This is what he got for $250.

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
I found this video of the same fundraiser in 2015. Mix, if this was your sound setup, it wasn't worth what they paid you.

The sound at last year's event was alright, but not great:

Regardless, the plea at 1:10 for donations shows you that this is an event to raise money for a cause, and for a group that values every cent that they're given. If 9 1/2 hours was too much time for you to donate, you easily could have found some DJ friends to pitch in a few hours of their time and make it a group effort.
 
OK, So I have skimmed the posts here, a lot of static to Mix for something I agree with. There is a line that it comes down to when it comes to cost. I have lost gigs over $50, $100. It is the chance we take when we draw that line and stand on it.

Some of you said the old "well he's working and you're not" ... well DUH! Why doesn't everyone charge $200 and then you will always be working.

Everyone, EVERYONE has lost a gig because of money, if for some reason I am wrong and you haven't, then you are below bottom feeding.

We always need the money, that's why we have to work, but that line that we wont cross is one of the reasons we are all our own bosses, we like to be able to make those choices our self. And that line is harder to work with when DJs like myself are fulltime, only income DJs who don't have a "day job" to bail us out.

And having a place like this, to vent is great.
 
Putting aside the whole $50 debate of was it worth losing out over... If you're claiming that you're looking to do higher paying gigs, you're better off doing this event for free as a donation of services. That way you don't really lower your worth if you want to charge $600 or 700 in the future. By offering $300, you're essentially telling people you're a $300 dj. Personally, I've learned over the years that these type of "charity" public events are useless in growing your brand and reaching to the clientele you want. Unless its an actual dinner dance where people are dressed up, and you have a chance to really shine, I wouldn't even look at these events.
 
Personally, I've learned over the years that these type of "charity" public events are useless in growing your brand and reaching to the clientele you want. Unless its an actual dinner dance where people are dressed up, and you have a chance to really shine, I wouldn't even look at these events.

The key to charity events is to only do them if you feel passionate about the charity and actually want to help. If you're simply looking for a gig, they don't pay well, and the "promo" aspect could work, but isn't anything you can count on.

I support one charity event annually, I donate my services for free, and I don't expect anything back.
 
The key to charity events is to only do them if you feel passionate about the charity and actually want to help. If you're simply looking for a gig, they don't pay well, and the "promo" aspect could work, but isn't anything you can count on.

I support one charity event annually, I donate my services for free, and I don't expect anything back.

bingo! :)
 
OK, So I have skimmed the posts here, a lot of static to Mix for something I agree with. There is a line that it comes down to when it comes to cost. I have lost gigs over $50, $100. It is the chance we take when we draw that line and stand on it.

Some of you said the old "well he's working and you're not" ... well DUH! Why doesn't everyone charge $200 and then you will always be working.

Everyone, EVERYONE has lost a gig because of money, if for some reason I am wrong and you haven't, then you are below bottom feeding.

We always need the money, that's why we have to work, but that line that we wont cross is one of the reasons we are all our own bosses, we like to be able to make those choices our self. And that line is harder to work with when DJs like myself are fulltime, only income DJs who don't have a "day job" to bail us out.

And having a place like this, to vent is great.

If he didn't actually GO to the event for 4.5 hours, and take pictures of the "other" DJ(s), I might agree with you.

There is also a difference when you actually have other gigs rolling in and this one would be number 12 .. as opposed to having about 3 gigs this year, but a claimed desire to do more.

It's tough to hurt a brand that one doesn't have ...
 
Mix if these guys were that bad then next year you should have no problem getting this event and get 300.00 for it

See Post 1
... Now he wanted to know how much for us to do it next year. We already discussed the price that we would do it for. It's worth much more then that but we're being fair with the guy since it is a fund raiser. I told him $350 and he quickly shook my hand. He didn't even hesitate because he knows with me being a part of it next year it will be tight to the right and not anything like the mess he got this year!

Not only is he charging $50 more - he's upped it another $50. The '$50 disagreement' was over $250-$300. According to Post 1, he'll be charging $350 next year.
 
I'm getting $350 to do it next year.

