Weddings Pricing on your web site?

[Sounds To Go]

Now just like a website with to much information I apologize because I really couldn't read most of what you wrote. No interest really as it doesn't affect me. I just wanted to know how much.

Well, the brides do want to read it, and do read it as it DOES effect them and gives them the info they want and need. I nknow one thing for sure, that if someone showed me a website with a lot of relevant and well-written information that communicated something I have been saying "can't be communicated" on a site, I'd sure like to see it and maybe take some notes.... but hey thats just me! Its funny how you talk about the fact that we are not marketting to each other, but to brides, but when someone puts in front of you an example of marketting aimed TOWARDS BRIDES to better communicate their offering, which you say simply "can't" be done, you don't show the slightest interest. Somewhat odd actually. I am always looking for ways to improve and open to considering new things. Are you? Why wouldn't you take 5 minutes to look at content that though its of no interest "to you," is aimed at, and is of high interest to those very brides you rightly note we are all marketing to?!?

All kidding aside, you have nothing to prove to anyone as to why you do what you do. If it works to get you business then who cares. I'm sure as a full time company you've worked out your business plan that suits your needs. Stick with it until something new and innovated comes along.

That's what I'm saying Ron - Im not trying to get all up in your grill either!

In everything I have said, I have never taken issue with the way you approach things, or with the way you choose to do them - what I have taken issue with is your statements of supposed fact that certain things "can't be done" or "can't be" communicated effectively in writing. I have proven that they can.

It works for you? That's great! Im not taking jabs... just saying that I, and other dj's are capable of doing what you try to claim "can't" be done when it comes to being able to effectively communicate services and value.

Consciously or unconsciously, all you have done is validate what I said in my earlier posts - that fixed published pricing isn't for you if you are not able to effectively communicate in writing what is behind it or goes into it. If you had said simply that you can't do it or prefer not to do it, you wouldn't have gotten the responses you did - but you just took it further to say it "couldn't" be done at all.

Which it can.

And as my list of clients and referrals can attest, there is nothing "average" about my services - but nice little worther-jab nonetheless.

 

[jabo]

Actually no, it's not my sole source of income -- in fact, I haven't paid myself yet since I incorporated years ago. The business just keeps reinvesting in itself. I have my hands in lots of diversified pies though...


Yeah, MDIS is one of my fine works of art
Should've charged for that one...


Anyway, back to the topic at hand, before Rob has a hissy, and starts pulling at that thing under his lip...


I am probably going to post my rates for custom programming of Rockit (and my other software packages) on my websites soon -- since I have been getting lots of inquiries lately.

I completely discourage that, because it is far too expensive, and people don't realize it. They think a minor change will take five minutes, when in reality it may take a day, plus another day for retesting, etc. An 8 hour day of mine, costs the customer $2000, so they are looking at roughly a $4000 bill, for a minor change!

When they see that on the website, I won't have to worry about explaining it over the phone


I'm sure I'll have more, after beer time starts...

Good stuff, yet another point of agreement. We should be paid for ALL the time we spend working on a project.

I look forward to hearing more.

Jamie

 

[Ron Auger]

That's what I'm saying Ron - Im not trying to get all up in your grill either!

In everything I have said, I have never taken issue with the way you approach things, or with the way you choose to do them - what I have taken issue with is your statements of supposed fact that certain things "can't be done" or "can't be" communicated effectively in writing. I have proven that they can.

It works for you? That's great! Im not taking jabs... just saying that I, and other dj's are capable of doing what you try to claim "can't" be done when it comes to being able to effectively communicate services and value.

Consciously or unconsciously, all you have done is validate what I said in my earlier posts - that fixed published pricing isn't for you if you are not able to effectively communicate in writing what is behind it or goes into it. If you had said simply that you can't do it or prefer not to do it, you wouldn't have gotten the responses you did - but you just took it further to say it "couldn't" be done at all.

Which it can.

And as my list of clients and referrals can attest, there is nothing "average" about my services - but nice little worther-jab nonetheless.

Now here's where things get a little crazy.

In everything I have said, I have never taken issue with the way you approach things, or with the way you choose to do them - what I have taken issue with is your statements of supposed fact that certain things "can't be done" or "can't be" communicated effectively in writing. I have proven that they can.

