If you’re planning a conference, holiday party, sales kickoff, or client gala and you’ve started looking into entertainment, you’ve probably already noticed the problem: nobody posts real numbers. You’ll find plenty of glossy performer websites with a “Request a Quote” button, but very few straight answers about what you should actually expect to pay.
Part of that is because the honest answer is “it depends.” But it depends on a specific, predictable set of factors and once you understand them, you can budget accurately before you ever pick up the phone.
This guide breaks down real-world pricing for corporate magicians and mentalists, what drives the cost up or down, and how to make sure the quote you get actually reflects what your event needs.
It’s true that the price can depend on various factors, but there are specific and predictable factors that will determine the price of an entertainer. Understanding these factors will allow for a more accurate estimation of the cost of hiring a magician or mentalist for your next corporate event.
The Quick Answer
Corporate events will typically have the following price ranges:
- Local or regional magician or mentalist: $1,000 – $3,000
- Experienced corporate entertainer: $3,000 – $7,500
- National or internationally-known performer: $7,500 – $15,000
- Celebrity performer with television or streaming experience: $15,000+
For non-corporate events such as birthday parties and family functions, prices typically will be lower, between $500 – $1,500. However, prices for the different types of events will be explained in further detail in the remainder of this article.
Why the Price Range Is So Wide
There are various reasons that performers will have such a broad price range for the same level of skill. One of the most prominent reasons is that there are a variety of factors that enter into the price of an entertainer. As will be explained in the article, these factors include not just the performer’s experience, but also the type of performance that they will deliver, the size of the audience, the length of the performance, travel costs, the date of the performance, performance customizability, and production requirements. Each of these factors will play a role in the price of the performance.
Experience and Reputation
The most important of these factors is the performer’s experience. For corporate events, the performer will have worked with other corporations and high-profile clients, performed on the television or for streaming platforms, and will have experience working with large audiences who have high expectations of those entertainers who will perform at their events.
New performers who do not have a reputation for putting on high-quality corporate events or entertaining corporate audiences will typically have much less experience in these areas, and thus will command a lower price from corporations who may have high expectations of the performers.
Event Format: Stage Show vs. Strolling/Close-Up
Another factor that will influence the price of an entertainer is the type of performance that they will provide for your event. These can include stage shows or strolling/ close-up performances.
Stage shows typically feature performances that are at least 45 minutes long and typically occur for audiences who are seated together at the event. These performances can be used for after-dinner entertainers or award show performances.
Strolling performances, on the other hand, may occur during cocktail hours and feature entertainers who will move from table to table to perform close-up magic for a group of 5 to 15 guests at a time. Performances of this type are typically priced by the hour, and may be less expensive to book than a stage performance. Both types of performances can be booked for corporate events, with both being beneficial to the entertainment and decorum of a corporate function.
Group Size
The larger the audience that must be entertained, the more costly the performance will be. This is not because the entertainer must work harder with a larger audience.
However, the performance that is required for larger audiences may require more elaborate production components. For instance, stage performances for audiences that include 50 guests may require only a microphone to amplify the performer’s voice. However, performances for 1,000 guests may require professional sound systems, projection systems to allow audience members who are sitting in the back of the room to see the performance, and the inclusion of additional performers to handle the logistics of an audience of that size. Additionally, mentalism performances require that all audience members can see the performers’ reactions and expressions during the performance.
For strolling performances, the larger the audience, the more entertainers may be required to ensure that each guest in the audience gets to see the performer’s tricks.
Length of Performance
Most corporate stage performances will last between 45 and 60 minutes. Stage performances that last longer than 60 minutes may be more costly to hire because they will take up a greater portion of the available event time for guests.
The same is true of strolling entertainers. These performers are often hired for time slots that are between one and three hours in length.
Travel and Location
Entertainers who live in the same area as the corporate event will typically have prices that include the entertainer’s time. However, entertainers from other locations in the country may charge additional fees for the travel, accommodation, and per diem for the entertainer.
These costs can be surprising to some event planners. The price of the entertainer may be quoted on their website as, for instance, $5,000, but the actual cost to the company for travel could be $10,000. Thus, it’s important to ensure that the price includes travel or is separate.
Date and Seasonal Demand
The busiest times of the year for entertainers are during November and December, when many companies host holiday parties for their employees.
During these months, many entertainers will increase their prices for corporate events due to the demand for these entertainers during these high-traffic months. For example, performances on a Friday or Saturday night in December are some of the most in-demand during the year. Thus, booking a performance on a Tuesday in February will cost less.
