I've been toying with such an idea as that myself... it occurs to me that whether the event is booked for 4 hours or 6 I still can only do one event that day anyway...
What was your strategy with this and how was it presented?
One Size Fits All Marketing
- Thread starter jokerswild
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I've been toying with such an idea as that myself... it occurs to me that whether the event is booked for 4 hours or 6 I still can only do one event that day anyway...
What was your strategy with this and how was it presented?
I book most all my weddings at the same rate and with lights which has provided a very simplistic effective result over the yrs.
Jon: You're thinking like me again stop that or we'll have to pay extra for that brain timeshare.
I was thinking along those lines but with economics in mind.
I would create basically two packages that would include up to 6 hours of service since the majority of my bookins are for 5 plus hours but most, well none, have been for more than 6.
Package one would be your typical DJ package no frills for $XXX.XX
Package two would be same as above plus lighting at $XXX.XX but higher than package one yet remaining cheaper than going with package 1 plus the lighting add-on.
Still with the options to add on lighting or karaoke if one wants to do the al'a cart thing...
This I think in the long run will simplify things for both me and my clients all the while potentially bringing in more dollars.
I drop my 4 hour package all together but keep my current package price for up to 6 the same price.... I might still book 4 hour gigs but at the up to 6 hour package price neting a little higher profit margin....
Thoughts?
I was thinking along those lines but with economics in mind.
I would create basically two packages that would include up to 6 hours of service since the majority of my bookins are for 5 plus hours but most, well none, have been for more than 6.
Package one would be your typical DJ package no frills for $XXX.XX
Package two would be same as above plus lighting at $XXX.XX but higher than package one yet remaining cheaper than going with package 1 plus the lighting add-on.
Still with the options to add on lighting or karaoke if one wants to do the al'a cart thing...
This I think in the long run will simplify things for both me and my clients all the while potentially bringing in more dollars.
I drop my 4 hour package all together but keep my current package price for up to 6 the same price.... I might still book 4 hour gigs but at the up to 6 hour package price neting a little higher profit margin....
Thoughts?
Rob - That would work for those booking only one event per day. Many of our full-time brethren build their business plans around 2 events on a Saturday, which would preclude this as an option.
Having said that, I think I may also look at having an "up to 5 hour" package as opposed to 4 hours plus overtime... Food for thought...
Having said that, I think I may also look at having an "up to 5 hour" package as opposed to 4 hours plus overtime... Food for thought...
Absolutely. It simplifies things. Yes it gains you a better profit on occasion. I dont charge difficult load ins versus easy ones for this very reason it is figured in to the total and usually allows a few extra Loonies as 90% of the load ins are acceptable.
Why couldn't this apply to full timer's I'm sorry if I'm a bit dense here but what difference would that make?
Zac:
here in Western Canada most all events are evening events not allowing two in a day regardless of the time.
here in Western Canada most all events are evening events not allowing two in a day regardless of the time.
K
Kirby Ball
Guest
We have 2 photo/dj packages (silver & gold) that go up to 4 hours and 1 photo/dj package (platinum) package that includes up to 6 hours of dj service.
If they book me only (very rarely) they pay by the hour.
No extra or hidden fees, unless they want to upgrade to a slide show package which of course will add to their cost no matter what type of booking they choose.
If they book me only (very rarely) they pay by the hour.
No extra or hidden fees, unless they want to upgrade to a slide show package which of course will add to their cost no matter what type of booking they choose.
Here's my point....
The package is for up to 6 hours... the key word is up to I could still book 4 hour gigs and give them the same price the contract lays out the actual time contracted the package just allows for up to 6 hours to be booked under it. It doesn't mean literally your booked for 6 hours. If it did they it would read "includes 6 hours of service..."
See where I'm going here?
The package is for up to 6 hours... the key word is up to I could still book 4 hour gigs and give them the same price the contract lays out the actual time contracted the package just allows for up to 6 hours to be booked under it. It doesn't mean literally your booked for 6 hours. If it did they it would read "includes 6 hours of service..."
See where I'm going here?
