Are you looking to hire a magician? Whether it’s for a corporate event, kid’s birthday party or office Christmas party, a magician can provide a unique source of entertainment.
That is if you hire the right magician. Unfortunately, not all magicians are created equal, and if you don’t do your research, you could easily end up hiring a dud.
But, how do you know which magician you should hire?
Check out this guide to learn the top tips to keep in mind when you hire or rent a magician.
1. Know What You Want
First things first, you want to consider what type of magician you need. A magician who specializes in kids’ birthday parties will have a completely different act from a magician who specializes in events for adults.
So, keep this in mind when doing your search.
2. Ask Around
Chances are, you already know someone who has hired a magician for an event. So, ask your friends, family members, and co-workers for recommendations.
Once you have a few recommendations in hand, go online to see what other people have to say about this particular magician.
A magician who owns their own company should be registered with the Better Business Bureau, so you can also check their website to see if the magician has any complaints filed against them.
3. Amateur vs Professional
For many people, magic is just a hobby. There are many hobbyist magicians around the world, and many of them are totally reputable and can provide a great show.
Typically, if you’re looking for someone to provide entertainment for kids or entertainment as a part of an event, then hiring an amateur magician is a good idea.
However, if you’re looking for the real deal and want to make the magician the main event, you should look into hiring someone with more professional experience. If you can afford higher fees, you may even want to look into booking a magician from a different location.
Again, it all depends on how much you expect from the magician and from your event.
4. Originality and Style
Remember, magicians aren’t just there to do tricks, they’re there to put on a show for their audience.
Because of this, each magician brings their own style when they come to stage. Some magicians like to bring a dark and scary vibe to their magic, while others like to incorporate humor.
The kind of magician you want will depend on the type of event you’re hosting.
Before you start your search for a magician, you’ll want to solidify the theme of your event. If it’s a more serious event, the last thing you want is a magician who ruins the mood by cracking jokes and goofing around the whole time.
If you’re looking to hire a magician for a corporate event, be sure to check out this guide to learn how to choose the right one for the theme of your event.
5. Cost
It’s very hard to pinpoint a fair price for a magician, as costs can vary greatly depending on the experience of the performer, the props they use, the space they need, and the length of their show.
If you want a magician to do a full stage show, this is obviously going to cost a lot more than a magician who posts up in a room at a party to do tricks for passersby.
Again, this is why it’s very important to know what you want from your magician so that they can give you an accurate quote.
When speaking with potential magicians, provide with as many details about your event as possible. Tell them what you’re expecting in terms of length of engagement, audience size, and performance type. Also, let them know if the schedule is flexible or if it’s set in stone.
When inquiring about cost, you should also ask if there are any additional charges, if they expect a deposit, and if they have liability insurance.
Remember, each magician handles payments differently, so it’s important to ask for quotes from each one and get clarification on what’s included in the quote.
6. Watch Videos
Watching videos of a magician’s performance is one of the most important steps to take during the selection process.
Hiring a magician without watching their demo reel is like buying a car without test driving it.
A video can tell you about the magician’s style, how well they engage the audience, what types of tricks they do, and how long their performance lasts.
If a magician can’t provide you with a video, then you shouldn’t hire them.
If you can attend a live performance of the magician’s before hiring, even better.
7. Red Flags
As we just said, not having a video is a huge red flag.
Other major red flags include:
No Website
Even though magicians are entertainers, they’re also business owners. If they take running their business seriously, then they’ll have a website.
No References
If a magician can’t provide you with references, then you should avoid hiring them. A professional, well-liked magician will have a long list of references that they’ll be happy to provide you with.
Price Too Low
If the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is. Too low of a price usually means the magician cheaps out on their acts.
Are You Ready to Rent a Magician?
As you can see, there’s a lot to keep in mind when you rent a magician.
However, a magician can seriously make or break an event, so it’s important that you do your research and vetting before hiring anyone.
Years from now, your party guests won’t remember what they ate for dinner, but they will remember a world-class entertainer, so take the decision seriously!
Once you’ve hired your magician, be sure to check back in with our blog for more lifestyle tips and tricks.