- No one asks these things, not because they don't care... but bc ultimately it is the end result that matters. Can your $400 laptop do serato video... probably not (trust me I tried). But if you have a client that wants them, you'll need it.
Moot point. If you pl;an to do serato video you won't have a $400 laptop, just like if you plan to play a 1000 person gig you will have more than 2 10" tops.
- No one will care where you get your music, but they'll care what music you bring, and where you get your music may impact your awareness of certain music.
True
- They may not care about your controller, but will you be able to provide them the quality of mixing they expect. A higher quality mixer makes those transitions, loops, overlays, samples, quickmixes, much easier.
Only important if you do that stuff. Yes, it's terrible I say that, I'll be drummed out of the DJ community. But ya know what, the car cruise i'm doing next week...they don't care and won't notice and certainly do not want loops and overlays. The class of 71 reunion this weekend doesn't care or want that either.
- No one cares about wires, but if your speakers are crackling, staticky, and overall not producing a pure sound... it'll get noticed.
That's kind of a gear 101 thing. Applies to $200 dj or $2000 dj.
- No one will ask you what your suit is... but they'll appreciate it when you show up dressed sharply, as you're a representation of the couple.
- No one cares about the lighting you use, but they will care if you ruin their photos with lasers, have strobing lights during dinner, and an overall lighting atmosphere thats not fitting in with the moment. If there is lighting they expect it to be appropriate for the moment, and enhance the visual atmosphere. When paying for lighting they don't care how it's done, but that it's done properly.
That has nothing to do with $50 light or a $500 light but all in how YOU work the lights.
Can you get away with providing proper results with cheaper options... yes. But typically, the better quality options allow us to produce more desired results.
And a $75,000 sprinter will make you a better DJ over a used $4000 one. And michelin tires will make you a better DJ over the PepBoys house brand.
No, they won't make you any better or words a DJ that the brand of socks you wear. There is a potentially better reliability with the better gear - but only potentially.
You're biased in your beliefs based on your own personal experiences.
And so are you. You can get $2k a wedding (or whatever) where you are. You, or anyone, won't get that here. NEVER. Not once.
Now if you're willing to travel an hour for every meeting and every event, you might. Some do get it, many lie that they get it too. Or they got it once and for ego's sake they qote that one off figure forever.
If you're not getting these discussions it's often because you don't represent this level of quality. If I know I'm looking for a lambo or something of equal quality... why would I check honda. If I'd check my competitors it would be ferrari, aston martin, or mclaren. We determine the clientele we receive based on the product we put out for others to see. If I saw two photogs, one in a fitted suit... one with baggy pants, a polo, and black sneakers... who would APPEAR as the better and more successful photographer. If I saw trussing and a nice facade compared to an exposed system or bare bones setup... who would APPEAR as the more expensive dj. If I saw a DJ actively mixing and adding creativity to the music being played, vs one who plays out the entire song... fades instead of beatmaches... who would be perceived to be a more skilled dj. If I therefore was looking to spend money... who would I call from the above options.
And how does an average bride or customer determine that from a website or knot listing?
I can't begin tell you how many times I've been complimented on my appearance. I can't tell you how many times people say my lighting is absolutely beautiful and perfect for their atmosphere. I can't tell you how many times my dj setup has been said it's the most modern/classiest/luxurious set up people have seen. I can't tell you how much my mixing is appreciated and how I literally have guests staring at me instead of their date watching me mix or recording me and in awe that I "actually mix".
While one can say they saved $6k in their pocket one time by going with basic lighting that cost $2k ... I can say I spent $8-$9k in lighting, but as a result I'm making on avg an extra $700 per event for around 50 events a year (that's a whopping $37,500 in LIGHTING ADD-ONS)... can the guy that invested $2k get that? Highly unlikely. I have close to $100k in equipment... but my numbers tell me I'm quite profitable. I could spend less... but I'd have to work 2-3x the number of gigs to make the same level of income. I'd rather invest 2-3x in equipment than my competitors, and work less and make more. It's an investment. The more you invest... the higher the potential return. Just like in anything else, you have to invest wisely.
Of course it's not just physical appearance... it can be branding, websites, social media and more. Could I do a $500 website... sure... but I doubt it would be as nice as my $2000 one. Can I post random photos of events... sure but it wouldn't be as nice as the professionals I hire to capture my events. Can I post 8 min cell phone videos of my events with no care for what it shows... or can I post attention grabbing 1-2 min videos that keep a viewer engaged and wanting more.
I was the $800 dj I was the $1200 dj, I was the $1750 dj, I was the $2000 dj, and am now a $2500 dj... I would never be able to get $2500 for what I was doing when I was $800. Investment matters. In equipment. In marketing. In Personal Appearance. In Online Appearance.... and most importantly... in your skillset.
And now you sounds like the high end photographers I know...$5k for a weddings vs my $2000 - I spend 20 hours in post-editing they spend 50 hours. Per hour we make the same money.
I could spend $10k more on gear, thousands more on lighting, hire a photog/video guy for every wedding for marketing, spend a fortune on a website....and now I HAVE to charge $2k a wedding to pay all those folks.
And if there is any kind of downturn (or covid) that level of expense is going to be hard to keep up and pay for.
It's like all the photog gurus back in the heyday (10-15 years ago) - charge MORE - get BETTER clients! Be paid for your talent, be RESPECTED!
And they are ALL out of business now, working for other folks in non-related industried.
I mean, if you can do 40 $500 weddings or 10 $2k wedding, why not do 2 $10,000 weddings? Or one $20,000 wedding? Or hell, a $40k one and take a year off.
If you're clientele is NYC or LA/hollywood you can probably do that.
When your clientele is a farmer, a grocery store employee, a teacher, a mechanic they're not dropping $2k on a dj. They just plain old don't have it to spend.
Toss in this covid craptola and nobody knows if there will be a wedding or not 6 or 12 months from now.
Talked to my Oct 23 bride today - their friends in NC are NOT getting married this weekend - both are positive with covid.
As of yesterday you can't go in a store here without a mask.
A friend in the med field says one of the big city hospitals has over 200 covid admissions last weekend (only 1 was vacc'd - so get the vax!).
The reunion I'm doing saturday is 1/4th what it was 5 years ago - covid is the reason so many are not coming. 350 vs 80...cuts the DJ budget, doesn't it?
Could I produce a $2000 wedding as a DJ? Perhaps. Can I make a business case for it? Not likely. Not here.
the nat'l average for a wedding is what, $30k by now? (haven't checked in a while). The rule of thumb is 1/2 the budget is the dinner. so $15k. Avg wedding is 130 people (last I checked...most are smaller lately around here). So that's what, $110/plate?
There's NO PLACE in my entire county that charges that.
THe highest I know of is a country club at $72, the most popular venues are $36-45/plate.
So if the reception is $4500 it's a real challenge to get $2k 'just to play music'. Yes, some have a higher opinion of DJs, but many don't. I've photographed many weddings with a cousin playing the music.
Remember, a brand new 2500sf home here is $300k. A 'used' home is $200k or many are less - IN THE BEST school districts.
Move to one of the river towns and I can get you a house for $50-70k. Not a run down one either.