What 'upcharge' would you put on this request?

djtaso said:

Mix, and everyone that used this philosophy... the choice of venue has nothing to do with how much one is willing to spend on a DJ or any other vendor for that matter. The Venetian charged 200-300 a plate, yet couples still hire a DJ whose doing a wedding for the first time and the matre d ends up having to do the introductions.

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You just proved my point. The wedding is taking place in a place like the Venetian where it's $200-300 a plate and yet book a DJ who this is thei first time they are doing a wedding. Obviously picking someone like that they aren't breaking the bank to pay this DJ.

djcrazychris said:

highly familiar with that area... its got a great vibe...lots of tourism.... earthy hipsters visiting to take part in outdoorsy stuff like white water rafting...camping and once a year....jumping off the bridge...lol.

lodging near the gorge might get expensive...closest hotels are either in Summersville or Beckley... Id say Beckley is your best bet... although if you are coming from up north u will probably come in from the summersville side.

I would take your normal rate for a 6 hour wedding and ceremony set up and tack on 4 or 5 hundred.

cc

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My wife and used to raft on the NRG every May...
with about 200 other nutjobs from Pennsylvania.
(for us, it was an 8-hour ride ONE way)

I would imagine that the "double" part of the wedding is just two brides and two grooms.
But the 8-hour drive time, overnight stay(s), and the extended length would add a pretty penny to the bill.

Only you can decide what your time is worth...
but it would be several hundred for travel PLUS hotel room(s).

steve149 said:

Maybe the DJ portion just wasn't that important to them. I'm sure Taso has experiences where HIS pay was more than the room rental for some events. Everyone has different priorities.

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I agree. Now what happens when the entertainment is lousy? There's no do over. I don't know anyone of us that hasn't had a potential client that didn't agree with the price we quote them. Sometimes nothing you can do but move on.

Simple to move on from free.

IceBurghDJ said:

Most folks - 80-90% - follow a typical bride budget.
Some will blow the budget on what THEY value most - could be the photogapher or DJ or soemthing else.
Others will skimp on stuff that matters little to them.

I've seen over the top cakes, and once where the cake was 3 tiers - 2 styrofoam and one to cut - guests got sheetcake from the back.

i've been the most expensive vendor at a wedding, and the cheapest. When they roll up in a $100,000 car and have a $150/plate venue but think $800 is too much to spend on a photographer...

I photographed a wedding where the venue was a VFW, the family brought covered dishes, cash bar - I was by far the most expensive thing at the wedding.

But those are not the norm.

When I bride picks a venue and its 150 guests at $45/plate - $8000 or so, for the reception, centerpieces, cake chair covers - ALL of it- it's highly unlikely they'll spend $2000 on the DJ.

Also a lot probably depends on the folks getting married, who's paying, etc. 24 yrs old and just outta college and they gotta pay? it's gonna be a budget most likely. Well to do parents paying? May be different.

Also, in my county $45/plate is the main price, 75 can be found at a country club. I doubt there's anything higher. There is a new venue..I will have to ask next time I am there, but even thought they spent $1 million on 3 chandeliers, they're doing a prom and I know they won't pay over $30/plate.

The banquet my club does was $20/person...buffet. No hors doerves, no dessert (it's allmost all men). Cash bar - $3/beer. $4/wine or mixed drink. Going rate here for food. Fancy beer, craft, etc is $6 a beer.

Lower cost of living means many things. Lower rates too.

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Our industry follows the 80/20 Rule.

80% of all the customers out there will be throwing budget events, and either book with the cheapest price they find from a vendor who is available, or the lowest price from a vendor they are comfortable with. 4 out of every 5 clients out there will book in this fashion. You will find this type of clientele on thumbtack, gig salad, gig masters, craigslist. SOME of these clients will book out of word of mouth, but usually after doing a lot of research, and comparing the price quote to others they find. Rarely will this type of client choose a high priced vendor. Majority of these clients are looking to pay $200 to $650 for a DJ for their event

The other 20% is is a mixture. Many of them will go for "middle of the road" Some will book because of a certain ability the DJ has, or service they offer. Some will book because of being referred by a person of influence, and highly talked about by that person to the client. Some will book because they feel a great connection with the DJ (Personalities match very well). Others might book a higher price purely out of convenience to them at the time. Top 2% High End ones have a higher budget, and usually operate off of referrals from others or seeing a high end DJ at an event they went to...These people typically value the service more, and have the budget to put towards it.

$2,000 being spent on the DJ has been, and will continue to be un obtainable for most DJs. There is not enough work out there in most markets for DJs to just be able to book a bunch of $2,000 events. ...And with most DJs, in order to get to $2,000+ they have to sell multiple services.

