The Wedding DJ Saga (this actually applies to all DJs)

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What sets my company apart from the others? My company is the only one that can offer you my services, the only one that can offer you me.

Am I better than the others? Honestly, there may be some that are better than me but it is your perception, not mine, that will make that decision.

There are some DJs that have more experience than me but less talent and there are some DJs that have more talent than me but less experience but there is only one me. That and some phone numbers of some past clients that have experience my services is what I am bringing to the table.

As to what I do outside of DJing I will tell you that DJing is not my only career; outside of that, honestly, it is none of your business and will have no imopact on the services I deliver to you.

I have actually answered those questions in the above manner in the past. The ones that did not like the answer were not my clients. The ones that did hired me and then hired me for other events because they realized that I wasn't being cockey, just honest.
 
Here's my take...

It is true that you're making people uncomfortable when you put them on the spot like that. You may not get the best answer, or the answer that you're looking for because the DJ that you're questioning may be nervous about how to answer the question, and is probably wondering "what's the right answer to close this sale".

I haven't seen many DJs perform and I'm not one to call around (or have other people call around) to get info on how other DJs operate. To me, it's irrelevant. Every DJ is different, whether they offer the same equipment or not. Some may have a more upbeat personality and some may be more laid back.

You will probably be better off asking your potential DJ direct questions to get the answers that you are looking for. Questions such as:

Q: Are you highly interactive or not? If not, are you able to entertain a crowd in the event that there is a lapse in the timeline?

Q: Do you provide any other services, or do you have any special talents that we should consider before making our decision?

While you're at it, you should come up with the budget for your DJ. There is quite a difference between the $900 DJ and the $1,800 DJ. Pitting those two DJs together is not going to get you anywhere. Let's assume that your budget is $900. It is unlikely that even IF the $1,800 DJ had some amazingly special presence or talent that you would spend double your budget on him just because of it.

It is more realistic for you to begin comparing the DJs that fall within your budget.

If you were to ask me the question that you posed to the room, I could not answer it with any real honesty. I absolutely don't know what the other guys bring to the table, so I have no clue what sets me apart from them.

I can tell you that I am professional, I return calls promptly, I make every attempt to meet the needs and the wishes of the client, I don't gouge the client when it comes to price, I interract with the client in order to get the most information possible in order to make their day the best that I can, I'm courteous, I'm punctual, I'm easy to talk with, and I don't blow smoke up my client's ass. What you see is what you get. If you don't like me for that, or my references can't sway you, feel free to move on to the next guy or gal... I probably didn't want to work with you anyway. :sqwink:
 
Esoteric said:
Nope, but all things being equal (as the original poster said) then the only difference is one thinks he is worth more and one has set a reasonable price.

Mike
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All things being equal was the exact opposite of what was being sought.
 
If you take this response like a slam, that's cause it is...
You guys need to DJ your own wedding. And you did not have to mention how old you were, it was apparent.
What sets me apart from your DJ that offers the same at half the price is obvious; twice the pay.
You guys are bride/groomzillas. This is not meant as "food for thought."
Why do people have the double upcharge for weddings? It's to compensate for customers like you. I would still try to get the job and not say you are not for me but I will get paid for it.

Mind you, I did not read all the posts so some of the things I said may have been covered already. I sure hope so.
Is that response real enough for you?
Do you talk to the dress and cake people the same way? How about the venues? Of course you do!

Johnny, Dan and the gang know that I am never one to start strife here but you guys need some good old fashioned adult scolding! Stop and listen for a change. Even though the wedding is all about you, life is not all about you. It's about all of those around you as well!
Pet peeves and website music is venting. but don't hide behind such a cliche' excuse. Take off the blinders. It is their decision and choice. If it looks good to them, it's good. Leave people alone and get a band. What questions would you ask a band? How many songs in a minor key would be played? Do they use drop tuning? Is the drummer using a left handed kit? Does he tune his drums properly?
I cannot wait to hear the report of your wedding. It's kinda why I like listening to Dr. Laura or watch the View. The drama is addicting!
(now I am sure you will report the DJ was perfect since you made the best self reflecting decision.) When you guys sell your stuff, let me know. You guys are cry babies!


now you can add me to your list... of no one is worthy!

