Just Priceless

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jokerswild

jokerswild

Chief Bottle Washer
Feb 11, 2007
18,776
1,288
Elkhart, IN
www.totalimpactdjs.com
This is just priceless. So I've got a guy who has inquired first of all about having us do his Ceremony + Reception, fine I quote him.

Then he comes back and says they've decieded they only need us for the reception and wants to know about lights and karaoke. So I quote him for that.

He then says the fiance wants him to shop around. I told him that was fine but to keep in mind that not all DJs are the same and shopping by price alone does not really amount to very much by way of comparison shopping and gave him a few key things to look for while shopping.

So I emailed him the other day... and asked "what will it take to bring you back to us?"

You'll never guess what his answer was......


Yup, you guessed it... "Be Cheaper"

I told him I'd love to be cheaper, here's why I'm not.... and I proceeded to list all of the things we do for the price we quote.

You may be asking yourself, how much is joker chargin....

Here's how I broke it down for him

Bronze Package $499.00: Includes a professional Bose sound system, music, online planning tools, one-on-one consultations... etc. for up to 6 hours. (Overtime is $200/hour)

Optional Addons:
Lighting $125.00: Includes intelligent lighting.
Karaoke $199.00: Music and equipment

-OR-

Platinum Package $699.00: Includes a professional Bose sound system, music, karaoke, lighting, online planning tools, one-on-one conslutations... etc. for up to 6 hours. (Overtime is $200/hour)

Now I don't know what you guys are chargin but at the rates I charge I feel like a bottomfeeder even though I know I'm certainly not the cheapest DJ in my market... I'm really about middle of the road as far as price goes...

Not sure why I posted this just a little irked I guess.
 
jokerswild said:
I'm really about middle of the road as far as price goes...

Not sure why I posted this just a little irked I guess.
Click to expand...

I hear you.....
I'm about middle price around here too, and keep getting the "that's too much" from people calling for prices. When I have a gig and talk with the venue, and tell them my rate, they tell me for my show I should be charging more.
 
in my market you'd be a ......... doesn't really matter what you'd be in my market, you are in your market and you need to charge what you feel is a fair and honest price....

You will not get every gig no matter what you are charging.

Do what you think is right, charge what you think is a good price for your service. Live with that choice.... I've been charging...... it doesn't matter what I charge, I'm not in your market........

Get my point?
 
Brother Rob,

Dunno if this will help but I'll try. No matter what your service costs, some people will think it's too much. When I started in the biz I was DJing parties for $75.00 and there were some who thought that was too much.

Why people think they can dicker with car salesmen and DJs is anyone's guess. But there are some who'll do it every time. Chasing tire kickers and price shoppers is a waste of time.

Just do what works best for your business. :)
 
In my neck of the woods, those prices are below bottom feeder rates. But again, I am not in your market area. What is the average DJ charging in your area?

The big question: Are you an average DJ? If you feel your service & the quality of your gear is above average, you need to charge more than the average DJ..

Personally, if someone calls or emails me for a price quote & does not want to meet me in person (for an interview) I blow them off.

99% of the time, they are just calling around looking for cheap prices.
I no longer play those game. When they are serious, I'll talk to them.
 
Bill Kexel said:
In my neck of the woods, those prices are below bottom feeder rates. But again, I am not in your market area. What is the average DJ charging in your area?
Click to expand...

Advertised quotes range from $350 to $1500

The big question: Are you an average DJ? If you feel your service & the quality of your gear is above average, you need to charge more than the average DJ..
Click to expand...

It's not really whether I consider myself average or above average... it's about what the market in my area will bear... not to mention I'm basically the new guy on the block only being in business for 3 years and haveing limited exposier.

I look a price from a business point of view not a talent view... if I went by what I think I'm worth I'd never work.

Personally, if someone calls or emails me for a price quote & does not want to meet me in person (for an interview) I blow them off.
Click to expand...

Not an option... every request for my services is critical... and just because they don't want a personal one-on-one meeting doesn't mean they wont book or are just price shoppers.... my last wedding last Saturday I never even met the bride until the day of...

99% of the time, they are just calling around looking for cheap prices.
I no longer play those game. When they are serious, I'll talk to them.
Click to expand...

I think that's a gross over estimation on the percentage of why people are calling... sure price is at the top but certainly not 99%.

The thing with this one is that it started as a quote request for Ceremony + Reception... then, and not because of price, they decided they wanted just a quote for a Reception... plus they wanted to know about lighting and karaoke... which of course drives up the price... had they asked simply about DJ only I would be willing to bet they would have most likely booked... it was the fiance' that wanted to shop.

Now, don't get me wrong I'm not worried about this nearly as much as I needed to simply vent.
 
Rob I think you should raise your rate if your performance is solid you are offering an exceptional package and need to re evaluate your rate. My point is with your obvious dedictaion (Spending $$$$ on your Bose system) you need to profit on your investment. Just think $499 for 6 hours is under $85 per hour on your performance now if like of us from start to finish you spend a min of 20 hours on each wedding now your looking at $25/HR. My advice make your goal for 2009 to start at $650 for 5 Hours (For Now and we'll work towards getting you $900-1000)...SELL what you have to offer...Make them understand that you see thier vision...Good Luck and keep 'em dancing
 
bestdjinfl said:
Rob I think you should raise your rate if your performance is solid you are offering an exceptional package and need to re evaluate your rate. My point is with your obvious dedictaion (Spending $$$$ on your Bose system) you need to profit on your investment. Just think $499 for 6 hours is under $85 per hour on your performance now if like of us from start to finish you spend a min of 20 hours on each wedding now your looking at $25/HR. My advice make your goal for 2009 to start at $650 for 5 Hours (For Now and we'll work towards getting you $900-1000)...SELL what you have to offer...Make them understand that you see thier vision...Good Luck and keep 'em dancing
Click to expand...

I took that first step and raised my '09 rates..... just to see what happens:

$499.00 4 hours DJ Only
$699.00 6 hours DJ Only
$899.00 6 hours DJ, Lights & Karaoke

Any more than that in this area and I may have trouble. I'll let these fly for awhile.
 
i get 550.00 for 4 hours , i live in a small town and around here i can NOT get that but 35 miles away there is a big city i have no problem getting that there
 
Rob,
here in the cleveland area, we charge $795 for a 6 hour wedding, $595 for a 4 hour wedding. 6 hour party $695 and 4 hour party $495. then lights, karaoke, projector, ceramony, projector add ons.
I find we are in the middle of the pack, price wise. I am always looking at ways to increase revenue. We do get a lot of calls asking if we'll price match that national SG company. While I never put anyone else down, i do suggest they do their homework.
Depending on the time of year and availablity, i will make adjustments or throw in extras. We do offer discounts on Non Saturdays

If I was just DJing myself, I would raise my rates considerably. But me and the crew like to stay very busy.
 
Raising rates is all fine and well, but let me play the devil's advocate here.

Are you currently booking enough events (for your business plan) at your old rates to fill your calendar?

Are you seeing more and more "referrals" from other events that you've performed at?

How many years of experience and/or how many events do you have under your belt?

What kind of events/clients are you targeting?

Are you able to finance your new gear acquisitions by either paying cash or are you going in debt to get your new gear?

If you are going into debt to pay for your gear do you have enough signed contracts to justify and pay for those purchases?

I wouldn't worry so much about what "others" are charging, especially when everyone's geographic location, years in business/experience, target clients, etc. are all going to affect what they are able to charge.

Not trying to dog you on this, but just trying to show another side to this.
 
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