You have not proven that they can. We have no way of proving your success with your website and how it works without facts and figures to back up your claim. What we have is your opinion and your word which I believe. And I believe it works for you but how is that prove? You have to prove it against something else. To show that your method is in someway equal to or superior to another. What you have done is proved to yourself that it works in a way that you need it to.

but you just took it further to say it "couldn't" be done at all.

It works for you? That's great! Im not taking jabs... just saying that I, and other dj's are capable of doing what you try to claim "can't" be done when it comes to being able to effectively communicate services and value.

Can you quote this for me so I can re-read it an explain? Not quite sure where I stated that or in which way.

 

[jabo]

For me it is when they start talking about how much they are "worth" or when they promise they can tell me how to make more money while doing the same amount of work, without knowing anything about the market I operate in.

Mike

Again we start bashing what we either can't or won't do. There is nothing wrong with charging more or less, as long as you know why you are doing it. Because everyone else is doing it is a STUPID reason. Ceasar (sp), or Joaquinn on some boards, charges little, but does a ton of work. This is the business model he chose and there is nothing wrong with it. Just like there is nothing wrong with doing more, being better and charging more and doing fewer jobs. Not having a clue what you can charge or why you charge it, now there is something wrong with that, IMHO.

Mike, if you don't mind me asking what do you charge for your standard wedding? Just wondering how you set your pricing model up.

So Mike, you too bash charging more and yet don't provide any alternative means to being more productive and making more money. Please share the secrets of your success.

Jamie

 

[jabo]

Sounds to go, and anyone else, I posted my prices above. Do you believe that I should post them on my website? Why or why not? I truly appreciate anyone who answers this question as there may be something I have not considered. Thanks in advance.

I have hundreds (literally) of testimonials that say that my clients feel that I am not charging too much, so we will assume that I am fairly priced for my services. Also you can assume that I am almost 50% higher than my closest competitor in price.

 

[Esoteric]

Again we start bashing what we either can't or won't do. There is nothing wrong with charging more or less, as long as you know why you are doing it. Because everyone else is doing it is a STUPID reason. Ceasar (sp), or Joaquinn on some boards, charges little, but does a ton of work. This is the business model he chose and there is nothing wrong with it. Just like there is nothing wrong with doing more, being better and charging more and doing fewer jobs. Not having a clue what you can charge or why you charge it, now there is something wrong with that, IMHO.

Mike, if you don't mind me asking what do you charge for your standard wedding? Just wondering how you set your pricing model up.

Jamie

I am not bashing anyone who charges more. You misread me. If you can charge more, by all means do! Anyone who charges less than they can either has to to get more business and needs to undercut the competition or they are just plain not good business people.

If you can charge $1200 in your area great! But what I am saying... Listen carefully....

This does not mean that someone else can charge $1200 in their area!!!!!

There is no such thing as "worth" it is a worthless concept (pun intended). There is only what the market will bear in your area. Market forces set the prices.

Mike

 

[DJ Ducky]

Okay, now....

Hey, folks!

A website is simply a tool for marketing, a vehicle for making money. In our case as DJs, we use websites to advertise our mobile DJ services. We all choose to put different information about our services on our websites. The opening topic of this thread was whether we put our prices on our websites. Some do; some don't.

We all work in different markets and different marketing techniques work in each market. We all use what we find works best for us. It's nifty to learn about different techniques in different areas.

There really aren't any right or wrong answers across the board, but there is what works for our individual companies. Picking on others and/or judging them for what they charge or how they choose to sell their services is not getting us anywhere. I think the question for the thread was answered by participants several pages ago.

I think it's time to let this thread go. This has gone beyond the point of ridiculousness...even makes me reminisce upon the rudeness of the posters in another forum for prodjs.

Mods, any thoughts??

 

[Esoteric]

Sounds to go, and anyone else, I posted my prices above. Do you believe that I should post them on my website? Why or why not? I truly appreciate anyone who answers this question as there may be something I have not considered. Thanks in advance.

I have hundreds (literally) of testimonials that say that my clients feel that I am not charging too much, so we will assume that I am fairly priced for my services. Also you can assume that I am almost 50% higher than my closest competitor in price.

How many people do you turn down in a given month? If you get a ton of calls that you have to turn down, you might want to post it in order not to have to deal with those calls. You won't gain any clients by posting it if you are that far above market. The people you are marketing to, the last thing they are thinking about is cost. Myself? I would post it.

