Weddings Pricing on your web site?

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Ron Auger said:
You have not proven that they can.
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If it works for one guy, it can be said to be possible. If it is possible, it *could* work for anyone depending of course, on their ability to effectively communicate their services and offerings. I never said that because it is possible and works for me that evryone is capable of presenting it in a way that they would likewise find it effective. To the contrary, I have already stated that not everyone has the ability to communicate this way in their marketing efforts, and just as many, or more perhaps, like yourself, simply choose NOT to. Not good - not bad - just how each of us chooses to represent ourselves. Thats all.

Ron Auger said:
We have no way of proving your success with your website and how it works without facts and figures to back up your claim. What we have is your opinion and your word which I believe. And I believe it works for you but how is that prove? You have to prove it against something else. To show that your method is in someway equal to or superior to another. What you have done is proved to yourself that it works in a way that you need it to.
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Well, off the boards, I could give you lists of clients wedding and otherwise who hired me in large-part because of the site content and the way it was conveyed. It is informative, useful, and relevant to them, and written in a way that it touches on their "wedding day warm and fuzzies." I'm not relaying opinion, I'm relaying what I've been told by clients.

Ron Auger said:
Can you quote this for me so I can re-read it an explain? Not quite sure where I stated that or in which way.
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Ron Auger said:
"Most brides in my area want to know how good you are and what you will bring in the way of entertainment to their wedding. This information can only be relayed properly in person."
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That's where I take issue with not your APPROACH, but simply your stating that it can *only* be done one way. This is clearly not the case.
 
jabo said:
Sounds to go, and anyone else, I posted my prices above. Do you believe that I should post them on my website? Why or why not? I truly appreciate anyone who answers this question as there may be something I have not considered. Thanks in advance.

I have hundreds (literally) of testimonials that say that my clients feel that I am not charging too much, so we will assume that I am fairly priced for my services. Also you can assume that I am almost 50% higher than my closest competitor in price.
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I would suggest you go back to the beginning of this thread for starters as a lot of pros and cons have been presented already.
 
Esoteric said:
Unless you are using high pressure sales tactics, I would say that there are very few who would have been scared off by your initial price that end up hiring you anyway.

Mike
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Kind of judgmental don't you think? Could it be that they just don't understand that some DJs suck and others are really good? Did you ever say what you charge for a wedding?

Not ONE person has given a suggestion as to how I can make more money. Many have slammed the worth movement, can someone help me make more money.

Here is my help to all of us, me included, if we get better at what we do we can charge more money to do it.

Here is my question to all of us, me included, what are we doing to get better at what we do?
 
jabo said:
Ron, "worth" seems to be a bad word around here. I actually listen to Mark's CDs on a regular basis, good stuff really. As a group we don't have a clue what our services bring to the table compared to ...............................fill in the blank.

Jamie
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Worth is just a very commonly misused word. Worth must take into account market forces. If I think I am worth $50/hr it doesn't mean squat if the market will only support $25 an hour. However is there a difference in a $25/hr DJ and a $10/hr DJ that makes one worth it and the other one not? Of course there is. But that worth is determined by market forces.

Mike
 
Sounds To Go said:
I would suggest you go back to the beginning of this thread for starters as a lot of pros and cons have been presented already.
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Sounds like you don't have an answer. I didn't ask for the opinion of those in this thread, I asked for your opinion. Of course you may not want to give it, and that's OK. It seems that most have no real answers on this subject only gripes and complaints. SOMEONE tell me how I can do IT better and make more money because of IT.
 
Esoteric said:
Worth is just a very commonly misused word. Worth must take into account market forces. If I think I am worth $50/hr it doesn't mean squat if the market will only support $25 an hour. However is there a difference in a $25/hr DJ and a $10/hr DJ that makes one worth it and the other one not? Of course there is. But that worth is determined by market forces.

Mike
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Simple question, how do we know what the market will support? Easy question please answer.
 
jabo said:
Kind of judgmental don't you think? Could it be that they just don't understand that some DJs suck and others are really good? Did you ever say what you charge for a wedding?

Not ONE person has given a suggestion as to how I can make more money. Many have slammed the worth movement, can someone help me make more money.

Here is my help to all of us, me included, if we get better at what we do we can charge more money to do it.

