To Multi ops, non subcontractor..

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C

Capital Disc Jockeys

New DJ
Nov 5, 2006
1,202
4
55
Schenectady, NY
IMO, there are 2 different types of multi ops...

One that subcontacts to DJs that own their own equipment, music. We have 3 of those here in town..They have about on average 7 DJs each..

The other, like us, that own everything and does not subcontract. Very few.

Alot of guys are solo.

My questions for the latter.

Do you have packages? Do you put your prices on your web site? How are you selling your DJs when clients call, seniority, most experinced?

Thanks...
 
If I were you in that scenario, I'd have your packages written on the site with whats included, and a price range for each.

Package A = $750-$995
Package B = 1025-1390

(random numbers folks-random number)

THEN, I'd have a table/chart on my end for my guys with each DJ and what the rate is for him to do each package.

Obviously, at this point its obvious that the range variation for each package is determined by the dj providing it.

The punk kid who just graduated from HS dances into weddings brings in $750 for a 4 hour reception in someone's backyard or Elks Lodge. You - to perform at the areas premier country club - obviously get the highest number in that range for a 4 hr reception.

That's how I would do it.

1. Find out what they want time/equipment/service-wise
2. Find out what dj best fits their event-type/scale/scale/logistics (ie this is where experience comes in)

You know how much to quote them.

I'm not a multi-op, but I've got plenty of opinions and time to kill, Sooooo.... :sqlaugh:
 
But if it were me personally, I wouldn't let experience enter the equation at all if I were a multi-op and dolling out jobs to guys. The rate would be the rate, and dj's doing weddings would either be deemed by me and my standards to be able to handle weddings in general or they wouldn't be given any:)

Differences in "experience," ie finesse, etc, would simply garner the performer gratuities where the client is so inclined.

If some 'hotshot' decides his "experience" is "worth more," then he's more than welcome to go start paying his own self-employment taxes!
 
We had packages, and one price for the package. We sold our clients on providing the best entertainer to meet their needs, based on their music selections and planner notes. A good multi op can coach darn near anyone for a particular dance. It's hte vague ones (little or no pre-information) that require thinking and judgement on the spot. I could look at a planner, and pick the DJ who would most enjoy that type of wedding. If it was a difficult looking one for some reason, I would pick the person I could best coach and who would give the best judgement on the spot. I never sold individual DJs as you can't guarantee 1 or 2 years out that person will still be around. I sold the company. Individuals made more or less based on their skills; my bottom line would vary among the same system.

That said, Steve & I got tired of hte multi op business and ended up starting our own single op with no intent of ever going back to multi.
 
AlbanyAMS said:
IMO, there are 2 different types of multi ops...

One that subcontacts to DJs that own their own equipment, music. We have 3 of those here in town..They have about on average 7 DJs each..

The other, like us, that own everything and does not subcontract. Very few.

Alot of guys are solo.

My questions for the latter.

Do you have packages? Do you put your prices on your web site? How are you selling your DJs when clients call, seniority, most experinced?

Thanks...
Click to expand...

See Quote in Red above: Unless your DJs are employees of your company, you are subcontracting to them.
 
ahoustondj said:
See Quote in Red above: Unless your DJs are employees of your company, you are subcontracting to them.
Click to expand...

Not quite true. I did a lot of research on this when I wanted to leave the multi I was working for. I met all the IRS requirements to be an employee, yet I was being paid as a sub contractor. The multi owned all the equipment and music. I was told where to go, when to go, what to do and even had to file a report at the end of the night. Turns out he knew it too so I was able to leave ans start my own business even though I signed a non compete form.
 
djsarge said:
Not quite true. I did a lot of research on this when I wanted to leave the multi I was working for. I met all the IRS requirements to be an employee, yet I was being paid as a sub contractor. The multi owned all the equipment and music. I was told where to go, when to go, what to do and even had to file a report at the end of the night. Turns out he knew it too so I was able to leave ans start my own business even though I signed a non compete form.
Click to expand...

