The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Magician, Step-by-Step

For more than three decades, I’ve been a professional magician and mentalist. Here’s what I wish everyone knew when they’re looking to book me or one of my colleagues:

Step 1: What do you hope a magician / mentalist will bring to your event?
Are you looking for a headline performer who will be a big draw, or will they be one of many entertainment options for the night? Will everyone stop and watch a show, or do you want a more open house format like boardwalk-style mini shows or walk around magic?

Step 2: Determine your entertainment budget range
This doesn’t have to be a fixed number, but having a rough idea of what you’re able to spend is helpful before comparing magicians or mentalists.

Step 3: Ask for recommendations, or search using specific phrases
Referrals from people you know will always be the best starting point. Reach out to friends or family who are likely to have seen a magician at an event similar to what you’re planning, or ask for suggestions on social media.

You can also search online for performers, using words specific to your event and geographic area.

Step 4: Narrow your search
Once you have a handful of magicians and mentalists who look like they’ll be a good fit, dig a little deeper. Watch some of their online videos, read reviews, and send their websites to a friend or two for input.

Step 5: Inquire about rates & availability
Once you’ve shortlisted potential magicians, reach out to inquire about their availability. Don’t just give them your event date and time, give as much information as possible: location, type of event, audience size and age, whether you’re looking for on stage or up close, etc. The more details you’re able to provide, the faster they’ll be able to pass along their rates and see if they’re a good fit for you.

Step 6: Discuss contract, terms, and extra fees
Many performers will require a signed contract and payment to hold the date on their calendar. Before finalizing, make sure you’ve discussed logistics like travel, lodging, as well as sound, lighting, and stage requirements. Some magicians and mentalists include these in their rate, others don’t, so it’s best to check and avoid surprises.

Step 7: Book and promote
Once you’ve officially confirmed your entertainer, it’s time to think about how you’ll let your attendees know! Consider including them in printed materials, on social media, and more. Building anticipation will make the “big day” even more special.

By following these steps, you can hire a mentalist, magician, or illusionist who not only aligns with your event’s vision but also leaves a lasting impression on your audience!

I’ve been a magician and mentalist for over 30 years, and here’s what will (and won’t) get me to lower my price:

1. Schedule your event off-peak
   Weekends around the holidays tend to be the busiest times for hiring a magician. Got a mentalist you want to hire, but can’t afford their full rate? Ask them when their least busy times are, and see if you can schedule your event then.
2. Buy in bulk
   Do you have multiple events coming up that you can hire a magician for? Can you co-op with another family, business, or organization to spread out the cost of booking a mentalist?
3. Wait until the last minute
   This may sound counterintuitive. But the closer a date is, the less likely I am to turn away a full-rate client, which means I’m more likely to say yes to a discounted show. But it comes with risk: if I’m booked already, you’ll need to hire another magician or mentalist.
4. Offer an escape clause
   Book a magician at a discounted rate with the understanding that they can accept a better offer if one comes along. Like the above, you risk needing to book a mentalist or magician last minute, but it still works out more often than not.
5. Offer a barter
   Is there something that you sell that could benefit me? I once did a corporate show for my electrician, and instead of paying directly, he gave me a “tab” for the next few times I needed to hire him. It was a win-win, but only because we both needed each others’ expertise.

And just because I like you, here’s a couple of things to avoid:

1. Please don’t ask for more than 30% off
   Even using all of the tips above, my rates only have so much flexibility.
2. Don’t barter for “exposure”
   I’ve had clients haggle with offers like “A lot of people will see the show and may want to hire you.” Yes, but that’s true at every event, full price or otherwise.

Of course, the tips above aren’t applicable to every magician or mentalist. But I hope they let you save a few dollars and keep me and my colleagues busy!

I’ve been a magician and mentalist for over 30 years. I’m here to give you the honest, truthful answer to “how much does a magician cost?” But you’re not going to like it.

Hiring a mentalist or magician for your event will cost between $250 and $50,000.

I realize that range is so wide, it’s unhelpful. So let me try to break down how our pricing works so you’ll know what to expect when hiring a magician or mentalist.

If you hire five plumbers in your area to install a toilet, they’ll take similar steps and charge similar rates. But if you hire five magicians in your area to perform a show, you’re likely to have five very different experiences … and pay five very different rates.

Why the big range? Because what a magician or mentalist is presenting is both an art and a craft.

Imagine you’ve got a blank wall that you want to make more interesting. If you asked the question “How much does a piece of art for my wall cost?” you’d get a huge range.

Is it an original or a reproduction? Was it created by a well-known artist, or a beginner? Does it appeal to a wide range of people, or is it an acquired taste? Is it framed, delivered, and installed, or do you have to take those steps?

Let’s break down the above in terms of a mentalist or magician.

Originality: (Is it an original or a reproduction?)
Many performers are “cover magicians,” sharing their take on classics. Classics are timeless for a reason, but if your audience expects a new experience, hire a magician who focuses on creating original material. Or for the ultimate in uniqueness, hire a mentalist or magician who will customize their show just for your event. As you can imagine, their cost increases as their originality does.

Experience & Skill Level: (Was it created by a well-known artist or a beginner?)
This contributes to the cost of hiring a mentalist or magician, as well. Someone who hasn’t been performing professionally for as long may not be as smooth or polished, both on stage and in the booking process. But their rate is likely to be less, so if you’re on a budget and have a friendly and forgiving audience, they may be your best choice.

Popularity & Demand: (Does it appeal to a wide range of people, or is it an acquired taste?)
I have colleagues who only perform for young children, some who only perform for families, and others who only perform for adults. But my fellow magicians and mentalists who have a show that appeals to a wider age range tend to be busier, and therefore charge more money because of a higher demand.

Unexpected Fees: (Is it framed, delivered, and installed, or do you have to take those steps?)
I have magician and mentalist friends who do a great show but no sound system. That means if they want to perform for a larger group, it’s up to their client to provide (and pay for) one. I also have friends who will show up with a box truck that opens up to become a stage, complete with lights and curtains. So another factor for price difference is how much gear or equipment they will provide.

Other factors that can impact how much a magician and mentalist will charge include:

• Scale of Performance – Is it a large stage show with illusions, or walking around with a deck of cards?
• Event Location – Is it local to the performer, or are travel / lodging fees involved?
• Date – Securing a popular date a year in advance will cost more than a last-minute booking on a Tuesday afternoon

If you’re looking for some entertainment at your child’s birthday party, you probably don’t need someone who travels across the country sharing customized presentations. Similarly, if you’re looking to wow your colleagues at the next awards dinner, expect to spend more than what a birthday party magician in the area is charging.

Check with friends, look at a few websites, and ask for a few quotes. A good magician or mentalist should make it obvious if they’re a good fit for your event!