Hello y'all. So for those of you that have seen my previous posts, I am a complete noob to the DJ game and am just really getting started. Well, I just got asked if I would DJ a local prom and what I would charge?! I don't even know where to start!!!!
The prom is supposed to run from 1900-2330 so that is 4.5 hours. What kind of price range should I give them? I'm completely lost! The few small gigs I have done up to this point we're unpaid for friends or family. HELP!!!!
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Price is one of those things we debate here all the time. I don't think there's a RIGHT answer. Some of the guys on this board have been DJing for decades, so they are established and have their rates pretty well set. I'm more of a noob too. My rates are somewhat on the lower side for this area, but not dirt cheap.[emoji4]
IMHO, rates are very much dependent on the area you're serving. NO DJ I know of in Oklahoma charges what some of the guys in NY, DC, and that area are charging. I know guys in Alabama and Louisiana who charge similar prices to me. What I did, was check out the local competition to see what they charged, and what services they included, then I set my rate just a little lower, since I lacked experience. Now that I've got some gigs under my belt, I could probably raise my rate a little, but have not done so yet.
As for proms... you're a LOT younger, so you can probably do them, but like Rick said, the expectations for that kind of event are VERY HIGH! I would not want to do one for one of my first gigs. I don't do school dances or sweet 16's because it just looks creepy for an old dude like me hanging with teenage kids.[emoji1] Plus there's certain types of music I won't play, and it's mostly the type teens want these days.
Price can also be affected by the clientele you're trying to cater to and the types of events you do. I do Christian events, and they usually don't pay well (but there's other less tangible benefits)[emoji4]. But I also do a lot of office parties and corporate events, which pay much better. I also do a number of private parties at local country clubs, which pay well.
I hope that helps a little... maybe I just confused you more?[emoji848]