Now, you might be thinking… “My event needs something different and unique this year. Something memorable, engaging, thought provoking and overall entertaining for everyone to enjoy. I saw a magician on TV once… maybe I should hire a magician.. or perhaps a hypnotist!?”

There are a few important things to consider when looking for a variety entertainer such as a Magician, Mentalist, or Hypnotist.Most modern magic performers and hypnotist alike fall in to one of three categories:

The first is the hobbyist performer who performs maybe 5-10 times a year. These performers are typically of an amateur skill set, have a strong love and passion for magic. They like to collect all the newest magic tricks and need an audience to practice on. They enjoy performing magic for fun and figure, why not get paid for it? Although they may lack in originality and experience, they are quite affordable! You really do get what you pay for. These performers range from $300-$500 a show. Definitely not a bad way to go for a small birthday party on a budget!

The second is the experienced professional. These performers range from about 25-150 performances a year. These performers make a full time living performing their craft. They are authentic, creative, original, and display an impressive skill set. Most experienced professionals have been performing for at least ten years. Typically they can charge anywhere from $750-$3,000. These kind of performers are great for events from intimate performances in your living room to big stages. Such events like, private parties, special occasions, corporate events etc.

The third is the seasoned professional. These performers not only perform over 200 shows a year, but they typically find themselves as part of larger scale productions that travel, such as cruise ships, fairs, colleges, and often have residency contracts. These kind of performers have been performing for at least 20+ years and present an award winning flawless act. These kinds of performers can range anywhere from $1,500-$10k+ depending on how high in demand they are. This is the way to go for high budget events where a lot of people are going to be attending and the budget is high.

Also bear in mind, no two performers are alike. You may find two performers with similar descriptions of what they offer, and even similar price ranges, but they most likely have very different acts, so it really does come down to personal taste.
Once you know what kind of event you’re hosting, and what your budget consists of, you should take these guidelines into consideration so you can get the best fit for your needs.