Don’t Waste Your Money Hiring a Magician!

Yes, don’t waste money hiring a magician! Believe it or not, I give this advice to probably more than half of the people I speak with about event entertainment ideas. So why would I say that?

When people find out I’m a magician, 99% of the time, I get two reactions. I either get, “That’s really cool!” or I get, “Oh” followed by a look that says, “Don’t even think about showing me a trick.” When I get the latter, I can almost guarantee that the person attended an event with a subpar magician, or a good magician was hired for an event that shouldn’t have had a magician (Yes, there are events that fall into that category).

I very seriously believe that a good magician at an event is the possibly the single greatest form of live entertainment in existence. It’s the most interactive form of entertainment. People are not only laughing, but the emotion of true amazement is something that no other form of entertainment does as consistently as magic.

All that being said, I believe there are a few precautions you need to take before hiring a magician…even a good one. Here are three questions you should always ask yourself before booking a magician.

1. Does a magician suit my event?

I spoke to a lady the other day who asked me if a magician was a good choice for 3 year olds. The answer is a resounding “NO!” Remember, magic is essentially a twist on reality. At age 3, kids are still learning what reality is. In other words, you can’t show a rope trick to someone who doesn’t know how to tie their own shoes.

Keep in mind that a professional is going to be able to tell you this and possibly make suggestions for you. I far more respect the entertainer that will not accept a job because he either feels he’s not qualified or it’s not the right event for that type of entertainment. That brings me to the next tip.

2. Do I have the budget for a good magician?

This is going to require you to be honest with yourself. The worst thing that can happen is someone compromising their budget and booking a bad magician. I know you’ve heard the expression “You get what you pay for.” I have yet to see another form of entertainment be a better example of that statement than magic. If someone doesn’t have the budget for a good magician, the last thing in the world they need to do is blow their whole entertainment budget on a bad one.

I’m never afraid to advise someone to go a different direction. Most people are appreciative when they hear why. Others may be a little disappointed. However, I’m notorious for saying, “Five minutes into the show, you’ll understand why they charge the amount they charge.”

If you want another reference for cost, I’ve outlined what I believe good magicians should cost. You can read it here: How Much Does a Magician Cost?

3. Have I done my research?

Don’t be afraid to do a quick search on the internet. You can find everything from checking reviews of performers to even asking Google if a magician is right for your event. Just remember (and I know you know this), don’t get just one opinion. Find the consensus from a few people. AND!! Make sure the reviews you’re reading are for similar events. Don’t expect a magician for kids parties to be the go-to choice as a magician for corporate events.

Final Thought…

If you’re reading this and you’ve had a bad experience with magicians in the past, I can only ask you to give it one more chance. By asking yourself these three questions I highlighted, hiring a magician should be a great experience. I don’t expect you to make a 180 degree turn, but if I could get you to at least put on the breaks, I feel that’s a good start.