I used to think this was ok but i've had a big change of heart.
- Thread starter MIXMASTERMACHOM
- Start date
Well, here's a little dose of reality for all those "raising the bar" and "making a living types:"
I've made a living at this for over 25 years and if someone tells me you quoted them $1800 for a gig I know I can service for a significantly lower price - I will take that job away from you faster than you can say Boo! That's business - get over it. You can charge whatever you want - and so can I. Being a better DJ often means being smarter and having better resources... meaning you can do much more for a client at a better rate than vendors who lack resources, skills, or efficient knowledge of the best way to meet a specific need.
I just booked a gig for $15k undercutting a another company by 50% - how? Because the other company didn't listen to what matters most about this event and was trying to sell a "package" and "perceived value" rather than what this client really needed to accomplish their goals. Of course price matters... if you and your prospective customers are so far apart on price then you are doing something seriously wrong!
I've made a living at this for over 25 years and if someone tells me you quoted them $1800 for a gig I know I can service for a significantly lower price - I will take that job away from you faster than you can say Boo! That's business - get over it. You can charge whatever you want - and so can I. Being a better DJ often means being smarter and having better resources... meaning you can do much more for a client at a better rate than vendors who lack resources, skills, or efficient knowledge of the best way to meet a specific need.
I just booked a gig for $15k undercutting a another company by 50% - how? Because the other company didn't listen to what matters most about this event and was trying to sell a "package" and "perceived value" rather than what this client really needed to accomplish their goals. Of course price matters... if you and your prospective customers are so far apart on price then you are doing something seriously wrong!
Cesar you ask for specifics without reciprocation yet continue your oath of secrecy. That is quite humorous.
Sorry but i don't agree that a DJ is doing something wrong if them snd a client are way off in price. What about a client that is looking to spend say $250.0 and your starting price is $700.00? Yes you both are not on the same page when it comes to price but who is at fault? The Dj isn't wrong for charging what they feel their service is worth. Now is that a customer for this DJ? Probably not. Yet that's not to say this DJ can't still sell them on booking with them. It's not impossible but not very likely. A client like that i see as a good way to practice your sales technic.
Trust me you didn't just get that gig for 15k just because you sold them on what they wanted and not being pushy on selling them stuff they didin't want. You won the booking because by choosing your company to do the event they just saved 15k. Now the thing is can you deliver a show that will leavr the client happy that they booked you? That's the big question. Trust me you're not that good of a salesman.
Now a question to you. If they were willing to pay 30k for a DJ what would that get them if they booked with you and could you deliver a show that is worth that much?
See, the trouble is as I said - you don't listen!
Go back and read it again. They weren't willing to pay $30K and they didn't need all that the other guy recommended. If they wanted to spend $30K and wanted what was recommended I'd have given them the same thing for the same $30K. Either proposal will resolve their needs and expectations - mine does it for 50% less and since this is a fundraiser that means more to the client than any perceived value you want to attach to an over-produced package.
If all I had thought about was the "show" then maybe I'd have quoted an over-produced $30K package. Instead, I listened and asked questions and determined what was important and what was not - then gave them the best solution to meet their goals. You can spend all day online posting arguments about why your "show" is better and hope customers will listen to you.... or you can stop talking and start listening to the customers.
MIX.
Stop worrying about the DJ world and your place in it. Gigs come and others are not won. Price means nothing to anyone who has found you word of mouth or live.
It was said earlier: I don't care what everyone else charges. I charge what I charge to justify my time and skills invested.
Don't worry about numbers. They are different all over the country. If you have truly become a pro, hobbiest or both it doesn't matter what TITLE you have. Labels mean nothing. Get the pay you want and keep getting booked. $200 is a lot for some and to some $2000 is nothing. You can't win em all. Just win.
Stop worrying about the DJ world and your place in it. Gigs come and others are not won. Price means nothing to anyone who has found you word of mouth or live.
It was said earlier: I don't care what everyone else charges. I charge what I charge to justify my time and skills invested.
Don't worry about numbers. They are different all over the country. If you have truly become a pro, hobbiest or both it doesn't matter what TITLE you have. Labels mean nothing. Get the pay you want and keep getting booked. $200 is a lot for some and to some $2000 is nothing. You can't win em all. Just win.
Performance take it down a notch. I posted those things not as a personal attack on you but just an observation. What Bob Carpenter is saying is correct. His meaning is to stop selling yourself short. Are you the same performance from DJ CHAT? If you are there were a lot of people on there who didn't beleive your credibility. One thing i will say is that must be one hell of a fund raiser that they are paying you 15k. Never heard of a group having a fund raiser that will pay that much for DJ to entertain a group of people. If it's true congrats.
With that said this whole thread was about looking at getting what you're truly worth and not just settling for whatever comes along. Sometimes i've learned you got to turn down some gigs to get the ones you truly want and deserve.
With that said this whole thread was about looking at getting what you're truly worth and not just settling for whatever comes along. Sometimes i've learned you got to turn down some gigs to get the ones you truly want and deserve.
Mix you seem to have a lot of people calling you wanting the cheap prices. From what I can tell the median price in New Jersey is in the $700-$800 range. If you are getting that many tire kickers and folks trying to beat you down there is something flawed in your marketing. For some reason they are seeing you as less than you feel you are. It could also be the fact that 6 months ago you were charging $250 and now you are charging $700. Folks probably can't understand why your "value" tripled in a short period of time
What you are missing is that Bob (Proformance) does more than DJ he produces events and what he says is very legitamate.
Mix is a classic example of someone drinking the kool-aid others are serving him....as long as he raises his rates, but continues to look like a $200 DJ, the other guys in his area love it because the client will choose them everytime.
Oh No....I can't believe you said that. Like that board could determine someones credibility or not. Please let's not get me started Mix on DJ Chats makeup of mostly young inexperienced DJs unless it has changed a lot from the time I was having fun on that Chat Site.
That site has a lot of experienced DJs who mostly do weddings.
Now i understand that performance is doing more then just DJing and it's a production thing. I just find it strange to me that a group having a fund raiser is paying out 15k. That right then and there puts them in the whole already for 15k. I wonder what kind of fund raiser is this that they will make back the 15k and a whole lot more.
Lastly you can look more exspensive then $200.00 and still charge $200.00. Then you can look like a $200.00 and charge more. It's all in how you sell your services. Plus today to make more money it requires that you have more to offer then just being a DJ who plays music. Today that will only get you so far as a lot of clients today expect you to be able to provide more then just playing music. With that said what does a $200.00 DJ look like? I have an idea of what that is but i'll wait to respond.
Mix,
Let me set you straight on a few things. I visited and met with Bob (Proformance) in Boston when I visited there in 2010. He is as legit as they come. His gear is not in a shed or trailer out in the yard or even in the back of a car. Try a warehouse! When I was there he had a driver open, repairing it. 99 % of DJs won't even know how to do that. He does lots of Productions which is another level beyond regular DJing.
Second, large productions entail lots of gear, logistics, manpower, extra Insurance etc. That costs money! If one thinks they can do an outdoor or even large indoor Gig with a laptop and a few powered speakers, that person must be dreaming. $15,000.00 is nothing to spend on a large event. Large Events are another level above regular DJing. You enter the realm of Live Sound.
Mix..put it in perspective. How much do you think the producers for "Farm Aid" or "Jerry's Kids" pay to have sound and lighting for a "charity" event?
I charge half price for just DJ services for big charity organizations. $15,000 is easy for people when they are in the market to raise a Million or even $500,000.
I charge half price for just DJ services for big charity organizations. $15,000 is easy for people when they are in the market to raise a Million or even $500,000.