About your Salary...

Please Limit Responses to Numbers ONLY


What salary would you like to make as a MDJ in 2008?


How many events do you expect to perform to achieve that goal?


Weddings
Bars
High Shool
Other



How many events would you be willing or capable of performing to achieve that goal?


Weddings
Bars
High Shool
Other



Please Limit Responses to Numbers ONLY

1. $20,000 (p/t gross in US$)

2. Bars

3. Bars and Other (private parties).

sorry....confidential information.:sqwink:

sorry....confidential information.:sqwink:

sorry me too


Left hand never tells what right hand is doing...

What salary would you like to make as a MDJ in 2008?


Confidential info??? Oh, boy, i am in trouble.

I have told my... oh, better keep that under wraps too.

:sqconfused: :sqfrown: :rofl:

not to hijack the thread, but why are you all worried about sharing what you would LIKE to make?

He's not asking what you are making just what you would want to make.

I'd LIKE to make $80,000

40 weddings @ $2,000 each

I agree with you Chuck. It's a way of setting and meeting a target for 2008. I hope to make enough to leave the day job.
6000.00 - 8000.00 per month would be great for me. Now with prayer and a polished performance I will hope to acheive this goal.
From Weddings, graduations and corporate events.

not to hijack the thread, but why are you all worried about sharing what you would LIKE to make?

He's not asking what you are making just what you would want to make.

I'd LIKE to make $80,000

40 weddings @ $2,000 each

Great question. I have a few possible answers to your question.

1st - They don't have a clue what numbers they want.

While 2008 booking season is approaching for weddings, and 07-08 school dance season is for all intent here. They are taking the "wait and see what happens" approach. Wait and see how often the phone rings, and if I can get the leads, numbers, and prices I hope for.

Since most don't have a solid pricing level for any event. (flexible when the client wants to price shop) no firm numbers can be given. Let the chips fall...

2nd It's Dude Walker asking.

Anyone that knows Dude, knows he won't put forth a question like this without having a motive. They do not wish to be part of a "chart or graph" Dude will put together to put a point across. Thus using their own words and numbers against them.

There are a lot of dj's in this world running a business. Not business owners in the dj field. There is a difference. A business is ran for profit. period. A hobby can make a profit, but is done more for "fun" and "self gratification".

3rd They are chicken sh**

Putting forth numbers and event totals as Dude requests requires one to, well, set a goal if you will. Some one can come back to this thread a year from now, look back, and find good or bad. Didn't make event totals, but made better profit??? or Made event totals, but sold their talents short, took less money for events, and came up short..

That would require one to think how and why things did or didn't pan out. Possiblilty of looking foolish amoungst peers??? Out of the question.

Either way... This type of questioning requires much inner searching, honesty, and goal setting. Put your ego on the line. Goals, require follow thru. Putting them in the public eye, allows others to scrutinize. God help the dj ego that is told they are not all they said they would be. Especially when the "told you so" is in their own words.

I was waiting to post my numbers to see if my assumptions were correct, that this thread would go nowhere. As it has.

I am not sure of my pricing plan for next year. I am debating different "ways" of pricing. Package(s) vs base price plus what ever they want extra as "add on's".

To be sure.

I am hoping to gross at least $50,000. (prices are going to have to up to get there.)

I would like about
30 weddings.
10 Bar jobs or private parties.
10 Corporate functions
Don't do schools, bar-bat mitzva (don't even know how to spell em.)

Obviously, that is 50 events. A lot higher than this year. A lot higher gross reciepts than last several years.

Looking at my financial situation, my "full time" job future... I need to get this dj biz going or get the hell back over the road driving a truck. That ain't going to happen. 2-3 weeks away from family, kids, and home ain't going to happen again. I did it for 10 years. That was ENOUGH!

I have a lot of books to read, things to do, calls to make. I know it can be done. Others have. What makes them any better than I, other than the fact they do... while I sit and wonder...

I'll wait for Dude to give us his then I might answer this one :)

I'll wait for Dude to give us his then I might answer this one :)
Good point, Dennis.

Great question. I have a few possible answers to your question.

1st - They don't have a clue what numbers they want.


2nd It's Dude Walker asking.


