Wow, we just got a high end DJ in Michigan for $900.
Here in Texas they run about $500-650 for the high end DJ.
Mike
Weddings Pricing on your web site?
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Wow, we just got a high end DJ in Michigan for $900.
Here in Texas they run about $500-650 for the high end DJ.
Mike
Well, evidently you don't believe enough that your experience and skill are worth making that much.And if I believe enough I will wake up with $1000000 in my bank account tomorrow.
Like my mom always said, wish in one hand and spit in another and see which fills up faster.
Mike
Are you average like everyone else? Do you provide the same as someone just starting out in your business? Just curious.
That's pretty good. If they are here in MA they'd be worth $1200 - $1500. The high end would be worth around $2000 closer to Boston.
And the problem with your argument is not all DJ's are the same thing. Which would you pay more for, "A band who covers the songs of the Eagles" or "The eagles". I'm not suggesting that I or anyone else is in the same class as that great entertainment but there is a big difference between talent. Some people will pay the higher price for the better quality. You're free market statement only related to the exact same item.
Well, evidently you don't believe enough that your experience and skill are worth making that much.
Nope, I have an exceptional skill. I have been named one of the brightest young designers in my area.
But in my market, for example, for theatrical lighting design, high end designers make $750 per show (with the exception of the occasional regional level show). If I try to charge $1000 the theaters will hire another of the myriad of great designers out there. I am in the top 5% of designers, but there are a lot of designers in that top 5%. I think I am worth $1000 or more per show. But if I charge that, I don't work.
That is the reality of the free market.
Mike
Well, first things first Ron, I know there are differences between being a radio DJ and a mobile wedding entertainer. But let's get one thing straight, I'm a mobile DJ, not a mobile wedding entertainer...we don't mess with projectors, don't screw around with cheesy games, we puke at the sight of love stories (should I be trademarking that last one?
), heck we don't even own a laptop.As for knowing what brides and grooms want, remember we're going through the same planning processes that our current and potential clients are.
I agree a couple is going to want a darn good DJ, but within our market we're the ones out there showing them, hey you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to find a great DJ for your wedding. If you want an "entertainer" then yeah, you'll have to pay for him, but a DJ with experience and skills, you don't have to break your bank.
Ok!
What is your radius? Surely, it cannot be just your immediate area. My radius is 2 hours. Anywhere in a 2 hour radius is an area where I can market and promote. You can too! I wasn't busting your ass and you're taking it that way.
I just know how to market. If you want me to advise you, I set my consultation fees accordingly
What is your radius? Surely, it cannot be just your immediate area. My radius is 2 hours. Anywhere in a 2 hour radius is an area where I can market and promote. You can too! I wasn't busting your ass and you're taking it that way.
I just know how to market. If you want me to advise you, I set my consultation fees accordingly
What is your radius? Surely, it cannot be just your immediate area. My radius is 2 hours. Anywhere in a 2 hour radius is an area where I can market and promote. You can too! I wasn't busting your ass and you're taking it that way.
I just know how to market. If you want me to advise you, I set my consultation fees accordingly
I don't need advice, thanks.
What is your radius? Surely, it cannot be just your immediate area. My radius is 2 hours. Anywhere in a 2 hour radius is an area where I can market and promote. You can too! I wasn't busting your ass and you're taking it that way.
I just know how to market. If you want me to advise you, I set my consultation fees accordingly
We look at 1 hour travel one way with no fee...after that the extra fee all depends on how far we have to go. We'll probably expand that range once we get down to one vehicle for everything.
What I LOVE about this thread is that everybody CARES enough to add something.
I don't take any of this as an attack. It's not, although it sure can seem like it.
Keep up the great work everyone. It's an amazing thing.
Dave
ps. I used Newburgh Indiana because I lived there. I couldn't find a comparable statewide average.
pss. DJ J MAC. You acknowledge that you are worth at least $750. Cool. I hope you get it when you are ready. You know what I would do? Quote it ONCE to someone and see what happens.
I don't take any of this as an attack. It's not, although it sure can seem like it.
Keep up the great work everyone. It's an amazing thing.
Dave
ps. I used Newburgh Indiana because I lived there. I couldn't find a comparable statewide average.
pss. DJ J MAC. You acknowledge that you are worth at least $750. Cool. I hope you get it when you are ready. You know what I would do? Quote it ONCE to someone and see what happens.
Well, then let's get another thing straight. Your experience as a radio dj has no bearing on being a mobile entertainer except for playing music. And from your description of what you think is a wedding DJ then you really have no idea. You seem to base your performance at a wedding on the terms of what you expect to be done at yours. That's not a wedding DJ/entertainer. I'm sure if the wedding couple wants Jazz during their cocktail time you'll be more than happy to provide it. I'm sure that if the cooperate client wishes to play big band music from some of their older employees you'll provide that also.Well, first things first Ron, I know there are differences between being a radio DJ and a mobile wedding entertainer. But let's get one thing straight, I'm a mobile DJ, not a mobile wedding entertainer...we don't mess with projectors, don't screw around with cheesy games, we puke at the sight of love stories (should I be trademarking that last one?
As for knowing what brides and grooms want, remember we're going through the same planning processes that our current and potential clients are.
I agree a couple is going to want a darn good DJ, but within our market we're the ones out there showing them, hey you don't have to pay an arm and a leg to find a great DJ for your wedding. If you want an "entertainer" then yeah, you'll have to pay for him, but a DJ with experience and skills, you don't have to break your bank.
No, I know you're not a wedding DJ/entertainer. That is reflected in your threads and (please don't take offense)in your price. So, there is a big difference as to what we have been discussing. I could be wrong but I doubt you do the same planning as I do or many others here. I have many DJ's in my area that charge $450 for a basic music playing DJ. I only get $600 for a "just show up and play" event. But the reason some of us not only make that kind of money but make it on a regular basis as a full time company is because of the experience, skill, and time we put into each event.
If you think of yourself as a commodity then your price is set by your limitations. It comes down to supply and demand. If there's a lot of other DJ's in your area just like you then the supply is high and the demand will be less. That would reflect in your pricing. but if you have a skill and talent that's high in demand and there is a limited supply of DJ's with that type of skill, the price will be higher.
If you must compare yourself to the rest of the DJ in your area. And charge equal or less to get the business then you are average. But if you consider yourself a "darn good DJ" and don't think people should be paying for that, that's to bad. You may feel like you're doing a Noble deed, helping these people out. But you are the one loosing out. But I'm sure the next time you go looking for a specialized service you'll take the cheapest because they're just in business to help people out.
Since you are only clearing approx. $302 per event after taxes (you are paying taxes right?) and then paying for any expenses that might have occurred for that event, your take home money isn't very much. Realistically you're mostly like only making $200 or less per event. That's not a lot of money when you look at it. But, it you're happy with that than God bless you. If you're as good as you say you are someone's getting one heck of a deal. And I mean that.
The $750 is coming... It's like I mentioned somewhere earlier, we're progressing right along how we planned it all out. We've got some more things to purchase here and there, a few more documents to tweak and then we'll make our big splash into the area.
As I've learned from talking to many business owners when we were still working this idea out, in a recession, or at least very unstable time, you have to be extremely careful in how you price things because if you overshoot, you're screwed.
Mike, the problem is we don't all offer "the same thing." That is what this discussion is all about. Just your thinking that we offer "the same thing" speaks volumes about how undereducated we are as a group. Let alone the general public.
Everyone needs advise. What you do with it is up to you. I've received great advise from people over the years. It's one reason why I've progressed.I don't need advice, thanks.
No attacks here either. We are who we are. We certainly don't need to prove anything to each other. Just help each other out is all I'm looking for.
Well, evidently you don't believe enough that your experience and skill are worth making that much.
Nope, I have an exceptional skill. I have been named one of the brightest young designers in my area.
But in my market, for example, for theatrical lighting design, high end designers make $750 per show (with the exception of the occasional regional level show). If I try to charge $1000 the theaters will hire another of the myriad of great designers out there. I am in the top 5% of designers, but there are a lot of designers in that top 5%. I think I am worth $1000 or more per show. But if I charge that, I don't work.
That is the reality of the free market.
Mike
Depends on the show but on average...
2 readings of the script
2 or 3 evenings to attend production meetings (which last an hour or two)
2 evenings to attend rehearsal
1 day to design
1/2 a day to do CAD drawings
1-2 days to supervise hang (sometimes)
1-2 days to focus
tech week
tech rehearsal (12 or 14 hour day)
dress rehearsals (3 or 4 evenings)
Mike
You all provide entertainment for the reception.
Just like all lighting designers provide lighting for a production.
Mike
