Weddings Anyone booking 2010 yet?

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I have 5 or 6 weddings for 2010 so far, including October 10, 2010. Already had to turn away another for that date, and the first one didn't even realize that it would be a popular date. She just wanted a three day weekend.

While I generally use a no pressure sales approach, I do mention the savings in booking this far out. If this pace continues, I will take a $100-200 increase by the end of summer.
 
Nothing booked for 2010 yet, I have talked to several people about 2010 dates, some just getting rough estimates and even mentioned that they expected my rates might be higher next year.

Which brings up a question well two.

1.)If someone books you for 2010 do you book at your current rate or a rate that you think you will be charging next year.

2.)If you get a retainer for next year, does it go on this years earning or next years. I would assume it should go on the year you got it. My current method records it under the year of the job, and to be honest I only had two retainers given to me before the end of 2008 for 2009 bookings, and so far like I said none for 2010 yet.
 
I automatically raise all of my fees at least 15% every year. So, when I book out into the following year, I figure that increase in with my quotation. Some may say that 15% is a steep increase. But not really. We have just witnessed food go up nearly 9%, gasoline 30%, electricity 18%, and the list goes on and on.
Here in New Jersey, property taxes are once again soaring. Mine increase 22% this year due to property revaluation.
So, you have to plan on these cost of living increases if you plan to stay in business.

As for accounting future bookings, I do not declare deposits as earnings until the gig is completed.
Any monies received for future events get booked as if they were in escrow (which, in effect they are).
The sale hits the books when the job is completed.
 
simply saying if I can fill this date now its slam dunk why do I need an increase. I will book at 2009 until the Holidays for this reason. SLAM DUNK done.
 
We have one for April in 2010. The way it works for us is that if they book it this year for next year they get the current price this year. We tell them this also. The only dates for us that hold a higher price tag would be big DJ days such as July 4th or New Years Eve etc etc.

I will say if I get those stupid emails with just an email address and no desire to talk with me I give them the full price for next year and they can take it or leave it. More than likely if they are booking on price alone I don't want them as my clients anyways. This is my general concept with my clients.

If there mindsets are similar and I can tell when I talk with them is. "Price is only and issue in absence of value". If I feel they are looking for quality and not just price then maybe we have something. I feel that this may limit the amount of events you get but the ones you get will think of you as an entertainer and not just a button pusher.
 
7 events booked for 2010 right now...all weddings. I have two others pending. I normally book out about 12 mos. in advance...although I have seen calls this year for a much shorter time span including one about a month ago for 5/23/09.

A little backstory about that one. The groom called me because he hired a dj based upon pricing and went to give him the money and paperwork that he filled out. DJ no-showed the appointment. Groom calls him he apologizes and they agree to meet again. DJ no-shows that one too...calls back the client and says he's sorry he was out of town for the 2nd appointment. Groom tells him no...sorry...we're going somewhere else now. How can I trust you to show up on my wedding day if you can't even make the meeting to collect your $?

I believe in the times that we are in people will investigate a little further than they used to to ensure they are getting what they want for their money.
 
What about great quality for an affordable price? It's shameful that people should feel that they need to pay extra for acceptable customer service, especially when it comes to hiring a DJ.

I'm not saying I'm perfect; heck, I'm far from it...got a whole bunch of emails to take care of today and I'm still working on getting the rig to look better. I'm just saying that there's gotta be an inbetween, especially with this economy. People are looking for the best bang for the buck.
 
only have 4x booked 1x is pending for the 14th Feb... so thats 5x almost so far

and 1x for 2011

wont rush into to many, only if they pay more!
 
Not to add to the price war type threads. But my solution is simple.

Charge what you think is fair and profitable.
Adjust according to demand or desire.

As far as future bookings. I have a couple weddings for 2010. Proms to 2011 and Relay for Life for as long as I'm in business. Right now its out to 2013 because that's all my calendar goes to online.
 
Holy Crap

This bride for 2010 is rarrin' to go.... she said they had been together for over 8 years and were just now deciding to tie the knot but this girl has been planning her whole life... she's already got the planner filled out with the exception of just a couple of the song selections for the special dances.... she's already made a music request list for the dance portion and has filled in all of her vender information...

I mean she is so prepaired that you'd think she was getting married next week instead of next year....
 
jokerswild said:
This bride for 2010 is rarrin' to go.... she said they had been together for over 8 years and were just now deciding to tie the knot but this girl has been planning her whole life... she's already got the planner filled out with the exception of just a couple of the song selections for the special dances.... she's already made a music request list for the dance portion and has filled in all of her vender information...

I mean she is so prepaired that you'd think she was getting married next week instead of next year....
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Why are they waiting that long if she's such an eager beaver? Prolly purely financial considerations if they're footing the bill themselves I s'pose....
 
DJ Ducky said:
What about great quality for an affordable price? It's shameful that people should feel that they need to pay extra for acceptable customer service, especially when it comes to hiring a DJ.

I'm not saying I'm perfect; heck, I'm far from it...got a whole bunch of emails to take care of today and I'm still working on getting the rig to look better. I'm just saying that there's gotta be an inbetween, especially with this economy. People are looking for the best bang for the buck.
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I have no idea what your market is Ducky but at your prices, I would not be in business. I started back in 2000 at those prices. And I am still considered a lowballer by a lot of DJs in Minnesota.

I have been offering some deals lately because my bookings are way down from last year. about 9 weddings less than last year.

Again, I don't know your situation but with insurance, music, advertising (not too much of that anymore) and basic expenses. I wouldn't break even unless I would be booked every weekend and doubles on most.
 
jtnichol said:
Not to add to the price war type threads. But my solution is simple.

Charge what you think is fair and profitable.
Adjust according to demand or desire.

As far as future bookings. I have a couple weddings for 2010. Proms to 2011 and Relay for Life for as long as I'm in business. Right now its out to 2013 because that's all my calendar goes to online.
Click to expand...

My approach is a little different too:)

Take out the "charge what you *think*" part all together, and base it on tangibles. DJ pricing shouldn't be a subjective dart thrown at a board. Do a cost analysis. Find out your fixed overhead expenses to exist as an entity, figure your variable costs per-event type, ad in a modest and consistent profit margin across the board, and your prices will end up right where they should be.

Any adjustment for "supply and demand" then needs to come out of your wiggle-room that is your profit margin, but should never drop below that. It costs money to exist as a dj business entity, and each event has hard costs associated with it as well. Recoup any less than those two together and you might as well be doing it for free!:sqwink:
 
DJ Ducky said:
What about great quality for an affordable price? It's shameful that people should feel that they need to pay extra for acceptable customer service, especially when it comes to hiring a DJ.
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The reason it has come tyo that is that customer service in our industry, generally speaking, is non-existent. Simple capitalistic logic then dictates that if "the avergae dj" at the "average price" won't return my call about his pricing or availability for my date, maybe I'll get "above average" service if I pay an "above average price."

You're right is is sad, but it is what it is, and it does give those of us who make an effort to rise above a differentiating point. Whether or not it is right/appropriate to try to attach an actual dollar-figure/increase to that point is a whole other topic.
 
most advance shows I will book is 2x years and no more..
 
None for 2010, but in 2008 I had a chance to book a 2012 event.... I turned it down, as I don't generally accept events more than 12 months out. I guess I would if I really wanted to do the event, though.
 
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