3rd They are chicken sh**



or 4..they choose not to.


I didn't mean to offend anyone with my confidentiality post. It was nothing against anybody. It's just not something i wish to put out on the internet. I have a lot of goals for the DJ business. I believe writing them down and then examine them periodically is a great idea. When i put goals in writing...it is because that is what i am working for and that is what i am planning on doing. I don't put goals that i believe cannot or will not be reached in writing.

If people wish to share their goals or salaries(real or projected) with everyone, that is their privilege
I just have reasons that i feel it would be in my best interest if those goals remained private. Also, my projected salary for 2008 is not something i wish to share.
I hope everyone can respect that.

or 4..they choose not to.


True enough. some may choose not to for legit reasons also.

I do think 1-3 are more likely the case. But 4 is possible. No disrespect intended or implied.

not to hijack the thread, but why are you all worried about sharing what you would LIKE to make?

He's not asking what you are making just what you would want to make.

I'd LIKE to make $80,000

40 weddings @ $2,000 each

I'd LIKE to do 40 weddings at $5,000 each, but I didn't get the impression that that was the info that was being requested. The request was for salary projection and number of shows projection.

Interesting thread and not surprising results. Is this the ulitmate in reading years of "mine is bigger than yours" and now...it's showdown time?

With meaningful statistics and credentials like gigs worked and dollars earned, it would be evident who's talking the talk and who's walking the walk.

Lots and lots and lots of talkers it seems.

Lots of 'em.

Seriously.

Not kidding.

Lots.

I think a better question would be...

break it down.. what did you do last year, numbers only

type of gig and amount paid for each type... then what are you hoping for this year....

a comparison and again, like Cap said, it would show who's walking the walk, and who is talking the baby talk.. LOL

I know that last year for me was not a great year,,, almost scarey, so this year has gotta be better...

But yes, if someone starts a post by asking a question like this,,,,, I would ask that they start the ball rolling by sharing their numbers.

But can we really trust what we read on the internet? I mean,,, come on,,,, what about those aliens that landed?

But can we really trust what we read on the internet? I mean,,, come on,,,, what about those aliens that landed?

They're in my backyard, if you'd like to confront them :sqcool: :sqlaugh:


I see some merit in all of the posts here, but I also see that Dude writes some serious articles, and may want to gather some info for those, from the horsey's mouth, so to speak.

I've never met Dude, nor spoke on the phone, but he seems to want to help, best I can tell...

Having qualified that -- trying to get info from an industry that runs half under the table, is not an easy task. Compared to many industries, we are still in our infancy. Cash is easy to be had, and not declared, etc.

But, for those that would choose to 'dignify' the industry, and take it out of the back room, those numbers would certainly help, I think.

I guess it depends on where everybody wants it to go...


Just my .002 beer blabbing Sunday night :)

I'll drink to that Rick.

Bottom line, I'd like to be able to pay myself a "salary", but we are still in the "infancy" stage of our business and will show a profit for the first time this year.

How much profit? I have no idea, until all the numbers are in at the end of the year.

Please Limit Responses to Numbers ONLY

1. What salary would you like to make as a MDJ in 2008?

What ever I can to remain affordable to my clientel and still remian in business. That is, if production costs remain the same, then what I am making now, which really is none of your business, will be sufficient.

If productiuon costs rise, as they must, then I will adjust accordingly by keeping a firm eye on the costs.

2. How many events do you expect to perform to achieve that goal?

Weddings
Bars
High Shool
Other

Considering that my goal is flexible and I really don't do this to make a whopping profit, the answer is, what ever I can.

3. How many events would you be willing or capable of performing to achieve that goal?

Weddings
Bars
High Shool
Other

See 2 above. But in round numbers, since I only work one event per day and only work Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. we are looking at 3 * 52 or 156 events.

Please Limit Responses to Numbers ONLY

Sorry to blow your ability to graph this, but, I am not your typical DJ.


I don't care what the others in the area are charging.
I don't base my prices on the others.
Their survival or failure is not my problem.
I base my prices on what it costs me plus a reasonable profit margin.
I am not greedy.
I enjoy DJing. And now, back to our current pricing thread.

