Earlier I told you guys I would start a blog on how to get paid to perform. Its a blog that gives business and communication tips to help everyone on this forum.

Here is the blog:
http://paidtoperform.blogspot.com/

You will find a brief description and the video blog.

I'm also going to give you the youtube links if you would rather check it out on there.

Blog 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fjx71_NTNI
-Target Market
*decide who you want to perform for
*decide who you WON'T perform for
*find out how your buyers buy

Blog 2 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OBatiS00i0
-Pricing
*know the average price
*Price reflects image
*worst advice EVER given
*charge based on value, not hourly


There are plenty more to come....stay tuned.

Sweet!!

I will definitely check it out when I get home.

"I won't perform for kids. I hate kids...kinda."

Good stuff.

I really like the first video. Good stuff.

Yea I had to say "kinda" because I don't want to appear like I'll punch a kid in the face ...but I will trip them

Hey that was great! I think that is a very generous gift to the magic comunity.

Benji...

If we have questions for you about the subjects of the videos, would you rather us post them:
A. Here in this forum
B. On the comments secion of the blog itself
C. On the comments section of YouTube
D. Drop you a PM

Just curious...

I would say in the forum would be best. That way I can comment easier. And if the question is too personal then I don't mind a PM.

Alright...

I'll post a question about pricing that I'm curious about. This pertains to the second video, which I watched on YouTube.

When you mention things about someone wanting to be the cheapest performer around, do you feel that a negative connotation comes with that billing?? For instance, if someone advertises themselves with inexpensive business cards and other inexpensive methods, do you think that they are making potential customers think "Well, there must be a REASON that this guy is the cheapest around..." Or, do you think that there is nothing wrong with highlighting the fact that you might be the cheapest person around.

As an example...I don't do paid performances. I'm too new and I don't feel comfortable doing it. I practice a lot and I'm getting better everyday. I personally feel that eventually, when I'm comfortable enough, a kids show would be my first foray into a paid show, because I like kids (just don't want any of my own ) and I get along well with kids (probably because I'm just a kid myself...even though I'm 31 years old ). I actually like performing many effects that other magician's would consider "kids" type things...hippity hop rabbits, color changing silks, magic coloring book, disappearing crayons, etc...so I feel that a kids show would be a good starting point for me for paid performances.

So, to get to the point...as someone who isn't using paid performances as a way of actually supporting themselves (I have a normal boring job to actually do that) is there anything wrong with being "that guy who's the cheapest?"

There is a difference between creating the image of the "cheap" magician versus being inexpensive. You have to know what image you want to present. If you want to brand yourself as the cheapest then you have to do it in a brilliant way.

One motivational speaker calls himself "The worlds WORST motivational speaker." He obviously isn't the worst, he just branded himself that way. And if you branded yourself as the cheapest, you can still eventually charge a lot.

There is nothing wrong being one of the cheapest because there is a market for it. If you're not using magic as a way to support yourself then that would be a great market. But the negative connotations will vary from person to person. Overall, if you charge significantly less then it will work against you. That is why it is important to know the average.

People equate price with quality. If you're inexpensive, then you aren't as good as the magician who charges $2,000. But if you're branded as "the cheap magician" then quality is in the brand, not the price.

Hope that helps

Benji, I was kinda skepical when I first saw this, but then I watched the videos, D*m man you know what you're talking about!! These are excellent educational vids that should be required watching for anyone starting out.

Thanks for posting them.

Paddy

Thanks Paddy. I appreciate that coming from you.

And as I said earlier...there are plenty more to come.

Thanks Benji.

I will keep watching the videos as they come...those two were really impressive to me. It seems like I learned a ton in just those 9-10 minutes about what I should do if/when I ever decide to make this hobby into something that makes me some money.

Here is the next video. In this video I give you techniques on how to book private parties...

www.paidtoperform.blogspot.com


Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zT9l2gDcDvk

Another good video.

Thanks Benji!