magic business Archives

How to Contact Companies to Hire You as a Magician

Contact Companies to Hire You as a Magician Franklin asks:

‘My question is regarding corporate engagements or to be more precise ‘How do you get to find out the names of the decision makers in multi-national companies?’ I’m talking about the type of companies that do have conferences at various times throughout the year, as well as awards and various other types of dinners for their staff and clients.’

Franklin, that’s a great question! But we need to clarify something first. There is a big difference between contacting small and medium size business’s, and multi-national companies. The approach for each can be quite different.

Why it’s so hard to get booked directly by multi-national companies.

Multinational companies put on a lot of events throughout the year. 9 times out of 10 they use event production companies and entertainment agencies to organize the whole of their events. The reason you may be having trouble getting through to someone is because there isn’t anyone at the company that deals with it. It’s outsourced.

You may be successful by contacting the companies and asking which department deals with events planning, or which company they use for events. You may just get some bookings from it, but it’s just as likely that the next time they run an event, it will be outsourced and that event planning company will use its regular magicians.

High profile magicians tend to get work like this from their agents, They don’t bring it in themselves. An agent builds relationships with event organizers that run the whole event for their clients.

If you are looking to get work from that sector, then you need to build relationships with entertainment agencies just as much as trying to get booked directly by the companies that use them. Some Internet searches will bring up a few of the big agencies.

Most magicians do get some work from large companies independently. However, it’s more common to be approached by an agent directly for a specific event. Sometimes an agent may have trouble supplying their regular magicians for a specific date, and then they may look online or ask other magicians they trust for a recommendation. Their next port of call will be to check out your website. Having a website that promotes your services is essential.

Small and medium size companies.

For smaller companies, you can contact them directly and explain that you are a supplier and need to reach the person who is in charge of event planning. It’s also useful to look at Linked-in and build a network through there. Be sure to connect with companies you have worked for in the past and you can build up a referral reputation over time.

Why Magicians Need Public Liability Insurance.

by Merchant of Magic 7 Comments

Public liability insurance is vital if you intend to perform magic for the public. Here’s a quick lowdown of what it is, what it covers and why every magician should have it.

What is public liability insurance?
This type of performers insurance covers a magician if a spectator or a member of the public was to suffer a loss or injury as a result of you performing magic. If a spectator made a claim for compensation, then the insurance could cover the compensation payment plus any legal expenses.

Why is public liability cover a good thing for your spectators?
Even when a magician does everything fine, there could always the chance that an accident could happen. When you have public liability insurance, you can perform your magic knowing that should the worst happen, your spectators property could be repaired, lost or damaged possessions replaced and their medical costs looked after.

What is covered in a public liability claim?
The insurance policies can differ between insurance companies and are usually tailored to the individual performers requirements. However, as a guide, the insurance covers a entertainers legal responsibility to pay damages to members of the public for death and injury or damage to property or possessions, which has resulted from the magicians activities.

For example, if you accidentally knocked over a candle, while performing fire magic tricks at a table and caused a bad burn on a spectators designer dress, you could make a claim against them for compensation to pay for repairing the damage. Public Liability Insurance means that you will be able to cover cost of the claim, along with any legal expenses.

Many venues will require magicians to have insurance.
Venues need public liability insurance. They also expect of from the entertainers they book. A client should ask to see your insurance schedule and documentation before allowing you to perform. You should also have insurance if you intend to perform street magic. Many magicians agents will require you to have sufficient insurance before you can go on their books.

Where to get Public Liability Insurance for magicians.
There are many companies that can provide public liability insurance. A bit of google-fu will easily bring up a list. You need to check that they cover entertainers as some insurers don’t provide insurance for that activity. Also check what is excluded as many policies will not give you cover for use of fire in your act. If you become a member of Equity, which we highly recommend, you will get public liability cover automatically as part of your membership.

Question: Do you use an insurer that offers a good public liability Insurance policy for magicians? Let us know in the comments section below:

Do I Need a License to Perform Street Magic in the UK?

by Merchant of Magic 4 Comments

Source: Peter Wardell – One of the Best Street Magic Acts in the UK

Different areas of the UK have their own rules, but generally, you will not need a specific license for busking or street performance in most areas of the UK.

Under existing entertainment licensing laws, some live entertainment is exempt from the need to be licensed, as long as it is performed incidentally to another non-licensable activity. So, for example, a magician or mentalist in a shopping center, during a time when people are shopping there, will not usually need to get an entertainment license.

If you intend to put on a Large magic show, or an event at which live music is a main attraction, or instances where music is not incidental to a non-licensable activity, you will need an entertainment license.

You will also need to apply for a license if you wish to collect money for charity (a street collection license, issued by the Police).

If you intend to sell items, such as magic tricks or DVD’s, while busking will also fall under street trading laws, which may require you to obtain permission.

It is important that magicians have a suitable public liability insurance policy, which covers the content of their magic act.

Do I need a license to perform street magic on private property?
If you intend to perform on private property you will need the express consent of the owner or operator of the property. Privately owned locations include:

Car Parks
Many shopping centers
Tube and bus stations
Railway stations
Community halls
Market areas

What about a license to perform street magic in other Public places?
If you wish to get a license to perform street magic in parks or open spaces, you will find that many of them have event teams that can help you find a location and pick the most appropriate times to perform.

Magicians causing a nuisance.
Magicians are not exempt from any requirements of the Environmental Protection Act. Should a magicians performance lead to complaints of noise nuisance, enforcement action may be taken against the performer to stop the nuisance being caused.

Similarly, if a magician is found to be blocking or obstructing a public highway or footpath, they may be moved on by police officers.

Contact your local council for full details of the requirements for the location you wish to perform in. You should also get permission if you intend to film video at that location.

Do you have any advice for magicians getting a license to perform street magic? Leave a comment below.