It's ALL about price..... so I took a shot...

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Jon Tuck said:
If you raise your rates dont bring an eight track or spin and pukes though eh Bill? DMX and intelligents are the yr 2000 and up standard. You have an HD2500 which is ahead of the game. You can honestly command top price when you dont even provide intelligence?

OR BRING WHATEVER WORKS FOR YOU AND CHARGE WHATEVER MAKES YOU HAPPY.
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In my area, lighting is not that important. Brides are more into the planning & the structure of the event. As a matter of fact, I cannot remember the last time a prospect asked me about "lighting". I dont use spin & puke lighting.
Are you are selling your lighting over your skills & experience?
 
no but you command a price according to the full picture. You wouldnt bring Moms home stereo and charge 1200 right?
 
Just to let you know I am breaking the 1000 mark but its my choice. I frankly dont need to make much more than that even once I add my Sub and DMX controlled lights. Bill how many pre show hours do you average?
 
Bill Kexel said:
If you are good & have experience, RAISE THOSE RATES!!!
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Everyone here with experience and that feels they are good enough at 9AM this morning start quoting $1200 or more

Lets not take in to consideration what you bring
Lets not take in to consideration market conditions
Lets not take in to consideration competition
Lets not take in to consideration anything at all

Damn the torpedos I say we should be able to make as much as a decent brain surgeon dont you think I mean come on most of us take 30 hours to plan out a 4 hour event thats tough

Wheres that sarcastic smiley when you need it :sqrolleyes:
 
Uh, oh. this thread looks like it could get nasty!

IMO: Most dj's have the ability and capability to charge more than what they currently do. (myself included).

For some reason, we lack the confidence. Either in the market, or some way, our abilities. (Ability to sell, be worth, whatever).

For those stating it is market and ability to pay...

Have you ever tried??? Then how do you know???
 
I could build you a custom automobile that would never rust, would get excellent fuel economy with superior road handling and performance, and surround you in a luxury interior. It would cost you around $400,000.00

There are a few people who would buy it, because they can and that's what they're in too.

But by and large, everyone knows that surface transportation is simply not worth than much money. You don't buy something like that because you need a ride.

There is also a limit for DJ entertanment. It will vary given the market bracket you work within, but by and large there is a point at which DJ entertainment is no longer attractive and the money would be better spent on a different form.

The truth is you can't raise your rate (significantly) simply because you're better, or bring more stuff. The only real gain you can achieve comes from finding a client base with better liquidity.

For example, if you start by doing sweet 16's in people's garages - and are still doing them 20 years later, then you should expect to have very little change in your rates no matter how great you are, and no matter how much gear you bring.

The larger the pond the more there is for you to drink.

You need to grow into more significant events held by people with more money to support your effort.

It's not about you - it really is about them.
 
Jeff Romard said:
Everyone here with experience and that feels they are good enough at 9AM this morning start quoting $1200 or more

Lets not take in to consideration what you bring
Lets not take in to consideration market conditions
Lets not take in to consideration competition
Lets not take in to consideration anything at all

Damn the torpedos I say we should be able to make as much as a decent brain surgeon
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I'm not saying that.

Sounds like you are quite concerned with what your competition is charging. WHY?
If you are still charging in the low-end area of your market after several years & you have invested time in improving your skills & training as well as provide average-to above average equipment, you gotta ask yourself "why am I still not making anymore money"?

If you obtain your gigs based on "competitive rates" or market yourself to bargain shoppers, you have no one to blame but yourself. (Unless this is the market you want & are happy there?)

You mention: consideration to market conditions
If you want to blame it on that......fine.
It doesn't stop people from buying Starbucks, Mercedes, Hilton hotels, Etc.
These people could get their coffeee from McDonalds, cars from Kia, stay at a Motel 6, Etc.
There are people out there that have the money & will SPEND the money on above average things. You gotta market yourself to THEM.

Maybe some DJs personally don't feel they deserve above average pay?
 
Maybe some DJs personally don't feel they deserve above average pay?
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There may be another angle yer missing Bill...

What about the folks who are happy with what they are making?


Is it a sin in the DJ industry, to be doing well for yourself already, getting what you want, and not needing to raise prices just to "belong" to an elite corps?
 
SoftJock Rick said:
There may be another angle yer missing Bill...

What about the folks who are happy with what they are making?

Is it a sin in the DJ industry, to be doing well for yourself already, getting what you want, and not needing to raise prices just to "belong" to an elite corps?
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If you are happy with what you are getting. That's fine. This was aimed at those that can't figure out why they aren't able to get with their competition is getting. Even the bottom feeders are commanding more $$ thanks to those that are raising the bar.

