talkmagic.co.uk

I have only started to notice the knock-on effect of the credit crunch relating to bookings (especially weddings).

Last year for me was exceptionally busy and into January2010 it was looking to be a successful year.

Then suddenly I found out that magicians in the surrounding areas had been going out at £150 for three hours at weddings etc and the phone calls have stopped as I cant compete with those cheap price drops.

I think people have really started under cutting and its having a knock on effect. I am getting lots of childrens entertainment passing my way but the wedding market has really dipped. What are your experiences so far this year? (without going into to much personel details) and how do you forecast this year will unfold for professional performers?

C

So far this year has been very slow however I was also feeling the credit crunch this time last year. I have been spending my time as productively as possible by focusing my time on promotion.

I hope you pick up and get work in.

All the best,

Joel.

I think you're right about the credit crunch affecting all areas, Chris but one thing I found difficult when I was starting out was trying to actually determine what was a fair price for (for example) a three hour walkaround gig at a wedding.

Other performers can be very guarded about what they will or won't tell you sometimes in regards to their fee... so maybe these 'cheap' perfomers are just picking a price out of the air that suits them, without doing the relevant due diligence?

Just my 2p worth!


Sean

Hi Sean.

Are you a full time magician?

I am always very happy to discuss fee's. I feel it is important.

I have seen many people in entertainment make mistakes when it comes to figures, in fact I saw somebody make a terrible mistake last night. I wont go in to it via this post.

Its important we work together.

Joel.

I would say it has more to do with lending criteria than anything else.

People who would normally have gone to the bank and taken out a £15k loan to cover their wedding may have to settle for £10k or just saving for it sensibly (like I did ).

If they are dealing with a more restricted budget then this will always have an impact especially on "ancillary" entertainment like a walk around magician!

Harsh but true. Rings, dress, cake, suits, venue, guests, music.

Everything else is a bonus.

I've also found that weddings are slow so far this year and yes, many people are planning their wedding with a far stricter budget.

£150 for 3 hours is dirt cheap but I think that these magicians have always been around and still will be when there are signs of a recovery.

I do sometimes think it strange when some magicians will go out to work for an employer for around £8 an hour but feel cheated at £50 an hour.

There are always those out there who see things from a different perspective and if you relaay need the work then you too sometimes have to adapt to survive.

Just offering an alternative view.

One of the handy things about being an entertainer in a recession is the unlimited amount of work 365 days a year.

Of course if - for example - you do something popular like 'wedding magician', you may start to feel the pinch. On the other hand, if you used the 'good times' to develop your work in less popular areas, you'll be better off in the 'bad times'.

I was working up in Cumbria just before xmas and invited Joel along. He was otherwise engaged. Anyway Joel I'm back up North on Friday at a special school in Bradford. Bit of a trek for you but I'm sure you'ld find it worthwhile.

All for now.

Kevin

Hi Kev.

Bradford is a big treck from me my friend.

Shame a couldn't meet you last time you where through.

I wish you a great 2010.

All the best.

Joel.

I have noticed a slight drop in weddings but a bit of a rise in corporate work, I actually increased my price from Oct 09 because I was too busy. Things will pick up & the down time means you can work on promotion ideas more.

Russ

Also remember that last year had lowest number of weddings in years.

So who is going to be one of the first divorce magicians then ?

Getting a divorce ? hire a magi for that special day !
Effects include :-
Torn and shafted card effects, misers nightmare, etc etc etc ...

Nice though Harris

I also heard on the radio that last year supposedly had the lowest number of weddings since the mid 1800's. I've just taken my first wedding booking today for 2011

Extensive research shows that at some point before every divorce, there was a wedding.... scary, huh?

I havent noticed it at all if im honest - in fact im busier this year than ive ever been. And no, im not charging £50 an hour for gigs. Im fully booked for christmas already and Im receiving lots of enquiries daily.




Maybe im just lucky though??

dat8962 wrote:Nice though Harris

I also heard on the radio that last year supposedly had the lowest number of weddings since the mid 1800's. I've just taken my first wedding booking today for 2011

2011? Damn that's way too ahead of time. I always figured people booked that stuff a few months ahead of time.