Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring a Magician for Your Event

1. The popularity of magic shows is on the rise. According to a recent Canadian survey, approximately 30% of all corporate events and holiday parties employ a professional magician or mentalist. The best party magicians in the country can be found on TV shows like America's Got Talent and Penn and Teller's Fool Us Shows. Here are five simple things to look for when hiring a magician for a company event or holiday party that will ensure your guests have a positive and "magical" experience. 



2. A sample of video footage before making a booking, watch some of the magicians' show footage. This may seem self-evident, but you'd be surprised how many people and event planners book a local magician they found online. Because they saw a cool picture of them fanning a deck of cards, they assumed they must be great. Before making a decision, you should watch some of the magician's video footage. Consider whether he or she appears well-dressed and put-together. Are they interesting? Are they performing the same magic tricks as "Uncle Sam"? What is the reaction of the audience? (This will give you a good idea of how your guests will react.)

3. Value is usually dictated by price. There is a significant difference between a professional magician who charges $500.00 for a show and a professional magician who charges $5000.00 for a show. We all work on budgets, of course, but a poor performance usually reflects poorly on the person who booked them, and the opposite is also true. The speeches, the quality of the food, and the quality of the music are rarely remembered by the guests, but they will remember how awesome (or not) the entertainment was. Top professionals charge a premium for a reason: they are worth it! So, when it comes to quality, try to spend as much as you can.

4. Reviews: In an age when every product and service is bought and sold based on customer reviews, it's surprising how many magicians and magic shows are booked without ever looking at the feedback or testimonials. Also, check to see if the reviews are genuine. This can be accomplished by simply contacting previous clients and asking them about their experience with the magic show. Clients who have had a good experience with the magician almost always gladly recommend them to others.

5. Booking Agreement. Both parties are protected by a contract or performance agreement with the magician or talent agency. Customers who were booking a magician for the first time for their company's holiday party were most concerned that they would not show up. In most cases, a contract with a contract rider solves the problem.

Comments