So you've done it. You've hired a magician for a corporate event. Your guests are going to be amazed and dazzled. This is good news! However, you're still not done. Hiring a magician is the first step in the process. But you're also going to want to make sure that you are getting the most out of your investment.
In today's article, we're going to be talking about the top tips for collaborating with your magician to ensure the best possible experience for both yourself and your guests. We're going to talk about the communication process, planning, the logistics of your magician, whether they're going to be performing a stage show or a close up magic. With that said, let's get into it.
Start with the Why: Magician’s Role & Your Event Goals
This first part starts at the beginning of the booking process. It's important for the corporate event magician to understand what the event's purpose is. For example, are you planning an employee appreciation party where you're just focusing on fun? Is this a networking event? Are you looking to get different companies in the same room to discuss and do business.
Is this a product launch? Are you combining your product or service or company's message with the magician's magic to ensure maximum impact to your potential prospects?
You should start by understanding your audience's demographics. For example, are they executives? Employees? Clients? This is helpful information for the magician to understand who they are performing for and presenting to. This can often benefit and help the magician prepare their magic and customize it the best they can to help it have a great impact.
The Magic of Clear Communication: Corporate Event Magician's Expectations
It's also a great idea to share details about your company, their culture, the event theme, or any inside jokes or references that the magician can use. The more information, receive from my clients, the better I am at understanding what the event is going to look like and a feel for the overall vibe and energy.
Every event is different, so the more information that your magician has, the better.
One of the most overlooked aspects of bringing a corporate event magician to the event is logistics, such as the performance space, timing, equipment, and most importantly, the schedule which we will get into in our next section.
Behind the Scenes: Nailing the Logistics for a Flawless Performance
Always communicate the venue space and the setup of the event to the magician. There are typically two types of magic the magician will perform, the first being close up mingling magic, ideal for networking events during cocktail hour or receptions. This is where the magician will roam the event, performing close up miracles in your guests hands. It's amazing and a huge hit.
Close-Up Magic Logistics
While no stage or microphone is needed for this sort of magic, it's important to know that any music being played in the background should be kept at a volume that allows for normal conversation to be held. You'll also want to ensure that the lighting in this space is bright enough to where guests can see the magic.
If your cocktail hour or a party or environment is in a darkened space with very minimal lighting, be sure to tell the magician this information so that they can plan ahead.
The last thing you want is a club environment and a magician trying to compete volume wise with music that is blasting. Most guests will not be able to hear or understand what the corporate magician is saying. This can lead to a not so great experience for your guests and the magician having to yell to be heard.
Plan accordingly and understand all aspects of your event to make sure that nothing is going to negatively impact any one of your activities.
Stage Magic Logistics
In the event that your magician is performing on stage, you'll want to ensure proper lighting and sound. Is your event space set up to where your guests can see the stage or platform area where the magician will be performing? Think about visual obstructions such as event décor, pillars, lighting, or speaker stands.
Another thing to consider is a dance floor. Most events will have a dance floor in front of the DJ or in front of the stage, followed by tables in front of the dance floor and placed on the sides. This is not an ideal setup for a show, as many guests will be looking at either the sides or the back of the performer, leading to a decreased level of engagement.
This will significantly impact the enjoyment that some of your guests will have during the show. It can often lead to people tuning out or taking out their phones because they are unable to become fully engaged. This problem can be easily remedied by planning in advance and understanding the best performance environment for your magician.
Most corporate event magicians will be able to work with you and your event space regardless of the setup. However, letting them know in advance what to expect so they can plan accordingly is the best way to ensure your guests have a phenomenal experience.
If your magician requires music and a microphone for their show. Be sure to communicate with your AV team or DJ to ensure that the magician can use it.
If they require use of a projection or LED screen. Make sure that those connections are made available. Most magicians will have a technical writer of some sort outlining their specific needs for their show.
Again, by addressing these logistics early on in the process, you can avoid unwanted mishaps on the day of the event.
