Weddings Restricted Contract

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DJ Cam said:
Well, I like the idea as a very nice system could be setup a left there. Dance floor lighting could be properly installed. Even perminate uplighting and monogram lighting can be setup.
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That would be a BIG plus. Help them install a decent house system. Pull wires through the walls, install faceplates near the console and speakers to allow for short cable runs. Heck, you might even go so far as to fly your speakers.

What I would not want is any of MY gear used by "outside" DJs. So, if there was EVER a possibility that an outside DJ would plug into the gear...then the venue would be responsible for the purchase.

DJ Cam said:
I would want a 6 week clause. Any date that is not dooked 6 weeks prior to the date I'm to book other events. I book a ton of last minute work. I could fill most dates that were not booked 6 weeks out.
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My sense is that this is exactly what the venue does not want. If they have a last minute client walk in the door and need an end to end wedding ceremony and reception....they want to have a guaranteed house DJ to offer. In essence, they want to be able to call Friday morning for a Friday evening wedding reception. Perhaps there is some reasonable advanced notice that could be agreed to...but 6 weeks is not that. Maybe 10 business days...or two weeks.

My biggest concern is that the venue would handle all the client contact. So you would be relying on someone else to get a sense of the clients, their musical tastes, and their family dynamic. Without 3-4 hours of face to face interviews with every client to go over the details (and countless phone calls, e-mails, and texts), the quality of my performance would suffer. I doubt that much face time with a client is part of the venues plan.

Alternatively, there would be "wedding reception #1", "wedding reception #2", and "wedding reception #3" to choose from. Same songs, same intros, etc, etc. The drive would be for consistency at the expense of quality.
 
soundinmotiondj said:
That would be a BIG plus. Help them install a decent house system. Pull wires through the walls, install faceplates near the console and speakers to allow for short cable runs. Heck, you might even go so far as to fly your speakers.

One thing they are not going to allow is anything "mounted or installed" this is a historic location.

What I would not want is any of MY gear used by "outside" DJs. So, if there was EVER a possibility that an outside DJ would plug into the gear...then the venue would be responsible for the purchase.

Not going to happen.

My sense is that this is exactly what the venue does not want. If they have a last minute client walk in the door and need an end to end wedding ceremony and reception....they want to have a guaranteed house DJ to offer. In essence, they want to be able to call Friday morning for a Friday evening wedding reception. Perhaps there is some reasonable advanced notice that could be agreed to...but 6 weeks is not that. Maybe 10 business days...or two weeks.

Exactly, they want someone available on any Friday Saturday or Sunday during the contract term.

My biggest concern is that the venue would handle all the client contact. So you would be relying on someone else to get a sense of the clients, their musical tastes, and their family dynamic. Without 3-4 hours of face to face interviews with every client to go over the details (and countless phone calls, e-mails, and texts), the quality of my performance would suffer. I doubt that much face time with a client is part of the venues plan.

While I have never needed three or four hours of Face to Face and very few phone or e-mail contacts as long as the planner is filled out my performance does not suffer. However one of the requirements (that i don't like) is I have to be available to meet the clients at the planning stage with the venue.

Alternatively, there would be "wedding reception #1", "wedding reception #2", and "wedding reception #3" to choose from. Same songs, same intros, etc, etc. The drive would be for consistency at the expense of quality.
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The drive for weddings at this venue is quiet, sophisticated, elegant! Which again I may not be completely happy with

But the sound requirements are minimal (may have to buy an L1 system again:tribiggrin:) and lighting is not wanted period!
 
djsarge said:
If you have so many questions, then it's too good to be true.
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I know I am looking for someone to talk me out of it:triwink:

I will have a better Idea of what I am dealing with when I meet with them next month, and I am putting together a "list of concerns" from the answers I am getting here, so we can address them during or negotiations!
 
Phrase it a different way and the answer is more obvious: This is an income limitation contract. You are placing your future at the disposal of their sales force with no real input or control over their sales budget, strategy, or priorities.

