School & Teen Events Dj'ing Prom Quote Question?? Help!!

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DJ Jbomb

New DJ
Oct 30, 2011
10
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38
Hey everybody how's it going? So last night I got an email back from a local school about Dj'ing their senior prom coming up in may. Everything is a go besides one thing. They wanted to know how much I would be charging. I've done several party's and such but never a Prom. I don't know what I should be charging or what is a typical beginner's charge. I will be providing Lighting, Sound and all of my equipment for the event. The prom will be for 3 hours and I should also include setup/cleanup. I'm thinking there is going to be around 200-300 kids? If someone could give me some pointes and basic rates that would be awesome.

Thanks All,
Jeremy
 
Jeremy you are going to do an event which you have no idea how much to charge or what the going rate is in your area?? i could tell you $50 or $2000,but are you worth $50 or $2000??
 
I've done several party's and such but never a prom event. I know the "average" rate is 350+.... I wanted to get other peoples suggestions and rates what they charge not their smart comments back.. Thanks
 
But I think that's just it - you can't go based on what others charge. It's what you (and others) think you (and the show) are worth. There is no 'universal' charge for a Prom. We all have different fees - and if you've done 'several parties', then you should have an idea of your worth, how much equipment you will need, etc - and voila - your price.

On a side note - if you don't want smart comments back - you're seriously at the wrong place.
 
DJ Jbomb said:
I've done several party's and such but never a prom event. I know the "average" rate is 350+.... I wanted to get other peoples suggestions and rates what they charge not their smart comments back.. Thanks
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i'll keep quiet with my smart comment as you say since you have no idea what a question is all about.
 
I think cmwat answered your question...what's your worth?

Ask yourself the following questions...

"How much would I pay for my services?"
"Is this a business or hobby?"

Remember a business has expenses such as equipment upkeep, clothing/styling, music subscriptions, insurance, etc... You need to price yourself to make a profit not a loss. Find out what other entertainment providers charge in the area by doing some research. Put your prices in that range but don't undercut them or yourself.

And what ittigger was getting at is Someone in New York or Atlanta may make more than someone will in Amishville, USA.
 
djchadillac said:
Find out what other entertainment providers charge in the area by doing some research. Put your prices in that range but don't undercut them or yourself.
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Realistically, this 'may' ONLY help if you provide the same quality and grade of service as those other providers. If you are a self professed 'beginner', this may not apply. Also, you probably shouldn't "ballpark" yourself. You should charge what you're (the show is) worth. These may be separate numbers.

djchadillac said:
And what ittigger was getting at is Someone in New York or Atlanta may make more than someone will in Amishville, USA.
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It's also within the same (local) areas. Patrick, myself and others are all pretty much in the same serving area and our prices differ between each other.
 
Depends on what you bring to the table. If you've never done a prom I can presume you are not in high demand for that time period, therefore, I would put your worth about the same as a party you have experience with. If they demand more of your services (equipment, skills or time) then the price would increase. I have no idea what the 'average' rate is for proms. We travel a lot and our proms run $1600 to $4500 usually.
 
It depends on what you are worth. Not an insult. its the truth. if you are bringing $50,000 in equipment you had better charge more that $350 but if you are bringing like 2 speakers on a stick no subs and lighting like 1 derby effect and 1 moon flower effect no trussing etc you had better not charge $10,000 for the gig. plus do you have any experience club type mixing? you cant just throw your ipod on shuffle for a prom etc etc.

what are you bringing to the table exactly? and what is your talent worth?

More info please!

-JL
(DJ Iron Wolf)
 
DJ Jbomb said:
I've done several party's and such but never a prom event. I know the "average" rate is 350+.... I wanted to get other peoples suggestions and rates what they charge not their smart comments back.. Thanks
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Do you want to show us where the "smart comment" was?

You gave us NO info other than your name and the fact that you've never done a prom. How can anyone help you if they don't know your credentials, location or what gear you are bringing?

If "everything is a go", then why can't you figure out what to charge? They contacted you because you made yourself known as a DJ service. So what's the deal?
 
More than anything you need a Plan.

What kind of DJ do you want to be? Where do you want to be with this in a year, 3 years, ect.? This site can offer a wealth of knowledge. What you do with that knowledge is up to you.
 