I have three wedding packages the first is four hours w basic (par cans) lighting with 125 per hour overtime rate. The second is six hours with dmx lighting and a 100 per hr overtime rate. The third is unlimited in time and is mainely used when we do the wedding service also. The only "extra" money is for the uplighting, karaoke, that kind thing. Works great for me and most people pick the second package.
I too had three packages Basic, Gold and Platinum. The only difference between Basic and Gold was time, 4 hours and 6 hours respectively, but no lights and no karaoke. The Platinum package included everything for 6 hours. (btw I never sold any of the Platinum packages)
So it occured to me thanks to Drax bringing it up that I have at least two packages that are basically useless baggage mucking up things and that by reduceing the packages to two with the difference being what is included instead of hours. That turns it into a true package in my mind.
So it occured to me thanks to Drax bringing it up that I have at least two packages that are basically useless baggage mucking up things and that by reduceing the packages to two with the difference being what is included instead of hours. That turns it into a true package in my mind.
One thing to note here it's not that I took those packages out of my system... they are still there just not visible to potential clients.
Call it a "Rate Strategy"
If a call comes in asking if I have a 4 hour package... "why sure I do and it's $XXX.XX but, if there is any chance that you may need more than 4 hours overtime is $XXX.XX per hour. If you think you may go over 4 hours for any reason then booking the "up to" 6 hour package may be your best bet on saving money."
Call it a "Rate Strategy"
If a call comes in asking if I have a 4 hour package... "why sure I do and it's $XXX.XX but, if there is any chance that you may need more than 4 hours overtime is $XXX.XX per hour. If you think you may go over 4 hours for any reason then booking the "up to" 6 hour package may be your best bet on saving money."
ok Rob now you're adding confusion. Will you likely get most asking for the four and then adding ot? I think so.just say youve decided to offer one package deal encapsuling
a wedding event which covers anything up to 6 hours. Your likely to get more folks asking for four in my opinion and then adding but its your call just my view having been in your shoes yrs back.
a wedding event which covers anything up to 6 hours. Your likely to get more folks asking for four in my opinion and then adding but its your call just my view having been in your shoes yrs back.
I wouldn't even present the 4 hour option unless directly asked.... otherwise the contract covers the hours booked and the package covers the price. Plus the only packages showing would be the Gold and Platinum both up to 6 hours with the Platinum adding lighting to the package along with a higher price.
But, if they do ask about a 4 hour option then we stop at 4 and anything over that is overtime, where as if they opt for a 4 hour contract with the up to 6 hour package then if for some reason we go over 4 hours then no extra charge for overtime is billed.
In other words booking the package as is, is a money saver should overtime be necessary.
This is about as clear as mud....
Online clients have a choice between two packages and two add-ons
Package 1 is basic wedding dj up to 6 hour package at $499.00
Package 2 is basic wedding dj up to 6 hour package plus lighting add-on at $599.00
Options
Lighting at $125
Karaoke at $150
That's it no confusion at all....
What I was trying to say is if they call and ask directly about packages with fewer hours then sure I'll yet them know but also I will let them know the potential con to going with a lesser package that being the possibility of overtime. With the above and a 4 hour booking if they should happen to go 4.5 hours there's no extra overtime charged.
I see what your saying just in typeing the above I confused the **** out of myself..... how can I explain it if it confuses me...
Simple is best then..... this is our price for up to 6 hours if you only book 4 hours then we only play for 4 hours which falls under the "up to" part of the package detail.....
Does that make better sense?
Online clients have a choice between two packages and two add-ons
Package 1 is basic wedding dj up to 6 hour package at $499.00
Package 2 is basic wedding dj up to 6 hour package plus lighting add-on at $599.00
Options
Lighting at $125
Karaoke at $150
That's it no confusion at all....
What I was trying to say is if they call and ask directly about packages with fewer hours then sure I'll yet them know but also I will let them know the potential con to going with a lesser package that being the possibility of overtime. With the above and a 4 hour booking if they should happen to go 4.5 hours there's no extra overtime charged.
I see what your saying just in typeing the above I confused the **** out of myself..... how can I explain it if it confuses me...
