So, I am working on NYE... and it is an unusual barter.

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DJ Zac said:
Shane - I must respectfully disagree... Personally (like many of the DJs on ODJT) I get plenty of paid gigs of my own, and I would tune out someone who posted weekly to talk about another paid event pretty quickly...

I mean, is it REALLY of interest to you (or anyone here) to read about which paid booking I got THIS week? However, reading about ALTERNATIVE methods of doing business, and ways of marketing that allow you to get your name out while still making a buck or two is kind of interesting... Personally I'm bringing Chuck's idea from the "karate school" to a local school of my own to see if we can work out a deal for a Saturday afternoon deal in February when I'd otherwise be sitting at home...

Barter is a recognized form of commerce (to the point that the IRS expects you to claim any benefit from barter just as you would cash.) I've personally worked deals with my mechanic to provide services for his wedding in exchange for auto repair services, I've done work for a videographer in return for pro video shooting and editing...

If posts from certain folks aren't to your taste, you can certainly choose not to read them or as a last resort, there's always the "Ignore" function...

YMMV...
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So since I don't agree 100% with the OP I must ignore him? Becuase you do not agree with my opinion are you now going to ignore me?

I didn't mean he has to post every single paid gig, but it would be nice to hear about a paid gig inbetween the freebies and other non dj post he makes. I am not against bartering or performing free to get your name out there but in both of his situations I have disagreed with his decision.
 
ahoustondj said:
Shane,
Barter is a legitimate form of business. You are getting something in return for your services not to mention exposure and additional gigs from others intimately involved.
I was heavy into Barter Exchange in the 80's early 90s where I belonged to a pool where you had given members offering different services and products. You did not necessarily have to barter with a given person or company. When you traded services you got "Barter Dollars" in exchange which you could use at another member's business to get what you want. They in turn would recoup any Trade Dollars spent and add it to their Trading Bank Account.
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I am aware of what batering is, I have bartered my services before and will still barter my services for a fair trade.

When have I said that I was not for batering? In his scenario I wouldn't do what he has chosen to do, simple as that. Or I would at least take gift cards in exchange for my services, not just 6 months of once a week dining at the same place.
 
shanefrom302 said:
Becuase you do not agree with my opinion are you now going to ignore me?
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Shane - Never said you'd end up on my "ignore" list. In fact, only one member has made that particular list, and he worked pretty hard to get there! :)

I'm off now to tonight's paid gig. It's a Sweet 16 for a lovely young lady and about 150 of her closest friends... See ya'll tomorrow!
 
Guys....

Agree to disagree and drop it....
 
shanefrom302 said:
I am aware of what batering is, I have bartered my services before and will still barter my services for a fair trade.

When have I said that I was not for batering? In his scenario I wouldn't do what he has chosen to do, simple as that. Or I would at least take gift cards in exchange for my services, not just 6 months of once a week dining at the same place.
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Well, the place is less than one week old, and they don't have gift cards yet.

But how about this? They already gave me a lead when I signed the contract this morning for a wedding that they will be catering. I just called those folks and left a message, and they plan to call the people too.

Also, they told me that "Most large gatherings of Indians have a DJ"... and the reason they told me this is that they are already being hired as caterers for Indian events, and are renting halls to do these events, and they plan to push paid DJ work my way.

Also, as I have sad MANY times here before, I don't DJ because I need money. I do it because I enjoy it. Now would I DJ big events for free? Nope. I like money. Will I barter? You betcha.

In the last year I have had 3 barters.

I DJ'd 2 one hour bubble parties for the YMCA... in exchange for a full family membership for a year.... value: over $1000 for the membership. For about 5 hours of work, including setup and tear down.

I DJ'd a house painter's sister's wedding in exchange for a $1400 painting job in my home.... guess who worked less hours and didn't have to buy paint?

I DJ'd a 3 hour event for a catering hall at no charge. In exchange I got a free hall rental and 50% off an event I held for family and friends.