And if you were only giving them 4 hours of performance time, that would be a
Why are u giving up a date this far in advance for only $350?

...What he said!


...It is not booked until they have signed an agreement, and paid a deposit to secure your services, and hold the date. Verbal Agreements do not count as a booking.
 
OK, So I have skimmed the posts here, a lot of static to Mix for something I agree with. There is a line that it comes down to when it comes to cost. I have lost gigs over $50, $100. It is the chance we take when we draw that line and stand on it.

Some of you said the old "well he's working and you're not" ... well DUH! Why doesn't everyone charge $200 and then you will always be working.

Everyone, EVERYONE has lost a gig because of money, if for some reason I am wrong and you haven't, then you are below bottom feeding.

We always need the money, that's why we have to work, but that line that we wont cross is one of the reasons we are all our own bosses, we like to be able to make those choices our self. And that line is harder to work with when DJs like myself are fulltime, only income DJs who don't have a "day job" to bail us out.

And having a place like this, to vent is great.
You nailed it. There comes to a point how low do you go? There comes a time that no matter how bad you want a gig, you just have to say no whatever the reason is. Sometimes by saying no you get people to respect what you do.

The thing is if their budget is not to your liking, can you get them to a price point that makes you both happy. Then there are times when you're too far apart and you have to pass.

Got a referral for a job by my friend DJ Jay Jay. It was for a Sunday. The event was for a 29 year old grad party at a house in Englewood, NJ. 20 people attending the event. My partner got the call and bottom line the father wanted to pay $150. He turned it down. I was fine with that.

As for the videos that was my partner. The sound was the way he wanted it bad. He told me he did it that way on purpose because he wanted him to understand if you want better quality sound you got to spend a little more money. So now he gets it. Just that simple.
 
You nailed it. There comes to a point how low do you go? There comes a time that no matter how bad you want a gig, you just have to say no whatever the reason is. Sometimes by saying no you get people to respect what you do.

The thing is if their budget is not to your liking, can you get them to a price point that makes you both happy. Then there are times when you're too far apart and you have to pass.

Got a referral for a job by my friend DJ Jay Jay. It was for a Sunday. The event was for a 29 year old grad party at a house in Englewood, NJ. 20 people attending the event. My partner got the call and bottom line the father wanted to pay $150. He turned it down. I was fine with that.

As for the videos that was my partner. The sound was the way he wanted it bad. He told me he did it that way on purpose because he wanted him to understand if you want better quality sound you got to spend a little more money. So now he gets it. Just that simple.
So much wrong with this paragraph. Why are you attracting $150 clients?? Simple... look at the last paragraph... your "partner" purposely shows up with equipment that is subpar to prove a point. Well the only point that was proven is that you're not worth the money and thats why $150 clients call. If you get hired to do a job, you do the job right regardless of cost. Otherwise don't take it. Bad business ethics right there.
 
So much wrong with this paragraph. Why are you attracting $150 clients?? Simple... look at the last paragraph... your "partner" purposely shows up with equipment that is subpar to prove a point. Well the only point that was proven is that you're not worth the money and thats why $150 clients call. If you get hired to do a job, you do the job right regardless of cost. Otherwise don't take it. Bad business ethics right there.

+ 1,000,000,...,...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ausumm
So much wrong with this paragraph. Why are you attracting $150 clients?? Simple... look at the last paragraph... your "partner" purposely shows up with equipment that is subpar to prove a point. Well the only point that was proven is that you're not worth the money and thats why $150 clients call. If you get hired to do a job, you do the job right regardless of cost. Otherwise don't take it. Bad business ethics right there.
As much I hate to agree with you I must. If it were me I would have done the job right so I don't look bad. The people attending the event usually don't know what you're being paid. All they know and see is that's a sorry sound system. I was out of that one.
 
As much I hate to agree with you I must. If it were me I would have done the job right so I don't look bad. The people attending the event usually don't know what you're being paid. All they know and see is that's a sorry sound system. I was out of that one.
If that's true then we have no choice but to ask why is that person still a "partner" or associated with you in any way