Here is my question to all of us, me included, what are we doing to get better at what we do?
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I would need much, much more information to tell you how to make more money. In fact, you may be maxed out on your earning potential.

Anyone who gives you a "this approach worked for me, it can work for you too, no matter who you are or where you are" is feeding you a whole lot of bologna. Go make a sandwich.

Every situation is unique and different. No two are alike.

Mike
 
jabo said:
We are just trying to help each other figure out how to make more money. The original issue is related. What is your take on how to make ourselves better and earn more money?

No worth BS, just trying to learn. Show me something new or old that helps me make a better living.
Jamie
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Nothing new here.... I'm in the same boat as Ducky... Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan and Eastern Il, Western OH... 2 hours one way operational area. Hard luck economy. My price doesn't matter but, I have had to lower it this year to stay competitive but, next year I see a possible sharp increase in rate.

So, far no one has turned me down due to price and I've raised it by nearly 20% over the last few months with plans of about another 10-15% raise before 2010.

My website and planning tools are my biggest advantages that I offer clients in my area... coupled with one of the best sound systems available in my area and my lovable personality.

I don't try to BS my clients into thinking they have to spend gobs of money on their entertainment either.... I meet with some clients and others are just phone calls or email inquiries.

It would seem in an odd way I am in a destination location... with Notre Dame so close by, I have clients booking me from as far away as California because they are getting married at or near Notre Dame.

They are looking for convienence of planning and I give that to them along with the elegance they desire.

Honestly I don't know if my selling skills is anyware near as sharp as some of the folks on this board.... it really feels that sometimes bookings just fall in my lap without hardly trying, other times it's like pulling teeth.

For example:

Phone call: Are you available? Yes What can you do for me? Explain, what I offer and the convience of online planning. What's your price? $XXX.XX Give login information and 5 minutes later I'm booked.

I get these too:

Client meeting... leave contract.... they say they will decide by mid month... send a total of 4 emails with the final one getting this kind of response "I think I've said it 100 times, we will make our decision by the end of the month after we interview other DJ's"

I'm not counting on that one to book....

You see it all varies... some folks can demand higher prices due to their particular area, demand and client demographic.

Others have to customize, modify and adapt the the vastly changing client demographic who at one time had the disposable income... but, don't anymore.

I'd love to cater to the rich.... but us middle class need DJs too. I have my limits but, am not above customizing my packages to fit the needs of my client.

Did that make sense.... I think I begain to ramble a bit... sorry.
 
Esoteric said:
Worth is just a very commonly misused word. Worth must take into account market forces. If I think I am worth $50/hr it doesn't mean squat if the market will only support $25 an hour. However is there a difference in a $25/hr DJ and a $10/hr DJ that makes one worth it and the other one not? Of course there is. But that worth is determined by market forces.

Mike
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and to a large part those market forces are controlled by the DJ's themselves. But they are too busy fighting amongst themselves to realize it.

How much is your basic wedding package price?
 
Esoteric said:
By worried about cost, I meant using it as their primary decision making information. Everyone wants value for cost. In that you are correct. But some people (like us) only have $X in their bank account and no matter how much they love Y DJ they can't pay $Z.

Mike
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True, but that number changes based on perceived value.
 
jabo said:
Simple question, how do we know what the market will support? Easy question please answer.
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You see. You are trying to oversimplfy things. But here goes...

1. What are those of equal skill level and equipment to you charging?
2. Are you as busy as you want to be at your price level?
3. Do you turn away an abundance of business?
4. What does your customer feedback tell you?

Answer these and you are well on your way.

Mike
 
jokerswild said:
Nothing new here.... I'm in the same boat as Ducky... Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan and Eastern Il, Western OH... 2 hours one way operational area. Hard luck economy. My price doesn't matter but, I have had to lower it this year to stay competitive but, next year I see a possible sharp increase in rate.

So, far no one has turned me down due to price and I've raised it by nearly 20% over the last few months with plans of about another 10-15% raise before 2010.

My website and planning tools are my biggest advantages that I offer clients in my area... coupled with one of the best sound systems available in my area and my lovable personality.

I don't try to BS my clients into thinking they have to spend gobs of money on their entertainment either.... I meet with some clients and others are just phone calls or email inquiries.

It would seem in an odd way I am in a destination location... with Notre Dame so close by, I have clients booking me from as far away as California because they are getting married at or near Notre Dame.