Mike

 

[jabo]

I am not bashing anyone who charges more. You misread me. If you can charge more, by all means do! Anyone who charges less than they can either has to to get more business and needs to undercut the competition or they are just plain not good business people.

If you can charge $1200 in your area great! But what I am saying... Listen carefully....

This does not mean that someone else can charge $1200 in their area!!!!!

There is no such thing as "worth" it is a worthless concept (pun intended). There is only what the market will bear in your area. Market forces set the prices.

Mike

Thanks Mike, i appreciate the explanation. My point is not out of line with yours, it is not the number - be it 1200.00 or not, the fact is that most DJs have no idea what the market will bear because they accept the status quo as what the market will bear. Charge to your skills and your abilities, I agree totally. If you are better than most then you should make more money, if you are about average - they you should get average pay, and if you suck well you get the point. See what I mean?

Thanks again.

 

[Ron Auger]

How many people do you turn down in a given month? If you get a ton of calls that you have to turn down, you might want to post it in order not to have to deal with those calls. You won't gain any clients by posting it if you are that far above market. The people you are marketing to, the last thing they are thinking about is cost. Myself? I would post it.

Mike

Which is another reason why I don't post prices on my website. So if you are to pricey for a client then you don't want them to call you anyway? If you are already booked you wouldn't want them to call you? Why not. If, after hearing from me directly they feel the price will not work then I offer to send them to lower priced DJ's who I know will do a decent job for the cost. Someone they can trust, who will show up, and offer a good service. This is how many DJ's in my area work together. Also if I'm booked I can still refer the client out to a trusted DJ so I know they are taken care of with regards to their need and price.

We have a DJ in my area who charges $650 for any wedding and unlimited time. Why? Because he needs to sell on price. Sorry to use this term but is he Worth that price? He sure is. That's why he's so cheap. But that is merely opinion base on some of his past clients and the venues he works at. I wouldn't waste a referral on him but I do know other DJ's who are around that pricing and I know offer a much better service.

So, If I don't get the clients to call I can't help them. It may sound cliché but I like to help people over worrying about getting paid. I've spent my entire career helping people for very little compensation. Running my own business full time I know now I can do both.

Posting such a question about price is going to spark debate. There are many different issues that have been raise that I'm sure people have learned from. Expecting to get a simple yes or no answer from such a question is naive. Just continue on and let things go where they may. If anyone takes this serious or threatening in anyway you need to step away from the computer and go make some money.

Just my opinion.

 

[jabo]

Originally Posted by Esoteric View Post
How many people do you turn down in a given month? If you get a ton of calls that you have to turn down, you might want to post it in order not to have to deal with those calls. You won't gain any clients by posting it if you are that far above market. The people you are marketing to, the last thing they are thinking about is cost. Myself? I would post it.

Mike

That question could also be turned around. How many people that would have been scared off by price end up hiring us??? 6 one way 1/2 dozen the other, but a big difference in cash flow. We don't mind talking about weddings so we take the calls, but I do see what you are saying.

I don't know what our closing ratio is, if I had to say I would guess about half, but I would have to ask my partner to be sure.

I think I will start a new thread.

 

[jabo]

one more thing Mike.

My clients are worried about cost, everyone is. My clients are more concerned with value than cost and they think we are worth (sorry, but I don't know another word that fits) the extra money.

 

[SoftJock Rick]

Picking on others and/or judging them for what they charge or how they choose to sell their services is not getting us anywhere.

Sure is fun though

 

[Ron Auger]

one more thing Mike.

My clients are worried about cost, everyone is. My clients are more concerned with value than cost and they think we are worth (sorry, but I don't know another word that fits) the extra money.

Jabo, "worth" is not a dirty word. Here's my brief opinion. It's unfortunate that the word was more or less coined in this business by Mark Ferrell and his worth movement. The Amway show he produced made the word sound exciting to some and not so pleasant to people like me. But that's only when speaking with other DJ's. And DJ's who even know anything about him. Around these parts it's very rare to find a working DJ who knows the names of the so called Leaders or what they represent.

The general public uses worth as a guideline when hiring entertainment. "Wow, that's a lot of money. Are you worth it"? or "You seem so much cheaper than the others. Are you worth it"? Or something like that. To them worth means are you any good? Pricing, packages, explanations etc on a website cannot show worth or convey if you are any good. Even the cheesiest DJ can pump themselves up on their own website making it look as though they are on the top of the DJ food chain. But then again any business for that fact can and does the same thing. The wise consumer knows this. Just look at how many DJ stores on line sell equipment. I'll bet everyone boasts about reputation, service, dedication to their customers. Do you know any that you wouldn't do business with? Yet from their website they say they are the best. "Worth" is something that has to be learned and believed from the consumer and not just read. This is how I do shop when I'm shopping for services. I don't believe what the company writes or tells me until I've talked to them directly and checked out their reputation.

