Just curious if you would quote on this event request or pass on it entirely?

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Would you pass on this event request, quote a 4 hour price, or quote a custom price?

  • I would pass on this event entirely because I don't do karaoke

    Votes: 2 40.0%

  • I would pass on this event because it is not an event type that I work

    Votes: 1 20.0%

  • I would pass simply because it is only 2 hours long, and 50 miles away. Not worth bothering with

    Votes: 1 20.0%

  • I would quote it at my 4 hour minimum price that I have already set.

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I would custom quote this event since it's such a small event and only 2 hours long.

    Votes: 1 20.0%

  • I won't bother with it because I am not comfortable deejaying private house parties!

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    5
If I did Karaoke, I would have no problem doing it.

But most people that are going to get that short of a quote are also likely to be lower budget folks.

I might suggest renting them a speaker and a microphone to use and letting them know they can use Karafun on a personal laptop to operate karaoke.
 
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Ausumm said:
In a interesting coincidence, I just booked a 2-hour gig this December.
I took it because....
it's December (Christmas presents)
it's $350 for a Friday night
it's one hour of background music
it's 3 miles from my house
it's a sound-only gig
Click to expand...

Everyone has a number that makes it worthwhile to them.

I haven't left my driveway for $350 in a very long time, but if I were to quote them, they would think my price is too high and look for someone else unless the person doing the hiring really wants me to be the DJ.

I quoted $795 on this karaoke job...The difference in reality between driving 50 miles each way for a job, and driving 3 miles each way to do a job is about $25 in fuel, $14-$15 or so total in tolls, and 2 additional hours of my time driving (Maybe 2.5 is traffic is bad heading to the event, but lets just say 2 hours). If I am deducting the costs plus my perceived value of time I am spending driving to the further event, I'm thinking the cost difference is $25+$15 (rounded up) + $30 per hour for my time driving (Well above minimum wage, but feel it's worth this amount for my time). So in my head, the cost difference between the two events is in what my quote should be to earn the business of the local event vs the event 50 miles away is basically $100. So I guess, I would quote this event $695. Most clients are probably thinking $350 to $450 is what a DJ should be priced at to do the job, and the cheap ones want to hear $250 or $300 or god forbid even lower before they agree to book, but for me, it's too low to motivate me to do the work.

Part of me thinks it's 2024, and clients should just be willing to pay inflated 2024 price points, and not what we charged 20-25 years ago. The other part of me thinks that maybe I'm simply perceiving the value of my service for a small jobs like this as too much, and $350 to $450 is really what jobs like these are truly only worth paying a DJ to do.

Regardless of the true answer to my questions, I can't see myself willing to go do a $350 job these days. $350 > $0. That is true, but that doesn't change my view point on these types of events. I don't like to look like I'm snubbing my nose at events like this, but perhaps with how I quote them that is what I am actually doing essentially which is probably why I haven't booked one of these small and short events in a long time.
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
Everyone has a number that makes it worthwhile to them.

I haven't left my driveway for $350 in a very long time, but if I were to quote them, they would think my price is too high and look for someone else unless the person doing the hiring really wants me to be the DJ.

I quoted $795 on this karaoke job...The difference in reality between driving 50 miles each way for a job, and driving 3 miles each way to do a job is about $25 in fuel, $14-$15 or so total in tolls, and 2 additional hours of my time driving (Maybe 2.5 is traffic is bad heading to the event, but lets just say 2 hours). If I am deducting the costs plus my perceived value of time I am spending driving to the further event, I'm thinking the cost difference is $25+$15 (rounded up) + $30 per hour for my time driving (Well above minimum wage, but feel it's worth this amount for my time). So in my head, the cost difference between the two events is in what my quote should be to earn the business of the local event vs the event 50 miles away is basically $100. So I guess, I would quote this event $695. Most clients are probably thinking $350 to $450 is what a DJ should be priced at to do the job, and the cheap ones want to hear $250 or $300 or god forbid even lower before they agree to book, but for me, it's too low to motivate me to do the work.

Part of me thinks it's 2024, and clients should just be willing to pay inflated 2024 price points, and not what we charged 20-25 years ago. The other part of me thinks that maybe I'm simply perceiving the value of my service for a small jobs like this as too much, and $350 to $450 is really what jobs like these are truly only worth paying a DJ to do.

Regardless of the true answer to my questions, I can't see myself willing to go do a $350 job these days. $350 > $0. That is true, but that doesn't change my view point on these types of events. I don't like to look like I'm snubbing my nose at events like this, but perhaps with how I quote them that is what I am actually doing essentially which is probably why I haven't booked one of these small and short events in a long time.
Click to expand...
I don’t think you charge enough for anything even though we quoted the same rate for this job, the reality is if I lived where you do with your cost of living $795 isn’t enough, in Rural Wisconsin I’m at $1795 for a wedding, up to 5 hours of time, add $495 for ceremony coverage plus more if not at same venue, this is 2 HK Audio Pro 10’s and a very basic dance floor lighting package,

Anyone who is decent at this with a few years under their belt should be in the neighborhood with just referral business

If you’re not being referred on a regular basis there’s an issue somewhere
 
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First who has the gear to do karaoke? I like what Albatross said. Just explain how they can DIY and not look to book a DJ. Them looking for a DJ to do that event I say will be almost impossible. Someone agreeing to do that event I say is someone who wants to be seen.