A Case Study: How Planning Ahead Made All the Difference
A great example of planning ahead that I experienced was working a trade show as a Las Vegas Magician for Affiliate Summit West. I was contracted to perform close-up magic and increase engagement and traffic to my client's booth. I knew in advance from working many trade shows that being heard in a busy convention hall can be a challenge. By working with my client in advance and discussing our needs.
We were able to plan in advance and have a small PA speaker and microphone ready at the booth so that I was able to be heard. It would have been very difficult to be heard, thus having a PA had a major impact on engagement at our booth.
By addressing this issue early on in our process. We avoided having this an issue on the day of the event, and boy were we glad we didn't have this be an issue!
Pro tip: Create a detailed run of show document to share between the corporate magician as well as yourself. Without clear communication, many things can fall by the wayside and cause issues on the day of the event.
When to Bring on the Magic: Strategic Scheduling Tips
Let's talk about how to incorporate the event magician into the event's schedule in a strategic way. It’s important to discuss the best times to feature the magic at your event. Here are a couple of the best options that I've found throughout the years. The first is cocktail hour. As guests arrive at your event I’m there to welcome them, help break the ice, and set the tone for the event with some amazing interactive magic that will blow their minds.
This helps stimulate conversation, get people excited about the event, and is a great way to set the tone.
Pro tip: Don't schedule your magician directly at the start of the event.
Cocktail Hour Magic
If you have experience throwing the same type of event year after year. You know when realistically, the majority of your guests are going to arrive. If your event starts at 7 p.m. and you've booked the magician to perform cocktail magic from 7 to 8:00. If you know in advance that many of your guests will be showing up a little bit later or won't arrive directly at 7 p.m., it can be beneficial to have your magician start closer to 715 to ensure that there are guests there to entertain.
The last thing you want is for your magician's clock to be running with no one to perform for. By planning in advance, you can avoid a mistake like this and ensure you're getting the most out of your performer.
Post-Dinner Magic
Next, let's take a look at magic after dinner. As a magician for corporate events, I suggest avoiding performing a magic show during dinner. Dinner is its own entertainment. You want to leave guests time to enjoy their meal and conversate with people at their table. Attempting to schedule an interactive entertainment experience while guests are trying to eat at the same time can be too much. Instead, plan to start the magic show during the dessert course or slightly after dinner has concluded.
This will ensure all of your guests have been fed, had time to eat their meal, and are ready to enjoy an amazing performance.
Re-energizing Long Events
Another great application is to use magic as a refresher or re-energize her during long conferences or meetings. Let's say your company is having a weeklong retreat or a convention that is lasting several days.
While there are many meetings, sessions, and networking events, it's important to give guests time to re-energize and recharge. A magician is a great way to do this. By providing your guests with a magician you can entertain them, give them something exciting, boost morale at the event, and get them excited and re-energized for the next meeting or session.
Since every event is different, it's important to work with the corporate event magician to determine the best time for magic during your event. Walk through the run of the show for your event with the magician. Talk about when you feel like the best time to have the magic would be, and your magician can help walk you through what will work best for your event.
Building Anticipation: How to Promote Your Magician for Maximum Impact
And finally, let's talk about advertising. While in some cases it can be beneficial to keep the magician a secret and surprise for guests at the same time. Advertising that you have a special guest entertainer is a great way to build anticipation.
Most magicians will have fliers or posters that you can add your event's details to to help advertise the show. This is a powerful tool that you do not want to overlook, as it can have a major impact on guest attendance and ensuring anticipation for your upcoming event.
I've gone through a few tips on how to get the most out of your magician at your upcoming corporate event, but as always there is so much more to discuss.
If you have additional questions or would like to learn more about bringing a corporate event Magician to your next event, book a free consultation with me, Magician Spencer Grey. I'd love to learn more about how I can help make your next event unforgettable.
I have so much fun educating event planners, HR managers, and companies on how magic can help transform their event and the benefits to booking a corporate event magician. As always, thank you so much for reading and as always, I will see you on the next one.
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