This is hitting way below the belt.

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MIXMASTERMACHOM

MIXMASTERMACHOM

DJ Extraordinaire
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Oct 16, 2011
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I already know I'm going to take some slack for making this thread. When I saw this online I was so pissed off I sent them 2 emails cursing them out. It's bad enough we talk about cheap clients looking to book a DJ to do an event for them for a ridiculously low price. This one takes the cake.

There is a DJ company in NY looking for DJs to come and work for them. They would like you to have experience but they are willing to train. They want you to have Macbook, laptop and Serato. They also want you to be good with all types of music. The pictures in the ad are through the roof. They are so good I would like pictures like that for my website! That's how great they are. In one picture they have a lighted facade which I know personally are not cheap. Mine cost me $500 plus tax. They have fog in another picture. Just great looking pictures.

The type of events they do are weddings, birthday parties, pool parties and so on. A bunch of different types of events. Here's where it gets crazy and I say they lost their rabbit ass mind. The compensation they want to pay per event is $50-100. Are they serious?! It's bad enough dealing with cheap clients looking to book a DJ for next to nothing. Now this company wants to even give this business a even blacker eye. Just real sad. You can go get a bar gig paying more then what they want to pay. When I used to play in the Private Place Lounge before it closed down I was getting paid $150 per night when they needed me and I was available. When will we get to the bottom before enough is enough? The sad part of course is they will probably find some people that desperately need to make some extra money. Things for me financial are tight but they will never get that tight as long as I live and a DJ.
 
First off a Mac book and a laptop are one in the same.....Why they want Serato specifically is beyond me but let's go with that.

They are training you, providing all the gear, and providing the bookings. All you need to do is show up with a laptop and play. This is an ok deal for someone looking to break in to the business...It's probably $25/hr with no prep work and no responsibility except to show up and play

Would I take it? maybe 30 years ago I would have but not today. Like most of us here I'm way beyond that point. It's a starting point for someone.. I recall working as a roadie for my mentor for $20 and a few beer many years ago. I learned more there than I ever have since. It made me the DJ I am today

Now let's cut to the chase. How much have you pulled in on the last 5 gigs you did? How many gigs have you done since July 1? These guys aren't paying much but I bet they have guys playing every weekend
 
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ittigger said:
$50-$100 for someone to train is good. If you're as good as you say you are, you'd make more working for them than you do on your own.
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Could be a good stepping stone for young DJs that wanna learn the ropes. I wonder of wages go up after the training period? They must have a turnover of employees ya think?
 
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Jas said:
Could be a good stepping stone for young DJs that wanna learn the ropes. I wonder of wages go up after the training period? They must have a turnover of employees ya think?
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Quite likely a massive turnover....So do McDonalds but many use it as a starting point and I suspect this is what this is.
 
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One thing I missed earlier. They want you to have your own laptop and Serato. They also want you to know all types of music to perform at these events. Who is to supply the music? You or the company? If they provide the music will they have all the music you need? If they do provide the music how will you know what is where? If they want you to provide the music where will you get it considering they are only paying $50-100 per event? You certainly can't do an event without music. I would say such questions would be a big concern for me if I'm just starting out.

I've never worked for a multi op. I've only heard what they do. Most will pay you more then that. I understand some will pay you over time and not after each and every event you do. I remember there was a national multi op that would have DJs work for them and either wouldn't pay the DJ at all or you would have a tough time chasing them down to get your money. I heard they had DJs in almost every state suing them. I forgot the name of the company. I think they went out of business. I also think someone mentioned they opened up under a new name.
 
Multi-ops are so easy to off-sell. I'd love to have a link to that article, MixMasterMachom. It's gonna make it even easier with proof such as you have referenced.

The only off-sell multi's have working in their favor against solo's is the what if's in terms of illness, injury, and (in the case of part timers), unexpected employment demands.

The off-sell to that off-sell is a solid local network of DJs who, even though competitors, are sticking together for mutual security and no unhappy customers for any reason.
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
One thing I missed earlier. They want you to have your own laptop and Serato. They also want you to know all types of music to perform at these events. Who is to supply the music? You or the company? If they provide the music will they have all the music you need? If they do provide the music how will you know what is where? If they want you to provide the music where will you get it considering they are only paying $50-100 per event? You certainly can't do an event without music. I would say such questions would be a big concern for me if I'm just starting out.

I've never worked for a multi op. I've only heard what they do. Most will pay you more then that. I understand some will pay you over time and not after each and every event you do. I remember there was a national multi op that would have DJs work for them and either wouldn't pay the DJ at all or you would have a tough time chasing them down to get your money. I heard they had DJs in almost every state suing them. I forgot the name of the company. I think they went out of business. I also think someone mentioned they opened up under a new name.
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1st, a multi-op is not going to pay you more if you're training .. and some want to see you in action before they figure out how much to pay you. Those that don't will eventually figure out / find out how good or bad you are doing. The ad you're seeing is for a multi-op - and they're looking for more talent.