This is more of a reply from Juan Mares and Not MC Johnny Cruz. Not seeing this as a Dj response.
 
djrox said:
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All things being equal was the exact opposite of what was being sought.
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Huh? Please keep up. Lets check the replay Bob.

Ducky said
The question of "what sets you apart" spun from the fact that I'll get a quote from a $900 DJ and an $1800 that both offer the same equipment and services - in the same area! There's gotta be at least one reason that one DJ is charging double the amount of the other DJ.

So I answered
Yeah, he decided he was "worth more" and set his price higher.

So, we have two people with the same services, same equipment, in the same area, yet one charges $900 and the other $1800. So, all things being equal (which they are in this example), one thinks he is worth more and is charging more than the market will bear (as to why, there are any number of reasons, most of them not valid) while one fairly valuing his services and is charging a reasonable price (again, the question of why leads to many answers that we can not/should not speculate on).

We were, in these posts simply talking about the price of one DJ versus another, not about the skill of the DJ, etc. I know that you guys hate talking about prices around here, but all things being equal price is another factor. If I can get the exact same item at Target for $15 why would I go to Macy's and pay $30?

Mike
 
MC Johnny Cruz said:
If you take this response like a slam, that's cause it is...
You guys need to DJ your own wedding. And you did not have to mention how old you were, it was apparent.
What sets me apart from your DJ that offers the same at half the price is obvious; twice the pay.
You guys are bride/groomzillas. This is not meant as "food for thought."
Why do people have the double upcharge for weddings? It's to compensate for customers like you. I would still try to get the job and not say you are not for me but I will get paid for it.

Mind you, I did not read all the posts so some of the things I said may have been covered already. I sure hope so.
Is that response real enough for you?
Do you talk to the dress and cake people the same way? How about the venues? Of course you do!

Johnny, Dan and the gang know that I am never one to start strife here but you guys need some good old fashioned adult scolding! Stop and listen for a change. Even though the wedding is all about you, life is not all about you. It's about all of those around you as well!
Pet peeves and website music is venting. but don't hide behind such a cliche' excuse. Take off the blinders. It is their decision and choice. If it looks good to them, it's good. Leave people alone and get a band. What questions would you ask a band? How many songs in a minor key would be played? Do they use drop tuning? Is the drummer using a left handed kit? Does he tune his drums properly?
I cannot wait to hear the report of your wedding. It's kinda why I like listening to Dr. Laura or watch the View. The drama is addicting!
(now I am sure you will report the DJ was perfect since you made the best self reflecting decision.) When you guys sell your stuff, let me know. You guys are cry babies!


now you can add me to your list... of no one is worthy!
Click to expand...

Do you slam all your wedding clients like that? I don't know what it's like in Colorado, but from I can tell, the majority of people who are dishing out the dough for their first (and hopefully only) weddings are our age. Perhaps it is you who should listen! Try by reading all the posts first. And yes, this is meant to be a slam! :sqmad:
 
I'll get a quote from a $900 DJ and an $1800 that both offer the same equipment and services - in the same area! There's gotta be at least one reason that one DJ is charging double the amount of the other DJ.
Click to expand...

This is pretty darn easy. One of the DJs is in higher demand.
Probably for a good reason - which is talent.
 
MC Johnny Cruz said:
If you take this response like a slam, that's cause it is...
You guys need to DJ your own wedding. And you did not have to mention how old you were, it was apparent.
What sets me apart from your DJ that offers the same at half the price is obvious; twice the pay.
You guys are bride/groomzillas. This is not meant as "food for thought."
Why do people have the double upcharge for weddings? It's to compensate for customers like you. I would still try to get the job and not say you are not for me but I will get paid for it.

Mind you, I did not read all the posts so some of the things I said may have been covered already. I sure hope so.
Is that response real enough for you?
Do you talk to the dress and cake people the same way? How about the venues? Of course you do!

Johnny, Dan and the gang know that I am never one to start strife here but you guys need some good old fashioned adult scolding! Stop and listen for a change. Even though the wedding is all about you, life is not all about you. It's about all of those around you as well!
Pet peeves and website music is venting. but don't hide behind such a cliche' excuse. Take off the blinders. It is their decision and choice. If it looks good to them, it's good. Leave people alone and get a band. What questions would you ask a band? How many songs in a minor key would be played? Do they use drop tuning? Is the drummer using a left handed kit? Does he tune his drums properly?
I cannot wait to hear the report of your wedding. It's kinda why I like listening to Dr. Laura or watch the View. The drama is addicting!
(now I am sure you will report the DJ was perfect since you made the best self reflecting decision.) When you guys sell your stuff, let me know. You guys are cry babies!


now you can add me to your list... of no one is worthy!