On top of all that, I have posted a few parties I did for money, with pictures.

So, you see, I do as much DJing as I want to because I don't need the money. I don't want to do too much DJing or it might feel like a job. Plus, I easily turn down 20% of all people who call me. I only work with people I think I will enjoy working with.

I am not like any other DJ I know. And I like the way I work just fine.
 
The fact the guy caters to weddings and other events that you could possibly DJ at makes the barter totally worth it then. Before without you mentioning that I didn't see the benefit. Now I can see how this gig could turn into a great relationship.
 
shanefrom302 said:
The fact the guy caters to weddings and other events that you could possibly DJ at makes the barter totally worth it then. Before without you mentioning that I didn't see the benefit. Now I can see how this gig could turn into a great relationship.
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Well, to be honest, I only found that out today... after my original post.
 
Steve LeBlanc said:
Don't be a tool when responding.....This response comes of as just that:triwink:
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He said "Don't be a tool when responding" -- Good one Steve... yorofl:


Anyway, in the context of the other posts relating to this food thing by the kid, it made perfect sense to question the whole barter for food thing.

Some of us read most threads, and when you put the whole thing into context, it makes sense that this was probably not a good idea...



He's since resolved that with portion control, and 17 referrals. Cool! Anyway, gotta run -- I need to down an 8 oz beer before I hit that AA meeting... ;)
 
Papa,
You need a long convo with Jon and DJ Shaun to get the music that will surprise the customers.
 
DJ SVO said:
Papa,
You need a long convo with Jon and DJ Shaun to get the music that will surprise the customers.
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Well, they only want about 5 -10 Indian songs for the 3 hours and they are providing a homemade greatest hits CD.... the rest is whatever I want to play. It's a restaurant, so all kinds of people will be there.
 
Papa Deuce said:
Well, they only want about 5 -10 Indian songs for the 3 hours and they are providing a homemade greatest hits CD.... the rest is whatever I want to play. It's a restaurant, so all kinds of people will be there.
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Yes, what I described incorrectly is not for the restaurant gig but, for Hindu weddings and parties.
 
DJ SVO said:
Yes, what I described incorrectly is not for the restaurant gig but, for Hindu weddings and parties.
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Ah... OK... gotcha.
 
dapperdan said:
How does restaurant Djing work? Are people still eating while you play? I have never done one and am curious how it works out. Do they just move tables from one area for you?
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I only need a very small area for this restaurant. They only have about 75 seats. In fact, I am only using a Carvin Stagemate, or my Fender passport and a laptop.... no lights.... I provide my own 6' table with a skirt / facade. and I will just use my CD Mix2, and a netbook.
 
So I DJ'd at the Indian place TONIGHT....

and damn do they know how to party!

Thy guy I made the deal with called me TODAY to ask me to work TONIGHT.... He had a private party for 22 people.

LOL, so this will really drive Shane nuts, I bet... but at least I got paid. And I took 2 -3 pics, but they are just of the room and my gear... So no big thing to look at.

The guy says to me, "I'm closing the restaurant to all but people who come in for takeout tonight. I have this party for 22 people that I just booked a few hours ago. I can't pay much because I doubt I will even make $500 in sales, but the guy who booked is a very prominent ( Indian ) heart surgeon, and I'm trying to get his wife's 50th birthday party, which will be a HUGE event.... maybe 500 people will be there, so, can you work for $100 for 2 hours?"


Well, I actually did work it, and I ended up making almost $300 including tips from the clients.... The doctor gave me $100 to stay an extra 15 minutes!

Long story made real short, the doctor said the same thing that the restaurant owner said.... that Indians almost always have DJs at their events. And he asked me to call him next week about me DJing his wife's birthday party.... No guarantees that I'll get it, but he did tip me $100 and we seemed to get along well when we chatted. If I were a betting man, I would bet that I end up with this event.

