Does anybody just play music anymore?
- Thread starter SoftJock Rick
- Start date
I think there are peeps here that cover most of the different types of shows - that's a good thing - it helps bring out those other angles.
I don't think we all do all of that stuff. Let's call it a variant. Variety is one of the spices of life.
At one time, computer audio players only played select file types. Now they cover most audio types, as well as other new fangled things like video and karaoke, etc. Should they also be limited to what they once were?
I don't think we all do all of that stuff. Let's call it a variant. Variety is one of the spices of life.
At one time, computer audio players only played select file types. Now they cover most audio types, as well as other new fangled things like video and karaoke, etc. Should they also be limited to what they once were?
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Yes I just play music, I only have a few packages, they all include some lights and the more expensive packages are because I bring thousands of dollars (more) equipment or play for an extended period of time.
I am afordable, take no payment till the gig is over, you are satified with the music and performance. Every event the music has the priority and I spend hours working on playlist and have never used a previous playlist for the current gig. I hand mix every playlist, no auto mix or beat mix. I went back into DJing because my first love was music and the way people react when you play that one song that fits the mode
I am also a gear whore, there is never enough gear and never enough solid punchee bass.
You can never bring to many subs. Disco baby
I am afordable, take no payment till the gig is over, you are satified with the music and performance. Every event the music has the priority and I spend hours working on playlist and have never used a previous playlist for the current gig. I hand mix every playlist, no auto mix or beat mix. I went back into DJing because my first love was music and the way people react when you play that one song that fits the mode
I am also a gear whore, there is never enough gear and never enough solid punchee bass. You can never bring to many subs. Disco baby
That is where I started.....then added lighting, then added video, then added...........if that is what the customers are looking for, then what is the problem? Most of the time people want it all from the same vendor than having to piece meal it together.....once the services are set up and established, they only require entering the current job data to make it all work as a contiguous system......I'm failing to see the issue.
Ricky in order to make decent money in the industry it's best to offer these services. If it's something I don't own I will rent it and the mark it up. A 1200.00 music only package can be turned into a 3500.00 booking by adding a photo booth, lighting, and decor lighting. It's hard to survive on 500.00 dj packages these days. I'm lucky to live in a go big or go home kind of a market.
You said you never take a payment till after the job is done. Do you ever worry about getting paid? I've done it on occasion but I have had to have dealt with that client in the past and know that won't be an issue. I've had times when I trusted people and either didn't get paid or not the correct amount. When that has happened I had to decide if going up side someones head was worth me going to jail. I decided to change my practices.Yes I just play music, I only have a few packages, they all include some lights and the more expensive packages are because I bring thousands of dollars (more) equipment or play for an extended period of time.
I am afordable, take no payment till the gig is over, you are satified with the music and performance. Every event the music has the priority and I spend hours working on playlist and have never used a previous playlist for the current gig. I hand mix every playlist, no auto mix or beat mix. I went back into DJing because my first love was music and the way people react when you play that one song that fits the mode
You can never bring to many subs. Disco baby
Now on to Rick's question. There are a lot of things that a DJ can offer today that they couldn't do when I first got started. Most DJ's didn't have lights. If they did it was the red, green and yellow signal light thing. That was basically it. What it's about today is rolling with the times. I said I would never use a computer to DJ with. At one time I was comfortable with using my CD's. I also said I would never buy powered speakers. At one time I was happy with just using the speakers I had with my amp. I very rarely use them any more. The reason being is that to get those double 15's out of the basement are a PITA and not a lot of people are willing to spend that much to use all of the gear I have in the basement. Also not to mention at most gigs that would be super over kill.
No Mix, I don't worry about it at all. Every gig I have done I have been paid more than I asked for at the end of the gig. I have even been sent checks by well to do attendees of my charity events, however I cashed then and gave them back to the charity because I offered my services for free and that is what I did.
If someone ever comes up at the end of the gig and says we did not like what you did for us we are not paying you, I will apologize, ask them what I need to do to meet their expectations and pack up and move out. If that happens and I feel I did my job and did not have equipment issues or something else, I will not accept any gigs for that person or organization ever again.
If someone ever comes up at the end of the gig and says we did not like what you did for us we are not paying you, I will apologize, ask them what I need to do to meet their expectations and pack up and move out. If that happens and I feel I did my job and did not have equipment issues or something else, I will not accept any gigs for that person or organization ever again.