They are looking for convienence of planning and I give that to them along with the elegance they desire.

Honestly I don't know if my selling skills is anyware near as sharp as some of the folks on this board.... it really feels that sometimes bookings just fall in my lap without hardly trying, other times it's like pulling teeth.

For example:

Phone call: Are you available? Yes What can you do for me? Explain, what I offer and the convience of online planning. What's your price? $XXX.XX Give login information and 5 minutes later I'm booked.

I get these too:

Client meeting... leave contract.... they say they will decide by mid month... send a total of 4 emails with the final one getting this kind of response "I think I've said it 100 times, we will make our decision by the end of the month after we interview other DJ's"

I'm not counting on that one to book....

You see it all varies... some folks can demand higher prices due to their particular area, demand and client demographic.

Others have to customize, modify and adapt the the vastly changing client demographic who at one time had the disposable income... but, don't anymore.

I'd love to cater to the rich.... but us middle class need DJs too. I have my limits but, am not above customizing my packages to fit the needs of my client.

Did that make sense.... I think I begain to ramble a bit... sorry.
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Completely off topic. 11 years ago today I was in a plan crash in Mentone In. I spent two months in the hospital, 1 in Ft. Wayne and 1 in Aiken SC. I thank God that I am alive to participate in this discussion.

Glad to hear things are looking up for you and your business.
 
jabo said:
and to a large part those market forces are controlled by the DJ's themselves. But they are too busy fighting amongst themselves to realize it.

How much is your basic wedding package price?
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No they are not. Market forces are set by consumers. Only in a true monopoly (which there will never be in a capitalistic society unless it is government regulated) can the suppliers set the market forces.

What would happen if tomorrow every DJ everywhere currently in the business decided that weddings would cost $3500?

I am not a DJ. I am a lighting designer. Different job. Same economics.

Mike
 
Esoteric said:
This does not mean that someone else can charge $1200 in their area!!!!!
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Correct!

Esoteric said:
There is no such thing as "worth" it is a worthless concept (pun intended).
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This sentiment, or something like it, is at the heart f my pricing philosophy as well.

Esoteric said:
There is only what the market will bear in your area. Market forces set the prices.
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This is only the case if you're on the upper-end of the spectrum and are always trying to find a balance of what the market will bear to determine your prices.

I, for one, choose, for my own practical and ethical viewpoints, NOT to try to "maximize" or "push" that boundary. I price simply on what it costs to run my business and make a fixed % of profit per-gig PERIOD. Those are the ONLY factors in my pricing.

It's precisely because I am not trying to put a number on some intangible "warm and fuzzies" or "touchy feelies" that my prices are not pushing the upper-end of what the market will bear in my area. Trying to constantly max out "what the market will bear" is nothing but pure unabashed opportunistic pricing, and thats not me. I charge for what my services are worth based on what I provide, and what it costs me to provide it. I have no interest in trying to get "as much as I can" in the market.

And no, being a part-timer, I don't feel bad pricing myself lower than full-timers who rely on their jobs to pay their mortgages, car payments, and boats. Their life-decision to do something full time should not translate into the client being obliged to pay more if they are not getting more at their event. I can charge less to cover my BUSINESS expenses and deliver the same level/caliber of service because I don't rely on it to pay my personal bills.

<insert coming $h!t storm here...>

If I can come in and do the same thing on a part time basis, assuming all things to be equal, I don't feel bad for Mr. $1500-2k+ dj who is feeling the pinch because of it. If he wants to start charging clients a more reasonable fee that they COULD be paying for services and get a "real" job like the rest of us to actually live on, well... he certainly has that option!

Let's just not pretend I owe him any kind of debt or am doing any disservice to "the industry" by charging simply what it costs for me to run a perfectly legitimate business and do what I love to do. If he wanted to charge less, he could. My heart doesn't bleed for those who rely on providing luxury services as their sole-means of income, or those who cry because they are being "undercut" when their prices are mostly profit to begin with. They can find someone else to cry in their beer with them!:sqlaugh::rofl::sqlaugh:
 
Esoteric said:
You see. You are trying to oversimplfy things. But here goes...

1. What are those of equal skill level and equipment to you charging?
2. Are you as busy as you want to be at your price level?
3. Do you turn away an abundance of business?
4. What does your customer feedback tell you?

