Weddings What makes a $1500 wedding DJ worth his price?
- Thread starter Galager
- Start date
All I can say is that I demand a higher rate because of my experience (27 years), my reviews (all 5-stars) and referrals from clients. I would like to say, without sounding like I am bragging, that my services are in demand but the truth is, we only do 75 weddings a year and when we hit that mark, we are done. After all, I gotta keep my sanity! Oh, did I mention that I do this part time. Yes, I am one of "those guys" that also has a full time job. Ouch!
It wasn't always that way, for years, we were stuck at that $875 mark. YEARS, I tell ya! Then, we realized that we were receiving up to 8 calls for EVERY Saturday. We are only a one-person operation, so we thought that if people want us to play their wedding, they will have to pay a premium rate for our services. We raised our rates and never looked back.
Granted, we are going against dj's who charge $475 for a wedding. And, they are recommended by the biggest/best venue in the area. Sometimes we get the gig over them and sometimes we don't. I never worry about other dj's and how they are booking up. I am one of those guys who gives away more wedding referrals than I get... 10x's more!
There is no right answer to this... charge what you feel you are worth. Only your clients can decide if you are worth it and the price is worth it. Then, if they leave you a positive review (WHICH IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT), then you know you are at the right spot.
On the flip side, I have seen some $300 dj's do a fantastic job at a wedding. They could EASILY demand $1200+. Mystery why they don't.
It wasn't always that way, for years, we were stuck at that $875 mark. YEARS, I tell ya! Then, we realized that we were receiving up to 8 calls for EVERY Saturday. We are only a one-person operation, so we thought that if people want us to play their wedding, they will have to pay a premium rate for our services. We raised our rates and never looked back.
Granted, we are going against dj's who charge $475 for a wedding. And, they are recommended by the biggest/best venue in the area. Sometimes we get the gig over them and sometimes we don't. I never worry about other dj's and how they are booking up. I am one of those guys who gives away more wedding referrals than I get... 10x's more!
There is no right answer to this... charge what you feel you are worth. Only your clients can decide if you are worth it and the price is worth it. Then, if they leave you a positive review (WHICH IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT), then you know you are at the right spot.
On the flip side, I have seen some $300 dj's do a fantastic job at a wedding. They could EASILY demand $1200+. Mystery why they don't.
Where do you live?
I find this thread interesting in the fact that those that live in bigger markets are much more able to charge alot more than those of us in much smaller markets. I'm sure there are exceptions to the rule but it seems to be a trend
Jeff, I am in the suburbs of Pittsburgh.
There is certainly a movement amongst our network of dj's in Pittsburgh to raise the rates. Some do, some don't.
Not every bride will book a $1500 dj, as we know. Many will. Many brides have no clue what they should pay, so they must be educated on what the market is like in the area. We do that at our personal meetings. We tell them that dj's are available between $300 and $2500 and only YOU (the bride) can determine what your budget is and what you want. I then will compare my reviews with theirs.
Again, not every market can support higher rates. You really have to network with other dj's in your area to make it happen.
There is certainly a movement amongst our network of dj's in Pittsburgh to raise the rates. Some do, some don't.
Not every bride will book a $1500 dj, as we know. Many will. Many brides have no clue what they should pay, so they must be educated on what the market is like in the area. We do that at our personal meetings. We tell them that dj's are available between $300 and $2500 and only YOU (the bride) can determine what your budget is and what you want. I then will compare my reviews with theirs.
Again, not every market can support higher rates. You really have to network with other dj's in your area to make it happen.
Magic, welcome to the forum. I appreciate your posts and the spirit in which they're offered. Just thinking out loud here, but I'm wondering if the $1500 DJ isn't necessarily limited to only large markets, but perhaps they're limited to markets that have more prospects than DJs. When the demand side exceeds the supply side, you have situations like Magic's, where he's getting more inquiries than he has dates available. In that situation, if you're brave enough (keeping in mind that it's a prerequisite to deliver superior results) to jack your rates that far north, you are going to be perceived as THE top DJ in town and there is always going to be a statistical percentage of girls where budget isn't limited and daddy is willing to pay for "the best". If you have 8 calls, my experience shows you're going to have 2-3 of those girls that only want "the best", which they often will equate with most expensive. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because you charge the most you obviously must be "the best". Like you mentioned, I find myself stuck at the $750 mark for DJ-only services. I do obviously get enough leads that I'm able to book at this mark but, especially this year, I'm losing a lot of dates to $500 DJs (several of whom are every bit as good or better than me). If I weren't going in a different direction with mixed services (photo, lighting, photobooth), I'd likely give the larger rate a try. As it is, I'm only using DJ-only to fill in dates until we can get the photo biz cranking harder.
