...and this Mix, illustrates something that a lot of DJs seem to arrogant to grasp: that the customer's are qualifying their vendors just as much as we are qualifying our clients. What you offer a prospect has to be based on a realistic assessment of their organizational or personal resources.
The irony of Rick's statement is that at $1,000 for 4hrs - it is unlikely a bowling league would hire him. Bowling leagues in general don't have that kind of disposable revenue. If you want some of that work you have to formulate a plan that qualifies under their budget. Perhaps that means offering a lower rate on weeknights - or sending a trainee to do these whenever you are booked on a better opportunity. Maybe you rent them gear to do it themselves. Whatever the answer - it is something that realistically fits the profile of what they are doing.
The other aspect is "self-insuring" your reliability. That means: never quote a job lower than what it will cost you to get a qualified replacement on short notice. If you book a gig at $250 and then can't follow through - you'll have a hard time at that rate finding another professional DJ to take your place. Your reputation for reliability suffers a powerful hit if you cancel on a client. This is a referral business - you need to live up to what you promise even if your promise was a bad idea.