Answer these and you are well on your way.

Mike
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Those are GREAT questions!

More precisely though, those should be the barometer for determining WHERE in your market range your pricing should fall, rather than helping to determine what the market will bear.

Find the highest-priced guy in your area that is booked constantly/steadily and you will have identified a good starting point for what the market will bear.
 
Esoteric said:
No they are not. Market forces are set by consumers. Only in a true monopoly (which there will never be in a capitalistic society unless it is government regulated) can the suppliers set the market forces.

What would happen if tomorrow every DJ everywhere currently in the business decided that weddings would cost $3500?
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A lot more bands would get hired and we would get rid of a lot of sucky djs.

I am not a DJ. I am a lighting designer. Different job. Same economics.
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Not even close to the same economics.

You know what you guys are right, you can't charge more in your market.

Good luck and God bless.
 
Sounds To Go said:
Correct!



This sentiment, or something like it, is at the heart f my pricing philosophy as well.



This is only the case if you're on the upper-end of the spectrum and are always trying to find a balance of what the market will bear to determine your prices.

I, for one, choose, for my own practical and ethical viewpoints, NOT to try to "maximize" or "push" that boundary. I price simply on what it costs to run my business and make a fixed % of profit per-gig PERIOD. Those are the ONLY factors in my pricing.

It's precisely because I am not trying to put a number on some intangible "warm and fuzzies" or "touchy feelies" that my prices are not pushing the upper-end of what the market will bear in my area. Trying to constantly max out "what the market will bear" is nothing but pure unabashed opportunistic pricing, and thats not me. I charge for what my services are worth based on what I provide, and what it costs me to provide it. I have no interest in trying to get "as much as I can" in the market.

And no, being a part-timer, I don't feel bad pricing myself lower than full-timers who rely on their jobs to pay their mortgages, car payments, and boats. Their life-decision to do something full time should not translate into the client being obliged to pay more if they are not getting more at their event. I can charge less to cover my BUSINESS expenses and deliver the same level/caliber of service because I don't rely on it to pay my personal bills.

<insert coming $h!t storm here...>

If I can come in and do the same thing on a part time basis, assuming all things to be equal, I don't feel bad for Mr. $1500-2k+ dj who is feeling the pinch because of it. If he wants to start charging clients a more reasonable fee that they COULD be paying for services and get a "real" job like the rest of us to actually live on, well... he certainly has that option!

Let's just not pretend I owe him any kind of debt or am doing any disservice to "the industry" by charging simply what it costs for me to run a perfectly legitimate business and do what I love to do. If he wanted to charge less, he could. My heart doesn't bleed for those who rely on providing luxury services as their sole-means of income, or those who cry because they are being "undercut" when their prices are mostly profit to begin with. They can find someone else to cry in their beer with them!:sqlaugh::rofl::sqlaugh:
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Brilliant post!

You are a very ethical person. I too do not push the upper boundaries of my industry (I can't, there are larger companies with more resources than me out there who get to charge that because of their size and people will still pay it, if I charged what XYZ lighting does, people would go to them and not me). But I do push the boundaries of what I can charge.

As far as different pricing in the same area? That is at the heart of a free market economy. If those full timers want those gigs they need to reduce their price. It is what makes America great. I charge half of what others charge for moving light repair in my area and I still make a killing. If they want the business back (they don't yet, there is enough to go around) then they will have to lower their prices. If not, they will keep losing business to me.

Again, brilliant post!

Mike
 
1. What are those of equal skill level and equipment to you charging? There are none
2. Are you as busy as you want to be at your price level? More, but it is helping me get out of debt.
3. Do you turn away an abundance of business? Yes, I refer to others.
4. What does your customer feedback tell you? You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Just like you don't believe the answers to numbers 1,2,3.
 
jabo said:
A lot more bands would get hired and we would get rid of a lot of sucky djs.



Not even close to the same economics.

You know what you guys are right, you can't charge more in your market.

Good luck and God bless.
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All service markets are the same in their basic forces and pricing structures.

Please, tell me how they are different?

You are partially right, a lot of bands would be hired, but also someone new would start a business (I know I would) and charge $2000 per gig and make a killing! And you know what? You couldn't stop me!

Mike
 
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