Local 60th Birthday Party Vs 75 minute drive to Upscale Venue Party Difference in your quote

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tunes4046 said:
I don’t understand how you price things, I’ve always been busy enough that each day I have a set amount the day is worth plus any extra unreasonable expenses incurred, ridiculous parking fees over night stay required extra labor I have to pay for
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I personally have set prices, BUT, I would offer a discount for a local event IF it is on an upcoming open date. I also charge a $150 additional fee for events inside of D.C. last two years on top of my regular rate.

In the past, the talent agency that booked me for many years would have prices all over the place for the same type of event type. This was 10+ years ago. Literally, a birthday party in DC at a ritzy place would be quoted $1,000 or even $1,250 for example while a birthday party at someone's house or back yard party in the suburbs would be quoted $500 or $600. The only differences being parking costs, difficulty of load in/load out, venue caliber, and I guess Attire (Button down shirt/tie Maybe suit jacket on vs wearing a polo shirt at a casual house party.

Why do you think the price the client pays is so different? Is it because the job requires more money?Or is it perceived budget, and how much money they believe can get the client to pay for a DJ and maximizing overall profits? Is pricing in this manor being fair?
 
Ausumm said:
You asked what I would quote for each.
I was pricing it as two separated inquiries, NOT as two gigs competing against each other.
But I would still choose the backyard gig, even if the difference was only $100.
It's an age thing, not a money thing.
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It doesn't have to be a choice between the two events on a same date scenario. I was just asking how you would quote each event. I guess in your situation, it sounds like there is no higher price point that makes the downtown high class venue event worth doing just as much as a local back yard party. Like even if you could throw out a crazy price of like $2,000 to go DJ it, even if they booked at 2K you STILL would prefer to do the back yard party for $500 because it's no longer about the money any more. Chasing the money for DJ gigs has an expiration date.
 
The assumption is that the upscale venue event should pay more. The thing is that more than likely the people hosting the pool party are not spending as much as someone else having an event in a high class venue.

What it comes down to is which event would you prefer to do if you were to agree to do either event?
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
The assumption is that the upscale venue event should pay more. The thing is that more than likely the people hosting the pool party are not spending as much as someone else having an event in a high class venue.

What it comes down to is which event would you prefer to do if you were to agree to do either event?
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How did your event go Mixxy?
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
The assumption is that the upscale venue event should pay more. The thing is that more than likely the people hosting the pool party are not spending as much as someone else having an event in a high class venue.

What it comes down to is which event would you prefer to do if you were to agree to do either event?
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I really don’t care, in the end the net dollars in my pocket would be the same. My inventory is time. I base my pricing on what I feel my time is worth, which it typically a $2500 minimum based on up to 7 hours on site, travel of up to 1.5 hours, the variables are the equipment, extra lighting, production and time cost the client money and me additional labor which I make sure I am compensated for
 
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DJ Ricky B said:
It doesn't have to be a choice between the two events on a same date scenario. I was just asking how you would quote each event. I guess in your situation, it sounds like there is no higher price point that makes the downtown high class venue event worth doing just as much as a local back yard party. Like even if you could throw out a crazy price of like $2,000 to go DJ it, even if they booked at 2K you STILL would prefer to do the back yard party for $500 because it's no longer about the money any more. Chasing the money for DJ gigs has an expiration date.
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I didn't say that I wouldn't do the downtown gig "at any price".
I said I would PREFER the backyard gig.
 
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tunes4046 said:
I really don’t care, in the end the net dollars in my pocket would be the same. My inventory is time. I base my pricing on what I feel my time is worth, which it typically a $2500 minimum based on up to 7 hours on site, travel of up to 1.5 hours, the variables are the equipment, extra lighting, production and time cost the client money and me additional labor which I make sure I am compensated for
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I hear you. My question is how many people do you believe would pay $2,500 for a DJ to do a pool party?
 
MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I hear you. My question is how many people do you believe would pay $2,500 for a DJ to do a pool party?
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Some of the clients I work with would, I have built a solid reputation, and have done several backyard parties for past wedding clients. They value what I bring to the table with reliability and proper execution for their events. Peace of mind that that the have nothing to worry about and can simply host and enjoy their events is a very valuable commodity. Believe it or not the vast majority of my clientele are less worried about saving a buck than their reputation
 
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MIXMASTERMACHOM said:
I hear you. My question is how many people do you believe would pay $2,500 for a DJ to do a pool party?
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It wasn't $2,500, but I did a sub contracted pool party event down in Potomac, MD which is a high class expensive area to live in, and the job was booked at $2,000 for 4 hours. I earned 60% on that so the dj company that booked it made an easy $800 or close to it on just booking me. They had a party planner, and I think this was a very easy party for a party planner to work. This was also like 2-3 years ago. If it was a high end DJ they absolutely wanted, or was throwing a larger or longer pool party they could have afforded another $500 for a DJ.

Middle class folks having a backyard pool party 99% of the time are not going to be willing to drop $2,500 for a DJ, but in rare special circumstances they just might.

To answer your question, probably only around 1.5% to 2% of all pool parties booked out there get booked at $2,500 or higher for a DJ, but certain DJs who are in those upper class circles or are simply in high demand will book them at that price.

Likewise, there are also well to do people living in nice houses, or a McMansion that would refuse to drop $2,500 on a DJ. They also just want a competent DJ to do their party and might only want to pay $500 to $1,000.
 
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