Zen and the Art of Not Counting Other People’s Money

I really need to get off the internet. I can’t believe the things magicians complain about. Recently someone was complaining about them quoting $895 for a 3 hour roving gig and booker claimed people were quoting $150 an hour ($450 for 3 hours). The magician was all upset because the other magicians were “working too … Continue reading “Zen and the Art of Not Counting Other People’s Money”

I really need to get off the internet. I can’t believe the things magicians complain about. Recently someone was complaining about them quoting $895 for a 3 hour roving gig and booker claimed people were quoting $150 an hour ($450 for 3 hours). The magician was all upset because the other magicians were “working too cheap”.


Here’s my thinking on this, when you stop worrying about what other people do, you will be a lot happier. You can’t control what other people charge for their services. When you do, there’s a term for it called, “Price Fixing” and it’s illegal.


In this specific example the person saying the people charging $450 for three hours was too cheap, yet someone chimed in and said the person charging $895 for the three hours was too cheap.


You will find its place and price point in the market. I honestly think someone starting out should be charging a lot less than someone that’s been doing it for a decade (and gotten better over that decade). If someone starting out charges the prices of established acts and they come in and don’t do well, it hurts everyone. There’s a lot to be learned at a $150 gig for someone starting out.


Think about the last time you went to buy a car. Let’s say you budget was $25,000. Did you buy a car that was $10,000? Probably not. I’m betting your purchase was in the $20,000-$30,000 range. You spent your budget. I think the same goes with party planners, you have been given a budget of money….money that’s not your own personal money. The party planner is going to spend all of it on the event, they don’t get a bonus for coming in under budget. The gig that’s going to hire the person for $450 was probably never going to book you for $895 this year. However next year they may put more money into their budget for live entertainment.


TLDR: Don’t worry about what other people charge.