School & Teen Events Pricing for school events

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DJFuzzy

New DJ
Nov 6, 2006
1,350
1
56
North Perry Village, OH
www.soundsationalentertainment.com
I'm using this thread as a strating place to figure out how much I can expect to charge for a school dance.

Here is the story:

I have always avoided school dances because I never felt that I had enough "system" for them. According to my nephew, our system blows away any of the other DJs that the school has used, and we also use extensive lighting.

My local school system has hired several different DJs in the past. The last one, that they hired for the Prom, really didn't do a good job at all, played mostly country music, and had NO lights whatsoever, and used two speakers on a stick with NO sub. The students were not very happy with him.

My nephew, who graduates next year, is my assistant for weddings and he has received a good response from student council about the possibility of using our services for all of the upcoming school dances.

Since I have never done school dances before, I have no idea where to begin my price point. I am very dialed in to the pricing for the wedding market in the area but I'm lost here.

How do I go about finding out how much the average school dance goes for around here? I'm in northeast Ohio.

Any ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
It really varies depending on how many hours,lights and your location.
 
Well, I'm thinking there will be no more than 200 people. Here's what I can offer if I were called this minute:

1 B-52 Matrix 1000v2
1 B-52 Matrix 2000

or, I could link both of those together.

For lighting I can offer:

Global Truss Goalie Post
2 T-Bar light stands

2 Martin Acrobats
2 Chauvet Intimidator 2.0
2 Chauvet Insignia 2.0
2 American DJ Mega Pixels
1 Chauvet Double Derby
1 American DJ Lotus
1 American DJ Revo III
1 Wildfire Black Light
8 standard Par 38 cans with gels


I know that I would need some high-powered strobes (which I plan on getting someday anyway). I will also be adding two Tri-Phase lights prior to the time the dances come around.

I can also offer beach balls, glow necklaces, and other products if given notice.

According to my nephew, for at least the last three school dance seasons, no DJ has ever offered anything remotley close to this.

I believe the last Prom was about 4 hours. I don't anticipate that any of the dances will be more than five hours.
 
Ask your nephew what they paid the last 2 or 3 school dances. Since you will be offering better service and more equipment, you can add to that number. Another thing to hink about is that maybe the song selection sucked ( all country) but what if the max price they were willing to pay could only get them 2 speakers on a stick, so thats why he didnt even have a subwoofer. If you are confident on what you will offer is vastly superior and you know you can get a huge turnout, try the per student approach. It might not bring immediate returns on the first gig you do, but once the word gets out that you are awesome and more students come, then you will surely make what you think you deserve for the show you put out.
 
DJFuzzy said:
Well, I'm thinking there will be no more than 200 people. Here's what I can offer if I were called this minute:

1 B-52 Matrix 1000v2
1 B-52 Matrix 2000

or, I could link both of those together.

For lighting I can offer:

Global Truss Goalie Post
2 T-Bar light stands

2 Martin Acrobats
2 Chauvet Intimidator 2.0
2 Chauvet Insignia 2.0
2 American DJ Mega Pixels
1 Chauvet Double Derby
1 American DJ Lotus
1 American DJ Revo III
1 Wildfire Black Light
8 standard Par 38 cans with gels


I know that I would need some high-powered strobes (which I plan on getting someday anyway). I will also be adding two Tri-Phase lights prior to the time the dances come around.

I can also offer beach balls, glow necklaces, and other products if given notice.

According to my nephew, for at least the last three school dance seasons, no DJ has ever offered anything remotley close to this.

I believe the last Prom was about 4 hours. I don't anticipate that any of the dances will be more than five hours.
Click to expand...


If it like my area, the few school that I have dealt with, want to pay so low that 2 speakers on sticks is all most would want to bring. I have only done two school jobs, and both times I brought in way more than I was paid for, and the kids loved it and danced more that previous years, but the next dance they wanted to pay even less. So if I'm ask for a price I quote my regular rate, plus the lighting upgrades I think they should use. So far no more school jobs, and that's okay with me.
 
I would start in the $700 range with what you have to offer (and without glowing school references to back you up). See how that compares to what they've been paying/getting. With a little experience to back you up in schools and assuming you provide the right mix of entertainment, you can easily move up from there if you're market will bear it.
 
eezee said:
Ask your nephew what they paid the last 2 or 3 school dances. Since you will be offering better service and more equipment, you can add to that number. Another thing to hink about is that maybe the song selection sucked ( all country) but what if the max price they were willing to pay could only get them 2 speakers on a stick, so thats why he didnt even have a subwoofer. If you are confident on what you will offer is vastly superior and you know you can get a huge turnout, try the per student approach. It might not bring immediate returns on the first gig you do, but once the word gets out that you are awesome and more students come, then you will surely make what you think you deserve for the show you put out.
Click to expand...

He's trying to get that info as we speak (type). :sqwink: I always bring more than I need, or what the client pays for. I do this because I like to play with the lights, too...and it looks more impressive.
 
Valerie Ruste said:
I would start in the $700 range with what you have to offer (and without glowing school references to back you up). See how that compares to what they've been paying/getting. With a little experience to back you up in schools and assuming you provide the right mix of entertainment, you can easily move up from there if you're market will bear it.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Valerie! I really appreciate the input. That's the kind of info I'm looking for.
 
MBM said:
If it like my area, the few school that I have dealt with, want to pay so low that 2 speakers on sticks is all most would want to bring. I have only done two school jobs, and both times I brought in way more than I was paid for, and the kids loved it and danced more that previous years, but the next dance they wanted to pay even less. So if I'm ask for a price I quote my regular rate, plus the lighting upgrades I think they should use. So far no more school jobs, and that's okay with me.
Click to expand...

If it's below a certain price point, I won't even start the Jambulance! LOL
 
Here in Toronto the standard rate is about $500 for the dj and more if they want lights. If you do video you can get up to $700.
 
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