I occasionally quote on clients having their wedding in Southern PA...Gettysburg, York, Chambersburg, Lancaster, Lebanon...I get Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, and Hershey prospects as well. ....In all these years, I have only booked ONE Wedding above $1,000 in all of these areas. That was in Gettysburg at a Country Club. I believe that 90%+ of these prospects book with under $600 DJs for their events. I quoted $475 for a Sweet 16 in York, PA on an off date with a light show included a few months ago. Prospect told me they found a number of DJs for $200 to $275...I was double, and I was trying to quote as low as I could ...I have booked a few in the $700 to $950 range years ago, and my brother routinely travels up to the Lancaster area. He books some in the $600 range up there, and rationalizes the drive since it is usually on a date he believes he is unlikely to book at that point.

DJ Ricky B said:

Our industry follows the 80/20 Rule.

80% of all the customers out there will be throwing budget events, and either book with the cheapest price they find from a vendor who is available, or the lowest price from a vendor they are comfortable with. 4 out of every 5 clients out there will book in this fashion. You will find this type of clientele on thumbtack, gig salad, gig masters, craigslist. SOME of these clients will book out of word of mouth, but usually after doing a lot of research, and comparing the price quote to others they find. Rarely will this type of client choose a high priced vendor. Majority of these clients are looking to pay $200 to $650 for a DJ for their event

The other 20% is is a mixture. Many of them will go for "middle of the road" Some will book because of a certain ability the DJ has, or service they offer. Some will book because of being referred by a person of influence, and highly talked about by that person to the client. Some will book because they feel a great connection with the DJ (Personalities match very well). Others might book a higher price purely out of convenience to them at the time. Top 2% High End ones have a higher budget, and usually operate off of referrals from others or seeing a high end DJ at an event they went to...These people typically value the service more, and have the budget to put towards it.

$2,000 being spent on the DJ has been, and will continue to be un obtainable for most DJs. There is not enough work out there in most markets for DJs to just be able to book a bunch of $2,000 events. ...And with most DJs, in order to get to $2,000+ they have to sell multiple services.

I occasionally quote on clients having their wedding in Southern PA...Gettysburg, York, Chambersburg, Lancaster, Lebanon...I get Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, and Hershey prospects as well. ....In all these years, I have only booked ONE Wedding above $1,000 in all of these areas. That was in Gettysburg at a Country Club. I believe that 90%+ of these prospects book with under $600 DJs for their events. I quoted $475 for a Sweet 16 in York, PA on an off date with a light show included a few months ago. Prospect told me they found a number of DJs for $200 to $275...I was double, and I was trying to quote as low as I could ...I have booked a few in the $700 to $950 range years ago, and my brother routinely travels up to the Lancaster area. He books some in the $600 range up there, and rationalizes the drive since it is usually on a date he believes he is unlikely to book at that point.

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I’ve been to Lancaster a few times. Did a $3800 wedding at the Marriott hotel. From that event I got 3 other inquiries for weddings. Of which I booked 2 at $3000 and $3750 (not taking place in Lancaster though). I also did a private NYE party there last month and got paid $3500 for 2 heads and uplighting.

I think based on mine and your experiences that the reality is simply you tend to attract what your brand represents. You’re budget minded, affordable, and you seem to sell like you shop... assuming your clients are always looking for the cheapest. There are plenty of clients willing to spend a lot on a DJ... just not a lot Of options. When they find one word spreads fast.

Today I got a call from Norfolk Virginia for a wedding. I have an event already booked, but She was willing to spend $5000 and pay for my hotels to get me to cancel on my existing event and come down to do hers

djtaso said:

I’ve been to Lancaster a few times. Did a $3800 wedding at the Marriott hotel. From that event I got 3 other inquiries for weddings. Of which I booked 2 at $3000 and $3750 (not taking place in Lancaster though). I also did a private NYE party there last month and got paid $3500 for 2 heads and uplighting.

I think based on mine and your experiences that the reality is simply you tend to attract what your brand represents. You’re budget minded, affordable, and you seem to sell like you shop... assuming your clients are always looking for the cheapest. There are plenty of clients willing to spend a lot on a DJ... just not a lot Of options. When they find one word spreads fast.

Today I got a call from Norfolk Virginia for a wedding. I have an event already booked, but She was willing to spend $5000 and pay for my hotels to get me to cancel on my existing event and come down to do hers

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Taso you made some good points. The thing is in your case a lot of others are captivated at what you get paid to do events. They don't look at the behind the scenes work that's needed to be done for you to get paid what you do. You have to have a website that is beyond good. It has to be spectacular. Also you just didn't get there overnight. A lot of hard work and dedication went into what you do. Also you have to consistently deliver something that will exceed a clients expectations and have people talking about what you did for a good time after the event is over. Including having people bragging to others what you did and how they had a great time with you being the DJ. Also another thing is you offer a lot of things other DJs don't offer. The other thing that makes you stand out is your videos are stellar. I personally don't like the small bits and pieces of a song on your videos but if it's working for you then great. Keep doing what you're doing.

