I want to make more money!

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maestro

maestro

DJ Extraordinaire
Aug 30, 2006
3,692
1,383
58
British Columbia
www.musicmaestrodj.com
OK, so I'll start by saying that I'm busy enough, that's a non-issue. I am also one of the better paid DJ's in my area, so that is also a non-issue. What I would like to do is figure out what I can do to add extra income to my DJ service by adding additional services.

I am thinking of investing in a couple moving heads / totems so I can pan a custom gobo across the ceiling of the venue and use them for spot-lighting the entrance or whatever else I can hit from where I am set-up. Nobody in my area is offering anything like this.

Your thoughts? :rofl:
 
Forget moving heads for about the same money or less you can get a couple of projectors and make custom gobos in powerpoint or your software of choice. I will be doing this in a couple of weeks so I will post some pictures.
 
Anything you can do to seperate your services that is different from the other dj's in your area will add value. I strive for two things.

1. Top-Notch Customer Service. Along with being very easy to work with, for my brides, I've created a few client only pages that they can utilize to help plan. I've gathered information from all sorts of wedding sources and they are loving the information that I've put all in one place.

2. Different looks for each event. I customize a setup based off their wants/desires or the event location. I try not to set up the same if I can prevent it. It might be something small, but each bride gets something special when it comes to their setup. That does come with a price. I had to invest in some additional lighting and other various pieces of gear, but it's paid off very quickly.

Now, to respond to your desire for moving heads and totems. A nice start indeed and one you can get alot of use out of. But, I do agree with Drzinc; a projector would give you more versability and you could also use it for slideshow offerings with the addition of a screen. Learn to make put together some nice slideshows and that could also be a nice upsell. (It's on my 2011 plans.) Uplighting has also been a great addition to my services and has been like wild fire here as I'm on the only one doing it.

If I was full-time, I might add a photo booth to the mix as well.
 
Other than the photo booth my good friend Steve does the same. He is a true leader in our arena. I am honored to be a good friend and go to guy when he is looking for an alternate in his place. thanks Steve. I think other than moving we are stuck with what we can do here.
 
maestro said:
OK, so I'll start by saying that I'm busy enough, that's a non-issue. I am also one of the better paid DJ's in my area, so that is also a non-issue. What I would like to do is figure out what I can do to add extra income to my DJ service by adding additional services.

I am thinking of investing in a couple moving heads / totems so I can pan a custom gobo across the ceiling of the venue and use them for spot-lighting the entrance or whatever else I can hit from where I am set-up. Nobody in my area is offering anything like this.

Your thoughts? :rofl:
Click to expand...

Consider this - what you are describing is the addition of more "gear" as a way too make more money, There is no direct connection in what you are proposing. Perhaps no one else in your area offers this because no one in your area is asking for it or cares to pay for it?

The ONLY things you should be adding as a service or upsell are those things people consistently look to you for that you are not currently providing.

For example, if you get repeatedly asked: "do you also do karaoke?" It would be wise then too add karaoke -especially if saying: "no" is a deal breaker on certain gigs. That would make this a logical and effective upsell.

There is always a limit to how much water you can pull from a given pipeline. Rather than trying to squeeze more from an already full service consider looking at areas and TIMES (days) that you are not fully utilizing.

Making more money is purely a function of SELLING more - more value, more stuff, and more effectively. Chances are, the best way to make more money is too apply what you already do to another day - in the form of some other gig type too which you are not currently applying yourself.
 
Sell your TALENT. Most guys can buy the same gear. They cannot match your unique selling proposition....YOU.

Dave
 
Dave Winsor said:
Sell your TALENT. Most guys can buy the same gear. They cannot match your unique selling proposition....YOU.

Dave
Click to expand...

There is only so much you will get for your talent as a DJ at a wedding. I am already being paid well for that but am looking for other ways to increase my pay for the day, so to speak. If it means having to supply more gear, so be it. There may be a bit more to it since you guys down South get to act as MC most of the time. Up here in Canada, the MC is almost always a close family friend or relative. It doesn't even matter if you offer them your service as an MC since most couples choose their MC right away and invite them to be a part of the wedding long before they contact a DJ.
 
Med school :D:D:D:D:D:D
 
maestro said:
There is only so much you will get for your talent as a DJ at a wedding. I am already being paid well for that but am looking for other ways to increase my pay for the day, so to speak. If it means having to supply more gear, so be it. There may be a bit more to it since you guys down South get to act as MC most of the time. Up here in Canada, the MC is almost always a close family friend or relative. It doesn't even matter if you offer them your service as an MC since most couples choose their MC right away and invite them to be a part of the wedding long before they contact a DJ.
Click to expand...

