7 Things To Look For When Hiring A Magician For Your Event

A true professional will have the necessary equipment, experience, and backup plans to fend off any chaos that may arise.

Ok, you’ve bit the bullet and decided to get a magician or a mentalist for your next shindig.

Maybe it’s because you read my blog outlining all the reasons why magic and mentalism is the best kind of entertainment for your event. Maybe it’s because someone in your office really wants to see some magic. Or, most likely, you want entertainment for your event that’s unique; Something different from the standard corporate entertainment choices.

Whatever the reason, you’ve settled on hiring a magician for your event. So, you open Google, type in “corporate event magician,” or “magicians near me,” or whatever else you’ve decided to search for…and BAM, there are literally HUNDREDS of options.

You need at least this many fingers to count all the magicians and mentalists on Google.

​​So, how do you make sure you're hiring the right magician for the job? Well, here are the top five tips to know you’re getting a top-notch pro for your corporate event.

1. Experience is Key

The last thing you want is an amateur who leaves your guests baffled; not by their magic, but how they got hired in the first place. Experienced magicians, mentalists, and entertainers of all stripes will have proof of their ability; they’ll openly list past clients, previous testimonials, awards, and other proof that they know what they’re doing.

So, look for reviews and testimonials on their website. See if they have a list of past clients. Do they have Google or Facebook reviews? Heck, you can even ask if they have any social proof in an email or phone call.

The bottom line is that experienced performers will have social proof in spades to show that they can knock the socks off your guests at your event. And, if they’re really great at what they do, it’ll be easy to find.

2. Get The Right Person For The Right Event

Speaking of which, make sure you’re hiring the right magician for the event. A lot of people think a magician is a magician is a magician, no matter the circumstances. However, magicians and their styles can be incredibly unique, and most magicians will tailor their style and performance to a particular crowd or market. So, make sure your magician is suited to the type of event you’re planning. You can even ask for references and examples (see my “Experience Is Key” point above) of previous corporate events they have performed at, and ensure they have experience with similar events.

And, like I mentioned before, most experienced magicians and mentalists will have that information ready for you. They’ll have it on their website, send it to you in an email, forward you a brochure, or point you to a video. They want you to know that they know what they’re doing, and they won’t be shy about it.

3. Budget For The Best

Everyone has heard that old cliché: “You get what you pay for.”

And event entertainment is no exception.

And, while budget is obviously always a consideration, make sure that you’re setting aside a large enough budget to get a performer that can confidently provide the experience you’re looking for.

Trust me, I’ve never seen something derail an event like mediocre-to-bad entertainment. And it’s not just about the show.

Experienced magicians (and all performers, really) not only come with the show they do, but the experience to make sure that your event is as successful as possible. They know how to work the crowd, troubleshoot any issues that could pop up, and make sure that everyone there has an unforgettable experience. And that experience is worth every penny.

4. Professionals Act Professional

You know when you’re dealing with a pro. You see it in their actions. And when it comes to hiring a magician for your corporate event, holiday party, or whatever else you might be planning, there are a few things to look for.

The first is communication. Do they follow up? Is their correspondence professional? Are they punctual? Do they provide you with everything you need? Do they answer your questions? And, most importantly, do they listen to your needs? These are all hallmark signs of someone who knows how to not only be easy to work with, but how to work with you to meet your need and goals for your event.

You want a magician who is professional, reliable, and understands the needs of your event. A true professional will have the necessary equipment, experience, and backup plans to fend off any chaos that may arise.

5. They Put On An Amazing Show

This feels like an obvious point, but, frankly, it’s an important one…maybe the most important one. After all, you don’t want to put in all the time and money to have an entertainer show up and put on a mediocre performance. After all, you want your guests thinking, “That was AWESOME!” instead of “That was AWFUL.”

Look for a magician who is confident, charismatic, and can back up their claims. You can usually get a good sense of a magician's performance style by watching things like promo reels or videos of their shows online. As mentioned before, check their reviews. Take a look at their social media. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, an accomplished performer will have this information ready and easy to find.

6. They’re Willing To Work With You

Now I don’t just mean that they’re ready and willing to take the job. A top-notch magician or mentalist is ready and willing to find out about what your goals are, and work with you to make it a success.

Do you have a strange request? Are you hosting your event at an usual venue? Do you want something customized to make the show specific to your event, company, or guests? Do you need help planning how the event is going to play out? Or, at the very least, do you just want to make sure that your guests have an unforgettable experience?

An experienced magician or mentalist will not only be able to help you with all of these things, but they’ll be happy to do it and will likely already have a tried-and-tested solution for whatever you’re planning. At the end of the day, a truly great performer wants you to look like the hero who put on an incredible event.

Look for a magician who can work with you to match your brand, theme, and audience. This way, you'll have a magical experience that won't disappear into the background of the rest of the night.

7. They're Busy

I feel like this one seems obvious, but it's worth mentioning.

A great performer will have a full calendar.

If the magician or mentalist you're considering for your event has a jam-packed schedule, that's a pretty reliable sign that they're at least good enough to be in demand.

However, this is the only point on the list that could have a potential downside. If your magician or mentalist is a highly sought-after act, it's entirely possible your event date is already booked. Which can really throw a wrench in your planning.

So, how do you combat this? Make booking entertainment a priority and get in touch early. Most entertainers are booking months in advance, so reaching out as soon as you can gives you the best chance to snag your date before someone else does. This is especially true for events around the holidays; in many cases, prime dates in December can be booked up almost a year in advance...maybe even longer.

The Bottom Line

If you follow these guidelines, you can ensure you're hiring a magician, mentalist, or corporate entertainer who will deliver an unforgettable performance that will leave your guests laughing, gasping, and on the edge of their seats. Don't just settle for just any magician that you can find; go for the great one that will make your event truly magical!

Until next time!