What year do you believe will be your last year as a DJ working events?

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What year do you believe you will end your career as a DJ?

  • I already ended my DJ career! No more events for me!

    Votes: 3 17.6%
  • 2021 will be my very last year as a DJ!

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • I am planning to retire from the DJ business in 2022

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • I am thinking 2023 will be my last year.

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • 2024 or 2025 is my best guess right now!

    Votes: 5 29.4%
  • Sometime between 2026 and 2029 is my best guess

    Votes: 2 11.8%
  • I will get through this entire decade, and make 2030 my retirement year!

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • I have a long way to go, and believe I won't give it up until 2031 to 2039

    Votes: 2 11.8%
  • I will still be deejaying come 2040, and believe I will retire some time in the 2040's!

    Votes: 1 5.9%
  • I will make it to the year 2050 and beyond in this business no matter what!

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    17

DJ Ricky B

DJ Extraordinaire
Mar 9, 2015
7,756
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What year do you think you will end your career as a DJ. Give your best guess right now! Let's have some fun! :)
 
I’m in the process of transitioning from DJ to real estate as we speak... we a 4yr transition plan. This year I cut out 25% of my DJ income with the goal to have real estate make up the other 25%. If all goes well by 2025 I should be out of djing.

however I don’t see myself ever being fully out, as there will always be demand for what I offered. I’m probably just going to scale down to doing jobs that are just me and one other person as opposed to massive productions. Maybe 15-20 events max per year.

I’m also aware that my transition may not go as smooth as I planned for and therefore will continue to DJ events as I did up to this point. The issue has been with djing I really felt I maxed out the earnings potential. I could add more djs but I never viewed my business in that way nor would I enjoy it. In real estate, homes always go up in price, and I actually desire to have a team of agents to handle volume. So we’ll see how it goes
 
I’m in the process of transitioning from DJ to real estate as we speak... we a 4yr transition plan. This year I cut out 25% of my DJ income with the goal to have real estate make up the other 25%. If all goes well by 2025 I should be out of djing.

however I don’t see myself ever being fully out, as there will always be demand for what I offered. I’m probably just going to scale down to doing jobs that are just me and one other person as opposed to massive productions. Maybe 15-20 events max per year.

I’m also aware that my transition may not go as smooth as I planned for and therefore will continue to DJ events as I did up to this point. The issue has been with djing I really felt I maxed out the earnings potential. I could add more djs but I never viewed my business in that way nor would I enjoy it. In real estate, homes always go up in price, and I actually desire to have a team of agents to handle volume. So we’ll see how it goes


I have been thinking a lot about the future of the DJ Business, and I believe we are in for a lot of big changes that won't particularly be positive in any way for DJs running a full time DJ Business. I believe you are making a good move transitioning to something else.

I feel like I could physically, and mentally continue to DJ events into the 2030s approaching 50 years old, but I feel from a business perspective that the busiest times, and environment conducive to being a full time DJ is behind us.

I was speaking with my older brother, and he gives himself 4 more years. Five at the most before he is done, and he also believes that the business won't be real feasible for being a full timer by the time he makes his exit. I am also seeing the future base of DJs being ALL part timers who look at being a DJ as a side hustle gig to do a few times a year for extra money. I also foresee the large DJ outfits...what's left of them going out of business in the coming years.
 
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I have been thinking a lot about the future of the DJ Business, and I believe we are in for a lot of big changes that won't particularly be positive in any way for DJs running a full time DJ Business. I believe you are making a good move transitioning to something else.

I feel like I could physically, and mentally continue to DJ events into the 2030s approaching 50 years old, but I feel from a business perspective that the busiest times, and environment conducive to being a full time DJ is behind us.

I was speaking with my older brother, and he gives himself 4 more years. Five at the most before he is done, and he also believes that the business won't be real feasible for being a full timer by the time he makes his exit. I am also seeing the future base of DJs being ALL part timers who look at being a DJ as a side hustle gig to do a few times a year for extra money. I also foresee the large DJ outfits...what's left of them going out of business in the coming years.
Honestly I don’t see anything wrong with the DJ business at all. Weddings are REALLY strong and demand is extremely high. I’ve raised my prices by 15% and no ones even flinched. To translate... my starting price is $2500 for a 4hr reception, sound only. Only two djs charge more that I know of in NJ and they have way more industry recognition than I do. The part of the industry that will hurt are the smaller parties for another 2-3yrs as well as corporate functions, especially for larger companies who will continue a work from hone environment.

My change is not because of the industry itself, it’s because I feel I’ve reached my max, and I’m motivated to find new things to excel at and be rewarded for my work. I won’t stop doing this, I just plan to slow it down where I do about 15 events a year, averaging $4k each hopefully for supplemental income.
 
It’s always just been a piece of the puzzle for my income, I’ve always had another job, business or investment stream usually several. other sources have become much more profitable in recent years, DJing has become more of a hobby that pays for itself,
 
My DJ "hobby" will end within the next 4 years. At the moment I don't actively advertise, but still get a few functions each year...mainly the 55+ community. Really, limited by physical abilities as my age progresses may be the primary factor. However, wanting to keep up with "current" music is another factor that adds to the lack of interest. I'm getting many requests for 80's music at my events. Without a continuous revenue stream one can't continue to subscribe monthly to new music. And, the need to upgrade to more modern lighting is costly, too. So, Hobby it remains.
This "old dog" still monitors this board and enjoys the banter among members. New music choices are enhanced by those who willingly post them here.
 