This is more of a reply from Juan Mares and Not MC Johnny Cruz. Not seeing this as a Dj response.
Click to expand...

WOW!!!!! What riled you so? Are you the $1800 DJ of which they speak?
 
can I really afford to base my decision upon such an assumption?
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Not at all. You may not need the talents of a $1,800.00 dj. In that case you would be wasting money.
I think to say all things being equal a $900 dj and a $1,800 dj are pretty much the same is a strange thing to say unless the 2 were clones.

I'm starting to think that this is either all made up or an exercise of some sort - At least I hope so.
 
DJ Ducky said:
Do you slam all your wedding clients like that? I don't know what it's like in Colorado, but from I can tell, the majority of people who are dishing out the dough for their first (and hopefully only) weddings are our age. Perhaps it is you who should listen! Try by reading all the posts first. And yes, this is meant to be a slam! :sqmad:
Click to expand...

it is pretty clear that I was not addressing you as a potential client. Different hat, different conversation!
 
Breathe people breathe........ please remember we try and be respectful of each other here.

Now I know I posted a smart ass comment, but after reading this I do want to tell you one thing that I tell people who call and meet me...This is what I say to them

"what it comes down to is personality,,, do you feel comfortable with that DJ as a person? And this goes for all your wedding vendors, you want to make sure that you feel comfortable with them because the day of your wedding, you want to be relax and celebrate and have a great time with your friends and family".......


You can get a feeling of them by the way they talk to you and interact with you.

It's not about who does what or who has what gear because to be honest, even in these posts, I don't really see anyone doing anything special or unique. It all comes down to the DJ personality when you are sitting there meeting with them. If that happens to be the $1800 DJ great, if it's the $600.00 DJ great.
 
Mark,

Ok how about this one, The $900 DJ has a more personable personality and apparent talent that the $1800 DJ but all other things are pretty much equal. The only difference is the $900 DJ isn't stuck on his own ego and and likes doing more than a couple of gigs a year.

Now sell me the $1800 DJ!
 
Thunder said:
Mark,

Ok how about this one, The $900 DJ has a more personable personality and apparent talent that the $1800 DJ but all other things are pretty much equal. The only difference is the $900 DJ isn't stuck on his own ego and and likes doing more than a couple of gigs a year.

Now sell me the $1800 DJ!
Click to expand...

I'll do you one better, they are both personable, and they have apparently equal talent.

Still sell me the $1800 DJ!

Mike
 
Mark,

Ok how about this one, The $900 DJ has a more personable personality and apparent talent that the $1800 DJ but all other things are pretty much equal. The only difference is the $900 DJ isn't stuck on his own ego and and likes doing more than a couple of gigs a year.

Now sell me the $1800 DJ!
Click to expand...

Read what Chuck wrote.
If I had to have Chuck for a party and Chuck was $1800 then I would only have 1 option.
 
Mike...... if the $900 and $1800 DJ are exactly the same, why would you even need a discussion? Hire the $900.00 DJ... Don't ask us to sell you on them, ask them to.

Steve...... I wouldn't assume that just because someone charges $1800 for an event, they they only do a couple events a year.

If they are charging that I would bet it is because they are comfortable with that price and feel that they are worth it for what ever reason.

If they do only a couple of events a year, maybe that's all they want to do. If the do 1 a month that's an extra $21,600 a year, not enough to live on, but a nice extra income.

Don't rip on DJs who charge more. It is their choice to do so and they have all the right to run their business they same way that you have top run yours.
 
Chuck,

I am not ripping on anyone regardless of or because of what they charge, I am responding to the "you only get talent if the DJ is charging XXXX number of dollars" Which is a totally false assumption.

As for doing more than a couple of gigs a year at an inflated rate I am basing that entirely on what has been said by DJ on this and other boards.

Because:

There are only so many hours in a week!

Most who claim these rates also claim extensive service and a tremendous amount of prep, meeting and hand holding time!

Most who claim these rates also have full time jobs which have to be attended!

And some have said "I am doing my second $2000 job this year"! Now where does that leave us in the ASSumption department!
 
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