iPod Party Rates

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djlee

New DJ
Dec 10, 2006
109
0
34
Princeton, NJ and Nashville, TN
www.wattsupproductions.com
I'm sure this has been answered before, but after spending a few minutes searching I was unable to find any general consensus.

As I'm sure have many others, I have been slow to adopt the "iPod Party" concept. However, a few months back I decided to begin offering such a package on my website, and just this week I have received my first offer to staff such a party (high school dance, 3 hours).

Basically, what sort of rates does everyone quote for these sorts of parties? The ONLY work involved is setup and breakdown of equipment -- the client provides the ipod, music, etc. Any words of advice to top it off?

Thanks in advance.
 
djlee said:
I'm sure this has been answered before, but after spending a few minutes searching I was unable to find any general consensus.

As I'm sure have many others, I have been slow to adopt the "iPod Party" concept. However, a few months back I decided to begin offering such a package on my website, and just this week I have received my first offer to staff such a party (high school dance, 3 hours).

Basically, what sort of rates does everyone quote for these sorts of parties? The ONLY work involved is setup and breakdown of equipment -- the client provides the ipod, music, etc. Any words of advice to top it off?

Thanks in advance.
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High School Dances are fairly large events. Will you be providing adequate equipment for this application or just two speakers on a stick with a mixer and amp? Either way I see it as an amateur who will be controlling your equipment. Are you receiving enough money as a deposit to cover any or all losses to your equipment? There is no reason why they should not hire you outright.
My advise here is to stop offering "packages". You need to know in YOUR mind which package is necessary for the application and thus charge accordingly. Cheapskets when given the option will always go for the cheapest package without any idea how it will work out. In the end, if the equipment for the application was inadequate, you are the one who will loose face and future business.
 
I will provide more than adequate sound coverage for the event -- they are only expecting 100 or so people, as it is a county-wide dance rather than a dance for an individual high school.

And yes, the equipment will be operated by an amateur, but they will only have access to the iPod. I may be wrong here, but as long as I explain that they cannot play around with anything other than the iPod and I make sure that everything on my end is set to the optimal level, am I still at risk of breaking something?

Also, I absolutely agree with your point about packages, but in my mind the packages on my website are simply a starting point from where I customize my services for each event. If anything, they are a way for the client to visualize the types of services I am capable of providing. Once they voice what it is they are looking for, I can customize away.

ahoustondj said:
High School Dances are fairly large events. Will you be providing adequate equipment for this application or just two speakers on a stick with a mixer and amp? Either way I see it as an amateur who will be controlling your equipment. Are you receiving enough money as a deposit to cover any or all losses to your equipment? There is no reason why they should not hire you outright.
My advise here is to stop offering "packages". You need to know in YOUR mind which package is necessary for the application and thus charge accordingly. Cheapskets when given the option will always go for the cheapest package without any idea how it will work out. In the end, if the equipment for the application was inadequate, you are the one who will loose face and future business.
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Honestly, are you a DJ or an A/V rental company?

I have yet to have a successful iPod party and decided to leave such things to the A/V rental guys.

But, since you are going this route, what does the local A/V companies charge for a rental? Start there.

Next, is it your intention to stay there and hook up each iPod for them? If so, what's your time worth to you? In regard to you hooking up the iPod for them you are then taking on the liability of the safe care of their iPod and if it get's damaged then it is your responsibility to fix it or replace it (and all of the music on it).

My recommendation is to walk, no, run, away from this as quickly as possible and get the package off your web site. Next recommend some reputable A/V rentals in your area.
 
I really appreciate all the advice -- This wasn't something I was really considering, but I think I may very well take your advice.

But; I'm not already working that night, and at this point I am very unlikely to book another event on that date. So, at this point, anything I can get is just extra money in the pocket, isn't it?

GoodKnightDJ said:
Honestly, are you a DJ or an A/V rental company?

I have yet to have a successful iPod party and decided to leave such things to the A/V rental guys.

But, since you are going this route, what does the local A/V companies charge for a rental? Start there.

Next, is it your intention to stay there and hook up each iPod for them? If so, what's your time worth to you? In regard to you hooking up the iPod for them you are then taking on the liability of the safe care of their iPod and if it get's damaged then it is your responsibility to fix it or replace it (and all of the music on it).

My recommendation is to walk, no, run, away from this as quickly as possible and get the package off your web site. Next recommend some reputable A/V rentals in your area.
Click to expand...
 
djlee said:
But; I'm not already working that night, and at this point I am very unlikely to book another event on that date. So, at this point, anything I can get is just extra money in the pocket, isn't it?
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Sometimes you have to ask yourself if it is worth the liability.
 
I did one - repeat ONE - I Pod type wedding on a January Friday night. Slow period, easy money I thought.

I was to provide the sound system ONLY - no mic (I asked) - and the I Pod hook up.

Since it was only for three hours, I stayed and sat in the back of the room.

What a friggin' nightmare! Not only did the music sound bad - I'm guessing Linewire d/l's - but the music choice was terrible and there were long gaps between songs.

