Holiday season is over for the team here at Berlin Talent Inc. and you know what that means...
Happy New Year!
Let's talk about my most booked shows in winter...children's parties!
Magic is SUPER popular right now in the entertainment world. From fun, exciting TV shows like Penn & Teller's Fool Us and The Carbonaro Effect to Broadway shows like The Illusionists, magic has never been more accessible or kid-friendly!
Our performer's children's magic shows feature clean comedy, fun (but sophisticated!) age-appropriate magic tricks, and engaging audience participation that will make your next kids party one for the books. We'll even use your child as the magician's special assistant! Don't forget to get a commemorative photo of the kids with the magician after the show for Instagram too! #instamagic
Planning your kids party can be a total blast, but also really tough when considering all the options out there. I know how stressful it can be wanting to choose the best entertainment for your child...but we're here to help make your next event fun, memorable and STRESS-FREE.
So here are Berlin Talent Inc.'s TOP 10 TIPS FOR HIRING A MAGICIAN AT YOUR NEXT CHILDREN'S PARTY!
1. KNOW YOUR STUFF
The first thing any company or professional entertainer will ask (at minimum) will be the time and date of your event - this is usually to make sure they're available! We'd hate to start a conversation about your party only to find out the entertainer you're interested in already has another show booked at that time. We recommend telling us the time/date of the event, the age of the kids, how many children you are expecting and the type of entertainment you're interested in (magic, balloons, face painting, princess party, etc.). This will help us to quickly give you a quote and availability!
2. FEEL FREE TO ASK QUESTIONS
If you have a question about the performer, tricks in the show, etc., please feel free to ask! :-) Yes, we can do custom tricks for themed-parties! No, the magician won't wear a Easter Bunny costume while doing the show, even if you provide it (yes, that was a real question).
3. "DO YOU HAVE A BUNNY?"
I'll be honest with you, most magicians these days don't have a bunny. Why? First of all, none of the kids have an allergy right? Cool. Then let's check out that bunny's vet record. Did it get it's up to date shots? Also, do you have a license? (I'm serious.) Most of the time, it's just not worth the hassle, and besides, the real star of the show if the birthday child (and their friends)!
4. READ TESTIMONIALS
Read reviews about the company/performer you are considering working with! I always encourage prospective clients to check out our long list of testimonials from happy customers! :-)
5. YOU MIGHT GET STICKER SHOCK
I could (and I think I will) write a separate entry about this topic - it's quite in-depth and well-debated! But in short, there are generally two kinds of children's entertainer's you'll find: hobbyists and professionals. Hobbyists are non-pros who are performing because they love it and often just want to make some extra income. If you get quoted a low price, it's usually an indicator that person is not a professional, and lacks industry experience. Professional entertainers are running a business, and charge a rate that reflects the cost of their products and insurance. They will have materials to present to you (website, photos, video, etc.) and will provide top-notch service to boot. When entrusting your kids to an entertainer, a higher price could well be worth the cost.
6. CHECK THEIR INSURANCE
You're not a pro unless you're insured! In the incredibly unlikely scenario there's an issue, don't you want the assurance that you're covered? Entertainers that don't have insurance don't care about protecting themselves or you, so always check!
7. WORK OUT THE DETAILS
Decided on a performer? Great! Don't forget to work out the details - is there available parking for the performer if necessary? Is the party at your home or a venue? If your home, are there any limitations (i.e. can confetti be thrown, is the space very small, etc.)? Make sure you know what to expect of the performer and vice versa for a smooth party day! :-)
8. SIGN A CONTRACT
Most companies and professional performers will ask you to sign an agreement outlining the details of the booking - be wary of entertainers that don't! No contract means nothing is in writing guaranteeing the performer to be there. We always send you an electronic contract and take a 50% deposit to hold the performer for the time and date of your event - ensuring you are all set and STRESS-FREE~!
9. COMMUNICATE
After working out the details of the booking, signing the contract and paying the deposit you should be all set :-) BUT if things change (location, number of kids, etc.), it's always great to keep in touch and let us know. We're happy to provide any help we can with changes to the schedule, alterations, additions, or even suggestions.
10. CELEBRATE..AND TELL THE WORLD!
We always encourage telling the kids and parents attending the party that you are expecting a special magical guest ;-) Not only does it improve party attendance (and is an excuse for guests to be on time!), but it gives everyone something fun to look forward to. When sending out that invite, be sure to tell the world you hired some fantastic entertainment that's going to blow everyone's minds!
Remember: When it comes to making magical memories for your child's special day, you want to work with a company you trust, and who will bring you the best entertainment possible. Trust Berlin Talent Inc. to help your child feel the magic~!
Magically yours,
Mallory Berlin
President of Berlin Talent Inc.