You're spot on with two points:

1. That DJ "talent" is neither rare or unique. The notion of a "unique selling proposition" based on DJ talent is a fantasy. DJs are always easily replaced.

2. That value is defined by the customer. That emcee duties are customarily handed to a family menber under-scores the reality that DJs do not set the agenda when it comes to priorities. Need is defined by the client and what you can or can not sell is a function of those needs.

I suspect you're going to do just fine selecting exactly where you can tap into some new revenue.
 
maestro said:
OK, so I'll start by saying that I'm busy enough, that's a non-issue. I am also one of the better paid DJ's in my area, so that is also a non-issue. What I would like to do is figure out what I can do to add extra income to my DJ service by adding additional services.

I am thinking of investing in a couple moving heads / totems so I can pan a custom gobo across the ceiling of the venue and use them for spot-lighting the entrance or whatever else I can hit from where I am set-up. Nobody in my area is offering anything like this.

Your thoughts? :rofl:
Click to expand...

Check with Rick..you can be an agent for selling some of the grass when he cuts it. Now if he goes to cut it and does not come back you may want to destroy the paper trail!:sqlaugh:
 
Performance said:
You're spot on with two points:

1. That DJ "talent" is neither rare or unique. The notion of a "unique selling proposition" based on DJ talent is a fantasy. DJs are always easily replaced.

2. That value is defined by the customer. That emcee duties are customarily handed to a family member under-scores the reality that DJs do not set the agenda when it comes to priorities. Need is defined by the client and what you can or can not sell is a function of those needs.

I suspect you're going to do just fine selecting exactly where you can tap into some new revenue.
Click to expand...

Yep, nail on head. I'm great at what I do but when people can find a better price they go with someone else.

My market is very flooded. Friends tell me my approach is all wrong but anyhow. I have everything every other DJ has at their disposal. Up-lights, Monograms, Projectors, Bliss-lights, big time sound system. Yep I got it all. If I don't own it i can get it. Yes, Right now I lack the pretty presentation material to sell it but when people ask I can provide it.

What do you want to offer? My best advice to you is to book for other D's. I'm doing this and find it a pain but it's extra $$.

Better yet hire someone and make them work for you. Most of your customers want a DJ not lights, bells and whistles.
 
DJ Cam said:
Yes, Right now I lack the pretty presentation material to sell it but when people ask I can provide it.
Click to expand...

This is the biggest most effective change EVERYONE can make for themself.

People won't ask unless they know your capability. You have to get the word out to the people who are in a position to make decisions or influence others who control the purse strings. The internet has made too many business people LAZY when it comes to public relations. People just assume that the web will connect you with people. It doesn't - you still have to make the connections. Your website is just a landing pad for random flyers.

Effective contact does not require that you make up "pretty" marketing materials. It simply requires you to make contact and get your message to people. You can have the "prettiest" brochure on the planet - but, it does nothing for you while it's sitting on a shelf in your office. A beautiful website does nothing until someone actually searches it out and visits.

100 simple black/white flyers in the hands of people who matter is MAGIC compared to a full color expose' that is still in shrink wrap or a dynamic website with a bunch of unqualified visitors.

Don't have materials? Then simply get out and visit peoplle who matter. Hand them your card and re-visit them a month later. Never leave a function hall without introducing yourself to the manager. Ask them what kind of work they do and then them about what you do. Be honest not pretentious. The only thing it takes to generate referrals is knowledge of what you can do and confidence that the information is accurate.
 
Proformance said:
You're spot on with two points:

1. That DJ "talent" is neither rare or unique. The notion of a "unique selling proposition" based on DJ talent is a fantasy. DJs are always easily replaced.

It absolutely is unique! It is YOU. Either you are good or bad.

2. That value is defined by the customer. That emcee duties are customarily handed to a family menber under-scores the reality that DJs do not set the agenda when it comes to priorities. Need is defined by the client and what you can or can not sell is a function of those needs.

The client may have been taught by DJ's who can't put a sentence together. I've seen it before. Granted there may be regional differences, but if you buy stellar equipment and amazing light shows, the ONLY difference will be talent.

I suspect you're going to do just fine selecting exactly where you can tap into some new revenue.
Click to expand...

You can sell "things" and get into a price war over the value of them, but I still maintain if you are REALLY an AMAZING talent, you'll eventually win.

Peace,

Dave
 
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