I don't know where it's at. If it's on this thread or somewhere else. It got mentioned about sites that people go on who are looking for an inexpensive DJ. For example Craigslist is one. Since we're talking about a wedding let's keep it there. There are those out there that if you give them a price quote of $500 to do their wedding, they will think you have lost your mind. No way will they pay that much for a DJ to do their wedding. All the DJ is going to do is play music. How hard could that be? They are not looking at how many years you've been a DJ or your level of skills. They are just looking for an inexpensive DJ and $500 is way too much for them to pay a DJ.

Just in gear alone it has taken years for us to get what we have. I wasn't born with a silver spoon. So it has taken hard work, dedication and knowing what to buy to get things where they are at now. That means as well not blasting people out with the music thinking that's the way to impress the people attending the wedding. Then there is reading the crowd. How good is the DJ at doing that? Of course nobody is perfect. I just say if things don't turn out good that's on them.

Then what about those cheap companies who don't want to pay a DJ much to do an event for their company and want to keep them working for them. Some even have the nerve to want the DJ to have their own equipment and use that for the event. Some wanting to pay no more than $300 while they hog up the rest of the money. I understand if your company you should make a large sum of the money. Let's say for example someone has agreed to pay them $1,500. What's wrong with paying a DJ $500 to do the wedding for them?

I get that some of you wouldn't even consider doing a wedding for $500. I'm clear on that and if you don't have to you shouldn't. All I'm saying is make the amount of money you're going to pay the DJ a decent amount so they may want to work for the company doing events. I understand the company has bills to pay but at that price and paying the DJ $500 they should make a decent profit. On each event. Especially if they have 3-5 events going on during a weekend let's say.

steve149 said:

Taso has found customers willing to pay his prices because he offers them the solutions they want.

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Finding the customers is important and a challenge. For example, I am renovating the kitchen in an investment property... the first contractor who was highly recommended was about 25% more than I had budgeted based on past experiences with renovations. I thanked him for his time but said I have to explore other options as the amount invested is important for making the return worth it. I was not his ideal customer... not because I didn’t have the money... but because the job didn’t warrant his level of expertise and skill, which he rightfully valued. He didn’t try to negotiate and said if anything changes to just let him know.

however, if this was my primary residence, I’d probably have hired him in a heartbeat because of the quality of work he does, despite knowing hr isn’t the cheapest.

This is why I focus on weddings, as people already have a higher personal investment in the event, and then I seek those that are willing and able to spend more because they want the best. Appealing to them is the biggest challenge and what most have a hard time achieving as they don’t want to go outside a comfort zone or are afraid to make the investments (personal time and energy or financial) necessary.

Taso you mentioned again a DJ spending money to get things for their business to sell to potential clients. That sounds great if you have the disposable income to buy such things. The ideal thing would be to use the profits from the events you do to make those purchases. The thing to keep in mind is to remember there are bills that have to be paid to survive. That also means how much you have in bills. I also find for me I have a thing called the disease of addiction. I can never get enough of anything. If it feels gto be practical and either wait till I can afford it or forget it all together. ood I have what I call the gotta have it habit. The question I have to ask myself is if it's a need or a want. I need to tell myself the truth. Sometimes it's just something I want and I must have it. At times I will sacrifice to get it and other times I have

MIXMASTERMACHOM said:

Taso you mentioned again a DJ spending money to get things for their business to sell to potential clients. That sounds great if you have the disposable income to buy such things. The ideal thing would be to use the profits from the events you do to make those purchases. The thing to keep in mind is to remember there are bills that have to be paid to survive. That also means how much you have in bills. I also find for me I have a thing called the disease of addiction. I can never get enough of anything. If it feels gto be practical and either wait till I can afford it or forget it all together. ood I have what I call the gotta have it habit. The question I have to ask myself is if it's a need or a want. I need to tell myself the truth. Sometimes it's just something I want and I must have it. At times I will sacrifice to get it and other times I have

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No you don't need money to sell additional things. I subcontracted tv's for 3 years before getting enough demand to make it worth investing. Photo booths I subcontracted for 2 years before investing in it. My first uplighting job was subcontracted. My first dancing on the clouds was subcontracted. I created demand, saw the demand was strong and healthy, and then made the investment.

You've made the absolute WORST investments. Things that provide ZERO return on investment. All this money could've bought you a decent set of uplights... you could've charged an extra $200-$300 for uplighting... in fact much much much more. The funny thing is your venues that your clients frequent could actually really benefit from uplighting and might actually find enough value to pay extra for it... and then you make more money. Instead you buy cheap mics... bad lighting trees for cheap ineffective lighting effects. You have more resources than u think... u just use them wrong. Nothing to do with equipment addiction.