Let's see if I can make some sense for you....Hope you don't mind I am using you as an example Val

Val charges between $1600 and $4500. On the opposite end of the scale this year coming up for a Prom I will be starting at $600 for the Prom and additional if they want the Safe Grad after party. I suspect the both of us are the highest in our respective markets. Val most likley will do several I will probably do two tops. Val shows up with a Tractor-Trailer I show up with a minivan. Val sometimes travels several hundred miles where I travel 100 miles tops usually. Val lives in South Dakota I live in Nova Scotia. Val markets to Prom clients and I take them if they come along

I have heard of DJs that charge $10,000 for a prom and personally know some that charge $250....

So basically it comes down to what are you offering, What is your market dictating, What makes you a profit, and what do you think you are worth

Hope it helps
 
Jeff Romard said:
Let's see if I can make some sense for you....Hope you don't mind I am using you as an example Val

Val charges between $1600 and $4500. On the opposite end of the scale this year coming up for a Prom I will be starting at $600 for the Prom and additional if they want the Safe Grad after party. I suspect the both of us are the highest in our respective markets. Val most likley will do several I will probably do two tops. Val shows up with a Tractor-Trailer I show up with a minivan. Val sometimes travels several hundred miles where I travel 100 miles tops usually. Val lives in South Dakota I live in Nova Scotia. Val markets to Prom clients and I take them if they come along

I have heard of DJs that charge $10,000 for a prom and personally know some that charge $250....

So basically it comes down to what are you offering, What is your market dictating, What makes you a profit, and what do you think you are worth

Hope it helps
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Thanks Jeff for putting that in English for me. :triwink:
 
Price May Not Matter

If one is not qualified to handle a Gig like that, then one is way over their head. At that time price does not matter because the performance would leave a lot to be desired. Are you willing to swim in the deep sea ocean if you are only able to handle a 3' pool?
Solution, sub contract with an experienced DJ and go along for the ride and learning experience.
 
Thanks Canute the DJ Hero game has sprouted up so many who havent a clue what they are oing to do yet beat the game and now a reality show is on its way just wait another wave of oh I want to be a DJ its easy..................................
 
Jon Tuck said:
Thanks Canute the DJ Hero game has sprouted up so many who havent a clue what they are oing to do yet beat the game and now a reality show is on its way just wait another wave of oh I want to be a DJ its easy..................................
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To bad I've never played that game in my life.

For griffinwebnet, My setup for that event will be a 9' truss with, venue dual scanners, 4 tracker light effects, for machine, a moon flower and a american dj ls-60a package mounted on the truss. Sound will be B-52 Matrix 2000 package. I'm running the Macbook pro 13" with a Numark mix track pro right now getting ready to go out and upgrade my controller in a month or so. I do know how to mix and blend track together as in a "Club" setting. I play a lot of club/dance remix's which is what the students are requesting for their prom. The prom is only bout 15 miles from my house. It's for a local school where I graduated from in 2006. So I know the teachers and a lot of kids there in the school now because I'm involved with the Football program there now.

Thanks,
 
DJ Jbomb said:
To bad I've never played that game in my life.

For griffinwebnet, My setup for that event will be a 9' truss with, venue dual scanners, 4 tracker light effects, for machine, a moon flower and a american dj ls-60a package mounted on the truss. Sound will be B-52 Matrix 2000 package. I'm running the Macbook pro 13" with a Numark mix track pro right now getting ready to go out and upgrade my controller in a month or so. I do know how to mix and blend track together as in a "Club" setting. I play a lot of club/dance remix's which is what the students are requesting for their prom. The prom is only bout 15 miles from my house. It's for a local school where I graduated from in 2006. So I know the teachers and a lot of kids there in the school now because I'm involved with the Football program there now.

Thanks,
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That is not enough sound/firepower for an event that size. Will it be heard? Yep! Will you have to turn it up? Yep! Will it sound good loud? Probably not! It will be blaring with not enough OOMPH!
 
I can hear the B-52 Matrix 2000 falling down from here. Houston is right. You are to be commended for picking up the larger of the 2 B-52 systems, however you'll need more for what's required with 300 kids/gym/etc.

Good luck!

Paul
 
only 350 dollars? You bring the Matrix and it blows what will you use to recover the repair cost?
 
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