Performance Journal
How to Hire a Magician: 10 Questions to Ask Before Booking
14 July 2026 · United States, Europe & Worldwide
Entertainment is the highest-variance line in any event budget: a great magician becomes the story guests tell for years, and a mediocre one becomes an awkward memory. The difference is rarely visible in a website or a price — it comes out in the answers to a handful of direct questions.
Here are the ten questions professionals expect to be asked — and the answers that separate a world-class performer from a weekend hobbyist.
The 10 questions
1. How long have you performed professionally — and is this your full-time work? Full-time professionals live on their reputation; hobbyists don't have to.
2. Are you a member of any professional bodies? Membership in organisations like The Magic Circle or FISM means the performer's craft has been examined by peers, not just promised in marketing copy.
3. Can I see real, unedited footage of you performing for live guests? Promo videos are edited; real reactions can't be faked. A confident professional has plenty of both.
4. What formats do you offer — and which fits my event? Strolling close-up magic suits cocktail hours and receptions; a staged mentalism set suits a seated dinner. The right answer is a recommendation, not a menu.
5. Have you worked events like mine? A 300-guest gala, an intimate villa dinner and a trade-show floor are different rooms; ask for comparable experience.
6. How do you tailor the performance? At the top of the market, material is adapted to the couple, the brand or the host — not repeated identically every weekend.
7. Do you provide a contract and carry liability insurance? Professionals always do. If either is missing, so is the professionalism.
8. How do you handle international guests? Ask which languages the performer works in — and how they include guests who share none of them.
9. What do you need from the venue? For close-up magic, the correct answer is: nothing. No stage, no sound, no setup — that's the format's advantage.
10. How do travel and exclusivity work for destination events? For out-of-town dates, the quote should cover performance, travel and exclusivity as one clear figure.
Red flags
No real footage of live audiences. Vague or evasive pricing. No contract. A repertoire that claims to cover everything from children's parties to black-tie galas — a performer for everyone is rarely right for anyone.
The strongest tell is speed and clarity of communication: world-class performers respond quickly, ask about your event before quoting, and put everything in writing.
What it costs
As a rule of thumb: established professionals run $800–$2,500, premium specialists $2,500–$5,000, and the luxury international tier from $5,000–$10,000+ depending on the event, format and travel. The full breakdown is in our 2026 pricing guide, linked below.
Planning an event here? How much does a magician cost? The 2026 pricing guide →
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I book a magician?
As early as possible for fixed dates — reputable performers book out months ahead, and peak dates (Saturday weddings in season, December corporate weeks) up to a year ahead at the luxury tier.
Should I hire a close-up magician or a stage show?
For standing, social formats — cocktail hours, receptions — close-up magic is ideal. For a seated dinner, a short staged mentalism set works as the evening's centrepiece. Many top performers, Matteo Cammisa included, combine both in one event.
Does a magician need equipment or a stage?
Close-up magic needs nothing from the venue — no stage, no sound system, no setup time. That's precisely why it suits luxury venues, villas and yachts where staging is unwelcome.
What credentials should a professional magician have?
Look for membership in professional bodies such as The Magic Circle (London) or FISM, a track record at comparable events, real live-audience footage, a written contract and liability insurance.
Planning something similar?
Share your event date and venue — Matteo responds within 24 hours.
Prefer to message directly? WhatsApp·management@matteocammisa.com