Customization and Messaging
Entertainers may charge extra for customization of the performance. Many corporations will want an entertainer to perform a custom mentalism performance that predicts the sales figures for their company, or who can read the mind of the company’s CEO.
These types of performances require the entertainer to work with the company in advance to script the performance, and this adds to the price of the entertainer.
Production Requirements
Some entertainers will travel with their sound system, their lighting, and their performance area. Others may require that your corporate event be able to purchase an AV company to purchase an AV package for the performance.
Thus, ensure the price quote includes all of the performance components that the performer will bring to the performance.
Pricing by Event Type
The type of corporate event that you plan will have an impact on the price range that the entertainer will have. For instance:
- Holiday Parties: These events will cost more due to demand in the holiday season. Book your entertainer as early as possible to secure your desired entertainer for the holidays.
- Conferences and General Sessions: These may require a stage performance that includes an element of custom messaging. The audiences for these events may already have AV components in place, though the performer may need to work with the company to create an entertaining keynote speaker.
- Award Galas and Recognition Dinners: These may include a stage performance following dinner, similar to holiday parties.
- Trade Show Booths: For these types of events, close-up entertainers may be required to perform during different time slots throughout the day. The entertainers will typically be booked in one- to three-hour time slots.
- Sales Kickoffs: These events may require higher-end entertainers who will entertain the company’s top performers. Custom mentalism may be requested to entertain the sales team.
- Executive Retreats: These are smaller events that may include only close-up or strolling entertainers. Though the cost may be higher per guest at a smaller event, the value of the experience is higher.
Magician vs. Mentalist
As would be expected, mentalist performances may be slightly more costly than magician performances. Mentalism targets more of a corporate, high-sophistication audience. Mind-reading performances will be of more interest to corporate audiences. Additionally, many entertainers who offer both types of performances may price themselves in the range of mentalist performers for these two combined skills.
What Should Be Included in the Quote?
A great performance quote should include the following information:
- Length of performance and type of performance
- Sound and lighting requirements
- Travel and lodging details
- Rehearsal time
- Cancellation policy
- Deposit amount
Questions to Ask Before Book the Entertainer
Ask the following questions of each magician or mentalist that you interview for your corporate event:
- How many corporate events have you performed in the last year?
- Can I see a performance video?
- Have you performed for an audience like mine?
- What do you need from us in advance?
- What happens in case of cancellation?
When a Cheaper Quote Is Not a Better Deal
It might be tempting to choose the lowest price for your performer. However, you run the risk of an entertainer who does not possess all of the skills or experience that are required to entertain a corporate audience.
Often, the cheapest performer is not the best performer. In most instances, the performer with the lowest price will be a new or less-experienced performer who is attempting to gain a foothold in the corporate industry.
Instead, seek performers who have a reputation for consistently entertaining corporate audiences well. Ask for references from other corporate audiences. Do not be afraid to ask the entertainers directly why their price for your event is what it is. A good, specific answer is a good sign that they will perform well for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a magician or mentalist worth the investment for a corporate event?
For events whose goal is for all of the guests to have a shared experience and to talk about it afterward, yes. The value is not in the ticket sales for the corporate event, but in how the employees will remember the event – and the magician or mentalist performer.
Are magician and mentalist prices for corporate events inclusive of travel?
In some cases, in others they are not. This should be confirmed specifically by each performer.
When should we book our corporate magician or mentalist?
For holidays and weekends in the height of the corporate performance season, booking four to six months in advance is a good start. Many performers will have their calendars sold out for December weekends by the summer. For events outside of this peak season, six to eight weeks in advance is a start.
Can a magician or mentalist perform virtually?
Yes. Many performers offer virtual performances for corporate audiences who are located elsewhere, or who may want a less-intrusive performance at the event itself. Virtual performances may be priced at a lower rate than in-person performances.
What is the deposit for the entertainer?
Typically 50% of the price will be required up front for the entertainer to confirm the date of the performance. The remainder of the price will be required closer to the date of the performance.
The Bottom Line
There is no exact price for a magician or mentalist for corporate events. Instead, the price will depend on the audience size, the performance type, the performance date, and the performer’s experience and skill level. However, by understanding these factors and the importance of each one, you can more accurately estimate the price of the performer.
If you are looking for a magician or mentalist for your upcoming corporate event, I can provide you with a no-pressure, informative quote based on the date, audience size, and other factors related to your event. Just reach out with your event details, and I’ll be happy to assist you!