This is something I've been thinking about a decent amount recently with my new venture.

I turn 36 this summer, and in my head 40 has been my target to wind down to a much lower impact version of my DJ business. I'm not sure I'll ever stop entirely, but I don't see myself wanting to keep my current pace past then. A number of things could change that, so I'm certainly open to that possibility, but that's my loose plan.
 
he also believes that the business won't be real feasible for being a full timer by the time he makes his exit.

Anytime these discussions come up, it's really difficult to know what people mean by this. Whether it's feasible as a full time job starts by understanding earnings requirements or goals for an individual.

Throwing loose numbers out... I'd estimate if you're trying to make $40-$100K as a full time DJ, I think it's certainly possible. $100-$200K looks attainable, but you've got to be executing well to get it done. Making more than $200K in the DJ business I think is fairly difficult unless you go decent sized multi-op or add a ton of other production elements that really take it past being just a DJ business.

That's obviously going to shift a little bit based on what market you're in, but so will the income requirements for a similar lifestyle.
 
When I physically can't do it anymore or I die. Whichever comes first.

So what year do you estimate that might be for you?

Anytime these discussions come up, it's really difficult to know what people mean by this. Whether it's feasible as a full time job starts by understanding earnings requirements or goals for an individual.

Throwing loose numbers out... I'd estimate if you're trying to make $40-$100K as a full time DJ, I think it's certainly possible. $100-$200K looks attainable, but you've got to be executing well to get it done. Making more than $200K in the DJ business I think is fairly difficult unless you go decent sized multi-op or add a ton of other production elements that really take it past being just a DJ business.

That's obviously going to shift a little bit based on what market you're in, but so will the income requirements for a similar lifestyle.

My brother or I were unable to achieve 40K as DJs in 2019, and no where near it in 2020 thanks to the shut downs. 2018, I don't think I made it to 40K that year either, but don't remember the numbers. I was probably close to it in 2018 if I didn't make it there. I pulled 40K or more every year since 2011 prior to that. In 2021, I already know that I will not achieve any where near 40K. Maybe things get back on track on that front in 2022, but who knows how 2022 will pan out with everything going on.

Also, for me the Pandemic made me realize that I don't want to work majority of my weekends away doing DJ gigs. then having to work during the week. I got a solid taste of having many weekends off in a row, and while at first I missed Deejaying and earning money being out doing events...After a while I got more use to being home and having free time available for 2 days in a row every week.

I am not even sure I want to commit more than 24 Saturdays a year to events moving forward, and I may not even have to worry about booking over 20-24 Saturdays a year as I feel December will be a dead month for YEARS in the future now.
 
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I was making $28K in 1983 - while also still a college student. Now, almost 40 years later to hear people throwing out numbers like $40k ?
That's a hobby people - not a business.

With respect to the DJ as a business model - to paraphrase Ferris Beuller: "It's over...go home."
 
My brother or I were unable to achieve 40K as DJs in 2019, and no where near it in 2020 thanks to the shut downs. 2018, I don't think I made it to 40K that year either, but don't remember the numbers. I was probably close to it in 2018 if I didn't make it there. I pulled 40K or more every year since 2011 prior to that. In 2021, I already know that I will not achieve any where near 40K. Maybe things get back on track on that front in 2022, but who knows how 2022 will pan out with everything going on.

I've seen you post on these boards for a bunch of years. There have long been indicators in your posts that there is something in your process/product that needs to be adjusted. Business shouldn't be dropping off like that from year to year if you're offering a product that people want. Work begets work.

I think you take it as an external signal that clients are cheap, the economy is bad, nobody is hiring DJs, everything is always getting worse. Whether any part of that is true or not... those macro issues affect a single service provider only in a tiny way.

There is a lot more money out there, but it requires doing things differently than you've been doing them.
 
I've seen you post on these boards for a bunch of years. There have long been indicators in your posts that there is something in your process/product that needs to be adjusted. Business shouldn't be dropping off like that from year to year if you're offering a product that people want. Work begets work.

I think you take it as an external signal that clients are cheap, the economy is bad, nobody is hiring DJs, everything is always getting worse. Whether any part of that is true or not... those macro issues affect a single service provider only in a tiny way.

There is a lot more money out there, but it requires doing things differently than you've been doing them.
This exactly what I have seen in his posts too
 
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So what year do you estimate that might be for you?



My brother or I were unable to achieve 40K as DJs in 2019, and no where near it in 2020 thanks to the shut downs. 2018, I don't think I made it to 40K that year either, but don't remember the numbers. I was probably close to it in 2018 if I didn't make it there. I pulled 40K or more every year since 2011 prior to that. In 2021, I already know that I will not achieve any where near 40K. Maybe things get back on track on that front in 2022, but who knows how 2022 will pan out with everything going on.