Therefore, measure it by the venue's minimum contract requirements:

They are only willing to commit to $25,000 annually.
If their sales don't go well - what out do they have?
Can they avoid the $25k and fire you for cause?
What constitutes cause and who is the arbitrator if any?

I suggest you hire additional DJs and control your own business. You must be the one to decide who gets assigned to what job, retain the right to substitution, and the right to refuse any job that doesn't meet a pre-defined criteria, as well as the right to refuse any and all work should the quota not be met ($25k 7mos. = $3,500 /mo.)
 
I think that the lack of freedom to take other Gigs IF they don't have something lined up for you is the big sticking point.

Why not work with them and hammer out something that allows you to take other business IF they don't have a gig lined up for you on one of those nights?

And indicate that it makes no sense for you to stay home just becuase they don't have something lined up.

Asides from the obvious Saturday nights, how does this affect you on other days? In other words, what business on Fri and Sun do you lose if you do this contract?

If you usually do not have Fri or Sun lined up, this doesnt seem to be a big deal..but if you've got regular recurrign biz on those nights, tell 'em and let them coutner offer again. they obviously want to work with you, tell them what thew obstacles are, and find a way to overcome it.
 
Thunder, many on this board have posted some really good questions and stratagies. You will have a difficult time talking yourself out of guaranteed income. Good luck with your meeting.
 
bill_smith said:
I think that the lack of freedom to take other Gigs IF they don't have something lined up for you is the big sticking point.

Why not work with them and hammer out something that allows you to take other business IF they don't have a gig lined up for you on one of those nights?

And indicate that it makes no sense for you to stay home just becuase they don't have something lined up.

I am going to work on that with them when we meet since there are three of us.

Asides from the obvious Saturday nights, how does this affect you on other days? In other words, what business on Fri and Sun do you lose if you do this contract?

The only day that it will really affect is a regular bar gig on Friday nights and since they aren't interested in June as a DJ at their facility, I am going to suggest that she be allowed to work that night! It does not affect Monday thru Thusday at all. While I don't have regular gigs on Sundays anymore I still book an event on Sunday from time to time (about one every two months now) but doing without them really doesn't bother me!

If you usually do not have Fri or Sun lined up, this doesnt seem to be a big deal..but if you've got regular recurrign biz on those nights, tell 'em and let them coutner offer again. they obviously want to work with you, tell them what thew obstacles are, and find a way to overcome it.
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Working on a preposal sheet from the feedback I get here!
 
Kirby Ball said:
If you're "interested" make them a counter offer on some of the concerns you have with their stipulations. If they really want you, they may alter some of their positions. :dontknow:

If they won't negotiate then you either take their terms or walk away. The ball is in your court.
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Im with Kirb. I would work in s stipulation thaqt blocks out this timeframe for them, but that also places a minimum booking time for each date within that block.

In otherwords, yes, you will make yourself available to them from March to October, but you reserve the right to book dates that they have no allocated you for once it hits X number of days (60) prior to that date. Ask them to look at theiur typical booking trends. Venues are booked FAR in advance of the date, and if they don't have anything booked for you for one of those days within 60 days of the event, what are the chances they will pull something out of the hat last-minute?

Get them to realize we're talking about weddings here, which tend to book X number of months in advance, and as a business, you need to have a failsafe in place to protect yourself from potential lost revenue when THEY are unable to book a date for you within 60 days or so prior.

Thats how I would try to work it.
 
Steve's gonna can this!


Why? Because I have an infinite view of the Universe. Not really, but he's not stupid, and likes money like I do! :)

This is not in his best interest. He wants to retire, and not be bound by a contract.


Personally, I'm thinking he may open a partnership with the kid, on a Tae Kwon Do/Bubble Party/BBQ Joint... First of its kind :)


Sorry, it's late -- best I could do :D
 
Ilet would love to know who this ignoramous is. You feel the need to be stupid here? I will light you up like no tomorrow come on LET US DANCE YA LOSER!!:triwink:
 
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