Overtime

I don't charge as much for overtime as others seems to do. Like you said, I'm already there and set up, usually no others events if it's a Wedding. Some seem to think it's a pita to do overtime, but for me, not so much.

When I worked for a multi op, their overtime rate was set to try and discourage people from asking about it.

I've added a small overtime rate for after the initial 6 hours. Most wedding receptions don't go beyond 5 or 6 hours here, but we have been stuck in the past with the whole idea of having nowhere to go.

I have posted overtime rates but the only time I have ever charged for the overtime is class reunions that seem to want to go on and on and on and..... well you get the picture

GoodKnightDJ said:

Now, I realize the old saying "Time is money" but could that extra time also generate good will and future events?

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GMTA......I was thinking about this the other day.

I say "Reviews are money" --- I'd rather get a testimonial than a tip!

Even though I prefer CASH FOR OVERTIME....some of my clients have been pretty generous when I have been flexible with them about OT rates.

My contract says "$95 per 1/2 hour" -- I will offer to do $100 for an entire hour.

There can be no universal rule or accepted standard concerning overtime as entire formats and formulas change 100 miles from home, not to mention individual pricing philosophies. To think that DJ world revolves around one particular neighborhood is a stretch of any reasonable imagination.

Based on the norms of my region and the places frequented within my region, I follow their lead. If their package is five hours, so is mine. If their package is four hours, so is mine. If they get extra money for going extra time, so do I.

Exception: If the clients want more than five hours of party time (does not include ceremony, gathering, or pre-party cocktail/social hour functions) from me, there is always additional fees which are quoted at the contract phase and is included in the contract body.

If, at the facility, the contracted hours expire, the house hours expire, and the client wants more, the house, the client, and I huddle up, talk fees, and the threesome comes up with a decision and everybody gets their fees then and there [not later]. It's the way things are done here in my region. I have only refused OT once due to severe drunkenness and injury potential.

My ot rate is $300/hour as it takes more work and effort to keep things from blowing up when people get stupid drunk or push their limits.

My fear for the client is that the first five hours could be a kick ass unbelievable best wedding reception ever, then, it's pushed into the sixth hour, somebody hits on somebody's wife or husband, all hell breaks loose, and what will the guests remember? The first incredible five hours, or the brawl, the fall, the blood, and/or all the groomsmen in their undies (which is not cute in my thinking).

I like to think of this work hours ideology as a well tuned and timed elegant restaurant dinner with cruise class service which is orchestrated to perfection versus an all-you-can-eat help-yourself-until-you-puke Chinese buffet mentality.

Both work well, it's simply preferences.

GoodKnightDJ said:

My thoughts on overtime is simply this, we're there and have no place else to go. The gear is up and running. So, I'd honestly accept a tip if that is the client's desire.

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When that becomes known, future, savvy, cheap, selfish clients will book for the minimum and exploit your policy for cheaper extended hours.

I've seen it done/attempted and, early in in my history, have been the victim.

I have had better results with having a clear, specific, WRITTEN performance duration and schedule with specific WRITTEN conditions for additional performance time.

No one is caught off guard when you know before hand.

YMMV.

I only charge 100.00 per hour for o/t. It works out well for me. No one ever gave me a hard time over it.

DJMC said:

GMTA......I was thinking about this the other day.

I say "Reviews are money" --- maybe offer 30 minutes free OT in exchange for a positive review. Review must be posted as soon as they come back from honeymoon. they would have to sign some sort of contract (stating that they would have to pay $100 for the extra 30 minutes if they do not place testimonial as agreed).

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Yeah, but you do something like that and word slips out, you're screwed. Personally, I'd say an arrangement like that is completely unethical. Make them give you a good review by your show, not by paying them to do it.

GoodKnightDJ said:

Rocky:

I'm talking about OT sprung on you at the event. Most of the time OT doesn't happen anyway because of the contract with the hall.

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I remove all the springs by having additional performance terms specified in the agreement. My client knows and I know, no one else is relevant. Therefore there can be no surprises, no sticker shock, and no reason to tolerate insulting, judgmental comments from guests that are never satisfied and too ignorant or inebriated, or both, to appreciate any such consideration.

The practice also serves many other functions.

1) It establishes/sets/creates/attributes an agreed value to the service and time, if necessary.

