Dudes, no problem...Just be warned, next topic you post and I do something 360* don't be shocked
Really, it's an opened forum. But thanks for your apologies..
Really, it's an opened forum. But thanks for your apologies..
Weddings Pricing on your web site?
- Thread starter Capital Disc Jockeys
- Start date
Oh boy, this isn't good, now I'm curious! :yoNo:
Staying on topic.
I would wait until the meeting in Indiana, ask them the reason why they suggest no pricing, and then make a decision.
MIXSIRS - Excellent post.
Seriously. It's an open forum meeting for 2 days. Anything is open. Including pricing packaging..Here is the reason why I say wait, the part timers and other franchise post their prices but the multi ops don't. It's a tough call and I think after the meeting in Indiana you'll be in a better position to make a decision.
Back on topic myself...
As a consumer of services: No prices on your site (or at least "starting at") -- you get no call.
I have no time for used car salesman. Your service is NOT that valuable, that I cannot have at least a basic ballpark range to look at first! Your competitor will give me that, so he will get the call
If you have to rely on conniving salesmanship to get yer price -- yer not the DJ/Entertainer I want. I prefer honest folks
If you read what I just wrote (as I am), you will notice that I consider people out to sell me, as dishonest. "Please call for a quote", "Special price if you call now", "Call us for a custom quote", blah, blah.
It means you have no idea what your price is, and you will try to get as much out of me as you can!
If you truly know what you are worth -- state it
As a consumer of services: No prices on your site (or at least "starting at") -- you get no call.
I have no time for used car salesman. Your service is NOT that valuable, that I cannot have at least a basic ballpark range to look at first! Your competitor will give me that, so he will get the call
If you have to rely on conniving salesmanship to get yer price -- yer not the DJ/Entertainer I want. I prefer honest folks
If you read what I just wrote (as I am), you will notice that I consider people out to sell me, as dishonest. "Please call for a quote", "Special price if you call now", "Call us for a custom quote", blah, blah.
It means you have no idea what your price is, and you will try to get as much out of me as you can!
If you truly know what you are worth -- state it
Rick,
If you're talking about general services (birthday, anniversary, regular parties, etc.) then I'd agree. If you're talking about wedding DJ's then chances are you wouldn't be the one calling anyway. You're looking at it from a male point of view. And with the way you shop at home I can understand your thinking. However DJ wedding sites are focused on and for the Bride in mind. Brides don't usually look at price unless they are having a low end budget wedding. In that case they have the yellow pages.
So, understanding what you just said, and I don't mean this as harsh as it sounds but I don't care what you need to read with regards to pricing in order to call a DJ. It's not you (the male) a DJ is looking for, it's a bride.
As for my site and the info I provide your statements couldn't be further from reality. I'll agree there are many like you've described because I'll get the brides who have already contacted them and had to sit through those car salesman meetings. But not having a price doesn't mean we don't know our prices. This isn't like buying a car. I wouldn't post an over inflated price then deal with trying to negotiate it down. It's not like hiring a plummer who has a fixed hourly rate.
Take a look at any personalized wedding cake site and see if they post their prices (other than a super market). Coming from a family of bakers, and my father when we was alive was a great wedding cake decorator, would never post a standard price. Each cake requires different needs. Size, type of cake, time to create, etc all goes into the price. Until all information is know, no baker is going give a fixed price for a personalized cake. Yeah I know, this is a product as much as it's a service. But it's the service of creating that product the brides are purchasing. It's the attention to detail, the personalize touch each baker puts into their creations that many brides are looking for. Knowing that the baker will deliver the cake and handle any issues that may arise until the moment it is unveiled.
Florists would be another service that wouldn't nor couldn't post standard prices. DJ's are not the only wedding service provider who does not post prices on their websites.
Another reason for not posting prices is that prices differ between the different types of jobs done by the same DJ. I am not going to charge the same rate for a 5 hour birthday party as I would for a Wedding. And many people don't understand the difference when just looking at prices on a website.
Posting of prices have been done through trial and error by many people. Those I've talked to who have posted prices, later have removed them. Many for the reasons I've listed and a few others. I trust their advice when I had considered it.
If you're talking about general services (birthday, anniversary, regular parties, etc.) then I'd agree. If you're talking about wedding DJ's then chances are you wouldn't be the one calling anyway. You're looking at it from a male point of view. And with the way you shop at home I can understand your thinking. However DJ wedding sites are focused on and for the Bride in mind. Brides don't usually look at price unless they are having a low end budget wedding. In that case they have the yellow pages.
So, understanding what you just said, and I don't mean this as harsh as it sounds but I don't care what you need to read with regards to pricing in order to call a DJ. It's not you (the male) a DJ is looking for, it's a bride.
