Starting a new DJ Business, help?

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Howdy Main. Like Zac said, tell us a bit about yourself. Folks 'round here don't normally like to share much with newcomers who don't share about themselves first. It's not that we're mean evil people, just we take our profession or hobby very seriously. A word of warning as well, you will get crap from some of the folks on here, it happens; just shrug it off and you'll find we're a helpful bunch with lots to share.

And please remember this rule: Don't feed the DJs...it makes us cranky. :triwink::tritongue:
 
HAHA.. That's a good rule to go by...

Well, since the business is just starting, we have to start off small rightt? So, School Dances, Birthday Parties, etc... Eventually up to weddings and big events like that...

@DJ Zac, you just did my sister's wedding on 9/10 ... Thanks for telling me to come here!
 
even a starting small requires vision and proper pre planning equipment and lighting ought to be a though only after setting a gameplan as to budget and projected goals and even knowing realistic planning details along with obstacles or barriers which must be met prior and conquered to smove forward on your road to making the business a success. Many different frames of thought in regards to the gear. Some say buy the best for what your goals are once and dont end up with four levels of gear to reach the final system. It can be a positive method if done properly. Buying a starter system doesnt have to be a waste for down the road. I bought a starter system which got me through my first few yrs in Canada and now it is my ceremony and cocktail rig. I sold the speakers for more than the newer version are sold for and got five yrs service out of them so they paid for themselves over many times and I made a nice reward when selling them to boot. Contact NLFX PRO our sponsor and let them know what your plan is and they will help determine proper tools to get to your goals. DJs will have many answers and opinions I trust the pro when buying gear and also when seeking medical advice though there is a ceritified DOctor amongst us here.
 
mainsociety said:
HAHA.. That's a good rule to go by...

Well, since the business is just starting, we have to start off small rightt? So, School Dances, Birthday Parties, etc... Eventually up to weddings and big events like that...

@DJ Zac, you just did my sister's wedding on 9/10 ... Thanks for telling me to come here!
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Welcome and hope you stay for awhile. You caught my attention when you stated "A new DJ Business". As with any business which will involve Investments, expenditures, costs, receivables and work, among other things, you have to have a plan. It gets a bit more complicated when you are sharing everything with a partner. Therefore, your first step is to have a legal agreement drawn up as to who is responsible for what and how much each gets in return pertinent to the amount of investments made.
Do either of you have any experience in Electronics, Electrical Know How, Pro Audio Sound and Lighting?
Are you wanting to start with the minimal amount of money & gear or would you rather save until you have the money for what it would take to start of right. (This will depend on your target applications)

Rushing out to buy a list of equipment just for starters in my opinion is the wrong way to go. First you have to set your Foundation. The basis of this is "WHY do you want to do this?"
Notice I have not listed one piece of equipment because in business there are successes and failures. If a so called business is started for the wrong reason, it is guaranteed to fail.

If all your questions are answered in a logical manner and you want to move on to the next step which is Initial Investment, first determine your ultimate goal (Kind of gigs you would really like to do if you had all it took to do so (Money or equipment). Once that is determined, you work backwards from there to build and add not have to discard and replace.

Talk to me! Your turn.
 
Ahhh... Guys, this is Tommy. At his sister's wedding this past weekend, he very courteously told me that he was looking to be a DJ, and asked for advice. After talking his ear off, I suggested he come here, read a LOT and ask questions. He seems like a very good, level-headed young man, and I think he'll learn a lot here!

Welcome again!
 
Jon Tuck said:
Some say buy the best for what your goals are once and dont end up with four levels of gear to reach the final system. It can be a positive method if done properly. Buying a starter system doesnt have to be a waste for down the road. .
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mainsociety - What did we talk about the other night, huh?? :)
 
mainsociety said:
I've been reading! :p ... And I remmemmber! ... I was seeing what other info could be offered.
:)
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You will get as many opinions on here as there are are DJs. However there are questions that first have to be answered by you and your partner. You don't want to go Deep Sea Fishing and find out that all you have money for is a Canoe and two paddles. This is a business just like any other. There are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that many don't see. Others can offer lists of equipment if they want and they probably will but to me there are more important things that first need addressing.
 
mainsociety said:
@ahoustondj- Ok, thanks for pointing this out, it is a pretty good point. Could you address some of these things out for us? It would be greatly appreciated.
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What things in particular do you need addressing?
 
mainsociety said:
Well, were not really sure I guess. Main things like speaker systems, etc.
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We have a gear sponsor by the name of Ben who has a company called NLFX http://www.nlfxpro.com/cart/home.php Send him a PM or give him a call, he will be more than happy to work with you. He will also be happy to answer any further questions you may have. As one of our DJs here would say "Have a nice day".


Why do I get the feeling like I am being baited?
 
My friend, you're going to need some serious sound reinforcement and quality processing to handle school dances. Just ask Val or Chuck. They can tell you. :)

I'll share my experience in getting started ~ family and friends. Heck, I started with a Radio Shack receiver, a pair of 15" 3-way home stereo cabinets and a carousel CD deck. Seriously, I didn't even have a microphone back then. :D

Somebody in the family or neighborhood was all the time doing a backyard barbecue, birthday party, etc. I volunteered to load the stereo rig over and spin some tunes. It wasn't much (and didn't pay much) but it was a fine way for me to learn the basics of this business.

Things you never thought of at first... like arriving early to get set up before everyone else is there blocking your road. Like getting the music you'll need ahead of time. And most importantly, having a solid contract or service agreement signed by your client.

That got me into the local VFW where I was actually paid some decent money for it. Built up the music collection and bought some better equipment. Started marketing to local campgrounds as well. Within a couple of years I was booked every holiday weekend at one place or another.

The ticket to starting in this biz is to mind your cost to the client. Don't price yourself out of the market.

Hope it helps.
 
mainsociety said:
HAHA.. That's a good rule to go by...

Well, since the business is just starting, we have to start off small rightt? So, School Dances, Birthday Parties, etc... Eventually up to weddings and big events like that...

@DJ Zac, you just did my sister's wedding on 9/10 ... Thanks for telling me to come here!
Click to expand...

Well, since the business is just started (or not) I would suggest starting with backyard parties, friends graduation parties, and maybe a few small hall parties! Good luck!
 
Check out rental shops to cover off gear needs initially obviously allowing your price to be attractive but to allow you to save up and buy good gear versus garbage to get started. It also gives opportunity for you to determine like a test drive if you really want to invest the blood, sweat, tears and funds to go big or stay home.
 
ahoustondj said:
Why do I get the feeling like I am being baited?
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Canute - I can assure you you're not being baited.

Something that mainsociety should have mentioned (and I'd hoped he would) is that he is well under 18. We all know that this presents its own set of issues (like the need for a parent to sign contracts, transportation issues, etc...) Like many of us starting out, he has little idea of what is truly involved with being a DJ or running a DJ business.

The fact that he actually started the conversation that we had by saying that he and a friend wanted to start a "DJ business" as opposed to saying that he and a friend wanted "to be DJs and party" was why I gave him any time at all, and why I directed him to ODJT. :)
 
I have long since given up on his threads. I feel pity for him and sorry for those who have time to waste. The man knows squat but already I can see him resisting and being tempted to go down the wrong path. Keep the "Y" Copnnectors away from him before somebody gets blown up.
And y'all say psychology does not help you to understand people!
[video=youtube;ZHiU-ftFDwg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHiU-ftFDwg&feature=related[/video]
 
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