Why DJ's cost so much...great story!
- Thread starter trafficgoo
- Start date
While it's sound; I don't thionk many clients will "buy it", as it was written by a dj; somewhat self-serving
It's still mostly BS.
I hate when people cite these things..
Ones income needs to be enough to support expenses, but using them as an argument is futile.
Everyone spends additional time to ready themselves and travel to and from their jobs. Hell, even students have just as much extra work outside the classroom.
A company has to consider these things in order to attract employees and therefore pays them accordingly. However, these things are NOT the concern of a company's clients. The client wants the service for the best price possible and needs to be sold that price with a more tactful approach.
Another futile argument:
"The Professional DJ is also more likely to have extra or backup equipment even in the event that any equipment fails. The Professional DJ will understand how to size the amount of sound reinforcement needed to fit the room that your event is held in. The Pro will also know the best way to set up the equipment to not only be efficient, but to look tasteful and not interfere with the flow of your event."
This is just more rhetoric that makes the DJ feel justified, but the client doesn't care about. Thousands of successful events are completed every week that don't follow such technical practices as by these loosely termed "professionals".
Also, nobody cares that you chose to create an inventory and approach that is costly to put to use.
The bottom line is that it's up to you to determine the best balance between what you want to provide and what you need (not want) to charge to make it profitable. You're not going to land every gig and you're not going to convince everybody that your way is right. If you need to create an entire page or engage in a lengthy discussion to explain your prices to a client, then you're the one that needs convincing.
I hate when people cite these things..
Ones income needs to be enough to support expenses, but using them as an argument is futile.
Everyone spends additional time to ready themselves and travel to and from their jobs. Hell, even students have just as much extra work outside the classroom.
A company has to consider these things in order to attract employees and therefore pays them accordingly. However, these things are NOT the concern of a company's clients. The client wants the service for the best price possible and needs to be sold that price with a more tactful approach.
Another futile argument:
"The Professional DJ is also more likely to have extra or backup equipment even in the event that any equipment fails. The Professional DJ will understand how to size the amount of sound reinforcement needed to fit the room that your event is held in. The Pro will also know the best way to set up the equipment to not only be efficient, but to look tasteful and not interfere with the flow of your event."
This is just more rhetoric that makes the DJ feel justified, but the client doesn't care about. Thousands of successful events are completed every week that don't follow such technical practices as by these loosely termed "professionals".
Also, nobody cares that you chose to create an inventory and approach that is costly to put to use.
The bottom line is that it's up to you to determine the best balance between what you want to provide and what you need (not want) to charge to make it profitable. You're not going to land every gig and you're not going to convince everybody that your way is right. If you need to create an entire page or engage in a lengthy discussion to explain your prices to a client, then you're the one that needs convincing.
DJ PAUL
Director of Entertainment Fulfillment
Although the article gets the rally cry from djs, It's simply another patting ourselves on the back article. I completely understand the frustration the author is feeling and how it has compelled him to write an article about it but I fear it will fall in the abyss.
Make them want your service not your price.
Paul
Make them want your service not your price.
Paul
The article is pointless and accomplishes nothing, in regards to selling the client. Trying to sell based on your costs is a stupid approach that is certain to fail, every time. Sell based on value you bring to the event, they don't give a rip about your costs. In other words, it's the sizzle, stupid!
Well, it's the beef actually. The sizzle demonstrates your attention to details.
"Sizzle" on stew beef isn't gonna fool anyone.
"Sizzle" on stew beef isn't gonna fool anyone.
If you need to defend your price then the disconnect is caused by your ignorance of the clientele to whom you are appealing. Rejection is always due to a weakness on the seller's side. It is not born out of any ignorance on the part of the buyer.
The buyer knows what they want and how much they want to spend - you need to know where you fit in.
Stubborn buyers are so called because they get hung up on options - not the actual purchase.
The buyer knows what they want and how much they want to spend - you need to know where you fit in.
Stubborn buyers are so called because they get hung up on options - not the actual purchase.
Well, I don't know. Have you ever been asked by a client why you charge "so much?" Or have you ever been asked to justify your price?
I have, and I'm not even close to what the highest charging people around here charge. I am right on the average as I understand the local average price.
And so I guess too, you have never been told "You charge more than a plumber".... which I have also been told.
A referral was given a slightly discounted price by us which was what the referring client had paid a few yrs back. The potential didnt get back to us. Upon contacting this individual they apologized for not getting back to us. They proceeded to say they booked another DJ for $600 less. These folks had seen us play and really liked our program but settled for an unknown on price alone. I hope they get their moneys worth but they were clearly not our customer. Im just curious if they purchased their place settings and utensils at the dollar store.
