| First, decide the date, time and location of your magic show. This information will determine if a potential Magician is available to help you. It's also helpful to know the audience, whether it's adult, children or both, since some Magicians specialize.
Second, seek recommendations from your friends and family. They may have positive or negative experiences with some of the local Magicians. A personal reference is always the best security, when you trust your entertainment to a stranger.
Third, interview as many Magicians as you can to gain a perspective on your true entertainment options. You can find Magicians in the Yellow Pages, on the internet, and in ads in the various family magazines. Whenever possible, talk directly to the Magician who might perform for you. That way, you know exactly who you're hiring.
Fourth, ask the Magician about their credentials and their magic show. Here's some good questions:
- What makes you so special? Let the Magician talk about themselves for a while, just to get a feeling for their personality. Does this person make you comfortable or uncomfortable? Unless you feel positive about the conversation, it might be risky to hire them.
- What happens in your magic show? Find out what the Magician does in the show. Is it appropriate for your audience? Some Magicians use animals, fire, knives, loud noise and/or adult humor which may not work for you.
- What groups do you belong to? Serious Magicians belong to groups like the Chamber of Commerce, the Academy of Magical Arts, the International Brotherhood of Magicians, and the Society of American Magicians. These groups promote business ethics, protect consumers from fraud, and provide continuing education to keep their Magicians in top form.
- Is Magic your full-time business, or is this a part-time thing? This question quickly separates the pros from the hobbyists. Only a few people are good enough to survive as full-time, professional Magicians, and make the A-list. Yet almost anyone can slap together a bunch of tricks and charge for a show. For your own piece of mind, you should know the difference.
- Are you licensed and insured? Every legitimate business has a business license, and the most responsible Magicians even carry liability insurance to protect their audiences and hosts. Find out if your Magician is legit. This is especially important if your special event is held in a public park or facility
- Can you send me your credentials? If a Magician really wants your work, they should be able to provide you with letters of recommendation, testimonials, a web site, newsclippings, a video and/or a DVD. That way, you can independently verify their abilities.
After speaking with several Magicians, you should be able to pick one who's right for you. As soon as possible, try to schedule a reservation. The best Magicians are the hardest to book. After securing your reservation, get everything in writing by mail, e-mail or fax. That gives you security and prevents misunderstandings.
If you still can't find the right Magician, try calling party planners, event planners, or entertainment agencies. These professionals offer a wider selection of entertainment, and they usually guarantee the quality.
Hiring a Magician might take some effort, but in the end you'll enjoy a great magic show that your guests will remember for a long time to come. In the end, it will all seem like magic!
|