As for my site and the info I provide your statements couldn't be further from reality. I'll agree there are many like you've described because I'll get the brides who have already contacted them and had to sit through those car salesman meetings. But not having a price doesn't mean we don't know our prices. This isn't like buying a car. I wouldn't post an over inflated price then deal with trying to negotiate it down. It's not like hiring a plummer who has a fixed hourly rate.
Take a look at any personalized wedding cake site and see if they post their prices (other than a super market). Coming from a family of bakers, and my father when we was alive was a great wedding cake decorator, would never post a standard price. Each cake requires different needs. Size, type of cake, time to create, etc all goes into the price. Until all information is know, no baker is going give a fixed price for a personalized cake. Yeah I know, this is a product as much as it's a service. But it's the service of creating that product the brides are purchasing. It's the attention to detail, the personalize touch each baker puts into their creations that many brides are looking for. Knowing that the baker will deliver the cake and handle any issues that may arise until the moment it is unveiled.
Florists would be another service that wouldn't nor couldn't post standard prices. DJ's are not the only wedding service provider who does not post prices on their websites.
Another reason for not posting prices is that prices differ between the different types of jobs done by the same DJ. I am not going to charge the same rate for a 5 hour birthday party as I would for a Wedding. And many people don't understand the difference when just looking at prices on a website.
Posting of prices have been done through trial and error by many people. Those I've talked to who have posted prices, later have removed them. Many for the reasons I've listed and a few others. I trust their advice when I had considered it.
I publish my prices, and get grateful and favorable responses from brides all the time... male/female doesn't matter.
There is no reason to not publish your price - a "starting one" at least.
As long as you can state and clearly show the tangibles that go into a wedding, both before and during (ie fixed overhead and job-specific costs), you have no reason to NOT know how much a wedding will cost you to do ahead of time, and how much x # of hours would cost the client.
Sure, additional tangibles like additional satellite systems, lighting, working up of media productions or love story presentations blah blah blah will call for additional charges, but there's no reason you shouldn't KNOW ahead of time what a 4 or 5 hour wedding without those things will cost, and if you don't publish those rates, you will be perceived, to some some degree, as trying to bait them for a pitch at best, and overly opportunistic with regards to pricing as Rick said. This is not just me talking, but brides as well.
Wedding pricing is not a voodoo science, despite the fact many think it to be, and despite the fact that many dj's actually NEED it to be to justify their pricing practices. Of course every event is different, and of course customers enjoy the feeling of their event being "built from the ground up" just for them - so they get only what they want and need, and so they feel that's all they're being charged for. But thats no excuse to hold prices hostage - and when you don't post them, thats what you're seen as doing - holding them hostage and baiting potentials for a sales pitch.
There's all the benefit in the world to be had, and absolutely nothing worth-while being lost, by telling clients BOTH that their event will be priced "from the ground up" just for them, and at the same time telling them exactly WHAT that ground floor itself actually is before you even start! In fact, it almost even seems like a form of simple common courtesy to do so.
And the customization/attention to detail/warm and fuzzy's/love that goes into every spoonful argument doesn't justify squirly pricing either. LOL They get everything in my posted 4 or 5 hour reception prices that any other dj can give them short of the aforementioned media presentations, extra equipment, and other extras that are clearly priced on the site. My planning process, forms, and the receptions that follow are just as customized and detail oriented OR MORE than any other dj I have come across - and even with all the great guys here and all the great info that is shared as to how we all work our magic - I have YET to see any dj planning process or materials that are as comprehensive as what my brides get for my posted "basic rate" package - so much for the "tender-loving care" argument!
If you're afraid of alienating folks based on sticker-shock, then you are ultimately fretting over the loss of someone who isn't even in your intended marketing demographic anyway.... so what if they never call you.
There's no way to get around it - not posting your prices make it look, be it right or wrong, good or bad, like you have to try too hard to JUSTIFY the price you are charging at best, and like you may be gouging based on opportunity at worst.
Remember - Im not saying "no price guys" are necessarily gouging, let alone that anyone here IS, only that that is one of the overall impressions consumers get.
And you can trust me on that... because me - the "has pricing guy" gets all the calls from the people who AREN'T calling you precisely because you AREN'T posting them.
So go on all you like about the supposed psychology of not putting prices on your site - or why you "just can't" because your head hurts trying to put together a reasonable package rate that would cover all the tender-loving hoo-joo you put into each and every event - we're getting all the peeps who are turned off by it!
Which is just fine with me BTW... so GREAT JOB - I say KEEP IT UP!
Sorry folk, guess Im in one of "those" moods tonight!
There is no reason to not publish your price - a "starting one" at least.
As long as you can state and clearly show the tangibles that go into a wedding, both before and during (ie fixed overhead and job-specific costs), you have no reason to NOT know how much a wedding will cost you to do ahead of time, and how much x # of hours would cost the client.
