Children's Entertainment and the Economy

[Jolly Roger]

I would be interested to know if other children's entertainers are being affected by the current economic climate? I have noticed that more clients seem to be focused on cost rather than quality, and even some of my wealthier clients are asking my fee.....which never used to be the case. JR

[Spellbinder]

I have considered taking to the streets wearing a sign: "Will do Magic for a Bail-out." Hey, it can't hurt to try.

[Bill Palmer]

The economy is so bad that the pimps in D.C. are committing suicide by jumping off their platform shoes. (Robert Orben, Johnny Carson, and a whole lot of other guys.)

[Jack Turk]

I think families are indeed getting more discerning
about how they spend their money. In any economy,
there are those who have boatloads of cash and
aren't really affected. And there are those who
are struggling... they probably wouldn't hire
a magician anyway.

IMO, the group that's in the middle are the ones
who are going to be rethinking, "Do I really want
to spend X dollars on hiring a magician for little
Johnny this year?"

Whether we get their business depends on how great a
job we do at:

-- clearly laying out the benefits of our program

-- offering a tremendous value / "bang for the buck"

-- getting our names out there in front of the other
options available

In a challenging economy, people always weigh their
choices more carefully. Because of this, we need
to constantly rethink our approaches to marketing to
ensure the messages we deliver are in tune with the
mood of the times.

It's not easy and it does take work.

--Jack

[Jolly Roger]

Something curious is happening. I find that more and more of my clients are paying me in cash, and my tips are higher than ever! Go figure! JR

[Neale Bacon]

I find that my birthdays are down and schools and libraries are up.
I think it is because birthday fees come out of mom and dad's pocket and in this economy, some just don't have it any more.

[Mark.Lewis]

I am puzzled about Neale's "school" mention. I know that American magicians work in schools. I have never heard of it in Canada. Is something happening in British Columbia that is not happening in Ontario. Tricky Ricky (Richard Lyn) is always talking about all the school shows he does in Toronto but when questioned he really means day cares the majority of which are in schools.I do plenty of those too. Is Neale talking about day cares too or is he booked by the actual school. And I presume this is an elementary school.

And if he is working in schools is he compelled to do this silly stuff they do in America where you have to chatter about educational content? I can see that happening in the US where they are not as well educated as they are in Canada but is it necessary up here?

[Neale Bacon]

I do daycares and preschools but occasionally do elementary schools as well.

There has to be educational content to be considered for schools in BC. Besides, I like educational shows.

[Mark.Lewis]

Never heard of it in Ontario. I have never heard of a single school magician here. They must be keeping it all secret from me.

[Jolly Roger]

My guess is that BC is to Ontario as Arizona is to Texas. Go figure! JR