Simple is best then..... this is our price for up to 6 hours if you only book 4 hours then we only play for 4 hours which falls under the "up to" part of the package detail.....
Does that make better sense?
All our events include up to 6 hours on the day of there event. Excluding a ceremony. I tell them they can use all 6 or what ever of it they like but the price is the same. This seems to work for us. If they want more time I will tell them how much we charge if they need it at the time of there event or they may pay half that price if they book it now. Again the hours can be used or not used but there are no refunds for hours not used. We up charge for lights and video.
I have booked events where I will include it but tell them they we normally use these as an add on. But they will get it for free
. This has allowed a bride to book a less expensive event or have everything added. Also depending on distance the reception and ceremony both go up in price but these are things I find out before a quote.
I have booked events where I will include it but tell them they we normally use these as an add on. But they will get it for free
. This has allowed a bride to book a less expensive event or have everything added. Also depending on distance the reception and ceremony both go up in price but these are things I find out before a quote.
See Rob I add my basic lighting and sub for nothing more. Simplistic indeed. With my Dynacord my Sub is needed as it supplies the power to my tops. Of course my EV system is my backup, or add on.
Holy crap this does work... I just got off the phone with a bride in California looking to book our services for a reception held in Bristol, IN.
She was looking for 4 hours so I told her that we have a single package that cover up to 6 hours that would fit her needs very well.... she didn't want lights so no add ons. As I was checking availability for her date I noted two others that had inquired about the date and let her know that they had but hadn't confirmed anything yet... We talked for a bit about the online planners and music request system. I explained how to log in and confirm the event date. She said she had to talk with the Mother-In-Law to be for the financing. I told her I'd email a follow up with the log in information and the booking requirements as we discussed shortly.
During that call I missed another one but, quickly returned that one which also looks very promising for another date.
So I'm now about to email the first bride the information we discussed only I can't find her information under New, Leads, Pursue, or Pending... then I noted I now have 5 under Confirmed... WTF?!? So I go look and low and behold there she is... she sent in the Booking Fee (thank you Jon for that one. I'm like holy crap she sent the money in before I could even send her the information in less than a 15 minute span of time.
She was the first one I tried my new price strategy on.... she booked a 4 hour event using our DJ Wedding Gold package that includes up to 6 hours of service.
She was looking for 4 hours so I told her that we have a single package that cover up to 6 hours that would fit her needs very well.... she didn't want lights so no add ons. As I was checking availability for her date I noted two others that had inquired about the date and let her know that they had but hadn't confirmed anything yet... We talked for a bit about the online planners and music request system. I explained how to log in and confirm the event date. She said she had to talk with the Mother-In-Law to be for the financing. I told her I'd email a follow up with the log in information and the booking requirements as we discussed shortly.
During that call I missed another one but, quickly returned that one which also looks very promising for another date.
So I'm now about to email the first bride the information we discussed only I can't find her information under New, Leads, Pursue, or Pending... then I noted I now have 5 under Confirmed... WTF?!? So I go look and low and behold there she is... she sent in the Booking Fee (thank you Jon for that one. I'm like holy crap she sent the money in before I could even send her the information in less than a 15 minute span of time.
She was the first one I tried my new price strategy on.... she booked a 4 hour event using our DJ Wedding Gold package that includes up to 6 hours of service.
see in marketing its a fickle game until you find something that works. On the outside any set plan might appear great. Generating very little. With a different angle suddenly and often to ones advantage a new approach can become Golden. Work it for all its worth. Understand one thing though it may very well run its course and you will have to reinvent the wheel. Work what works as long as it continues to yield. Trial and error is expected but the ones who recognize and adjust for change will conquer. Good Job Rob.
I also changed my contract a little bit... now in the Event details section not only do I list a start and finish time I also include the total hours:minutes booked.
This covers my butt as far as how many hours are actually being booked instead of relying on the package details to indicate the number of hours...
So basically the Event Details section defines the contracted hours and the package details is just the general information about the package selected.
Does that make sense?
This covers my butt as far as how many hours are actually being booked instead of relying on the package details to indicate the number of hours...
So basically the Event Details section defines the contracted hours and the package details is just the general information about the package selected.
Does that make sense?