@djtaso - a lot of the guys around me (and a lot I've seen online) may offer packages and also offer a lot of "a la carte" stuff. Everything has a price. Most of the guys around me, for the basic package, you get a dj, music, a set of speakers (tops) and maybe a light fixture (may just be to light up their façade). Things like subs, wireless mics, dance floor lights, uplights, (any dmx'ing), etc are all extra charges.
I decided to keep things simple. I have one package. You get 5 hours of my time, my equipment, my music, dance floor lights, uplights, wireless mics, and professional speakers tops/subs. It's priced at what I feel like is a comparable price in the local market and given my experience level.
In talking with people, they want it to be easy. Don't get me wrong, having conversations and clearly describing and explaining and understanding what they want and what is being offered is crucial. Those I have spoken with all say the same thing - "your way is so much simpler to me, and I understand it". I know 99% of you won't agree with me, and I'm okay with that. This is a hobby for me, not a way to earn a living. I do it because it's fun, and the extra money is a great bonus. For me, personally, I knew my equipment is all an investment. Yes, I hope that it will all pay for itself in time. I just don't see the point in charging extra for things like subs, or wireless mics, or even uplights. I can set out 2 dozen uplights in under a half hour. Yea, I could charge more to cover the cost of them faster, but I'd rather keep the cost to my customers lower and take a little longer to recoup my equipment costs.
Now, if I have a request for a reception in a tiny venue and they don't want to dance or need uplights... I don't lower my price if I don't have to bring lights and subs. Those are fewer and further between.
Like I have said before, IN MY OPINION, every time I set up to play, I consider it an interview for my next gig. I would rather profit a little less for someone who can't afford all the bells and whistles and have a good presentation for the next customer to see. Maybe that makes sense the way I explained it, maybe not.
I live in a very rural area. Big cities are an hour away. If someone wants to pay an experienced scratch dj to play for them, they're not going to hire me anyways. Local guys are pricing themselves in the same market as those larger city DJ's and they ARE still getting some gigs from it. There are, however, still a lot of folks who want a DJ but just can't afford 2k or more for a DJ. I want to be an option for that market. Taso, I'll never be at your level, and I'm not sure I'll ever even try to be. With your abilities and your market, you would obviously be throwing money away to run your own business this way. I may never get far just due to my age.... but if I can have fun, and maybe provide a service to some that otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it, then I'll be happy.
I decided to keep things simple. I have one package. You get 5 hours of my time, my equipment, my music, dance floor lights, uplights, wireless mics, and professional speakers tops/subs. It's priced at what I feel like is a comparable price in the local market and given my experience level.
In talking with people, they want it to be easy. Don't get me wrong, having conversations and clearly describing and explaining and understanding what they want and what is being offered is crucial. Those I have spoken with all say the same thing - "your way is so much simpler to me, and I understand it". I know 99% of you won't agree with me, and I'm okay with that. This is a hobby for me, not a way to earn a living. I do it because it's fun, and the extra money is a great bonus. For me, personally, I knew my equipment is all an investment. Yes, I hope that it will all pay for itself in time. I just don't see the point in charging extra for things like subs, or wireless mics, or even uplights. I can set out 2 dozen uplights in under a half hour. Yea, I could charge more to cover the cost of them faster, but I'd rather keep the cost to my customers lower and take a little longer to recoup my equipment costs.
Now, if I have a request for a reception in a tiny venue and they don't want to dance or need uplights... I don't lower my price if I don't have to bring lights and subs. Those are fewer and further between.
Like I have said before, IN MY OPINION, every time I set up to play, I consider it an interview for my next gig. I would rather profit a little less for someone who can't afford all the bells and whistles and have a good presentation for the next customer to see. Maybe that makes sense the way I explained it, maybe not.
I live in a very rural area. Big cities are an hour away. If someone wants to pay an experienced scratch dj to play for them, they're not going to hire me anyways. Local guys are pricing themselves in the same market as those larger city DJ's and they ARE still getting some gigs from it. There are, however, still a lot of folks who want a DJ but just can't afford 2k or more for a DJ. I want to be an option for that market. Taso, I'll never be at your level, and I'm not sure I'll ever even try to be. With your abilities and your market, you would obviously be throwing money away to run your own business this way. I may never get far just due to my age.... but if I can have fun, and maybe provide a service to some that otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it, then I'll be happy.