The fact that someone uses a less expensive service is not a clear indication that they are cheap or uninterested in quality.
I just had a cancellation today where the groom informed me they would be using a DJ who is FREE.
The groom is himself a DJ/MC and musician. He works mainly bar mitzvah's from $1,800 - $5,000 in price and from the entire staff of people he has at his disposal he asked me to do his wedding. I quoted him $675 - well below where I would normally be, but about what I charge him as a straight DJ sub for certain types of events.
Now, 3 weeks out as bills come due he's decided he's over spent on his wedding and will have one of his own DJs do it for free. The "intangible" value of having me there (even at a bargian rate) simpy no longer over-rides his immediate need for cash.
I just had a cancellation today where the groom informed me they would be using a DJ who is FREE.
The groom is himself a DJ/MC and musician. He works mainly bar mitzvah's from $1,800 - $5,000 in price and from the entire staff of people he has at his disposal he asked me to do his wedding. I quoted him $675 - well below where I would normally be, but about what I charge him as a straight DJ sub for certain types of events.
Now, 3 weeks out as bills come due he's decided he's over spent on his wedding and will have one of his own DJs do it for free. The "intangible" value of having me there (even at a bargian rate) simpy no longer over-rides his immediate need for cash.
DjDennis
RIP- My Dad (2011), Sister (2013) and Mum (2017)
but have you really seen some of the (oh no I aint going to say it but...) Bottom feeders have you ?
thats where you see:
sub standard gear,
no idea how to speak on a mic,
no contract,
wears jeans,
plus a lot more
oh and this I think is crap too
thats where you see:
sub standard gear,
no idea how to speak on a mic,
no contract,
wears jeans,
plus a lot more
oh and this I think is crap too
Ive been dj'ing about 30 yrs now, Im in the average around my area, not over price nor under, there is a Facebook dj forum and a dj in Ohio says he gets 1,875 to 2,500 a gig and is booked all year long til Nov/Dec in which he plays in a band on Saturday,,so i quized him about the band price , he said they get about 900 a gig , with say 6 guys, I thinking fluff here,, at my age I would never lie about gig fee's,,
Al I can tell you Jerry is from my experience on the boards the ones that claim the highest are also the ones that lie the most. I would guess there are less than 5% at the $1500 mark and the average more like $750. I would also guess there are alot more under that than over that.
My average wedding this year was $450 and I am top 2 in my market
My average wedding this year was $450 and I am top 2 in my market
Ugh, I hate stories like this. The pure and simple fact is...you should charge what you feel comfortable charging based on the market segment you are going after and stop giving a damn about what everyone else charges!! Period.
Right now, for 4 hours locally, we are at $500, and still get told all the time we are too high. I was even told by a good friend of mine who runs sounds for many of the best bands in the area that he would consider recommending us to some of his clients if we would lower our pricing. I asked him what the guy is charging now he recommends....and he said $150 at the most....I laughed.
The argument / debate is meaningless because it is completely and totally based on where you are and what you are going after. If you think you can come into the area where I am and get $3000 for a wedding...more power to you....just like if I was to go to NYC and try to live on $500 an event, I know I couldn't do it.
All that matters is YOU and your clients are comfortable with what you are charging based on the service you provide. I could care less what anyone else in the area is charging...and never once have I asked anyone in my area what they are charging...because that should have no bearing on what I charge.
Right now, for 4 hours locally, we are at $500, and still get told all the time we are too high. I was even told by a good friend of mine who runs sounds for many of the best bands in the area that he would consider recommending us to some of his clients if we would lower our pricing. I asked him what the guy is charging now he recommends....and he said $150 at the most....I laughed.
The argument / debate is meaningless because it is completely and totally based on where you are and what you are going after. If you think you can come into the area where I am and get $3000 for a wedding...more power to you....just like if I was to go to NYC and try to live on $500 an event, I know I couldn't do it.
All that matters is YOU and your clients are comfortable with what you are charging based on the service you provide. I could care less what anyone else in the area is charging...and never once have I asked anyone in my area what they are charging...because that should have no bearing on what I charge.
I have to agree with you because we are in the same market area and I do see and hear the same things as you do.
Yeah on a low 450 ish and high of say 650-750, and most people are happy with that,,he was very sel serving in his comments,, I dont go for that sorry, it is what it is, we all have our styles and ways ,,
I have a wide range - depending on what it is I'm providing. For weddings, there is a price point I will not go below - in honor of Top Gun, we'll call it 'The Hard Deck'. Some shows are a tough sell in this area.