Plans, Packages???

I personally don't like plans or packages... I have my base price that includes my basic set up. If they want something more, Karaoke, lights or whatever they are an add-on..

For the time being, I only have one package. I offer a basic light show with any booking and the only thing that is extra are any extra hours.

I plan to change this as soon as I have an upgraded light system.

I'm pretty much like Chuck. I have a setup that I take to every party. My charges are based off mileage from my house and time involved. If they want an extra beyond what I offer, I upsell it to them. I once had differnt packages, but it was honestly more work than what it was worth.

I have a variety of packages for Weddings, Bar/Bat Mitzvah and other. Each had standard and deluxe. The difference between the standard and deluxe is the inclusion of second system for cocktail hour, or ceremony, extra hours, etc.

These options COULD be added onto the standard package. Of course, if you add all the options that are included in the deluxe package, I'll just sell the deluxe since it's priced cheaper. I'm not about to rip off a client because they didn't realize that they could save a couple bucks by ordering the items differently.

Certain things, like lights, are an add-on option for all packages. I don't include them in any package, because, frankly, as a one-man show, they are too much of a PITA to bring and set up. So I'm not going to do anything that encourages a client to buy that option.

I have one basic package that is priced depending on performance time.

Optional Items Include: Lighting Upgrade, Sound Upgrade, Additional room Sound, Video Screen, Photo Montage, Up-lighting, and Custom Gobo Lighting.

I do not charge to add Karaoke to any package.

My wedding prices and other party prices are different priced due to parties require no real planning.

Tim,

I have moved from two to three this year (for remainder 2008, but mostly 2009).

It has been very effective and has done what I wanted it to do. Push the middle package.

The idea with packages is to target a certain client.

My unlimited package is geared toward Big Catholic Weddings with the reception lasting 7-8 hours with lots of bells and whistles.

My Premium package offers 2 options and 6 hours. Good for clients that want to do ceremony and reception and maybe add uplights or a gobo.

My Standard package is 5 hours - no frills. Geared to the client that is more interested in having me there than any options. They usually book the country clubs or hotel ballrooms which set their packages at....5 hours. (magic huh?)

I don't know how some djs come up with their packages. Like adding two extra lights for $100 more and calling it silver means anything to a client.

Know your clients, know the venues, and know the expectations. It is easy to set up packages once you do that.

I hated the idea of having different packages. I am one who will always give 100%...but unfortunately people have different budgets.

I want to charge $1000 per wedding....and that is all inclusive....everything your heart could desire. The problem is...that is easily double the price of other good djs in our area, and the sell can sometimes be tough.

The wedding this weekend...I charged $700 and the husband to be stated "you better have fireworks!" He kept claiming the other djs are $500..trying to lower my price. He wasnt the one who booked me...it was his mother in law to be! So I didnt know what I should do, and being a nice guy, I compromised and gave $100 off....since he was paying, and he didnt have a say in who he wanted.

Therefore.....I am going to do packages. It's the only safe way to get the most bang for my buck. I will offer a basic 4 hour package for like $500, thats with no interaction. If they want any level of interaction it will be $750. And if they want dinner music, introductions, mic for speeches, prayers, best wishes etc etc...its $1000.

The level service will be the same....just depending on the interaction etc etc. The $1000 package will include a 5 hour music package...cocktail music...entrance introductions...the whole nine yards, boquet toss wedding dance etc.

$750 Package....4 hour music package......boquet toss dollar dance etc etc....all extra hours $150 per hour......no cocktail music..open mic...etc etc.
Set up hour before dance. Will interrupt guests dinner.

$500 Basic Package: No interaction...we set up 1 hour before reception, again interferring guests dinner.


The situation I am in...is that...I will leave my house somedays at 2pm and come home at 2am! Instead of 5-6 hours away from home...it is easily doubled! Not only that, I spend probably 30+ hours on each individual wedding I do...including meeting them etc etc. 95% of my clients truly know how much time and effort I put into each gig, as each and every one of them is different.

Now those packages are not in gold yet...but it will probably be something like this. I might even not let a couple have a customized playlist at $500. Just to make sure I at least can book the $750. I guess right now I am shooting off the hip with ideas....so I am thinking as I am going along. I need to sit down and figure out what would be the best. Maybe a basic light show as well on $500! I mean my basic light show is a lot better than most djs at the same price. So it would be like hiring one of the competitions service. I dont know....anyone have ideas on the basic package?? What can I take away to make sure I can upsell to at least the $750 package??

Howdy,

I charge a flat hourly rate. If they want anything additional, it's ala carte. It has been very successful, the client feels in control of the decisions and can upgrade lights, etc. It really helps to differentiate between me and those people that have a flat rate.

