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Weddings What do you charge?
- Thread starter TJtheDJ
- Start date
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
It doesn't matter what other dj's charge in different parts of the country unless you're doing a dissertation, compiling statistical data for a national article or publication, etc. For the purposes of determine your own rates, it is utterly and COMPLETELY 100% IRRELEVANT what any dj - even the other guy in your zip code - is charging for THEIR service.
What THEY offer, how THEY offer it, the equipment THEY USE to offer it, the expenses THEY incur to run THEIR business mean NOTHING to how you should run yours.
Forget rates. The REAL question you should be asking, and the only one worth discussing, is rather : "How do you determine your rates?" Only this question can be helpful to YOU in determining what YOU should be charging for YOUR services.
What THEY offer, how THEY offer it, the equipment THEY USE to offer it, the expenses THEY incur to run THEIR business mean NOTHING to how you should run yours.
Forget rates. The REAL question you should be asking, and the only one worth discussing, is rather : "How do you determine your rates?" Only this question can be helpful to YOU in determining what YOU should be charging for YOUR services.
Apparently, too high...'cause I'm not getting many call backs. I'm in a slump these past two months.
One fee structure for weddings (4-hr standard) and one fee for parties. Same Overtime rate for both.
One fee structure for weddings (4-hr standard) and one fee for parties. Same Overtime rate for both.
I have had 5 people and 1 DJ company call me to cover weddings that were already booked. In my area it seems like the cheap bottom feeders (aka oil field workers) are getting their call backs to works and leaving their booked clients high and dry. So I hope that people will start to see the benefit of hiring a professional.
Private parties are 400 to 500 weddings are 500 to 650,, highest paid gig was a 1,000 gig new years eve
I think the latter statement cancels out the former.
Anyone using and validating the term "bottom feeder", especially in the above context, is apparently a "worther" on some level.
I don't have a set fee because the jobs don't have set requirements. I suppose if all I did was weddings I could have one price for the'same recurring DJ package.
That's no longer what I do.
I have a wide tool pallette of things I can bring to an event and I look for the most profitable combination of my personal time and talent. I'm perfectly content to let the DJ job go to someone else if there's a bigger budget for lighting, decor, or other A/V content.
DJs typically have a skewed sense of the service's value. The service is like potatoes - just one thing on the plate; while the DJs often try to sell themselves as the whole meal. I'm perfectly happy to be the salad or dessert if that's where the real money is.
That's no longer what I do.
I have a wide tool pallette of things I can bring to an event and I look for the most profitable combination of my personal time and talent. I'm perfectly content to let the DJ job go to someone else if there's a bigger budget for lighting, decor, or other A/V content.
DJs typically have a skewed sense of the service's value. The service is like potatoes - just one thing on the plate; while the DJs often try to sell themselves as the whole meal. I'm perfectly happy to be the salad or dessert if that's where the real money is.
What's the difference?
You can order a steak at DENNY'S but very few people do. There is a big difference between applying a label and actually being a credible version of it.
Such is the case with DJs and their obsession with labels like "value, bottom-feeder," etc.
All this finger pointing is like two DJs both inside DENNY'S arguing over who ordered the better steak.
Besides the spelling, one is generic while the other is associated, specifically in this craft/industry, with an individual.
Bottom-feeder is not a term exclusive to Disc jockeys.
Regardless, this is a Disc Jockey discussion forum, what do you suggest we discuss/debate in a pricing thread...some stupid pimp coat?:triwink:
Pimp Coat = Priceless
Has history in regards to many DJs over the years would you like it to make a stop in the Who Dat nation? It could be arranged.
Has history in regards to many DJs over the years would you like it to make a stop in the Who Dat nation? It could be arranged.
Can it handle the WHO DAT NATION?
P.S. Best to visit during regular season (Aug through SUPERBOWL!!!!)
TJ and Steve, in my area the price starts at about $450. However there are a lot of DJ's that are doing 4-5 hours for only $300. Kinda pisses me off! One of the big companies in this area lead everyone to believe they were charging top dollar. I over head the owner give someone a price of $375 for 5 hours.
Today, I quoted a combination Ceremony/Wedding Reception to be held at the same location, same room. They wanted to do it all in 4 hours. No rehearsal the day prior as they don't have the hall. I gave them my quote. He goes on to say that there will be a meal during the reception and that "i suppose you could play some background music." And then goes on to say, "you will only be playing 2 hours of music for dancing." I then commence to tell him about the prepwork, meeting with B&G, Ceremony Program, Reception Program, load-in, load-out, etc. Gave him a military discount, too. The wedding is next Sunday (6/5/11). He tells me that he'll keep checking on price and may call me back. I'm not holding my breath. I'm not going to give away my business.
This could be a place for me to vent this, a guy I have known for years has a small/Pub club, , about 2 months ago he wanted me to start every Friday night, ok i did, he wanted me to give him the best price for a regular weekly gig, I did, 6 weeks later he wants me to do the 3rd week of the month and a couple reunions he has booked at the"weekly price". Now he wouldnt always or ever pay me the night of he would settle up like Wednesday of the next week or so, and one time it went two times into the next Tuesday, so I send him a friendly email saying everything has changed and the price for the single events will be somewhat higher, he goes off on me,, he ask if I'm going to do the reunion for which it is his wifes HS. I smiled and said I'll think about,,,,
