Define Your Goals

This is the most important step. What is it you are looking to achieve from hiring a magician? Are you looking to engage people with your brand, break the ice between guests, or simply have people experience something utterly jaw-dropping! Understanding what it is you want your guests to experience will help you with every aspect of organising the event, not just booking the entertainment!

Research Magicians

It might not be the best marketing ploy to bring you here and potentially send you to another website but researching what sort of magician you want to hire is crucial. Magic (like most things) has an extremely varied pool of performers (style, skill, presentations etc). You’ll find the cost can vary quite dramatically when contacting different people and there is often a good reason for that! I would suggest a good general rule to ask yourself is: “Would I want this person at the party if they weren’t performing magic?”. If the answer is a clear “no”, do you want them socialising with your guests? A good magician should feel like an extension of you, your brand, or your friends. Read reviews, watch videos and check their socials. Does their vibe feel like one you want to be associated with?

Book in Advance

Bit of an obvious one but if you see a magician you like the look of, snap them up (er hem). We get booked months in advance so try, so to avoid disappointment I recommend getting a magician (or any performer for that matter) to put a pencil in their diary as quickly as possible.

Communicate Clearly

Clearly communicating what it is you want from a magician for hire is paramount to getting the most out of their time with you. Aside from the date, time and location, always provide the following: Audience size, the format of the event, and the occasion that is bringing everyone together. The more information the magician has, the more they can maximise their time with you!

Bespoke Magic

It is always worth finding out if the magician for hire can customise any tricks or presentations. This may come at an additional cost, but it can be well worth it! You might not be quite sure as to what “bespoke magic” means. Why not drop me an email by clicking here to find out more.

Logistical Considerations

There is nothing nicer than turning up to perform when the client has reserved you a space to set up. It doesn’t have to be a glamourous spot or have private amenities but given the nature of what we do, a private/secret area to get our thoughts together is always hugely appreciated! Beyond that, a bottle of water never goes amiss!

Promote the Performance

Priming an audience to react or get excited begins well before the magician arrives! In the same way going to the theatre is not exclusively about watching a play. Consider sharing your magician’s showreel amongst attendees before they arrive, or sending an email with their bio. Creating a theatrical experience by letting people know ahead of time there is a magician is a sure-fire way to increase attendance rates!

So hopefully this article has armed you with everything you need to know about how to book a magician for your event. If you have any further considerations or questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out by email (info@fergusflanagan.com).