"Holy S**T!"

[djrox]

$50 an hour is $400 a day $1000 a day is $125 an hour! You Go boy!

I generally work 10 hour days so your math is slightly off but my billable hourly rate is higher than than that.

And I did say including benefits...Every word matters.

$1000 a day at my day job! I wouldn't be charging anything to DJ from time to time!

Then that explains why you value, so little, what we do.

Ain't America the greatest!!!

 

[djrox]

I wish.

Those four digit rates may apply to high cost of living areas but they don't fly around here. For our part, a NYE show would be priced at the same rate as a wedding. If they're willing to pay it, fine. If not, that's fine too.

What variables did you use to determine your rates?

 

[Fred Wright]

What variables did you use to determine your rates?

We started by comparing rates in the local networking group then worked up from that.

Essentially, we've priced our service close to the upper end based on what clients are willing to pay. Willingness to pay is never set in stone ~ we've worked with several clients from New Jersey and points North who are more receptive to a higher rate than average Delawareans.

In the case of NYE, it's pretty much a cornered market around here. You've got the same DJs and bands who've been working the same NYE venues for 20 years or longer.

Thoughts?

 

[Guest]

No I value what I do much more than you do........ Djing is my ONLY job it is how I make a living not something I play at.

If I had a day job making $100 an hour I wouldn't be too concerned with what I was getting paid for my hobby, in fact I could charge as much or as little as I wanted to.

If I didn't want to work I could simply say my basic service was going to cost someone elses client $2000 for the evening, if I really wanted to get out and play around a little I could tell my client that I would do the gig for $25....

You must really have an awesome job though because the going rate for a Cat 953 with an operator is $100 an hour here! You can rent a Cat 325 trackhoe for $125 an hour with the operator. You can have a brand new hardwood floor installed for $25 an hour. You can have your transmission rebuilt for $40 an hour. You can get a Limo with a driver for $80 an hour. You can rent a tour bus for $100 an hour.

 

[Sounds To Go]

That was the guy's reaction from a local bar owner who just called to see if I was available tonight to DJ.

I was quoting him my NYE Price of a simple 2G's....

What the problem?

Oh well, if you wait 'til the last minute, what do you expect?

If he wants us, he'll call back......

Maybe not.


Thoughts?

Cheers all,

Joe

LOL... Might as well just say "I'm sorry, we're not taking on any events this evening." Either way you have 1000% certainty of hanging up that phone without a gig!

 

[Lwilliams]

I have a 4 digit Wedding this evening. If you count the decimal places.

Ha ha ha ha! Good one!

Linda
for every occasion seattle dj

 

[Jon Tuck]

Exception to Ron's statement.........

I got a lead on a client who needed a last minute venue caterer and DJ for new years. This was three weeks ago. I decided it was time for me to increase my potential and offered my services to secure a venue, caterer and DJ ( I just happened to know a great DJ, several event locations which would accommodate this 80 person family new years gathering and a home style Italian Chef to cater the event.)

The client paid $550 deposit and cashed me out 950 at the event but little did I know and in total astonishment, she had given me an envelope on my table with thank you we will be calling you for future events. 400 dollars cash tip. Mind you when I drove out to their place to sign contract and plan the event I was shocked at the huge house $$$$$ that they lived in. I will share pictures later. The client also told me she would be glad to give me any kind of recommendations and would be contacting me in the near future for further family events. I know this is an exception but we need to be careful saying where the line is drawn.

One last note the venues around here were slim pickings. I had to choose between a couple community centers, rec centers and a boy scout lodge. The venue ended up being an older rec center gym with fixed backboards in place. The client decorated around them and we pulled off a great event. Received many compliments gave out cards and had a ball. I didnt even have a glass of champagne at the strike of 12.

It certainly wasnt the Ritz but we made it that and more and bonus for me I felt as if I had played there when counting the dinero.

I think you're missing the point and since no one can answer the questions as to who these clients are we aren't going to get anywhere.

A hotel booking a NYE party is going to charge a lot more for tickets and pay a higher price for entertainment, no problem with that at all. I'm sure they booked the entertainment ahead of time. But, the neighborhood family group planning a get together at the Elks hall for NYE is most likely not going to pay $1500 for entertainment. A family group who decided to throw a last minute party at a local hall will not dish out $1500 just for entertainment. A local bar who want to have something special for their good patrons. The people who drink there regularly. A place where a beer might cost about $3, is not going to put out $1500 for entertainment.

Now these places have a choice, either find someone willing to play music for them at a decent price or turn on the juke box. There is and will always be DJ's who are willing to play on NYE at their local hangout for free beer and $300-$500. Those types of DJ's do not have any impact on those who can easily make $1500 on NYE. Should these people all go without because they're not willing to play for the higher cost DJ just so the higher cost DJ can feel better about themselves? I think not.

If I was called for a hotel NYE function I would expect at least $1500. I don't care when they ask me. If Suzy called me for a family and friends NYE party at the Vets club I would gladly find them a DJ that would do it for around $400-$600. Some people tonight will dine at the Ritz while others will enjoy a Big Mac. It's just the way the world works.

 

[MBM]

Looks like I'm going to be booked next NYE, no rate set yet, but was told to pencil in the date, should have the date and fee settled by next week. One of two venues both in clubs, would be using their lights, and my sound. Might have to knock the dust off of my Mackie 1232s, and break out the Mackie Fussion subs.

 

[Jon Tuck]

My above post wasnt intended to brag a price but merely point out the venue nor the client matters in the end results. Sometimes a wealthy client wont budge over 500 dollars after all they had a method to gain wealth and will continue approaching business in the same regards. Sometimes the variables just dont make cents and other times it makes grands. This was the biggest haul to date almost busting the 2 grand. Happy New Year!!

 

[Ron Auger]

Jon,
There are to many variables in this argument. Individual client vs. cooperate. Large hotel vs. road side bar. Rich people vs. average Joe. Booked 6 months out vs. 2 weeks out. Small setup vs. hours of setup. Then so to would the prices be a variable. We all do what we need to.

 

[Jon Tuck]

Tonite I do a small setup as well as tomorrow in the same venue. I brign home 800 dollars both nights combined for 5 hours total. Some might say Im a bottom feeder but guess what? I made 800 easy dollars when I could have held out for 1900 per my New Years gig. Im not criticizing anything. I do what I need to do to survive and sometimes it is chards of Gold and other times it is tough to claim silver.

 

[Jon Tuck]

Ron my very loved friend

I totally understand your point but to be honest I have seen so many things in over 30 yrs. It has no rhyme nor reason but one thing is for sure. Im there to be a part of it. That is all that matters to me. I work with the arrangement and make it happen, plain and simple.

Jon,
There are to many variables in this argument. Individual client vs. cooperate. Large hotel vs. road side bar. Rich people vs. average Joe. Booked 6 months out vs. 2 weeks out. Small setup vs. hours of setup. Then so to would the prices be a variable. We all do what we need to.

 

[DjDennis]

If people can demand $1,500 or more for a NYE gig and get it.....Good for them.

then why you worried about this then...?

I really do understand why some of you veterans set your rates so high,
After doing NYE for so many years, it does get old being away from the significant other every year.....

then why are you worried about what the vetrens do ?

But, to me it's how i choose to make my money, And if i get a call from one of my bar's, I sure as hell ain't gonna let some other DJ on my turf if i can help it.

then why tell us what you do is some secret society your involved in ?

Sure, i'm not gonna try to charge them $1,000 for one night.....
I look at my income at the end of the year from that establishment....
I will not give up my bread and butter just to be greedy for 1 night.

then why tell us - let who wants to do what they want to do and get on with what you are doing I am!!

 

[Chuck The DJ]

How you feel about the rates that you as a DJ charge are really dependent on your own state of mind...

Rox feels a certain way because he is a part-timer.. THIS IS NOT A SLAM

Someone, anyone who has two incomes CAN NOT understand what or how a single income person feels about how they choose to run their business.

It all comes down to doing what you feel is personally right for your business and your state of mind and in your heart. That's all that matters. Doesn't matter what someone else says, or thinks. Are you happy and feel good about the way that you run your business? Fine,,, if not, change it.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for saying it that way Chuck. That was the best way I've ever seen that put.

 

[Guest]

Thank you for saying it that way Chuck. That was the best way I've ever seen that put.

Dito baby Dito

 

[Precisionpower]

then why you worried about this then...?


then why are you worried about what the vetrens do ?


then why tell us what you do is some secret society your involved in ?


then why tell us - let who wants to do what they want to do and get on with what you are doing I am!!

Am i not allowed to share my beliefs in this thread because i don't feel the need
to charge huge money on what i feel is a regular night business wise???

I have customers that call me with needs all year long, And NYE in there establishments are no different to me...I'm in business to help them, Not rob them blind.

 

[Jon Tuck]

Hey Brian,
If you branded yourself as the Midget DJ or Munchkin 'DJ you would be able to charge more.LOL

 

[Fred Wright]

Well... if a client or establishment is willing to pay the big bucks for NYE, I'd hardly call that robbery.

 

[Guest]

Well... if a client or establishment is willing to pay the big bucks for NYE, I'd hardly call that robbery.

Fred,

I think he is looking at it in a different manner, in that he works for these venues year round not just for the one big event of the year. By keeping his price the same for this one event as he does for all others he "keeps" his relationship with that client intact and the money that he makes all year from that client isn't brought into question later!

In the end his profit margin for the year is actually higher than if he had charged a higher rate for that one gig!

When you are doing a bar gig regularly for a given price to double or triple it for one gig would be considered robbery in their eyes and they would start looking for another DJ the very next day!