Sure, additional tangibles like additional satellite systems, lighting, working up of media productions or love story presentations blah blah blah will call for additional charges, but there's no reason you shouldn't KNOW ahead of time what a 4 or 5 hour wedding without those things will cost, and if you don't publish those rates, you will be perceived, to some some degree, as trying to bait them for a pitch at best, and overly opportunistic with regards to pricing as Rick said. This is not just me talking, but brides as well.
Wedding pricing is not a voodoo science, despite the fact many think it to be, and despite the fact that many dj's actually NEED it to be to justify their pricing practices. Of course every event is different, and of course customers enjoy the feeling of their event being "built from the ground up" just for them - so they get only what they want and need, and so they feel that's all they're being charged for. But thats no excuse to hold prices hostage - and when you don't post them, thats what you're seen as doing - holding them hostage and baiting potentials for a sales pitch.
There's all the benefit in the world to be had, and absolutely nothing worth-while being lost, by telling clients BOTH that their event will be priced "from the ground up" just for them, and at the same time telling them exactly WHAT that ground floor itself actually is before you even start! In fact, it almost even seems like a form of simple common courtesy to do so.
And the customization/attention to detail/warm and fuzzy's/love that goes into every spoonful argument doesn't justify squirly pricing either. LOL They get everything in my posted 4 or 5 hour reception prices that any other dj can give them short of the aforementioned media presentations, extra equipment, and other extras that are clearly priced on the site. My planning process, forms, and the receptions that follow are just as customized and detail oriented OR MORE than any other dj I have come across - and even with all the great guys here and all the great info that is shared as to how we all work our magic - I have YET to see any dj planning process or materials that are as comprehensive as what my brides get for my posted "basic rate" package - so much for the "tender-loving care" argument!
If you're afraid of alienating folks based on sticker-shock, then you are ultimately fretting over the loss of someone who isn't even in your intended marketing demographic anyway.... so what if they never call you.
There's no way to get around it - not posting your prices make it look, be it right or wrong, good or bad, like you have to try too hard to JUSTIFY the price you are charging at best, and like you may be gouging based on opportunity at worst.
Remember - Im not saying "no price guys" are necessarily gouging, let alone that anyone here IS, only that that is one of the overall impressions consumers get.
And you can trust me on that... because me - the "has pricing guy" gets all the calls from the people who AREN'T calling you precisely because you AREN'T posting them.
So go on all you like about the supposed psychology of not putting prices on your site - or why you "just can't" because your head hurts trying to put together a reasonable package rate that would cover all the tender-loving hoo-joo you put into each and every event - we're getting all the peeps who are turned off by it!
Which is just fine with me BTW... so GREAT JOB - I say KEEP IT UP!
Sorry folk, guess Im in one of "those" moods tonight!
No matter how pretty your website looks, if they can't afford you then they can't afford you. Why waste their time (and yours) with a phone call?
Wayde's First Rule of DJ Chatboard Threads.
ANY thread that goes beyond 3 pages has generally gone off topic, at 6 pages it's usually an entirely different topic. If after 6 pages, the thread is still somewhat within the original topic, it's probably a gang fight.
Of course Ron:
Here goes:
Non-wedding event (Schools excepted): $450/hrs... $50 ea addl. hr.
Wedding Receptions: $750/4hrs... $100 ea addl. hr.
Ceremony Service: $150
My prices are middle of the road for my market - smack dab between the Craigslist dj doing flat-rate weddings for $300 and guys charging 1k or more. Only a small number of guys in my market are self-deluded and self-absorbed enough that they think they can justify anything in the 2k+ up range.
What your price is doesn't really matter though for the purpose in and of itself... And even being a "post your pricing" guy, I'll be the first one to say that if your website is weak in content, or you are not good at marketing yourself or appealing to people in written word, you'd be better off NOT publishing them.
Its because my site is so freakin OVERRUN with content and exposition on my services, my philosophy, and what they are getting for their money that the prices are a good thing because they can see before even contacting me I "know what's up," so at that point, the value perception tied to the price is pretty obvious.
So if they've seen the price (whatever it is... my range or yours... its irrelevant...) and seen on the site what they are actually getting FOR the price, and what they can expect at their event, it's a slam dunk by the time they do actually call you.
But if your site is lacking in relevant content and is essentially an online business card with some contact info, then yeah - posting prices isn't the route to go because you are showing them nothing in tandem WITH the pricing to show that it is justified and build a strong value perception. So yeah - if your site is weak - leave off the pricing!
I guess it comes down to a matter of confidence in your own abilities to build a strong enough value perception that the posted price will actually seem like a deal and encourage them to call. If that ability to market yourself and your offering, or the confidence IN said ability is not there... pricing is best "held hostage" so you can bait them for your sales pitch.