Anyway, at first, I admit, I SUCKED as a DJ when they came in. I was pretty clueless about what to play, Indian music or otherwise. The owner gave me 2 CD's that his wife made up, so I had some Indian to play.

After I played enough of it, it was obvious that what they wanted was FAST music. They didn't really want any slow stuff. So eventually that clicked and I was able to keep them happy.

All night, I saw these 22 people, and MAYBE 5 people come in for takeout.

The way I look at it, about $300 on a Thursday night for about 3.5 hours including set up and breakdown and travel time isn't bad at all. Plus it looks like I have a really good shot at getting this huge event.

Tonight, all I used was a netbook, and my Fender Passport, with my Mix 2 for backup. No lights. Not even a microphone.

BTW, I would never have guessed, but Indians love to party their butts off! This place is BYOB, and they had 3 cases of beer, wine, 2 bottles of vodka, and I was told that somebody went out to the liquor store during the party.

All that for 22 people.... and I bet 5 of them were just young kids! And they had an absolute blast! But not even a tiny bit of dancing.... zero, zilch, nada. But they were laughing and partying and having more fun than just about any event I have ever been to.
 
Papa Deuce said:
and damn do they know how to party!

Thy guy I made the deal with called me TODAY to ask me to work TONIGHT.... He had a private party for 22 people.

LOL, so this will really drive Shane nuts, I bet... but at least I got paid. And I took 2 -3 pics, but they are just of the room and my gear... So no big thing to look at.

The guy says to me, "I'm closing the restaurant to all but people who come in for takeout tonight. I have this party for 22 people that I just booked a few hours ago. I can't pay much because I doubt I will even make $500 in sales, but the guy who booked is a very prominent ( Indian ) heart surgeon, and I'm trying to get his wife's 50th birthday party, which will be a HUGE event.... maybe 500 people will be there, so, can you work for $100 for 2 hours?"


Well, I actually did work it, and I ended up making almost $300 including tips from the clients.... The doctor gave me $100 to stay an extra 15 minutes!

Long story made real short, the doctor said the same thing that the restaurant owner said.... that Indians almost always have DJs at their events. And he asked me to call him next week about me DJing his wife's birthday party.... No guarantees that I'll get it, but he did tip me $100 and we seemed to get along well when we chatted. If I were a betting man, I would bet that I end up with this event.

Anyway, at first, I admit, I SUCKED as a DJ when they came in. I was pretty clueless about what to play, Indian music or otherwise. The owner gave me 2 CD's that his wife made up, so I had some Indian to play.

After I played enough of it, it was obvious that what they wanted was FAST music. They didn't really want any slow stuff. So eventually that clicked and I was able to keep them happy.

All night, I saw these 22 people, and MAYBE 5 people come in for takeout.

The way I look at it, about $300 on a Thursday night for about 3.5 hours including set up and breakdown and travel time isn't bad at all. Plus it looks like I have a really good shot at getting this huge event.

Tonight, all I used was a netbook, and my Fender Passport, with my Mix 2 for backup. No lights. Not even a microphone.

BTW, I would never have guessed, but Indians love to party their butts off! This place is BYOB, and they had 3 cases of beer, wine, 2 bottles of vodka, and I was told that somebody went out to the liquor store during the party.

All that for 22 people.... and I bet 5 of them were just young kids! And they had an absolute blast! But not even a tiny bit of dancing.... zero, zilch, nada. But they were laughing and partying and having more fun than just about any event I have ever been to.
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Papa,
I think you hit a Gold Mine. I have some Indian music and can share some links with you. However they don't always want to hear their own music.
My first wife was of Indian descent. Now you know why I learned to make Hot pepper Sauce.
 
Papa Deuce said:
LOL, so this will really drive Shane nuts, I bet... but at least I got paid.
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hmmmm why would this drive me nuts? It actually makes me proud that you are accepting cash for gigs instead of food or nothing but the hopes of getting good word of mouth refferals.

I would love to see the pics too even if it is of nothing.

Congrats and Happy Holidays!
 
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