I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I just booked my first 2017 wedding...and it was a Gig Masters Client. I received this message this morning along with the deposit and signed agreement!
I also had an agent, and another DJ company call me looking to book me. This morning has been BUSY!
Time to go do my PodCast Radio Show with one of my DJs....A little start up we have been working on. Maybe I'll share it on here so you all can have a listen to our show. We been having fun doing it!
- Carrie's message:
- Sent: 2/11/2016 11:05:07 AM
- Thanks. You are very professional! I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions. Have a wonderful day!
- Your message:
- Sent: 2/11/2016 10:39:03 AM
- I will set the time on agreement for 10:30 - 2:30. I would arrive by 9:15 for load in and set up. Staff should be there by then to let me in. I will email the agreement over to you shortly.
I also had an agent, and another DJ company call me looking to book me. This morning has been BUSY!
Time to go do my PodCast Radio Show with one of my DJs....A little start up we have been working on. Maybe I'll share it on here so you all can have a listen to our show. We been having fun doing it!
Funny nobody has said "learn". How many DVD's do you own? Look for Randy Bartlett 's 1% Solution series. Go to a convention. Have you ever been to Mobile Beat or DJ Times? Do you subscribe to either magazine?
Scott said it early on, sales. I think the biggest secret in the DJ World is that most DJ's, myself included are terrible at sales. They are scared to ask for XYZ amount, no matter what that amount is. I have a great closing rate when I get to meet the client, but then I also am at the mid range in pricing in my area, but I am scared to ask for more because I do not want to loose a gig. I have a DJ buddy here, who I think we are about the same when it comes to gear, and he is a tad better with the MC skills and I am a tad better at the DJing skills. So all and all, we are about the same value, however, he is a much better salesman and gets $1250 easy for a gig. I know because I will go out as one of his DJs and he pays me a grand.
The thing is, you have to ask for it. Is everyone going to say yes? Nope, but once you start asking, and getting, your confidence builds and you move from there. Can you go from $500 to $1500 overnight? No. You still have to be able to deliver something for that value and that is where learning comes in.
Go to a convention. Buy some DVD's. Spend money to make money.
and just to make it easy on you here is a link to Randy's stuff Randy Bartlett's One Percent Solution: small changes, BIG RESULTS! | Randy Bartlett's One Percent Solution
P.S. about me, I have been a full time single system DJ for the past 31 years. I have been to 18 of 20 Mobile Beat Expo's. I have stories in both Mobile Beat Mag and DJ Times Mag. I ran the panel for putting on school dances 8 times between both Expos back in the day. And my wife is a bellydancer. I am not saying this to blow my horn, (ok maybe a little LOL) but to show you that I do have some experience in the area. I'm old and I have been around. I have a middle school dance tomorrow night and a Private Country Club event on Saturday. I still love what I do.
Scott said it early on, sales. I think the biggest secret in the DJ World is that most DJ's, myself included are terrible at sales. They are scared to ask for XYZ amount, no matter what that amount is. I have a great closing rate when I get to meet the client, but then I also am at the mid range in pricing in my area, but I am scared to ask for more because I do not want to loose a gig. I have a DJ buddy here, who I think we are about the same when it comes to gear, and he is a tad better with the MC skills and I am a tad better at the DJing skills. So all and all, we are about the same value, however, he is a much better salesman and gets $1250 easy for a gig. I know because I will go out as one of his DJs and he pays me a grand.
The thing is, you have to ask for it. Is everyone going to say yes? Nope, but once you start asking, and getting, your confidence builds and you move from there. Can you go from $500 to $1500 overnight? No. You still have to be able to deliver something for that value and that is where learning comes in.
Go to a convention. Buy some DVD's. Spend money to make money.
and just to make it easy on you here is a link to Randy's stuff Randy Bartlett's One Percent Solution: small changes, BIG RESULTS! | Randy Bartlett's One Percent Solution
P.S. about me, I have been a full time single system DJ for the past 31 years. I have been to 18 of 20 Mobile Beat Expo's. I have stories in both Mobile Beat Mag and DJ Times Mag. I ran the panel for putting on school dances 8 times between both Expos back in the day. And my wife is a bellydancer. I am not saying this to blow my horn, (ok maybe a little LOL) but to show you that I do have some experience in the area. I'm old and I have been around. I have a middle school dance tomorrow night and a Private Country Club event on Saturday. I still love what I do.
