I was too expensive

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Steve Cie said:
... I have heard so many people say that in their area they cannot get a good price for a wedding reception, that they have no bookings etc.

Believe me, you are either attracting the wrong clientele or you are doing a poor job selling.
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With all due respect, Steve this is motivational speaking hogwash, nothing more. If people don't have it to spend, how do you propose getting them to spend it, if you please?

Over the years I have posted time and time again about the difficult economic situation in this and other markets. Good God, man... look at what was once the Miracle Mile in Michigan. Michigan DJ companies are leaving town, not boasting about upscale parties for GM and Chrysler and their suppliers. :(

Every time I call you people out, I've heard the same old ADJA/GWYW platitudes and sloganeering. I have asked you guys to show me... put your money where your mouth is. Come here to Downstate Delaware and show us that you can do what you claim. Answer the phone here and GWYW just for the asking.

Don't parrot platitudes to us. We don't need pep rallies. Tell that stuff to the person on the other end of the phone line. You know, the lady who lost her $24.00 per hour factory job and is now working for Wal-Mart. See what she tells ya. :rolleyes:

In every instance, every single time, I've heard crickets chirping. The BS walks every time without fail. :sqrolleyes:

I'm asking you guys nice... be realistic and admit the fact that the majority of the folks who work in the trenches in this business are not to be found wanting simply because their clients can't afford to pay what you guys think they should. Stop placing the onus on DJ companies and start addressing the real issue of rock-bottom markets.

Stop preaching at DJ companies and start listening to them. Walk a mile in their shoes before you pass judgement. :)

Steve, this is not directed at you so don't take it to be so. But I'm starting to tire of the worth and price preaching on these forums. So I'm posting a heads-up: Ditch the belittling and the worth rhetoric. Ditch it right now.

If I've got to pull my ass kicking boots on, I'll do it. I'll not have the few upset this forum for the many. Pete Merry went on Read Only status because of his constant preaching. There's room for more, trust me on this one. ODJT is not DJA. It's not gonna come to that as long as I have anything to say about it.

There you have it. That's the word, folks. If ya don't like it, feel free to carry your roadshow down the street and preach elsewhere. We don't need it here. :mad:
 
First---let me start off by saying sorry Fred.

Didn't mean to come off as preaching. I apologize.
Just trying to pass on some things I have learned.
I fully understand that your comments were not directed to me specifically.

I've been in the trenches as you call them, and have had to work for a lot less than what I get now. I've walked that mile and more ! I used to kill myself working 70 to 100 events a year , plus work a full time job in NYC. It was indeed tough. Even did a five year stint on radio doing a 3 hour morning drive time show, while working a full time regular job, and DJ'ing those 70 - 100 events a year. Didn't get to sleep much in those days.

I only wish I had the advantages of forums like this one many many years ago. I would have been far better off today. Forums are a great way to learn from others. I have learned much from the various forums, and I believe this forum to be just about the best I have found.

I do admit that my post had a motivational flavor to it, and I did intend it to be so. I had hoped to inspire, not detract. I did not intend to be condescending in any way, but realize that the way I wrote my post that it came off that way.

I have worked in Delaware, many times. It is truly a different market than here in the Tri-State New York area. But you do have a wide and diverse market. I've made some good money in Delaware. I have worked in two very lovely fire house halls that come to mind, Five Points in Wilmington, and another down in Seaford. I've done weddings at The Hockessin Hall and the Stewarts Brewing Co in Bear. So I have been in your area.

That said, it was never my intention to offend anyone, just simply share what I have learned through the school of hard knocks as well as the value of networking with my peers. I don't know Peter Merry, never met him. But I do know Marcello, and value his counsel.

This is a very tough and highly competitive business we are in. It is also very true that there are different markets and price points that our industry serves.

There is definitely a need for DJ's at various price points, as there are clients with various budgets. What I tried to get across was that just as we DJ's continually shop for the best deals on equipment, clients, too, shop for best deal they can get for their needs. I tried to pass on that I learned that many of these price shoppers can and will pay a price commensurate with experience and value. That you don't have to sell yourself too inexpensively.
That was my intent.

That said, I will avoid the subject of price, worth, etc., from here on.
 
I will echo what Fred stated so nicely. I didn't take it personally toward anyone here, but only who it was meant for. And since he's not around here I'm sure one of his lurking minions will tell him.

I to am sick of hearing BS from these west coast monkeys preaching how every DJ is worth asking for high ridiculous prices. And that they should expect to get it. That's just fantasy. The self proclaimed Messiah of the industry has made a living on selling BS to people. It bothers me because it's the nieve people who are taken in by the fancy talk. Vegas last year proved that. Oh sure, he's reeled in a few, but when the masses don't bow down and kiss the path he's walked on he whines and begs for donations on his website.

Then, if one is lucky enough to progress further by their own hard work and effort, the followers of the flock think you owe thanks and praise to his Wholeness for your good fortune. It wasn't through your efforts, oh no, it's all because of the movement and his word.

It's funny listening to this BS coming from the cult clan guild. They tell you it's your fault if you're not getting those high expected prices they set because you didn't try hard enough or your not selling yourself properly. That it's got nothing to do with the state of the economy for ones personal ability. They'll tell you that maybe you should take a workshop or buy some DVD's because it's got to be your fault. But those who make those ridiculous statements aren't even in or close to that market they find fault with, they have no clue. It must be the Kool Aid they drink because they all say the same thing.

If I hear from someone within my market tell me I'm doing something wrong because our local economy can handle the prices we charge and people are willing to pay them then I'll listen. If someone on the west coast tries to tell me the same thing then I say, get your @$$ over hear and prove it to me. Oh wait, he did and failed. Not even within the DJ community could he prove himself right. Here's the facts as I know them.

Workshop advertised as the Boston workshop with only 10 seats available. Not enough interested DJ's to hold it in Boston so it was moved over 40 miles away to Worcester MA. Worcester workshop is held with only 7 DJ's attending included one from NY. I guess the reason that they couldn't even find 10 DJ's within New England to attend a life changing workshop was because we here in NE just don't need improvement, which was quoted by the Mrs. Or it's possible that he couldn't attract the right clientèle or just did a poor job selling the workshop.

Of course all this is just my opinion, I could be wrong.
 
Thank you, Sir. :)

The venues you mention are indeed nice. And the entire state is not without upscale bookings. Come to think of it, we've jokingly referred to ourselves as the Welcome to Delaware DJ company because of the shows we've booked from people who recently moved here from points North.

There you have folks from New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania who recognize the value of professional entertainment. With the recent housing bust we haven't booked many lately.

Unfortunately, Downstate is losing well-paying jobs. And we haven't seen the last of it. People are losing money and aren't in much of a partying mood. :(
 
It's the same thing around here. Every price increase gets met with disdain from prospective clients. There isn't a DJ in town that can command more than the others because the market will not bear it. One DJ in particular went on an all out marketing assault to gain the upscale marketplace and what he found was that he was making less money. In order to command premium prices he had to drive 150kms to get them. When he factored in time and travel he was losing. He couldn't woo the well off crowd as the economic downturn even has them searching for bargains. A lot of the major corporations that used to have big scale parties and conventions are now cutting back too. Some times getting what we're worth is being lucky enough to have a job we enjoy in this day and age.

young...
 
Karl,

That is one of the biggest problems with selling your services to ONE person. SHE then becomes your sales agent and when she meet resistance from her soon to be husband, someone loses, and she sure isn't going to dump her husband. Besides, it's the classic "Good Cop, Bad Cop" scenario.

Dave
 
Dave,

I agree completely. But usually only one person calls. You sell to that person. She then told him and he wouldn't have it.
 
I have also listened to all of this GWYW info but it is not realistic in my area. If I were to attempt to do business by those guidelines, I would be doing one or two gigs per year in the couple of more "upscale" markets that are an hour away from me.

I have not reduced my rates, and my rates are within those of the "professional" market of my area. Brides are simply unwilling to go with the highest rate when they know that they can get a Craigslist DJ in my area for $175 to $200 for a four-hour gig.

My marketing campaign attepts to educate future brides on the pitfalls of what they "can" get elsewhere at a lower price.

I have recently begun to use packages. If a bride wants to do a wedding on the cheap, I can give them a professionalism at a price that they can live with if they adjust their budget a little bit.

If they want more, I have a "menu" of items that they can add on if they so choose. I no longer include them like I used to.

I have also added some new lighting packages. If they can afford them, great! If not, they can still get a nice wedding that is professional.

David
 
Dave,

I did tell her about my info packet and the website. She asked, "Is everything we talked about on the website?"

It is and is the same info I send out to clients. So he had his mind made to go cheap right off the bat. She got my name from someone who had seen me so that is why she called. She is worried that the cousin will not be able to do it because of his surgery. He is willing to take the risk.

I did tell her to keep my number and if something happens, to give me a call to see if I am still available.
 
DJFuzzy said:
I have also listened to all of this GWYW info but it is not realistic in my area. If I were to attempt to do business by those guidelines, I would be doing one or two gigs per year in the couple of more "upscale" markets that are an hour away from me.

I have not reduced my rates, and my rates are within those of the "professional" market of my area. Brides are simply unwilling to go with the highest rate when they know that they can get a Craigslist DJ in my area for $175 to $200 for a four-hour gig.

My marketing campaign attepts to educate future brides on the pitfalls of what they "can" get elsewhere at a lower price.

I have recently begun to use packages. If a bride wants to do a wedding on the cheap, I can give them a professionalism at a price that they can live with if they adjust their budget a little bit.

If they want more, I have a "menu" of items that they can add on if they so choose. I no longer include them like I used to.

I have also added some new lighting packages. If they can afford them, great! If not, they can still get a nice wedding that is professional.

David
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Bravo! That is the way to go. There is a bare minimum at which you no longer make money and no gig is worth it. Until then though you have to be willing to adjust your price point and simply do more gigs to make more money. Look at how Wal-Mart made it. Instead of making $5 on a CD, they decided to make $3 on a CD and sell more CD's (making more customers). You simply can't charge more than the market will bear or you go out of business. After that it is simply how much work you want. If you can stand to do fewer jobs (lots of repeat customers willing to make your price or this is not your day job) then stick with your price. If not, then you have to adjust your price downwards or add on more extras (AND do a good job of selling them).

Mike
 
In my area of Baltimore Maryland, I am finding it increasingly difficult to book a $700.00 reception. However, 40 miles down the road in Washington DC, I just did a nice reception - standard sound (2 tops and 1 sub) and no lighting - for $900.00.

And I had no problem getting that price. They saw me at a function up my way.

The difference in the two markets (only 40 miles away) is amazing. I'm sure DJ Ed and Tom O will concur.
 
This isnt a new issue. Take it from one of the old timers (proud Radio,club, Cantina, Karaoke and finally mobile Jock for the past 34 yrs) When working in Southern California, Victorville High Desert area I typically did events for 500 dollars back in late 80's. I could go to San Bernadino and gain around 650. I enjoyed going to Orange county and making 800-900 per four hour event. During that time the High Desert area's unemployment rate was a high 16%.

I moved up to Sac of Potatoes, Cowtown or whatever Matt calls it these days and did a couple small events garnering 700-800 for 3-4 hours. This was in the Reaganomics era and early Clinton when the economy was doing fairly well still. The past 12 yrs the recession has been developing and its no surprise to see DJ's suffering. Take the Kool aide flavored Red pill cause its a Jonesville effort to make life easier for the Jeffersons.Fight fire with fire.

David Fuzzy you are a very wise man thanks for sharing.I can say this atleast in my experience. Im a frugal DJ and work on ways to increase the profit margin. In my area the rates are being stretched onwards towards 1000 now and Im right at 900.Have done several over 1000 the past yr but Im still a 900 dollar DJ with possible bigger gigs throughout the upcoming yr.

Thing is my profit margin is likely allowing me a bring home exceeding or close to those guys who are testing the higher price averages. I will see how the economic crunch ahead affects the move to go higher for some. I have steadily raised prices for the past 5 yrs I plan to level out until I see where the economy is heading. Perhaps I will get 1000 Ameros in the future equaling 1500 Canadian or 1900 US Dollars.
 
:sqbiggrin:I did a Quince at the customers house for 6 hours for 350.00 and they had a good time and they told me whenever they had another party they would give me a call.
 
djMarco said:
Problem is somewhere else.In my Country we are thrue this so i can help you a bit.

We over here had problems few years ago with finances.People just dont had the money.
So we desided that Djs have to seat together and talk about prices.And we done it.
In my Town we made expirience list in 3 Categories.Djs-beginers,Advanced Djs and Expirienced Dj.So we set the price on all categories and we had the same price.
For example:
Beginers:200Euro
Advanced:350Euro
Expirienced:500Euro

So the point is:Who ever called for a Dj we had the same price and there were no room for lower the price or for rise it.We done that for 2 years and clients use to the prices and things were in order.After 2 years no one lower the price and i think everybody rise it.

P.S.
Prices was with the sound system.
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This is what is called price fixing and unfortunately is illegal in the United States.
 
DJ Gforce said:
This is what is called price fixing and unfortunately is illegal in the United States.
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Call it what you want but the prices will remain competitive in competitive markets. When McDonalds came out with a value meal, Burger King and Wendy's weren't far behind. Was this price fixing? I doubt it but it was a matter of staying competitively priced to stay in business.
That being said I keep my prices in line with the local multi-op and the last time we had coffee we both decided to try a price increase. Our prices would have stayed in line whether we agreed to beforehand or not. Once one of us noticed the other's change in pricing then the other would make the adjustment.

young...
 
djMarco said:
Same thing here but loock again-3 Categories.
And one more thing.Are you shure that Wal-Mart,Target....Dont agree silently about prices?:sqwink:
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In a manner of speaking you are essentially right and wrong at the same time... let me explain.

See like many businesses they shop each other and then base their price points on that... sometimes undercutting other times keeping them the same and sometimes making their prices higher... it all depends on product placement and many other factors including the cost of goods and the cost of doing business.

Hotels do this all the time to ensure proper placement in the market to garner the broadest part of that market.
 
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