After the first hour, the groom came up and basically asked me to take over and "could you make a few announcements?"

I told him that was not included in the contract. Come to find out their friend with the I pod had a few drinks and......

The only thing I had was my Zune in my car. The groom was mad at me, but I explained all this in the initial consultation. They said that was OK as they were on a tight budget. It ended 40 minutes early as guests left in a hurry.

Never again will I even consider this route!
 
This is me and how I see this going down. You say you have the levels set and Im assuming some kid is going to run the ipods. After your gone and things start progressing...some kid comes up and says dude I love this tune...turn it up some we cant hear it in back very well.... the kid running the ipods figures out how to do it and so what the heck its his friend so he turns it up. Now mind you he probly wont turn it back down either....a little later the same thing happens with some other kid...again he turns it up....till the system is cranking hard.....but again its your equipment....if you were there running the show you could control the volume...just how I see it.
 
Now, since you ask about pricing...

A/V Rental - $400
Set Up/Strike - $50/hour for two hours; $100.
Delivery/Retrieval - $50/hour for two hours; $100
Your time at event babysitting equipment - $50/hour for three hours; $150

Total: $750.

Note: Most A/V companies (in my area) charge $400 rental and that does not include delivery, set up, strike, and retrieval. Most require you to pick up the equipment from them and return it to them.
 
Given both the actual and predicted expereinces related, I have to read just my prior recommendation:

$29.95

P.S. Seems reasonable given the value of the service actually produced with such offering.
 
The only thing I had was my Zune in my car. The groom was mad at me, but I explained all this in the initial consultation. They said that was OK as they were on a tight budget. It ended 40 minutes early as guests left in a hurry.

Never again will I even consider this route!
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Staying there to watch was a really big mistake.

This was a rental (self-service) yet, you hung around all night with nothihg to do - and when they asked you for some help - you came off looking like a cold-hearted jerk.

As the expert - you should have known to include at least a cabled mic with ANY sound system (regardless of their initial inetntions). A mic is just one of those things people assume will be part of any sound system.

It is important to provide the kind of gear that can get the job done - especially if your customer is not well versed in specifying exactly what they need. Solve their problems for them by thinking in advance and renting them exactky what they need - not simply what they know to ask for.

- Do the thinking for them at the time you make the sale.
- Recommend an appropriate solution, decline obvious bad ideas.
- Inform them at delivery or pickup about how to operte the gear.
- Ask them if they have any questions or concerns.
- Give them a telephone number where you can be reached.
- Then leave them alone and go away.

Build safety into you rental gear that will make it fool-proof and protect it from abuse or inexperienced operators. Use limiters and lock them with security covers. Fuse your individual speaker drivers (hidden) just below their failure point. It is "okay" if the system fails because they abuse it - but if you properly protect your gear the only thing that really gets damaged is their ego and party.

The average person is quiet reasonable and responsible, DJs not so much. (DJs are always trying to solve a $5,000 problem for just $50 and that makes them very high risk) Young DJs in particular make horrible rental customers. Stick with mature adult lay-people and you'll be just fine.
 
One other thing, when you start "renting systems" instead of being a DJ/Entertainment Service you may be opening yourself up to another whole line of local taxation you might not be prepared to handle as in some locals, rental companies are considered retailers and as such will put you into entirely different ball game tax wise and business licensing wise.

Look before you leap and you'll keep from getting hurt.
 
My luddite mind can't wrap itself around this. You are already supplying everything but the music and expertise.

Considering what it's worth to haul, set up, strike, the risk of damage to your equipment as used by an amateur, your time ( if you stay to watch over things), I would charge the same as I would if I were DJing, AND THEN I WOULD DJ with my own music and expertise, after asking for a playlist if desired.

Besides equipment risk, you also lose out on possible future work due to no exposure or referrals. Also, if your company name is visible anywhere, people will think YOU are the one doing the horrible job....

I would work it, or I would skip it.
 
JoeChartreuse said:
I would skip it.
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DING, DING, DING, DING, DING,! We have a winner.

Jimmy, tell our brilliant poster what he has won!

Congratulations Joe. You have won the peace of mind the comes with knowing how utterly futile it always is when you attempt to fit a 20 pound potato into a Ziplock sandwich bag. You will also find you have additional time to devote to your family and/or loved ones with which to strengthen your love for each other or to rejuvenate yourself so that you are better able to deliver the type of stellar service you work so hard provide and earn the resulting respect and well deserved reputation of clients and prospects.

You will also receive a year's supply Turtle Wax. (Not really but it seemed so appropriate):sqwink:
 
I see no problem doing what you've suggested. Most here wouldn't because they could be bothered. I know I wouldn't, not because it wouldn't work, I know it could. But because it's just not in my plans right now. What I see going wrong is that you just don't have a solid plan. Get a plan together and then offer the service. You've got good advise from some here so that should be a good starting point. But never run away from an idea. Only those who quite run away, it's easier that working out the problems. Take that idea and work with it. Your idea isn't something new. In fact I believe they use to call them jukeboxes. Even today people can rent systems that will access a large library of music that they can customize for their event. The equipment is protect as best as possible from moronic people but I'm sure a hefty security deposit takes care of any worries.