Also, for me the Pandemic made me realize that I don't want to work majority of my weekends away doing DJ gigs. then having to work during the week. I got a solid taste of having many weekends off in a row, and while at first I missed Deejaying and earning money being out doing events...After a while I got more use to being home and having free time available for 2 days in a row every week.

I am not even sure I want to commit more than 24 Saturdays a year to events moving forward, and I may not even have to worry about booking over 20-24 Saturdays a year as I feel December will be a dead month for YEARS in the future now.
As Ross said, there’s definitely something in your process that’s creating these inconsistent results that after this amount of time should be growing exponentially. I’m not trying to brag but I did 40k in June of 2019 alone. You’ve been doing this for as long as I have
 
Good question, I thought last year could be the year , Its going to be a long time before I am ready fully hangup the headphones , but the want is getting less and less with each passing year. I think within a year or so I will be at the its time to shit or get off the pot moment for AZ DJ .

My interest for video production has been increasing with the semi mild success of my Youtube Channel so ive had some some thoughts of transitioning AZDJ over to AZVP( Video Production) .
 
I was making $28K in 1983 - while also still a college student. Now, almost 40 years later to hear people throwing out numbers like $40k ?
That's a hobby people - not a business.

With respect to the DJ as a business model - to paraphrase Ferris Beuller: "It's over...go home."
He said he has a job besides the DJ business. Why do you need to rain on a person's parade? You do this full time right? This is part time work for him. So he's not dependent on the DJ business to survive. I got to say it. Damn your ego is out of the universe. Come back down to Earth!!!!!!!!!! Do you and stop with your BS feeling you need to put others down to make yourself look bigger then they are. No wonder a lot of DJs on here don't like you.
 
I've seen you post on these boards for a bunch of years. There have long been indicators in your posts that there is something in your process/product that needs to be adjusted. Business shouldn't be dropping off like that from year to year if you're offering a product that people want. Work begets work.

I think you take it as an external signal that clients are cheap, the economy is bad, nobody is hiring DJs, everything is always getting worse. Whether any part of that is true or not... those macro issues affect a single service provider only in a tiny way.

There is a lot more money out there, but it requires doing things differently than you've been doing them.

I do believe that most clients are looking for a low price. It is not their only factor, but it certainly is a big factor. I see it on face book all the time in the Wedding group I belong to in Maryland. "Not willing to spend over $1,000." My budget is $800 max". Some brides wanting a $500 DJ even in 2020! Sure, there are upper level high end clients out there, but only about 5% to 10% of all the couples out there are going to be in that segment. It is apparent that I don't attract that clientele. I may get lucky and book one or two a year that I can perceive as higher end. Most of my clients are throwing weddings with a budget below $30,000.

The overall economy is bad right now. That is true!

In 2019, I talked to some other DJs. I was told by a few that 2020 was looking very promising, and turning out to be busier than 2019 or 2018 was. Then the pandemic hit.

2019 was a slower year for most in our area. There was definitely a down turn in the number of weddings occurring in 2019.

Moving forward, I don't have nearly the "Go Getter" attitude about building up my DJ Income that I did a number of years ago. I want to DJ, and work, but only so often. I think that the DJ business is turning into more of a hobby or good side hustle for me. I don't have any desire to continue to purchase gear or spend money on advertising etc. I feel like I have "been there - done that", and ready to move on from that part of my career as a DJ.

Taking what comes my way, and working the events, and having as much fun as I can while doing them seem to be more of what I want now.
 
I do believe that most clients are looking for a low price. It is not their only factor, but it certainly is a big factor. I see it on face book all the time in the Wedding group I belong to in Maryland. "Not willing to spend over $1,000." My budget is $800 max". Some brides wanting a $500 DJ even in 2020! Sure, there are upper level high end clients out there, but only about 5% to 10% of all the couples out there are going to be in that segment. It is apparent that I don't attract that clientele. I may get lucky and book one or two a year that I can perceive as higher end. Most of my clients are throwing weddings with a budget below $30,000.

The overall economy is bad right now. That is true!

In 2019, I talked to some other DJs. I was told by a few that 2020 was looking very promising, and turning out to be busier than 2019 or 2018 was. Then the pandemic hit.

2019 was a slower year for most in our area. There was definitely a down turn in the number of weddings occurring in 2019.

Moving forward, I don't have nearly the "Go Getter" attitude about building up my DJ Income that I did a number of years ago. I want to DJ, and work, but only so often. I think that the DJ business is turning into more of a hobby or good side hustle for me. I don't have any desire to continue to purchase gear or spend money on advertising etc. I feel like I have "been there - done that", and ready to move on from that part of my career as a DJ.

Taking what comes my way, and working the events, and having as much fun as I can while doing them seem to be more of what I want now.
I don't think he was trying to say that there aren't people that are looking for low prices... I think what he, and I for that matter, are saying is that by now after all these years, word of mouth/experience/brand recognition/etc should have allowed your business to generate much more than 40k a year and be able to charge above avg as a premium for that experience/brand recognition/demand... and business should've actually been increasing, whether by being able to get more bookings through referrals or being able to increase your pricing due to demand... instead of having such inconsistencies.