the marks add, and speculating to what the experience would be like.

 

[RDChopper]

Oh please please don't take me for complaining about the pay. I'm not. A bill is a bill. And it's 100 more than I have right now. Even though I normally charge at least $200 for this type of event, I've been known to cut my prices for the sake of getting a gig.

I'm just picking appart the marks add, and speculating to what the experience would be like.

Yeah I understand, Im just kinda of jealous of you guys over there because you can actually charge more for it than I do.

Maybe the guy doing the event has worked with magicians before?

 

[Luis Vega]

100$ for an hour? I would say hell yes, most money I got from a recent gig was 20$ and I performed an hour and half.

you should charge 800 pesos the hour depending of the type of show that what I charge here but when I had a show in BMW they pay me 3000 for 2 hours, here 500 pesosis the standard, so I suppose if you live in the north, could be around the same

if your good, then you are good to go!!

 

[Randy]

Sounds like the guy wants to sound too professional. I don't think he would really KNOW how to interview a magician, because it's not like a regular job interview. I mean what the hell is going to do "Well you seem different, I'll cut the pay down to 10 bucks.."

 

[RDChopper]

you should charge 800 pesos the hour depending of the type of show that what I charge here but when I had a show in BMW they pay me 3000 for 2 hours, here 500 pesosis the standard, so I suppose if you live in the north, could be around the same

if your good, then you are good to go!!

Dude, magic is really overrated over here, I could be better than copperfield and they would still pay me that amount of money.

Hopefully with the job I have I can make at least my state to see magic from a different perspective

 

[William Draven]

Maybe. Or he's seen one or two work somewhere. His post doesn't strike me as someone who really has a clear grip on the idea of what he wants. He's way to vague on a couple of his own major selling points.

This post is inspiring though. I think I'm going to draft an outline for an essay or essential guide to hiring entertianment for your party. Even if it doesn't get me personally and gigs, I think it would be a valuable resource to give out to people.

Also, I'm wondering why there isn't a good [idea has been edited out because it's too good to leave out in the open.]

I think I may have to work on developing that too now that I have thought about it.

 

[RDChopper]

Maybe. Or he's seen one or two work somewhere. His post doesn't strike me as someone who really has a clear grip on the idea of what he wants. He's way to vague on a couple of his own major selling points.

This post is inspiring though. I think I'm going to draft an outline for an essay or essential guide to hiring entertianment for your party. Even if it doesn't get me personally and gigs, I think it would be a valuable resource to give out to people.

Also, I'm wondering why there isn't a good [idea has been edited out because it's too good to leave out in the open.]

I think I may have to work on developing that too now that I have thought about it.

I think that the general idea that the poster wants to portray there is:

"You better be good"

The only issue here is that he didn't knew how to state that message well.

 

[Luis Vega]

Dude, magic is really overrated over here, I could be better than copperfield and they would still pay me that amount of money.

Hopefully with the job I have I can make at least my state to see magic from a different perspective

here is the same, but I´ve learned to charge and have things that other magicians don´t have..I mean here is full of "Rancheros con dinero" they see magic as gambling and cheating so I look for people more open-minded.

I know is hard, but you can make a difference with that new job (BTW congrats!!!) then you will be able to charge whatever you want

when I got on Tv I raise my pay from 200-300 pesos to 800-2000 pesos
this will chance your way of charging

 

[Randy]

The guy/girl will most likely end up being a huge pain in the ass or not. There really is no way to tell from just looking at the ad. The thing did seem a bit too vague and like he was trying to weed out the kids from the pro's.

The thing about him seeing one or two work somewhere else is that he or she'd pretty much be aware that most Magicians/entertainers already know what they are doing and most likely have their own effects. The thing that get's me is the "creative" part. He didn't explain what that could mean.

 

[chriswiehl]

i just got back from a gig i had from craiglist. it was possible the worst show i have ever had. it was only about 5 mins, for a variaty show. for like a bunch of old alcoholics at a pub (old like 60 and up). they were like fallin asleep.
but i did make 50 bucks for 5 mins! so yea it was ballin

 

[Randy]

i just got back from a gig i had from craiglist. it was possible the worst show i have ever had. it was only about 5 mins, for a variaty show. for like a bunch of old alcoholics at a pub (old like 60 and up). they were like fallin asleep.
but i did make 50 bucks for 5 mins! so yea it was ballin

5 min? man that's not even worth the effort. Most people won't even do 15 min shows due to the price of gas and everything else.

 

[chriswiehl]

yea well it was $50 so yea. it was supposed to be longer. but oh well

 

[DannyT]

Nov. 7th - They're cutting it a little close aren't they?

Their ad sounds like they're talking out of their ass.
" -You'll get $100 tops, only if I think you're good enough.-"
Either they've dealt with crappy magicians before or they have an uncle who does the 21 card trick and views every magician like that.

I honestly think you'll get it if the jobs still opened.
Good luck - as if you need it.

 

[MattTarrant]

lol @ $100.

Even lol'er at $20.