Dave

I decided that my company would not do packages because I believe that everyone is entitled to a great show. However, I do charge extra for areas that are farther outside of town and for events that are a lot longer than 6 hours. Sometimes, I drop the price a little if they're only looking for a few hours of a basic teen party or picnic-type event.

I do 2 all inclusive packages a reception only and a ceremony and reception. Price is based on time needed. I have found it works great plus $1099 looks better to client then $700 + $50 + $150 + $100 + $100

Ok heres my take:

Bestdjinfl- is absolutely right on this one $1099 looks much better than all those add ons I know a lot of you sell like this but its like going to a car lot seeing a price and then this charge and that charge. If you position it the way FL is and the way we do AGAINST the add on guys value is INSTANTLY created.

Adam/DJMN- I think you're on the right track but heres where i disagree.
Personally with our company we're not interferring with guests seated PERIOD no matter what consolations we have to make as a company. It looks tacky either the couple was too poor to afford the djs the entire time or the dj was too much of an ******* to set up a little bit early. Appearance is everything. Whats the first thing that guests are going to say as you haul in your gear.. You'll piss possible referrals right out the door.

The baseline package looked decent but I think the guys upselling a wireless sucks too, personally our wireless' mics sound better than our wired mics and give me and our staff the freedom to move around and do what they think is best.

Adam, I think you're not quite as far along in this business as you think you are but I definitely think you're on the right track. I would do a bait and switch DOWN not up. Have your pricing sheet with your packages and additions which gives you the room to say hey bride i see you can only afford the $500 package, listen i really cant give you the $1000 package for $500 but since you're self funding this event why dont i do this, why dont i throw in the introductions, cocktail music, early set up and wireless for you for an extra $100 instead of the $1000 we typically charge.

Then heres the kicker adam: please dont share this pricing with anyone im really trying to HELP YOU OUT!!!

be the hero not the money hungry villian.

Kyle

Ok and to address the current topic

we do all inclusive and the price varies on time only
we do have a couple non traditional add-ons

Dance Floor up to 25x25
Projector/Screen
Slideshow/Imovie production
of course video dance parties and the like are extra.

but in our event planner we did our own custom category for "WISH LIST" which is things brides and grooms or clients have asked about that we initially told them no or they couldnt afford. If gig week comes up and we have the resources and it doesnt incur us any cost we either just bring it or call and say listen as it turns out we do have this available

One of these was tiki torches just three weeks ago we had a bride and groom that wanted to know if we had tiki torches and could set them up as a walkway of sorts, well we hadnt planned on having them but we had a luau where it poured down rain so we had the torches and one of my roadies went to the venue and set them up in the afternoon.

When the groom arrived he asked how much he owed me i explained nothing since the situation and at the end of the day the best man handed us a card with $200 in it and told me the groom said the torches made the night.

How much were they, i think we got a dozen for $19

kyle

AlbanyAMS said:

I've always had packages. IMO, Brides like choices. If you only have 1 price, they will tend to continue to shop around.

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This is why I need packages! Thank you thank you thank you!



1cdj.....my inexperience is only because I am two years into djing, and I have LOTS AND LOTS to learn.

I have done a lot of gigs, and I have come to realize....I dont want to give my time away, and not get paid for it. Money isnt everything, but I cant afford to giving a the services I provide for little to nothing. See, the events I have done, have been outstanding, and I have realized, and heard....I am a lot better than some of the other Djs in our area. So, therefor, I feel as if I am worth more than other DJ services. However....when some clients call, they are on a budget, and truly do not realize sometimes, how much a difference a good dj can make. I guess, this is why...I was thinking of doing packages....so I dont hear that my $1000 package is out of reach. I guess I am in a dilemma, and I am exploring how to get the best bang for the buck. Which is why I am pondering my options. Thanks...Adam!

DJMN said:

This is why I need packages! Thank you thank you thank you!



1cdj.....my inexperience is only because I am two years into djing, and I have LOTS AND LOTS to learn.

I have done a lot of gigs, and I have come to realize....I dont want to give my time away, and not get paid for it. Money isnt everything, but I cant afford to giving a the services I provide for little to nothing. See, the events I have done, have been outstanding, and I have realized, and heard....I am a lot better than some of the other Djs in our area. So, therefor, I feel as if I am worth more than other DJ services. However....when some clients call, they are on a budget, and truly do not realize sometimes, how much a difference a good dj can make. I guess, this is why...I was thinking of doing packages....so I dont hear that my $1000 package is out of reach. I guess I am in a dilemma, and I am exploring how to get the best bang for the buck. Which is why I am pondering my options. Thanks...Adam!

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at 2 years into it you should probably work your packages up slowly over time.

You may good but there are probably other djs a lot better than you in the region.Also a lot less green then you are.

Not saying you won't get there, but don't try and rush it like you're something you're not. Take it in the steps