If they didn't do what Albatross suggested I would just wish them luck finding a DJ who will do that event.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
First who has the gear to do karaoke? I like what Albatross said. Just explain how they can DIY and not look to book a DJ. Them looking for a DJ to do that event I say will be almost impossible. Someone agreeing to do that event I say is someone who wants to be seen.

If they didn't do what Albatross suggested I would just wish them luck finding a DJ who will do that event.
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price was never mentioned all that was said was that they weren’t interested in paying $795. To many including yourself that’s a top paying gig, many guys out there getting paid under $200 a night to DJ / karaoke at a bar for 4-5 hours. I’m sure the would jump at the chance to make as much or more for less time
 
tunes4046 said:
price was never mentioned all that was said was that they weren’t interested in paying $795. To many including yourself that’s a top paying gig, many guys out there getting paid under $200 a night to DJ / karaoke at a bar for 4-5 hours. I’m sure the would jump at the chance to make as much or more for less time
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I was talking about what you posted for the price you charge sir. I was paying you a compliment. I know there was no price shown. The question was if anyone here would agree to do that event? What one DJ would agree to do an event for another wouldn't. I know you feel depending on the type of event and DJ should charge at least this much depending on what you think. Anything below that is unacceptable in your eyes.

The problem with that is that a lot of times we may not know that DJ. So you don't know how good or how bad that DJ is. You don't know how much experience they have or the gear they are using to do events. Then we don't know that persons financial situation.

We have a member on here who owns a venue and still does karaoke during the week at a bar. We can assume that because he owns a venue he shouldn't have to do karaoke during the week. None of us pays his bills. So we don't know how much he needs to do karaoke in a bar getting paid what he does.
 
tunes4046 said:
price was never mentioned all that was said was that they weren’t interested in paying $795. To many including yourself that’s a top paying gig, many guys out there getting paid under $200 a night to DJ / karaoke at a bar for 4-5 hours. I’m sure the would jump at the chance to make as much or more for less time
Click to expand...

I'm doing 2 nights per week for $200/night (Wed/Fri). 4 hour sets. Of course, this a regular, steady gig.
 
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rickryan.com said:
I'm doing 2 nights per week for $200/night (Wed/Fri). 4 hour sets. Of course, this a regular, steady gig.
Click to expand...

Fifty bucks an hour without a lot of planning or thinking is a pretty decent gig. keep it for a year it's $20,000 in your pocket with zero overhead on off nights
 
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Jeff Romard said:
Fifty bucks an hour without a lot of planning or thinking is a pretty decent gig. keep it for a year it's $20,000 in your pocket with zero overhead on off nights
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I agree. That extra cash is helping me, a lot. Last week, the guy that hired me was about to quit and I was about to lose my gig as a result but he recanted. Everything's good for now.
 
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rickryan.com said:
I'm doing 2 nights per week for $200/night (Wed/Fri). 4 hour sets. Of course, this a regular, steady gig.
Click to expand...
You were the example I was talking about. I don't know your personal situation and what you need to maintain your livelihood. I find it not fair when another member on here says a DJ shouldn't do things a certain way. If it works for you that's what counts.

There are those on here that are in say the top 5% in terms of what they get paid as a DJ. Some of them have an attitude that if you're not close to their level you're not doing things the right way. There was a group called Ten City. They had a song with the lyrics "whatever makes you happy ". Steve Arrington has a song called Nobody Can Be You. In other words don't get caught up in how someone else does things. We can all learn from someone else on how to do things or not do things. I say if how you are doing things is working for you keep doing it. If not it's time to look at what you need to do to change things and make things work in your favor. One thing I know is you can talk about an issue and that's fine. Now if you keep talking about a problem you're having and you don't do something about it then why keep talking about it? Either you're going to sugar honey ice tea or get off the pot.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
You were the example I was talking about. I don't know your personal situation and what you need to maintain your livelihood. I find it not fair when another member on here says a DJ shouldn't do things a certain way. If it works for you that's what counts.

