I get asked this question quite often when I say I'm a DJ.
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
Why do some DJ's think if you're a mobile DJ you must be good at doing any event? I find it's best to stick with what works for you best.
As for you knowing DJ's that make several grand at a bar. Is that nightly or over a period of time? Remember you did say a bar and not a club. There can be a big difference. Usually around here the pay is better in a club then in a bar. Also if you're a really hot item for a DJ that a club can't do without you there, you can even command more. Just to let you know I don't know any DJ playing a bar getting paid several grand. Well at least around here because the competition is so fierce around here it's not that hard for a bar to find a replacement if you happen to expect too much for the pay or just don't simply cut it.
Lastly around here when it comes to bars the average pay is about $150.00 a night. If you get into the $200.00 on up range in a bar you're the exception and not the rule.
Mix, once again you have failed to answer many of the questions directed your way.
No one here said you must be good at doing any event - but if you can play a wedding, you can play a variety of others.
I will agree with you here - YOU find its best to stick with what works for you. Others on here, myself included, can and do - adapt to a variety of shows - regularly.
This is nightly - it's easy to make several grand over a period of time.
There can be. The bigger bars are pretty synonymous with the clubs - not much difference. What this has to do with a bar versus a private function is beyond me. Please answer what I asked you. Leave clubs out of this.
I refuse to answer this because we're not talking about clubs. We're talking about a bar DJ vs the same DJ at a private event.
Agreed. Again, the conversation was a bar dj performing at a private party and your thoughts of those costs. You also never addressed how you think the private party found out how much the DJ gets paid in the bar.
I know several let's get back to the point of a bar dj at a private function.
It's not the competition, it's the value you bring to the table. If you bring value and they see it AND agree with it / want it, then you will get it. Please get back on topic.
What does this have to do with anything I discussed (bar vs private party)?
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I don't believe you have to tell Steve to pay attention. He is. You are the one that seems to be selective with your answers.
It IS NOT ok to wear jeans and a t shirt to a backyard party. It is if that's the kind of show / attire that show calls for. If not, you better dress it up accordingly. I've done many a backyard party in khakis / dress shirt.
This may be true to some extent .. but if you're a mobile person, you should be able to cover both.
Before you go throwing daggers Mix, I think you should take an elevated look at this. How on earth does your customer know how much you make at a bar? I know guys that play bars making several grand. Do you believe their customers have a problem paying several grand (or other) for a wedding / other party? I also know some making a few hundred. Would they have a problem paying the required fee (whatever it is) of said DJ?
Private party clients usually have no idea how much the bar pays - nor should they care - as there is no comparison. Totally different environment. Is the client supplying a house speaker system? Are they supplying lighting? Are they supplying all the other stuff a bar supplies? If you really think about this, completely separate venues and shows .. and they require very different input and will get very different output.
You still have not answered where you have gotten all your music from .. and several people have asked you.
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Itigger you said you know some DJ's who get paid several grand playing in a bar. If that's true then I'm the president of the U.S.A. Oh my bad I shouldn't say that. Maybe they do make that but how do they do so? I'll bet if they do it's more then just playing music in a bar alone. I'll say they have other things going on in the bar that helps them to make more money.
I have a friend of mine that does make $900.00 a week playing in this club where I used to play. He gets paid $450.00 for both Thursday and Friday evenings from 6-9pm. The owner sent him a text message firing him and when he was in deep trouble hired him back. Of course he had to pay him a lot more to get him to come back. He first started out back there making $350.00 on Friday and was there for 2 years when he asked and got a $100.00 raise. He just doesn't get paid that for DJing. He also does a lot of promoting for the club and he has side money coming in from him dealing with the liquor people. So he makes his money not in just DJing alone. Thus he makes at this one club alone over 3 grand a month. Now if that's what's happening with those DJ's you mentioned fine. I just don't believe a bar is paying your friends 1k or more a night to DJ in a bar. If they are I need to move there since I've been told on here all I'm good at is playing in a bar. LOL!
I have a friend of mine that does make $900.00 a week playing in this club where I used to play. He gets paid $450.00 for both Thursday and Friday evenings from 6-9pm. The owner sent him a text message firing him and when he was in deep trouble hired him back. Of course he had to pay him a lot more to get him to come back. He first started out back there making $350.00 on Friday and was there for 2 years when he asked and got a $100.00 raise. He just doesn't get paid that for DJing. He also does a lot of promoting for the club and he has side money coming in from him dealing with the liquor people. So he makes his money not in just DJing alone. Thus he makes at this one club alone over 3 grand a month. Now if that's what's happening with those DJ's you mentioned fine. I just don't believe a bar is paying your friends 1k or more a night to DJ in a bar. If they are I need to move there since I've been told on here all I'm good at is playing in a bar. LOL!
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
"Sorry, you're totally wrong. I have friends of mine who have experienced the same thing. Some will think that because they play in say a bar that they will come do a private event for them at the same price as they get paid to play in a bar or close to it. Once you explain things to them that their event is not taking place in a bar and that you have more to offer then when you play in a bar, most will get it."
Sorry you are wrong. I have been doing it for the last 20 years. I get paid 200-300 for a bar night and weddings I do not go any less then $1100.00 now and I have work every weekend. You have no work. So I would say whatever you post is wrong since you still have no real business.
Still waiting on where all your music came from?
Sorry you are wrong. I have been doing it for the last 20 years. I get paid 200-300 for a bar night and weddings I do not go any less then $1100.00 now and I have work every weekend. You have no work. So I would say whatever you post is wrong since you still have no real business.
Still waiting on where all your music came from?
Location, location, location...
You are not exactly in a location where people like to spend a lot of money (other than maybe on crack). I've seen DJs pull in huge bucks at some of the bigger bars and clubs -- but that's not the kind of places you are working.
Me, I always went with the tips -- maybe you get say $200 from the owner, then you put out your tip jar (stuffed with 5 and 10 bills), and you make a ton of cash. Titty bars are even better, because you get a cut of each dancer's tips -- so, if you have 10 dancers, and they each give you $50 at the end of the night, that's $500 right there, plus whatever the owner paid you.
Two gigs a week, and you can make $1400-1500 per week.
I don't do it very much anymore, because at 54, I'm not as in touch with the younger crowd that frequents those places. They live in a different world than I do.
I have prepared a response to your post .. but I will not be posting it as of yet because you STILL have not answered the questions you have been already asked.
Isn't that when you're suppose to put on sunglasses and pretend to be cool?
Well, the water is kinda running -- just not exactly the color I would like it
Still trying to figure out what my brother screwed up...
Got heat in two rooms -- who could ask for more? Granted, a heated bathroom would be welcome...