Whatever! Until someone decides to sue somebody for Workmen's Compensation and other benefits!
 
Canute what mirror ball are you viewing showing you that Tim or any multi isnt paying those benefits?
 
Jon Tuck said:
Canute what mirror ball are you viewing showing you that Tim or any multi isnt paying those benefits?
Click to expand...

The ODJT Mirror Ball!
 
I went up to 4 systems...and I backed it down to 2.


IMO..the more systems I have...the more headaches I created.

I was trying to be a reasonably priced dj service in our area, and found out awful quickly.....no matter how nice you try to be...people will always try to take advantage of you.


I am new to this multi-op thingy...and what I told my clients was...

The person who would be djing your event, has done some previous events, and they have been incredible, based on the clients reviews..."AND THIS IS NO BLANKET STATEMENT"...this is true.

I then also tell them...since I did have 4 systems..that I tried to go up to more systems only to realize the quality of employees, and what I trust, goes down substantially, and the risk is not worth it for me.

As far as packages..I tell them the same rate as I charge.

I now charge by the day...from cocktail music-last dance. "Take it or leave it"

I put xxx amount into my revolving dj acount, and pay myself a certain wage.

At the end of the year, I see what is built into my revolving account, and at christmas time I give myself a bonus depending on how much profit the business received.

If my year was spectacular, then I profit share a bit..and give my employees a nice bonus for helping create an awesome year.


But yea..I will never again multi-op more than 2 systems unless I have a better strategy figured out. Ex> Bar venues.

Bars could care less about having the best dj at their place...they just want a reliable/cheap dj to get them through the night. "Yea, I know..doesn't say alot about me and our services." But again...I straight shoot with bars, and they are honest with me...it's a great relationship.

This is what I know...so far anyways. Of course it is still a work in progress.
 
I own and subcontract. We don't use packages as such we build packages to suit the client. I don't sell the DJ, like Val I sell the company, but the client knows from day one who thier DJ is going to be. We go out in a certin order starting with me.
 
Sounds To Go said:
Not sure I understand this.... what do you mean?
Click to expand...

Means people pick and choose only what they want and only pay for what they use. More like equipment rental plus an hourly rate, rather than a package with a lot of stuff they don't want.

An interesting idea. A lot of DJ's think they can do a gig for 200 or 2000 with the same gear and so both get charged the same price.

My wedding pitch is equipment rental for only the equipment they use and then an hourly rate for me. Of course I can't figure out how to get anyone to bite.

Mike
 
Sounds To Go said:
Thanks Mike. I understand a la carte, I just didn't understand what was ala carte..

Each hour and build from the ground up, or are you doing a base package (4hrs or flat rate) and then charging for add ons?
Click to expand...

For me, a la carte indicates no packages, not even a base package. You would charge a set amount per hour (now you can put say 5-6 hours together) and then everything else is extra (the system, lights, etc).

Mike
 
Hey Mike..

Esoteric said:
Means people pick and choose only what they want and only pay for what they use. More like equipment rental plus an hourly rate, rather than a package with a lot of stuff they don't want.

An interesting idea. A lot of DJ's think they can do a gig for 200 or 2000 with the same gear and so both get charged the same price.

My wedding pitch is equipment rental for only the equipment they use and then an hourly rate for me. Of course I can't figure out how to get anyone to bite.

Mike
Click to expand...


Don't knit pick. A la carte is what I meant and we all know it.

Charge what you want...do what you want...
 
I to price all events as per their needs. I can not send out a $10,000 sound system for the same price as a $2,000 system. I have 4 systems and we rotate who goes out. If DJ 1 went out today then next show DJ2 would go out and so on. Yes, We make sure everyone know who is coming to thier event.
 
If we have djs that work for us as a sub contract (well this is how we do it here)

they have the gear to use at said function

music is supplied by Dj

if we have to supply gear and music then the dj gets paid less
(of which all companies that are locally to me still just send out the gear no music)
music is up to the Dj to have and supply

if there is a song they havent got then yes they can obtain it either online or via myself
 
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