$100-150. Do remember we're talking a bar gig and not a private event. So say what you need to say. I'm a big man I can take it because I know it's coming.
This is hitting way below the belt.
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
What company do you know that will have a DJ doing gigs 7 days a week? I don't know of any.
You're wrong there Tonto! The issue has to do with the pay. Why work for someone for that little amount when you can work for yourself making more. Get it now? Like I said I can get a bar gig for $100 and depending on the setup just bring my controller, laptop, portable HD and effects machine. No I haven't been working much lately. And won't work at all if all they have is $100 for me to do a private event. Never mind if I have to bring my own setup or not. That's not a ego thing at all.
If I'm going to do it for that I just say I should do it for free. Which as you all know depending on the individual asking me I have. Like my best friend of 48 years. I've done a number of events for him since I've been back and didn't charge him a thing. One of my favorites was his wife's 50th birthday celebration. I hate the place where she had it but I played my ass off that night. I had people standing in line to get the food dancing. Again even if every event they had me do was tailor made so I could only play only what I like to play, I wouldn't work for them for $100. You can have fun since you're not that far away yourself.
So you can make $100 for yourself by invest the time to go out and get a bar gig a couple meetings with the owner, or you could train with these guys for a few gigs for $50-$100 then possibly make significantly more if you prove yourself to them, wow you really do have a great business sense
He wouldn't be the first to be passing his own cards out at other peoples events. I have always made it very clear and upfront that if you need me to do your event then it will be my cards on the table. Many have argued against it here on the boards but I really don't care. I have guys out every weekend that pass their cards out and I'm OK with that too.
That being said I won't shaft anyone. I'm upfront about it. If they don't want me to do that I just don't do the gig.
The guy doing a decent job for $300 is a lot less damage to the industry than the guy doing a piss poor job for $500...Or $1000...Or whatever and there's as many of them as there are $300 DJ's
It depends. How far away? What day of the week? What time? I'd consider doing that for a few hours during the week.
We do retail gigs and our guys make around $125.
I just filled in for another company at a furniture store this past Sunday. 5-8 for $125. 10 minutes from my house. They help me out at my retail gigs.
I'm the same way. And when I do a gig for someone else, I'll pass out their card. When a company knows you are representing them well, it's the quickest way to get asked again. One wedding I did for
I know how many cards I give out at gigs. I expect our guys to pass out our cards as well.
I did a wedding for another company last year. They generated 2 referrals from that, both they offered to me, but I was unavailable. I was unavailable for several others they asked me about. They recently gave me a Sunday wedding
If I wanted to get a start,,,I would play it. I started by not getting paid. Hell I still do some gigs for free!!!!! I have gotten a lot of paying shows from the free ones.......freeeeeeee,,,,because I just love playing music for people. I get off on seeing people dance and bobbing their heads. I feel great after a free gig especially when someone comes up to me and says, man you had some good music tonight!
I beleive the ask is for beginners! I think,it is a good deal for beginners. Heck I could make 800 bucks easily by doing this for 8 shows and buy that set of JBL's that I saw on this website? With those I can make money off of those. It beats not playing music and spending money! Probably free food or drinks and meeting new people. Also advertising your name!
Sometimes you can get stardust in your eyes from other people's reports of high priced jobs, and forget about having fun while making a little money at the same time!
I beleive the ask is for beginners! I think,it is a good deal for beginners. Heck I could make 800 bucks easily by doing this for 8 shows and buy that set of JBL's that I saw on this website? With those I can make money off of those. It beats not playing music and spending money! Probably free food or drinks and meeting new people. Also advertising your name!
Sometimes you can get stardust in your eyes from other people's reports of high priced jobs, and forget about having fun while making a little money at the same time!
I find there is a lot less pressure if I price the job at the $300 than the $500, I'm sorry but I would like to get paid 1,000 bucks. But I just don't think that I would pay that much, so I figure that I can't charge that much,even though that is the going price.
I guess I am the guy that plays more shows for less and gets the same amount as some who do few shows for a lot!
Sorry guys don't want to sound like a buzz killer,,, I hope you all get the highest amount that you can get for your trade, epcecially for you full time guys. I am probably not as good as the full time guys either, and I know my place in the pricing.
my wife says that it is this attitude that makes me not very profitable! What can I say, I spend all of the profits on more equipment, like a fat guy working in a doughnut shop!
Depending on location and events, I know many multi ops that are busy most days.
I know two companies in my area who have DJs working 7 nights a week.
I think someone is over looking some things just so he can bitch about something, this is perfect for guys that want or have interest in becoming a mobile DJ , but may not their ass from a hole in the ground about a running a business, so not only do you get "training", you get to be a mobile DJ without having to be a owner/operator. Second, complaining about the pay, ok, yes, the pay is very low, but do you know why?, I will take that as a no, the reason why the legit owner/operator mobile DJ's charge more than a 12 pack is because they have what is called in the business world, "overhead", which means , they have to charge accordingly to be able to make a profit . Plus, the O/O mobile DJ's also had to purchase all their equipment , where as here, there is none of that outside of a laptop purchase purchase.
Why sure, the pay scale is on the low side , but its not really for guys just getting started out that have no real world experience being a mobile DJ.
Why sure, the pay scale is on the low side , but its not really for guys just getting started out that have no real world experience being a mobile DJ.
FWIW, directions to this specific area in NY (Queens) is about 45 mins from Mix's location (20 miles) - (30 mins without traffic). Considering this is a mobile group, they could have events anywhere and if he fits with them, could have the potential to make a decent amount of money (in his market) - but he'd rather sit home and twiddle his thumbs.
Since you opened your big mouth what would you call making some good money?
Depends on what the event is and what I need to do. For someone being trained that has to bring nothing but a machine, $50-$100 is good money.
This $50-$100 for music is more than you bring home some weeks.
This $50-$100 for music is more than you bring home some weeks.
I booked the gig (my name/company). I hired you to work for me. MY cards get handed out - not yours. Sorry.
You (general you) are not promoting your biz on my time at my event..no sir, no way.
Been thru this with photographers and it just confuses the f out of the customer. "I hired XY and ZZA is handing out their cards? WTF?"
It's worth with photogs as many, believe all images they take are their images to do with as they please - yes and no. If they work for hire for me I own the copyright. If they want to use them for a printed private portfolio, fine - but NEVER EVER on the web. The last thing eitehr of us wants is to see pics of the same bride/wedding on two different sites or at the same bridal show. REALLY confusing for the consumer.
I remember years ago I was around the corner from a photog and we both had albums..I had to do a double take...same church, same people in the pictures - he did sister a and i did sister b, and they were very similar in appearance and had almost the same bridal party. (my pictures were better BTW)
You (general you) are not promoting your biz on my time at my event..no sir, no way.
Been thru this with photographers and it just confuses the f out of the customer. "I hired XY and ZZA is handing out their cards? WTF?"
It's worth with photogs as many, believe all images they take are their images to do with as they please - yes and no. If they work for hire for me I own the copyright. If they want to use them for a printed private portfolio, fine - but NEVER EVER on the web. The last thing eitehr of us wants is to see pics of the same bride/wedding on two different sites or at the same bridal show. REALLY confusing for the consumer.
I remember years ago I was around the corner from a photog and we both had albums..I had to do a double take...same church, same people in the pictures - he did sister a and i did sister b, and they were very similar in appearance and had almost the same bridal party. (my pictures were better BTW)