I need his advice on how much I should charge for a restaurant.

You do not need Joe Montellas advice on what to charge. You run a business which means you get to make the rules. The fact that you need to ask what to charge kind of says a lot about how prepared you are for the job. Research your local entertainers and see their work. How do you compare with them? My logic looking at your question is that you have not progressed past Balloon School. If you had you would not be asking about Joe.

Check out my essay on balloon business.
viewtopic.php?f=10015&t=149486

I might be updating that essay so keep your eyes open.


As always,
Dylan

Hmm.. I'm not sure why Dylan decided to respond that way, but the bottom line is that balloon artists, magicians, and even mariachi bands can all charge the same price -- the price they put on themselves.

This is a question of

a) how much your clients are willing to pay,
b) what perceived value you want to set expectations to, and
c) how much your time is worth.

Where those three things meet is what you should charge.

If you're still unsure, pick a number and adjust to taste. Say, $45 an hour.

Acar

If I were you go to http://www.youtube.com/thebenjibruce

Benji is a member of the forums here and he is giving TONS of great information away for free. He actually just did a "restaurant" week on his channel that should have what you're looking for =]



Btw Acar idk why but this made me laugh soo much when I read it =] haha

I recommend before you start doing anything with charging a place to perform that you get as much performance experience as possible. Don't make your first gig as a magician a restaurant. You'll get a much different reception than you think.

When you think you're ready, ask the manager for a meeting and come ready to present to him what you can offer the restaurant. Really that and following up is all you can really do at first. Research the best ways to prepare for these interviews and pitches and make sure you're fully prepared.

-JT

In order to charge anything you have to show the general manager of the restaurant WIIFM. Or What's In It For Me. The only way to get paid is to prove to the GM how you can help the restaurant, how you can help them increase sales and get larger crowds. Have this info down pat before you try to get a restaurant. Until then start to busk. You can make GREAT money working a pa for tipsrk. Just go to where the families are, not the kiddie swing and sandbox but where mom & dad will be with the kids. Mom & dad have money, kids don't. One guy I know worked the Taste of Chicago in Grant Park one year. It is a one day event and he made $500 in ONE DAY.

I have never made that busking balloons but I have made enough to go hit it as often as possible.