My simple understanding of a website for something such as services is nothing more than a tool to get people to call. Being priced higher than most and posting those prices might not get the calls many would hope for. Pricing oneself average or lower than others is definitely a good tag to received more calls from website lurkers. So if one counts on their website for work then I'd use every method possible. No right, no wrong, just what works.

Be kind, rewind.

 

[jabo]

Ron, "worth" seems to be a bad word around here. I actually listen to Mark's CDs on a regular basis, good stuff really. As a group we don't have a clue what our services bring to the table compared to ...............................fill in the blank.

Jamie

 

[Ron Auger]

Ron, "worth" seems to be a bad word around here. I actually listen to Mark's CDs on a regular basis, good stuff really. As a group we don't have a clue what our services bring to the table compared to ...............................fill in the blank.

Jamie

Sorry Jamie, that's where I'll disagree. And I know, this is going of topic. So give me another warning.

Mark built a niche business of pumping up people in an Amway type program. He wasn't offering anything new, just presenting it in a way many haven't seen before. They bought his program, paid for his seminars, etc all in the hopes of raising their rates just because he said they could. It was mentioned here that not everyone can ask for and get the same price as others. Yet Ferrell would have many naive DJ's believe they are "worth" just as much as the next guy. He prayed on the false hopes of many and for the reason of making money selling his own BS. And for the most part it worked.

But, that's just my opinion. And now back on topic.

 

[Esoteric]

Which is another reason why I don't post prices on my website. So if you are to pricey for a client then you don't want them to call you anyway? If you are already booked you wouldn't want them to call you? Why not. If, after hearing from me directly they feel the price will not work then I offer to send them to lower priced DJ's who I know will do a decent job for the cost. Someone they can trust, who will show up, and offer a good service. This is how many DJ's in my area work together. Also if I'm booked I can still refer the client out to a trusted DJ so I know they are taken care of with regards to their need and price.

We have a DJ in my area who charges $650 for any wedding and unlimited time. Why? Because he needs to sell on price. Sorry to use this term but is he Worth that price? He sure is. That's why he's so cheap. But that is merely opinion base on some of his past clients and the venues he works at. I wouldn't waste a referral on him but I do know other DJ's who are around that pricing and I know offer a much better service.

So, If I don't get the clients to call I can't help them. It may sound cliché but I like to help people over worrying about getting paid. I've spent my entire career helping people for very little compensation. Running my own business full time I know now I can do both.

Posting such a question about price is going to spark debate. There are many different issues that have been raise that I'm sure people have learned from. Expecting to get a simple yes or no answer from such a question is naive. Just continue on and let things go where they may. If anyone takes this serious or threatening in anyway you need to step away from the computer and go make some money.

Just my opinion.

I don't know about you, but my time is worth (here is a proper use of the word) money. So wasting time with a client who can't afford me is time that could be spent on another client or with my family. That is why I don't want to take calls from clients who cant afford me.

Mike

 

[Esoteric]

That question could also be turned around. How many people that would have been scared off by price end up hiring us??? 6 one way 1/2 dozen the other, but a big difference in cash flow. We don't mind talking about weddings so we take the calls, but I do see what you are saying.

I don't know what our closing ratio is, if I had to say I would guess about half, but I would have to ask my partner to be sure.

I think I will start a new thread.

Unless you are using high pressure sales tactics, I would say that there are very few who would have been scared off by your initial price that end up hiring you anyway.

Mike

 

[jabo]

and you are entitled to your opinion. No big deal. We can talk about it sometime over a beer and I will explain why you are wrong!! LOL

Jamie

 

[Esoteric]

one more thing Mike.

My clients are worried about cost, everyone is. My clients are more concerned with value than cost and they think we are worth (sorry, but I don't know another word that fits) the extra money.

By worried about cost, I meant using it as their primary decision making information. Everyone wants value for cost. In that you are correct. But some people (like us) only have $X in their bank account and no matter how much they love Y DJ they can't pay $Z.

Mike