The Magicanada Project

Michael Kras · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:38 am Post subject: Affordability and Discounts

As magicians, I'm sure most of you have run into at least one situation involving those who want our services but just can't afford them (or are simply not willing to pay for them).

How do you handle these situations? Any funny stories to share? Ever run into a bad situation involving it?

Last year around Christmas time I received two notable calls for such gigs... both were free gig requests.

The first gig inquiry was for a Christmas party for the mentally and physically challenged. Naturally, I politely declined.

The second gig was a Christmas part for Inner City Kids, who are of course very rough and bad kids involved in violence and other sort of criminal acts... Umm, no. On top of that, they wanted a free show and even worse, wanted me to pay $50 to get a police check report to prove I'm "clean".

And my most recent... a full party show... for 2 (yes, 2) year olds.... for $20. No thank you.

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BrianMillerMagic · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 543 Location: New York State

The only free gig I take is a show for Buffalo's School 84 - a school for mentally and physically challenged children aged 5-21. I perform there once, sometimes twice a year because I simply enjoy it and the students are genuinely appreciative. Other than that, I have a small percentage that I will vary from my regular rates, but beyond that, I simply turn down the gig and refer the client to someone who may be closer to their price range. Running the risk of sounding arrogant, a client is seriously getting what they pay for when they hire me. I know what my performance is worth and if they can't afford it, then there's nothing I can do about that.

One time a client said, "But we're a non-profit organization!" In my head I responded, "Yes...but I'm not."
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Michael Kras · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:01 am Post subject:

Nice come-back!!! Very Happy

I am fairly flexible in my gig pricing but I know what my limits are...

how do you find doing magic for the mentally and physically disabled? I avoided a gig for them at all costs because I felt it just wouldn't work.
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BrianMillerMagic · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 543 Location: New York State

I absolutely love performing for them. You won't get the out loud reactions that you're used to, or applause cues when you expect them, but what you will get is an incredibly appreciative audience of people you genuinely want to be entertained. Every time I'm there, the teachers remind me that even though there may have been no reaction to something I did, those students will be talking about it for the next week after I'm gone in pure joy and wonder. It's also a great challenge to find ways to adapt your material, slow waaaaay down, simplify everything you do. It's a learning experience every time I'm there. And if you want to know how much they appreciate it, go to the very last quote on this page:

www.BrianMillerMagic.com/Testimonials
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Michael Kras · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:11 am Post subject:

I find lack of applause and reaction to be akward and embarassing... how do you flow through it and continue going?
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BrianMillerMagic · Joined: 14 Aug 2007 Posts: 543 Location: New York State

Smile, take a small bow, and move on to the next routine. If you can cue the adults in the room, sometimes you can draw an applause when you really need one for effect. Otherwise, just keep it moving and remind yourself over and over that you really are making a difference, even if you can't see it.
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Michael Kras · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:18 am Post subject:

Thank you, that really helps... something like that happened at a children's Christmas party last year. I had a table set up and was performing close-up magic... the kids that were watching me simply did just that... watched me. In an age of TV, the children watched me in a similar manner as they would a TV program. Very attentive, but no reactions.
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Reuben The Great · Joined: 11 Sep 2007 Posts: 245

I was actually asked to do a 20$ show, a week's notice, for a lady's daughter's bday party *cough michael knows* *cough some gym teacher*. (that was some bad coughing I must add).

I politely explained that in terms of supplies used, and transportation that 20$ is not enough, and she said take it or leave it.

SO I left it.

Best choice I ever made.
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magicdance · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 1:42 am Post subject:

I was once asked to do a free hour-long show by an elementary school.
I didn't quite know what to say. As I recall I did manage to back out of it politely, but it was the first time I'd been asked something like that and I wasn't prepared.

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"Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." - Helen Keller