I'll go back and re-read when I've got some more time. I really do appreciate the time you've taken to share your thoughts. I know you're trying to help me and I sincerely appreciate that.
Price increase
- Thread starter rickryan.com
- Start date
I'll go back and re-read when I've got some more time. I really do appreciate the time you've taken to share your thoughts. I know you're trying to help me and I sincerely appreciate that.
I saw something on your website that said affordable I believe. That to me is judging people. What you may call affordable someone else may not feel that way. Then again you go from one extreme to another. During the week from Monday to Thursday the top price to have an event there is $2,000 and on the weekend the cheapest price is $8,500. That's a big difference in price. I get that for $2,000 all they get is to rent the space. Of course you should charge more for more things offered.
By judging people you might be losing money. You keep talking about what your area can afford to spend. You have a website. Is your website only reaching people in your area?
By judging people you might be losing money. You keep talking about what your area can afford to spend. You have a website. Is your website only reaching people in your area?
Not sure what world you live in, but the word affordable is probably one of the most commonly used marketing words/tactics. It’s up to the end user to decide if it truly is affordable. Nothing judgmental about it. He’s in fact providing a solution for those that want value:budget friendly services.
He did make a valid point about the disparity between the micros and full weddings. I'm going to take micros off the website (for now).
You nailed it. It's up to the customer if they feel something is affordable or not. Besides saying something is affordable, it's about showing a potential client why you're worth the client spending their money with you.
Everybody has a limit on what they will pay for goods or services. There are those who can easily buy a car costing over 100K and another person can only dream about owning a car costing that much.
There’s nothing wrong with micros on the site as long as you lay clear the qualifications for that pricing.
Edited for further context: If you have enough 3 day bookings and are content w/ the quantity of events coming in, then yes, there is no need to advertise or cater to smaller events. If you need to fill in your schedule, then you should promote those options, but with certain parameters that don't jeapordize your core bookings (3 day bookings). For example it can be Mon-Thursday only, or discounted single day rates for events booking less than 3 or 6 months out depending on what you feel is appropriate.
For example, with me... I don't even entertain any other type of event from May-November other than a Wedding. If any other type of event comes in they're required at least $1000 in add-ons, unless it's last minute. However, offseason dates or weekdays, I'll entertain other types of events (typically book 4-6 thursday proms each year) or discount weddings to fill up my calendar and keep busy. I know that peak season time though I can hold my ground because I typically average 7-8 weddings for those months.
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Let me please say this Taso and I mean this with great sincerity. You are one of the best DJs I have ever seen from what you have shown us over the years. You get paid very nicely for the service you provide. You didn't start out where you're at today. Over time you improved on things and keep getting better.
Now you have over the years proven why you're worth the price you charge. You get to charge what you do and don't have a reason to cut your price drastically because you have those clients who will pay the price you quote them. You also target your business to those who will pay your price. Not a lot of price shoppers contacting you about doing an event for them.
What you learned how to do is how to sell yourself to get the price you want. Of course there are clearly those who will tell themselves no way would I pay that much for a DJ. No DJ is worth what you charge. That happens no matter what any DJ charges. Then there are those who won't go below a certain price when booking a DJ to do an event for them.
My point is this and this is meant for everyone on here. How good are you at selling yourself to get the price you want? I do mean whatever your price is.
The thing is you think I'm "selling" myself after the client reaches out to me. The reality is, I've sold myself 90% of the time BEFORE the person even calls me.
How?
Reputation. Consistancy. Going Above and Beyond what the average person's expectations are to be able to charge above average pricing. My referrals sell me w/ their excitement when they mention my name and the experience they had. My performance sells me to those that see me in person. My presentation and online presence sells me w/ content that shows transparency in the quality of my services. I'm not really doing any direct selling after someone reaches out other than providing the details needed to secure my services.
For those 10% that do find me out of the blue and are talking to others... I sell the experience, not the stuff. I walk them through the process of how I get the results that I do, The things I pay attention to, and how I create a stress free experience leading up to their wedding day, as well as what htey can expect on the day of. My goal is that by the end of that consultation call, that couple knows, should they work with me, that no matter what they throw at me I'll be able to handle it and get the best results possible.