Another idea for you to think about, why rent out an iPod setup when you can sell them a less experienced DJ. Full disclosure about their ability but full protection under a solid contract. Your gear is protected, the DJ is protected, and they have their dance. So for half the amount of money it might cost for a qualified DJ they can still get a live person to handle their function.

When you have a good idea you're bound to hear many tell you what's wrong with it or how it can't be done. That should give you the determination to make it work.

Good luck.
 
Ron Auger said:
1) Your idea isn't something new. In fact I believe they use to call them jukeboxes.



2) When you have a good idea you're bound to hear many tell you what's wrong with it or how it can't be done.

Good luck.
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1) Then why not get one. What's the point of even the amateur DJ?

2) Actually, a good idea usually merits praise and thanks. A BAD idea is usually met with explainations of why it can't be done or what is wrong with it. We do that here so that others may learn from our mistakes.

I have DONE something similar ( though not with an iPod) a few times, and the results were as expected. Why should he have run into the same problems if they can be avoided by hearing of others' experiences?

.... Boy, am I grumpy today....:sqembarrassed:
 
Ron Auger said:
I see no problem doing what you've suggested. Most here wouldn't because they could be bothered. I know I wouldn't, not because it wouldn't work, I know it could. But because it's just not in my plans right now. What I see going wrong is that you just don't have a solid plan. Get a plan together and then offer the service. You've got good advise from some here so that should be a good starting point. But never run away from an idea. Only those who quite run away, it's easier that working out the problems. Take that idea and work with it. Your idea isn't something new. In fact I believe they use to call them jukeboxes. Even today people can rent systems that will access a large library of music that they can customize for their event. The equipment is protect as best as possible from moronic people but I'm sure a hefty security deposit takes care of any worries.

Another idea for you to think about, why rent out an iPod setup when you can sell them a less experienced DJ. Full disclosure about their ability but full protection under a solid contract. Your gear is protected, the DJ is protected, and they have their dance. So for half the amount of money it might cost for a qualified DJ they can still get a live person to handle their function.

When you have a good idea you're bound to hear many tell you what's wrong with it or how it can't be done. That should give you the determination to make it work.

Good luck.
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Good points. Ron, you and I are both here in Mass....I have a pop through Craigslist and see some local renting "full equipment" to "DJ your own party with I-pod" for $250/24 hours! LOL there are desperate DJ's on the C/L in Mass that would play the night for the same money....or less!

I had considered offering something like this myself for about 10 seconds. Then my common sense took over. Rental equipment to unknown folks with ipods = trouble waiting to happen. Plus the cheapskates tend to never be happy regardless of what you do for them......I decided my own good nature and mental health were worth far more than what I could make with an occasional equipment rental.

Best,

Paul
 
BTW, my suggestion to run away from this event comes from experience of having done a few and having them fail. The failure was not my fault although I feel that if the name of the company was mentioned it may have been tarnished.

My plan was this:

A Numark iPod mixer; inexpensive powered speakers; mic and so on. I provided delivery, set up, strike, and removal. Extras included me staying to baby sit and being available to step in and be their DJ with a laptop.

I have forgotten how many I did but all but one did not buy the extras. Those that did not buy the extras ended early. For one wedding most were gone after dinner and the rest left after the cake cutting.

I was there for the one that bought the extras. They wound up paying about the same as they would have if I had been the DJ from the start.

As I said, I now leave this to the A/V rental guys. When folks ask about an iPod party I give them the names of the reputable rental companies and move on.
 
Beemer,
What part of MA are you in?


Regardless what anyone thinks they could or could not do, want to or don't want to do, this can be part of the business and there is a market for it. I read some of you relating this to weddings. I feel bad for the poor fool who hires an iPod for their wedding. But that's their choice. Where this type of service would work is with simple parties.

Guys who have done it had the equipment sure but doesn't seem like they had a plan to successfully pull it off. If they had they wouldn't be running away. Waiting in the wings with a laptop to save the day should not be part of a plan when renting out a system. You don't find A/V guys hanging around to show the clients how bad they screwed up. If it's something you can't do then don't do it. But it can be done.


1) Then why not get one. What's the point of even the amateur DJ?
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You are referring to a jukebox. Jukeboxes I'm sure can be rented but they are quite cumbersome and not easy to move. There are systems that work on a touch screen monitor so music can be played at their request and no one needs to go near the sound equipment. Again, it's all in the planning.

Amateur DJ? I never said anything about an amateur DJ. I was find a less experienced DJ who would be willing to do nothing more than play the music and monitor the equipment. There is a market for people who can only or will only afford a $300 for music. Wedding, party, kids event, whatever, but that's all their going to pay. So why not supply them with one. Not everyone is at the same skill level therefore not everyone would be at the same price either. We may not want to play for a $300 function but if the client is going to hire someone, why not supply them with what they want.
 
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