Also...for John, Aren't you the DJ who's rates start at $300 for 4 hrs? I gotta ask, why so low? But if you are happy with that, Oh well.
 
Im sorry if I tipped the boat on you Bill I hadnt seen anyone complain about not getting what the neighbor DJ was getting.
 
no Bill you misunderstood Im raising my rates and am in the top level of pricing in my area cause I am WORTH it.
 
Bill Kexel said:
Sounds like you are quite concerned with what your competition is charging. WHY?
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Because only a fool wouldn't know what thier competition is doing. Every major retailer has price shoppers that check out the competition. Ford checks price and development on Chev all the time. Coke and Pepsi know what each other are doing. I don't worry what they charge. I know what each of them charge, I also know what they offer for that money, and know the level of talent they send out. I know as much about my competition's business as I do about mine

Bill Kexel said:
If you are still charging in the low-end area of your market after several years & you have invested time in improving your skills & training as well as provide average-to above average equipment, you gotta ask yourself "why am I still not making anymore money"?
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Just as a background Bill my rates are at the top of my market, not because someone told me to raise them, but because I can get it and I am worth it. Now this dosen't mean I am making a ton of money, I'm not, but I am still higher than anyone in my market and I work alot

Bill Kexel said:
You mention: consideration to market conditions
If you want to blame it on that......fine.
It doesn't stop people from buying Starbucks, Mercedes, Hilton hotels, Etc.
These people could get their coffeee from McDonalds, cars from Kia, stay at a Motel 6, Etc.
There are people out there that have the money & will SPEND the money on above average things. You gotta market yourself to THEM.
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Any business has to take market conditions in to consideration. As an example the average wedding in the US right now costs about $27,000. I believe the average wedding in Canada is about $22,000.

The average spent on a wedding in my market is around $10,000

My average price for next year is about $425.00. Lets say yours is the magic number of $1200. We are both between 4 to 4 1/2 % of the budget. Dollars are only numbers do the percentages

Me raising my rate to $1200 would be like you raising your rate to $3300

Do you still think you can't take market in to consideration?
 
This was aimed at those that can't figure out why they aren't able to get with their competition is getting. Even the bottom feeders are commanding more $$ thanks to those that are raising the bar.
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I honestly don't think it has anything to do with someone else raising a bar.


I was doing my peak amount of shows back in the mid 80s, and was charging $400 a gig on average. Adjusting that for inflation, means I should be getting at least $750 in 2006 (using the Consumer Price Index). If we use the Relative Share of GDP, that figure is $1250.

So, I guess that means that the people getting around $1200 now, are really just $400 DJs ;)

That's one heck of a bar someone raised -- can I have a drink? :sqlaugh:
 
SoftJock Rick said:
I honestly don't think it has anything to do with someone else raising a bar.


I was doing my peak amount of shows back in the mid 80s, and was charging $400 a gig on average. Adjusting that for inflation, means I should be getting at least $750 in 2006 (using the Consumer Price Index). If we use the Relative Share of GDP, that figure is $1250.

So, I guess that means that the people getting around $1200 now, are really just $400 DJs ;)

That's one heck of a bar someone raised -- can I have a drink? :sqlaugh:
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True,

But it does say wonders about the dj's that are charging $600.00 now.
 
I have said this before and I will say it again.

I charge what I would pay for a DJ if I was going out to hire one myself.

I stopped worrying what others charged. It made it easier to run my business. I wasn't so worried about everybody else. Only myself.

Karl
 
Bill Kexel said:
It seems to be a popular topic, getting what your worth. I guess it's a dead subject around here.
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Thanks, Bill.

For my part I think many people who work in this crazy biz are not paid what they're worth.

As far as it being a dead subject, you could be right. It's a topic that's been beat to death on the various bbs forum sites for years. No one seems to be able to agree upon what worth is so the topic gets little attention around here. :)
 
Fred Stewart said:
Thanks, Bill.

For my part I think many people who work in this crazy biz are not paid what they're worth.

As far as it being a dead subject, you could be right. It's a topic that's been beat to death on the various bbs forum sites for years. No one seems to be able to agree upon what worth is so the topic gets little attention around here. :)
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"worth" is the amount that works just right for the DJ and the client..... AFTER the party is over. Then you or they can decide. :sqwink:

I'd like to reiterate, I don't care one iota what anybody charges... if your clients are happy, and you can sleep well at night, charge whatever the heck you want.
 
Fred Stewart said:
Thanks, Bill.

For my part I think many people who work in this crazy biz are not paid what they're worth.

As far as it being a dead subject, you could be right. It's a topic that's been beat to death on the various bbs forum sites for years. No one seems to be able to agree upon what worth is so the topic gets little attention around here. :)
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My buddy Jeff Romard, for one.
 
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