Me, I prefer to let the site (if that how they found me) do a good bit of the selling and value-perception building for me.
I've glanced over this thread and didn't happen to notice what I would offer for input as a response, so here it goes...
Something I've done in the past and have heard others offer as an idea is to offer a range of prices. As I make the steady climb back into business, I plan on doing the same thing on my web site.
Years ago, when I used post specific pricing, like saying a 5-hour reception was $750, I had failed to see how that contributes to the concept of customization.
Going back into business after a brief 'retirement', my pricing will range from $895 - $1395, depending on specifics, and I'll express it as such. It's my belief that pricing-related information, not necessarily specifics to the penny, are important to most people, and that something needs to be offered. I've heard of some being disqualified from consideration because pricing information couldn't be found.
But, I also believe this helps to weed out 'price shoppers' by providing them the ability to determine whether my services are in their realm of affordability. It also gives me an opportunity to go into detail about what is unique about my services with a prospect and how I can help make their wedding their own.
This, IMO, provides a good balance, because I won't have to waste time trying to sell someone that can't afford me, and I can maximize the opportunities of qualified prospects.
Just my 2 cents.
Something I've done in the past and have heard others offer as an idea is to offer a range of prices. As I make the steady climb back into business, I plan on doing the same thing on my web site.
Years ago, when I used post specific pricing, like saying a 5-hour reception was $750, I had failed to see how that contributes to the concept of customization.
Going back into business after a brief 'retirement', my pricing will range from $895 - $1395, depending on specifics, and I'll express it as such. It's my belief that pricing-related information, not necessarily specifics to the penny, are important to most people, and that something needs to be offered. I've heard of some being disqualified from consideration because pricing information couldn't be found.
But, I also believe this helps to weed out 'price shoppers' by providing them the ability to determine whether my services are in their realm of affordability. It also gives me an opportunity to go into detail about what is unique about my services with a prospect and how I can help make their wedding their own.
This, IMO, provides a good balance, because I won't have to waste time trying to sell someone that can't afford me, and I can maximize the opportunities of qualified prospects.
Just my 2 cents.
John,
Welcome back my friend. I'm glad you're getting back into the biz. Come join us for our SNAPDJ All Star night on July 27th. www.snapdjs.com Best of all it's FREE. Even Ray Mar is free.
You make some good points and something to consider. What I've heard from people is "why are the wedding prices a lot more than a standard party? I only want you to play music at my wedding." "Oh, and by the way we want". I've also heard the complaints of, the DJ's prices on his website were $995. Next thing we knew he was nickel and dimeing us for travel, setup, take down, ceremony time, etc. I wish they just gave us a price for everything we wanted.
I know, it's the thought process of some people and everyone is different so everyone is going to have different price structures. I've never had a problem with people not seeing my prices. But then again most of my clients are referrals. When I do get the "how much do you charge" I know it's not going to be worth my time. They are looking for the $995 or less DJ's in my area. So I send them their way.
Use what works best for your business. It's only you that you have to answer to.
Welcome back my friend. I'm glad you're getting back into the biz. Come join us for our SNAPDJ All Star night on July 27th. www.snapdjs.com Best of all it's FREE. Even Ray Mar is free.
You make some good points and something to consider. What I've heard from people is "why are the wedding prices a lot more than a standard party? I only want you to play music at my wedding." "Oh, and by the way we want". I've also heard the complaints of, the DJ's prices on his website were $995. Next thing we knew he was nickel and dimeing us for travel, setup, take down, ceremony time, etc. I wish they just gave us a price for everything we wanted.
I know, it's the thought process of some people and everyone is different so everyone is going to have different price structures. I've never had a problem with people not seeing my prices. But then again most of my clients are referrals. When I do get the "how much do you charge" I know it's not going to be worth my time. They are looking for the $995 or less DJ's in my area. So I send them their way.
Use what works best for your business. It's only you that you have to answer to.
And of course, in addition to having the ability to market yourself properly so as to not alienate your desired clientele, another requisite for putting prices on your site is, like Ron said, making it very clear on the site what is included IN that price and what they are getting for it.
Every potential charge a client could get is on my site, including the per-mi charge if they are outside the 30-mile radius included in the package rate.
So I suppose if you are going to post your prices on your site, you'd better be smart about it - so you're right - it isn't for everyone!
At least my web site is pretty
In all seriousness, I don't book every event that comes a knockin'..That is ok by me, but I will give them the best rate knowing what what my competition is charging.
There's quite a few things I'm contemplating. Range, starting at or nothing at all.
Someone mentioned if he didn't see your price on your site then he's moving forward, but then on the same token, he doesn't post HIS pricing on his site..:sqconfused: