How many gigs???

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B-Sharp said:
I had 68 events last year - not too shabby for a one-man DJ company. I stay out of the full-time/part-time debates, but I'll say this: many of my full-time DJ friends admire my dedication to my work and are jealous of my success.

Close to 40 booked so far this year - the remaining dates will fill in as they get closer.
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And if I were still a DJ, success, modeled after your company, approach and work-ethic, would be what I'd strive for. You are an inspiration to many, old friend.
 
Again if we do 30 events again this year which hopefully we will. I feel thats also pretty good for a guy who has his 40 to 48 hour a week job. We also raised our rates this year. In my area I know I could do more events but for less money. And so far when it comes to the right client the money hasn't really been an issue they where all about good customer service and confidence that they where getting 110 percent from me. I have really tried to sell us as very professional but fun.

I have been shooting for something completely different this year. I wanted to raise our service a step above the rest. Which is hard sometimes when its just about the price. I figure if they contact me through my website then I'm one step closer to getting there event. They saw something in us they liked. I really have to thank Hank. He really was able to put a face on my ideas of how I wanted people to perceive us and our business.

The business cards and the brochure and logo were a tremendous help. If you don't do anything else do this, remember sometimes this is the first perception the customer has of you. Believe it or not I have also been using my age and music knowledge being the top 40's guy from the 70's till now in most genre's as a big seller for weddings even with the very young brides. I have really tried to get many of these brides to look away from the stress of planning there reception and to plan on it being one of the best parties they have ever been to and they are the stars of the whole thing.

Every chance I get to soften my website or anything about my site to make it more bride a fied, I do. Here is my check your date page, http://www.next-generation.djintelligence.com/availability/ I'm loving it when I can meet with a couple and they leave very exited about the who thing. Here is a email I got a few days ago from the youngest and most beautiful bride I think I have ever seen and we have had some hot ones.

Here is her email, "Hey Dave!!! We had a lot of fun getting to know you. We are so excited about you being our DJ. :) thanks a bunch!!!!"
This is the ultimate compliment for me. I love this business ). I can say I truly have found my calling for what I want to do for my life's work. And most of all I have God to thank for everything he does in my life. He blesses me when I don't deserve it but then again thats what he does).
 
Last year my company did 162 events in total, out of that number I personally did 87.
 
As a single op, over 2 years ago, I personally worked over 100 gigs.
Got smarter and raised my rates.
Last year did just over 50 gigs, guess what........made more money last year.
 
At my peak, I had several years where I did between 94 and 98 gigs each year. (As you might guess, I'm full-time.)

I used to have a theory:

Given that there's 52 weeks per year, that gives a mobile DJ a total of 104 weekend days (Fridays/Saturdays) to book. (Not including weekday club work.) Being the maximum, I equate 104 gigs with the speed of light.

Any Fridays or winter days that might NOT get booked might be offset by the occasional Sunday or weekday gig that will sometimes crop-up, so our light speed remains constant. (I never have broken the 104 mark.)

For many years, I approached, but never quite reached that ultimate goal. In fact, the more I advertised, the more calls I'd get for dates I was already booked! It got to the point where I was referring more work to other DJs than I was getting myself! Thus the other end of the analogy: it would take an infinite amount of advertising to achieve gig "light speed."

These days, though, I'd be happy with half that number. When Michigan's economy went in the toilet, so did the local DJ industry. Coupled with the current "do-it-yourself" craze, where people are renting sound systems and playing iPods at their events, DJs who are surviving aren't getting what they used to for their services. I sincerely hope that what's happening in Michigan doesn't spread.
 
DJStuCrew said:
When Michigan's economy went in the toilet, so did the local DJ industry. Coupled with the current "do-it-yourself" craze, where people are renting sound systems and playing iPods at their events, DJs who are surviving aren't getting what they used to for their services. I sincerely hope that what's happening in Michigan doesn't spread.
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That is my story here in So Cal. Granted the business that used to refer me the most is now owned by a new couple who won't refer anyone, so my numbers will take a hit. Still, my rates have gone down to get the jobs. We are now focusing our efforts on other marketing avenues. Let's hope that turns it up!

As for the question in the thread: This year I have around 15 booked, want 30, would die for 50.
 
So Cal Hugh said:
That is my story here in So Cal. Granted the business that used to refer me the most is now owned by a new couple who won't refer anyone, so my numbers will take a hit. Still, my rates have gone down to get the jobs. We are now focusing our efforts on other marketing avenues. Let's hope that turns it up!

As for the question in the thread: This year I have around 15 booked, want 30, would die for 50.
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If you die for 50! Who would do the remaining 20? :bconfused:
 
Years ago, besides my daily radio show, I would do between 80 and 120 events a year. It was a grueling schedule. But this is what I had to do to make a living and get established.

Now, I am established, and I can command a good price for my work. I am currently doing 45 to 60 events a year. And believe me, that's plenty!

I work to live. I don't live to work!

:sptongue:
 
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