2) The terms also limit the parameters of any agreed upon extended performance.
A) Performance at my discretion and based on my availability;
B) Minimal increments;
C) Requirement that strike provisions be extended based on any performance extensions;
D) Continuation and maintenance of all contract terms during any extended performance;

3) The client can calculate the expense of any OT without having to renegotiate my terms

4) I can confidently and knowledgeably approach the client near the scheduled event end time and inquire if my client intends to extend. I am then able to inform and notify the venue management of the client's intent so I do not become the cause of miscommunication or "Non" communication with the venue. (Even the PITA venues, not really but I do it any way, deserve that minimum level of consideration.)

5) Provides secure and concrete response to the frequent inconsiderate guest for "one more song," "C'mon, you can play a few more," "I'll give you $X to play more," etc., etc., etc.

Preparation prevents perspiration.

P.S. ..."Pay for a positive review." Please, That is bush league and I only wish the catfish in my market would begin and publish that practice.

I consider the first 59 minutes of OT a run-on, and don't charge ( though I usually get a good tip for it anyway) at 1 hour they owe me another $125 per.

However, in my contract I specify the event fee, and overtime charges starting immediately over the specified time. When, at the event, I don't charge for that first 59 min, I come out a good guy, they tip me very well, AND I get great references....sneaky, but workable...

DJ J Mac said:

Yeah, but you do something like that and word slips out, you're screwed. Personally, I'd say an arrangement like that is completely unethical. Make them give you a good review by your show, not by paying them to do it.

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J-Mac, I appreciate your input but consider the situation:

the whole reason the party is going into O/T is because the DJ rocked the house!

In other words, if I truly sucked wienie as a DJ, nobody would want to stay past the original ending time.


You are right though---- Rox also--- no need to bribe for reviews!

Maybe send 'em a gift for writing a positive review? No cash payments or rebates.

I hate surprises.

The client and I both know what we've contracted for and we both know what extra playing time means in terms of dollars, because we both agreed to it in the contract.

Otherwise what's the point of having a contract?

DJMC said:

J-Mac, I appreciate your input but consider the situation:

the whole reason the party is going into O/T is because the DJ rocked the house!

In other words, if I truly sucked wienie as a DJ, nobody would want to stay past the original ending time.


You are right though---- Rox also--- no need to bribe for reviews!

Maybe send 'em a gift for writing a positive review? No cash payments or rebates.

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Regardless of the situation, if a DJ rocked enough to take a party to OT, then that DJ should have done a good enough job to earn the positive review. If a DJ has to add something else to the pot to try and get that review, then that DJ obviously didn't do a good enough job to earn the review.

It depends on the contract.

Mos of the time OT is $100 per half hour. But some contract I write $125 an hour.

OT is extra work by then I'm hungry and want to go home.

The biggest problem with OT, I have already payed everything Hott in the time given to me. Meaning my all killer no filler musical program has become all filler.

DJ Cam said:

I have already payed everything Hott in the time given to me. Meaning my all killer no filler musical program has become all filler.

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I call shenanigans!!!!

Cam,

You have been at it too long and most events are too short to burn EVERY Hott set in the alloted time.

Some of the greatest hours ever are the extra one's and serve as proof that what we deliver is as much an art as it is a service.

NO BALLADS IN OT cuz we "Gonna Make You Sweat."

DJ J Mac said:

Regardless of the situation, if a DJ rocked enough to take a party to OT, then that DJ should have done a good enough job to earn the positive review. If a DJ has to add something else to the pot to try and get that review, then that DJ obviously didn't do a good enough job to earn the review.

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DJ Mac - I don't know if it is so much about earning the good review as it is about getting the client to write the review...

In my life, I've often thought that I should write a great review (particularly for places I've stayed,) and then simply never gotten around to it. I think a lot of people are like that, and a lot of good intentions don't get'r done...

Matt's method offers an incentive to actually write the review, not an incentive to write a positive review. It could just as easily backfire. What if the client offered a five-star review, but added the comment that they had written it because Matt offered to work an hour for free if they did? Not the best publicity, huh??

djrox said:

I call shenanigans!!!!

Cam,

You have been at it too long and most events are too short to burn EVERY Hott set in the alloted time.

Some of the greatest hours ever are the extra one's and serve as proof that what we deliver is as much an art as it is a service.

NO BALLADS IN OT cuz we "Gonna Make You Sweat."

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I this current state of music there are really only about 10 given Hott songs at any time.

I will admit it is fun to deliver a crowd that's moving some sets out of the box. When It comes to OT i do like a little heads up as a few of the big hits can be saved.

I'm the kind of person that wants a crowd wanting more when I'm done. When it over you hear comments like "the time went so fast cause we were having such a good time" and "Everyone danced right up to the last song".
When you go into OT many times the crowd dwindles out and you end up with an evening that fades out instead of ending on a high note.