Bottom line, I'd like to be able to pay myself a "salary", but we are still in the "infancy" stage of our business and will show a profit for the first time this year.

How much profit? I have no idea, until all the numbers are in at the end of the year.

Kirby,

I couldn't have said it any better myself.
I'm in the same boat as you.

If the Dj side makes anything, it will promptly be re-invested in the sound reproduction side.

And no matter what number is posted, someone will have something to say about it.

Dang,

There appear to be a lot of angry, paranoid folks in the DJ world :sqerr:


Since I happen to still be stuck in Purgatory, you'all can feel free to come on over, share a beer or a bowl, and get your anger out, whiles't hanging with the green eyed deer, and bigfoot :sqbiggrin:

We can watch water flow downhill, and grass grow -- I find that a very soothing experience ;) :)

Gonna have to pass Rick...........

Goats make me Paranoid.

Interesting thread and not surprising results. Is this the ulitmate in reading years of "mine is bigger than yours" and now...it's showdown time?

With meaningful statistics and credentials like gigs worked and dollars earned, it would be evident who's talking the talk and who's walking the walk.




Actually, that's one of the things i like about this board...you (usually)don't have people coming here talking about how many shows they do and how great they are and how much they charge. My experience has taught me that people that are overly concerned with having everyone know how many shows they do or how much they get for a wedding are usually full of poop.
I dont need someone's stats to tell me who is walking the walk and who likes to try to convince others that they are...I think it's very evident in people's posts.

Scott : I dont need someone's stats to tell me who is walking the walk and who likes to try to convince others that they are...I think it's very evident in people's posts. So you're willing to accept business advice, techniques, and accept opinions from someone who perhaps does 10 shows a year, has no idea how much it costs or how much they actually earn (or spend), and no verifiable track record at all?

I'm as much after those stats from the "Big Boys" too, just to see if they have the walk to back up the talk (and seminars, and DVDs, and workshops and you name it).

Without anything of a realistic to quantify and credential at least IN TERMS of the business, what we have here is a Chat Room, a backyard BBQ, and should be open to anyone, DJ or not, because apparently nothing else matters other than being nice and secretive. I'm good with that too. Takes a lot of pressure off trying to be upfront and realistic. Shoot, just poof away, express opinion, and have a good day. Yep, that works nicely.

Scott : So you're willing to accept business advice, techniques, and accept opinions from someone who perhaps does 10 shows a year, has no idea how much it costs or how much they actually earn (or spend), and no verifiable track record at all?

I'm as much after those stats from the "Big Boys" too, just to see if they have the walk to back up the talk (and seminars, and DVDs, and workshops and you name it).

Without anything of a realistic to quantify and credential at least IN TERMS of the business, what we have here is a Chat Room, a backyard BBQ, and should be open to anyone, DJ or not, because apparently nothing else matters other than being nice and secretive. I'm good with that too. Takes a lot of pressure off trying to be upfront and realistic. Shoot, just poof away, express opinion, and have a good day. Yep, that works nicely.

Cap,
I will gladly take advice from someone that does 10 shows a year....if i feel they have advice to offer. Probably wouldn't look for them for advice on how to book more shows.:sqwink:
There has been threads here or other places that have asked people how many shows they do personally per year. Most people have no problem sharing that. I personally do about 50 private events a year. The challenge is verifying it. That's the difficult part. In a nut shell, if my posts just don't ring true for someone that does 50 events per year, then i wouldn't believe me.
I choose to take advice from people that i have found to be consistent with their posting...someone that doesn't brag...and someone that doesn't feel their way is the ONLY way.

Sharing accurate information is the key to making forums like this great. My salary projection is not something i'm willing to share.

1. $70,000.00 gross personal income.
2. I expect to personally do @ 40 events. 10 School Events, 20 weddings, 10 Other.
3. I'm a multi-op so I expect that I won't need to do more then this to obtain my goal. You never asked how many events my company needs to do ;)

1. $50,000.00
2. Two weddings
3. I want to take the other 10 months off

Please see:

http://www.ourdjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7461

and

http://www.ourdjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=7462

1. $50,000.00
2. Two weddings
3. I want to take the other 10 months off

Wow! It takes you a month to prepare for one wedding, I would love to get your DVD ;)