The 1% solution hasn't put me at the top, but without it I'd probably really suck! I have several DJ biz books and several sales and marketing books etc. I probably lack the drive and desire but that's something that fluctuates.
I know of a DJ in Detroit that gets $1500 but he said that most of his competitors are at the $800 mark.
1.) He's been at it for at least 25 years. I've only been doing this for 10 years.
2.) He lives in the affluent suburbs of Detroit and caters to those living in those areas.
Rick Ryan has a valid point about the number of competitors vs the number of prospects in different areas. I think some DJs are lucky that they don't have much competition while others are unlucky because their competitors are great entertainers and/or already have clout with the best venues.
I know of a DJ in Detroit that gets $1500 but he said that most of his competitors are at the $800 mark.
1.) He's been at it for at least 25 years. I've only been doing this for 10 years.
2.) He lives in the affluent suburbs of Detroit and caters to those living in those areas.
Rick Ryan has a valid point about the number of competitors vs the number of prospects in different areas. I think some DJs are lucky that they don't have much competition while others are unlucky because their competitors are great entertainers and/or already have clout with the best venues.
From my perspective, and some of what allows me to get higher rates, I associate with people who are financially able to afford me, they refer me to their friends, since people tend to associate with others in or close to their financial status, my business is 100% referral I tend only receive inquiries from those who know my pricing and have no issue paying it
and not to start a war here, but depending on if you are a full time or part time DJ makes a difference in how you sell. USUALLY (in caps) full time DJs are a bit hungrier because they don't have a second income to carry them with rent, bills or whatever so they tend (not always) to be more afraid of losing a gig, which makes selling harder.
You aren't going to get an argument from me. I'm PT, so I have to streamline my sales process. If I were FT I'd certainly be meeting F2F on every prospect, and would be prodding the upper end of the possible rates on every meeting. I just don't have the time, nor the mental patience to go that route. More power to you guys that do.
Great point Chuck. Never really thought of it like that but you are right.
My rate is obtained because I ask for it. I ask for it because my track record and marketing approach clearly defines value which is directly proportional to fee structures. Rates are posted on my web site so there are few tire kickers thus avoiding the negativism that sometimes will beat me into the ground and question everything successful ever accomplished.
I've been a full-time DJ/mobile entertainer since 1984. Personally prepared for my own retirement, bought two homes, all the gear, health insurance, vehicles, et all. Zero debt free for more than 15 years. I feel as though even if my DJ/entertainment skills are tauted as top notch, true financial success stems from smartly and properly running an individual, sole-proprietorship, single op, business model.
Where the hell has the time gone?
I've been a full-time DJ/mobile entertainer since 1984. Personally prepared for my own retirement, bought two homes, all the gear, health insurance, vehicles, et all. Zero debt free for more than 15 years. I feel as though even if my DJ/entertainment skills are tauted as top notch, true financial success stems from smartly and properly running an individual, sole-proprietorship, single op, business model.
Where the hell has the time gone?
a very big part of this is believing that you are worth $1500, if can't convince yourself that you are not worth anymore that what the "average" DJ in your area charges, you are going to have a very hard time convincing a client, for those of you that don't want to travel to get that money, would you rather do 1 show at $1500 and spend some time traveling or two shows at $750 and have twice the prep and twice the time involved
To answer the original question...
apply this logic.
apply this logic.
Damn Cap, well said and you are one of the top dog out there that I look to as someone to emulate. One of my wishes is to someday sit down with you and have a beer or twelve. )
You have to shave your head.
What has worked for me is my assiduous desire to improve my craft. I strive to be a better Mobile DJ, Club DJ, Radio DJ, business person and to always provide an outstanding service to my clients.
I decided 25 years ago that I would make this my profession. Too much emphasis on price is what has all of us in the mess that we are in.
We need to go back to when DJs were artists and performed for the love of music & pleasing a crowd and ultimately the riches came.
I decided 25 years ago that I would make this my profession. Too much emphasis on price is what has all of us in the mess that we are in.
We need to go back to when DJs were artists and performed for the love of music & pleasing a crowd and ultimately the riches came.
Oh, back before the internet, before everyone shopped online, before walmart and amazon and others pushed the low low price mantra, before anyone could throw up a website and be on 'equal' footing, before craigslist, before ipods and playslists and spotify...
Not gonna happen.
Not gonna happen.