Help get me started

Hey guys, Kevin here…

After lots of practice and building I decided to give this exciting business of yours a go. I've been lurking on the forums for quite some time...Thanks for all your helpful posts.

Yesterday I did a grad party at a local golf course and it was the 1st time I let the word out that I was a “DJ at their service”.

I still have a long way to go but I have Keith as my buddy.

I haven’t made a dime yet and this party is the last free service I will be providing except for immediate family and charities.

So my question is what should I have charged for a 6 hour grad party in the metro Detroit area? This was an indoor event and I would say setup was 75 minutes and teardown was 45 minutes including load. See pictures…setup is eons with a basic light bar and video monitor.

I also plan on including video/outdoor movies and concession rentals as part of my business model.

I’m at the point where I’m only budgeting music and any upgrades will have to be made by the business. I got I-tunes gift cards for Father’s day!1st purchase will be a JRX active sub.

I’m Broke!

So take a look at my pictures and let me have it.
I would post a log but I don’t know how to print it from i-tunes. I will be getting better software in the future.

I tried to attach pictures but I have a security token error.

Here's a web album.
http://picasaweb.google.com/BackyardTheater/62709GradParty#

Thanks guys,

Yea, I was worried about the stage too.

Fortunately, nobody fell off.

It was really the only option to be on the stage because I had to keep the volume down, and if I set up across the room, it wouldn’t be loud enough for the dancers.

Of course the grandma table was the closest to the speakers so I had to keep it low most of the day. With 1.5 hrs left I let it rip and sent them packing. Sorry grandma…..

The Façade is homemade from repurposed materials. I have about $30 into it.
http://picasaweb.google.com/BackyardTheater/Facade#

The rack case is also homemade with the hardware donated by Hiredpower.
http://picasaweb.google.com/BackyardTheater/CaseBuild#

Thanks again Keith!

I did this party so the vendor would see I was somewhat a pro with hopes of doing future events. I made some quick cards to hand out and the ones on the bar were all gone.

It’s sort of like fishing now. Got the right gear, found a decent fishing hole, lines in the water, now I just need a bite.

I did get a lead on a bride’s maid party that wants a Reggae Island type theme. I might be asking more about that later.

Kevin

anzyxx said:

Kev, with your set up I would ask for 80.00~100.00 per hour.

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Thanks, I would be happy with that rate.

DjDennis said:

also one thing I noticed and wasnt impressed about sorry

that the Dj was always sitting down when this was happening

WHY ?

and if one of mine did that well then he wouldnt be working for me long
if I stand for up to 8x hrs working then so can others

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I guess I haven’t thought of sitting vs. standing.

Is sitting considered unprofessional? :sqembarrassed:

I will stand if that is the case, but will need to make some changes to my setup.

When I made the facade I designed it to lay flat in the mountaineer when folded. It ended up being 4’long x 3’high x 2’deep assembled. The table height is 28”

I would need to elevate the laptop to work comfortably while standing.

Maybe I can fabricate some kind of laptop mount that attaches to the rack case in the back?

Or I guess I could make a new one that is 3’long x 4’high x 2’deep.

Any suggestions?

Kevin

Thanks guys…I plan on setting up this weekend for an outside “Rock Band” party and will try to setup some sort of riser for the laptop. Practice!

Don’t they make something for the purpose of raising the laptop up from 30”?

I’m thinking it needs to be about 42” or so off the ground.