But I'm not sure what this has to do with Rick. He's selling a venue. A different type of experience. The dj, the photo booth, the sparklers, the photographer... that's all "stuff". That's not the experience that people go to the venue for. It's the icing on the cake, but if the cake sucks, icing can only go so far. It/s also up to him to determine the path he wants to take in terms of discounted options to fill up a calendar.
Thanks for your reply and I clearly understand. In Rick's case people coming for a tour of his venue he needs to look at it as I heard a DJ at an NJDJN meeting say that it's about getting a potential client to do what Dennis Edward's said in a song, don't look any further.
Of course nobody has a 100% success rate at booking clients. The question is are you getting enough bookings that you want to have to be happy? Never mind what someone else says about being successful. Again as I said before for Rick, who is he targeting his business to so he gets the results he's looking for?
I have not come across any venues that list their pricing. How could they? There are too many variables. I have only acquired pricing in a consultation via my own personal quotation and event plan.
All a "price list" does is cap our expectations, and tell a prospect right up front that this is the best we can do, we will reach no further.
Every advance I've made over the years in my capability and talents has been in direct response to being challenged by customer requests and higher expectations. I'm not the one setting the bar - they are.
All a "price list" does is cap our expectations, and tell a prospect right up front that this is the best we can do, we will reach no further.
Every advance I've made over the years in my capability and talents has been in direct response to being challenged by customer requests and higher expectations. I'm not the one setting the bar - they are.
To date, I've been selling "stuff". I'm making an effort now to sell an "experience". Not saying that I have it all down but I'm trying. So far, the vast majority of my clients walk away have an excellent experience. I'm hoping to make the transition into a more premium experience. Thanks guys, for your input. BTW, I've started installing some greenery. I have the first drapery panel that I'll be installing tomorrow.
Develop a habit of coordinating when buying or installing, Example: Black trussing = black wired string lighting, black hardware, etc,
Subtraction and Addition are equally valid. String lighting and chandeliers are two different things. Like the alphabet and numbers - they each have a different purpose. If you use chandeliers then limit string lights to delicate lights on your greenery (a formal extension of the chandeliers). If you use Bistro lights than remove the chandeliers (which are much more formal.)
The fabric on the walls looks like we're in the middle of a renovation. Is there a way to give those walls a treatment that reinforces the integrity of it being a building and not a temporary tent? Can there be windows?
Subtraction and Addition are equally valid. String lighting and chandeliers are two different things. Like the alphabet and numbers - they each have a different purpose. If you use chandeliers then limit string lights to delicate lights on your greenery (a formal extension of the chandeliers). If you use Bistro lights than remove the chandeliers (which are much more formal.)
The fabric on the walls looks like we're in the middle of a renovation. Is there a way to give those walls a treatment that reinforces the integrity of it being a building and not a temporary tent? Can there be windows?
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Depending on where you are they do show pricing, but its more so starting prices/minimum guest counts. Pricing here is dictated by date as our venues are more inline with what rick does (but all inclusive to a point). You pick the venue for the food, grounds, & amenities such as bridal suites to get ready in or groomsmen suites, if they do one event at a time or more, and if you have access to the venue all day or if they do morning events. The extras/variables are simply based on how big of a cocktail hour you want, what level liquor options (premium brands cost more), and if they want an after party or additional time. Essentially here once you hire the venue all that's left is the dj, the florist/decorator, and photography/video for the typical reception. Make up artists/hair, limos, day of coordinators are all optional items that are at the discretion of the couple.
I agree, the drapery on the walls make the place feel small. Might just be the photo Idk. What is the drapery covering?
Somebody talked me into doing wood panels inside. The drapery softens it a bit. It's an improvement.
Well, you caught me.
I'm in the customer service industry. Admittedly, I probably lack the sophistication and certain je ne sais quoi of a DJ like yourself, and therefore I must suffer with the mundane reality of relentless referrals.
I like the double glass doors at the far end.
If you could eventually (over time) do that up and down the entire length of the space on both sides the atmosphere would be fantastic and the room would feel so much larger. More like a tent than a garage.
Not all of the units would need to be doors that actually open, but if they were - then you could have nice open air luncheons or brunches - the kinds of events (including some weddings) that aren't producers of loud noise that bothers the neighbors.
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