It takes money to make money. If you want to learn how to do things, then you need to buy the music, just like you bought the laptop. If they were / are nice enough to lend you their music, then that is THEIR music and NOT yours. Legally, you are entitled to none of it.

Specifically for you Mix, a multi-op may help you - at the least, they would generate way more income than you do on your own.
 
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ittigger said:
It takes money to make money. If you want to learn how to do things, then you need to buy the music, just like you bought the laptop. If they were / are nice enough to lend you their music, then that is THEIR music and not yours.

Specifically for you Mix, a multi-op may help you - at the least, they would generate way more income than you do on your own.
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Sorry you missed the point itigger. My point was about you having the music to play at the event. Which way would you go or have to go? I have 2 portable HD's with my music on them. I know where to find what in most cases. Sometimes as you well know you just can't type in a name of a song and artist and it will automatically come up. When that happens you need to go to the folder that it's in to find what you're looking for. If you're using someone else music library how will you know where to go? Some think it's just simply you show with your stuff and play. What about knowing details of the event? The styles of music the client wants. You need to make sure you have that covered. What if you don't have that all together and you're there to work? Then what?

Who's going to be there with a newbie to see that they get the job done right? When will they allow you to do the job on your own without someone looking over your shoulder? I know with them wanting to pay someone so little that they are really looking for someone to get their feet wet. I'm just glad my feet are already wet.
 
ittigger said:
Wow, you admitted you're not good enough for someone else to sell your services.
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Not for what they want to pay a DJ. You keep saying I've said that I was really good. I don't do that. I'm humble with it. I remember how I lost the business the first time. I allow others to talk about how good I am. When they do I just thank them for the compliment. Do I believe in what I do and feel that I am good. Of course. You should have confidence in what you do. There's a difference between confidence and arrogance.
 
You have NO IDEA what they want to pay a DJ. The price you see may be for someone they will train.

Again, most multi ops will get you more business than you have. Heads up, they won't be bars and you'll have to travel.

Allowing others to talk about how good you are - how's that working out for ya? How many events have you done since July 1?

Even if they were to pay you $100 per event - if you did 4 this month, that would be $400 for you. How much did you make from DJ services this month?
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
Sorry you missed the point itigger. My point was about you having the music to play at the event. Which way would you go or have to go? I have 2 portable HD's with my music on them. I know where to find what in most cases. Sometimes as you well know you just can't type in a name of a song and artist and it will automatically come up. When that happens you need to go to the folder that it's in to find what you're looking for. If you're using someone else music library how will you know where to go? Some think it's just simply you show with your stuff and play. What about knowing details of the event? The styles of music the client wants. You need to make sure you have that covered. What if you don't have that all together and you're there to work? Then what?

Who's going to be there with a newbie to see that they get the job done right? When will they allow you to do the job on your own without someone looking over your shoulder? I know with them wanting to pay someone so little that they are really looking for someone to get their feet wet. I'm just glad my feet are already wet.
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I don't usually miss the point, you miss it often. When I started, I had to buy my own music too - no different now, except that it's digital and you don't need to buy the whole album. In the event that I had to use someone else's library, most modern DJ programs (to include Serato), have this thing called Search - and it works rather well.

In the event I had to deal with the 'file' side of the house, I am really familiar with machines - so I have no issues there either.

The rest of these sound like questions you should ask them. Most of us here have worked for and/or continue to work for other DJ's. That can be a great additional revenue stream.
 
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$25/hr to learn by bringing what these folks most likely already have (except maybe for Serato) is bad how? For people that want more, they just ignore the ad. For people who AREN'T making $25/hr, it sounds like a good way to learn.
 
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Cap Capello said:
Multi-ops are so easy to off-sell. I'd love to have a link to that article, MixMasterMachom. It's gonna make it even easier with proof such as you have referenced.

The only off-sell multi's have working in their favor against solo's is the what if's in terms of illness, injury, and (in the case of part timers), unexpected employment demands.

The off-sell to that off-sell is a solid local network of DJs who, even though competitors, are sticking together for mutual security and no unhappy customers for any reason.
Click to expand...

That's generalizing multi-ops a bit Cap we don't all work on that basis. actually last weekend I helped another multi in my area he was on vacation and had a bit of a crisis. Even though I had 4 this weekend I stepped in and found a DJ and made arrangements for him to make sure no one was left in the cold. I'm sure he would do the same for me. Between the two of us we save many gigs that single ops bail on
 
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