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T

Thomas

DJ Extraordinaire
Apr 14, 2009
900
76
55
Hamilton, IL
www.pulse-audio.com
I have a local venue that I do a lot of events at. At least once a month. They want to hire me as an in house DJ. Do all of their events. They do weddings, reunions, company parties, etc. They have pretty much an event every weekend, sometimes 2 or 3. They are pleasant people, offering decent money. But I would have to abandoned existing customers that I have built relationships with in order to do this. I would be providing all my own gear. Keep in mind that I am already booked for every weekend thoughout the summer. Slight break in the fall, then hot and heavy into Christmas parties. I ponder the what about next year. Also thought about 2 rigs and double dipping. I just don't trust someone else to represent me, if you know what I mean.

She hires me and expects what I do, I send someone else and it doesn't go as well. It may have been a crappy night for me as well if I had been there, but you all know how that goes. Just curious as to what you might do.
 
badblood70 said:
I have a local venue that I do a lot of events at. At least once a month. They want to hire me as an in house DJ. Do all of their events. They do weddings, reunions, company parties, etc. They have pretty much an event every weekend, sometimes 2 or 3. They are pleasant people, offering decent money. But I would have to abandoned existing customers that I have built relationships with in order to do this. I would be providing all my own gear. Keep in mind that I am already booked for every weekend thoughout the summer. Slight break in the fall, then hot and heavy into Christmas parties. I ponder the what about next year. Also thought about 2 rigs and double dipping. I just don't trust someone else to represent me, if you know what I mean.

She hires me and expects what I do, I send someone else and it doesn't go as well. It may have been a crappy night for me as well if I had been there, but you all know how that goes. Just curious as to what you might do.
Click to expand...
I would expand by training someone who I trust. I will also from time to time have that person fill in for me at the permanent venue and go out on the mobile gigs.
The benefits to working at a permanent location is that you can install your own equipment there (Just bring in the source music). Have the necessary documentation and Insurance in place to cover your gear. You will know exactly what to do at the
permanent venue.
Use the relationship with the venue to do your own productions there. Thats where you make the big bucks! If you deem yourself as successful, what better way is there than to duplicate said success and thus make more money. Its like having two lifeboats on the ocean. If one springs a leak, you can always hop in to the other one.
 
Here's what I would suggest:

Sit down with the house client and explain your current booking obligations. She'll understand; she books her house for events all the time. Ask if you can "house DJ" on weekends when you aren't currently booked until your contractual obligations are fulfilled.

If that will be satisfactory, tell her you'll book with the house exclusively from there.

Thoughts?
 
think about it, im sure you know the venue people well, but dont put eggs all in one basket, sounds like you have a good and wide clientele, so "IF" something would happen for any unforeseen reason to the venue, you would have to basically go back out and re-plant your garden, just thinking way ahead and this may be a mute point,,,,
 
I agree with JPD. I had a place who wanted me to be very available for them, but the Board of Directors did an end around, hiring their own in-house DJ. I lost a lot of availability to them.

Lesson learned.
 
Well, if losing prospective dates is a concern why not discuss an advance notice clause?

Most rental houses book several months in advance. And most clients book their venue before booking a DJ company. The rental manager can let you know what nights you'll be needed and you may be able to negotiate a clause that allows you to book on your own if the manager hasn't reserved your company ahead in say, 60 days.
 
After quite a bit of thought, I have decided to stay freelance. I talked the venue owner and she understood and asked if I would help her set up a system for them. I explained that would be a conflict of interest for me, but I would give them preferrential treatment if the wanted to book me instead of the regular clients booking me. We talked about the possiblity of me storing a system there to make set up easier for the nights that I would be booked via them or the customer. A few other options, etc.... will see how it goes.
 
I know you already made your decision but let me pile on a couple of thoughts....

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket" (reason #1)

"It's all about the money" (you're already booked up, at regular rates and with a mixture of clients. You have the most stability and the most money already. Stay the course)
 
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