There are those on here that are in say the top 5% in terms of what they get paid as a DJ. Some of them have an attitude that if you're not close to their level you're not doing things the right way. There was a group called Ten City. They had a song with the lyrics "whatever makes you happy ". Steve Arrington has a song called Nobody Can Be You. In other words don't get caught up in how someone else does things. We can all learn from someone else on how to do things or not do things. I say if how you are doing things is working for you keep doing it. If not it's time to look at what you need to do to change things and make things work in your favor. One thing I know is you can talk about an issue and that's fine. Now if you keep talking about a problem you're having and you don't do something about it then why keep talking about it? Either you're going to sugar honey ice tea or get off the pot.
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There’s a huge difference between a guaranteed weekly gig and a one off gig I spent many years play weekly gigs Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday nights for around $200-$250 a night.
47000 a year vs $200-300 on a Saturday night is not a real comparison
 
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My buddy does karaoke on Wednesday nights and Thursday nights in 2 different places. He makes $250 a week between both gigs. That's besides the private events he does. I'm not mad at him. I'm proud of him. Again as I said if a DJ is happy with what they're doing I'm happy for them. Whatever floats your boat. Also keep in mind there are those who do this full time meaning they don't have another source of income to fall back on. So if they don't get enough gigs paying a minimum they don't get to eat. So being full time in this business it's mandatory that you make a certain amount of money or you won't make it as a full time DJ.
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
My buddy does karaoke on Wednesday nights and Thursday nights in 2 different places. He makes $250 a week between both gigs. That's besides the private events he does. I'm not mad at him. I'm proud of him. Again as I said if a DJ is happy with what they're doing I'm happy for them. Whatever floats your boat. Also keep in mind there are those who do this full time meaning they don't have another source of income to fall back on. So if they don't get enough gigs paying a minimum they don't get to eat. So being full time in this business it's mandatory that you make a certain amount of money or you won't make it as a full time DJ.
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Around here $100-$150 per night is average for karaoke bar gigs. That's why I jumped on this one, because it pays well (by comparison). Of course, on a one-off situation I wouldn't even consider leaving the house for $200.
 
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rickryan.com said:
Around here $100-$150 per night is average for karaoke bar gigs. That's why I jumped on this one, because it pays well (by comparison). Of course, on a one-off situation I wouldn't even consider leaving the house for $200.
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I hear you and I'm on your side. My issue is with those who have a problem with doing a bar gig for that price because that is beneath them today. They also way above that now. I know that what you said in your area is normal and goes for this area as well. The ones that get paid top dollar who play in a club are the ones who have a strong following and can consistently draw a large crowd who will spend plenty of money.

A friend of mine used to work in a club in Irvington, NJ making on a Friday night from 6-9 PM for an afternoon work thing in a club and getting paid $450. He no longer there because he saw he could make more money being a promoter.
 
Has he done any promoter for you Mixxy?
 
tunes4046 said:
I don’t think you charge enough for anything even though we quoted the same rate for this job, the reality is if I lived where you do with your cost of living $795 isn’t enough, in Rural Wisconsin I’m at $1795 for a wedding, up to 5 hours of time, add $495 for ceremony coverage plus more if not at same venue, this is 2 HK Audio Pro 10’s and a very basic dance floor lighting package,

Anyone who is decent at this with a few years under their belt should be in the neighborhood with just referral business

If you’re not being referred on a regular basis there’s an issue somewhere
Click to expand...

Show your website with prices listed then. Anybody can say they charge a lot. How about show us some paypal payments showing what you are collecting? Oh let me guess...all your clients pay with cash too right???

Anybody can say they charge sky high money, then talk down to others claiming they must suck because their prices are lower than what you claim to charge.
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
Show your website with prices listed then. Anybody can say they charge a lot. How about show us some paypal payments showing what you are collecting? Oh let me guess...all your clients pay with cash too right???

Anybody can say they charge sky high money, then talk down to others claiming they must suck because their prices are lower than what you claim to charge.
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I don’t have a website never have, never needed one.
Since about 1990 I’ve been 100% referral based I had e few newspaper ads back in the day and a yellow page listing.
If you you do good work and spend a little time networking your current customers, the phone will ring
 
tunes4046 said:
I don’t think you charge enough for anything even though we quoted the same rate for this job, the reality is if I lived where you do with your cost of living $795 isn’t enough, in Rural Wisconsin I’m at $1795 for a wedding, up to 5 hours of time, add $495 for ceremony coverage plus more if not at same venue, this is 2 HK Audio Pro 10’s and a very basic dance floor lighting package,

Anyone who is decent at this with a few years under their belt should be in the neighborhood with just referral business

If you’re not being referred on a regular basis there’s an issue somewhere
Click to expand...
The last line of this is how everyone should be evaluating their business, especially if they’re a single op.
 
djtaso said:
The last line of this is how everyone should be evaluating their business, especially if they’re a single op.
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They could be great DJ’s but horrible at asking for referrals, other than asking for referrals from my clients I send anniversary card every year for the first 5 years reminding them if they know of anyone getting married I’d really appreciate them mentioning my name. I also will send an Amazon gift card to them if I book a wedding and their name is brought up as being referred by them
 
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