I used to offer everything then realized all the extra set / strike time really was eating into my dollars per hour profits, now most gigs are two speakers on a stick with focus on music, I run a 4 bar and spherion Tri LED with every system, simple easy to use I am set up with wire management taken care of in 20 min and out of a build in in 15 min, average gig is about $1200 with three systems out most weekend nights, if my client wants all the sizzle I subcontract it out for them at a very slight profit for my hassles but it causes me very little additional headache
what I figured out was people wanted to hire me for the piece of mind I provide, If I promise you something I over deliver every time. BRAND YOURSELF not your gear, it's much more profitable.
what I figured out was people wanted to hire me for the piece of mind I provide, If I promise you something I over deliver every time. BRAND YOURSELF not your gear, it's much more profitable.
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Ah, so you subscribe to the Blair school of business (Nash Party Authority). He pitches that "don't pay if you're not happy" thing. Of course, in his case the only person being hung out to dry is the sub who works the job for him (the balance remaining). The client makes up some excuse, stiffs the DJ and Blair takes the side of the extortionist. Bro, when word gets out, you'll get tired of working for free.
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Why didn't you just stick with making a DJ player? From your own website, I count six different products. Why not just stick with the first one?
 | Rockit Pro DJ - Click here for Purchase and Upgrade Options Professional DJ Mixing Software US $119.95 |
| | |
 | RockBox Jukebox Commercial and Home Jukebox Software From US $19.95 |
| | |
 | Multi Zone Audio Zoned audio software for clubs, bars and smart homes US $129.95 |
| | |
 | Remote Request System Accept DJ requests from a remote computer US $ 49.95 |
| BPM ProScan Scan your MP3 files for beats per minute, and save the results to the MP3 tag in the file. US $ 4.99 |
 | DJ DupeScan Duplicate music and video file finder, and remover. US $ 4.99 |
They are all inter-related, and use the same code base that I developed. All of the functionality of the others, are already in Rockit.
But some folks are on a budget (along with myself), so I make available certain functionality for a lower price, if that's all they require.
You up sell, I down sell.
All of my add-ons are related to my DJ business and fit perfectly with the base offerings. I have clients who can't afford to pay $2k to have a dedicated lighting company do their event but they can add $700-$1000 for me to do it, especially since I'm already there for the event. If adding more product offerings truly irks you, then lead the way and ditch all your additional product offerings. Lead the way, my brother.
When we started in the biz, all we did was play music, pretty much. That was all people expected. I didn't have a mic when I started. Didn't need it.
Then came lighting. A mirror ball and pinspot or basic set of par cans and chaser were all ya needed at the time.
Then it was a wireless mic, even if you didn't need it yourself. Clients asked about it when they called... there was always some bonehead who just had to walk around the reception room talking BS on the mic for some reason.
And on it went... people wanting more and more add-ons. But they don't necessarily want to pay more for it.
These things seem bare bones today but it wasn't always this way. Used to be, all a DJ was expected to do was play music and MC.
That's all I ever wanted to do.
Then came lighting. A mirror ball and pinspot or basic set of par cans and chaser were all ya needed at the time.
Then it was a wireless mic, even if you didn't need it yourself. Clients asked about it when they called... there was always some bonehead who just had to walk around the reception room talking BS on the mic for some reason.
And on it went... people wanting more and more add-ons. But they don't necessarily want to pay more for it.
These things seem bare bones today but it wasn't always this way. Used to be, all a DJ was expected to do was play music and MC.
That's all I ever wanted to do.
Yes, there are plenty of DJs who just play music. I see them all the time and I'll bet they greatly out number the "entertainers" and one stop for everything shops. There are plenty of gigs where I too - do exactly that: "just play music." If you do it really well there is plenty of work.
The missing part of your question is where's are the challenges? Having always done this full time it is to me like any other occupation - you continue to look for new challenges and new skills and more lucrative avenues that recharge your personal batteries, so to speak. It is not all about "upsells" and a few more dollars. I tend to seek out challenges - problems that need to be solved and gigs that push the envelope of my personal limits.
Just playing music is the entry level side of this job and while those who do this as a hobby find leisure pleasure in that aspect - career minded people will find it stagnating and continue to look for more challenges, greater responsibility and greater rewards. The rewards are not limited just to money - there's a lot to be gained personally and professionally by taking on greater responsibility and risk and being recognized for quality work.
I think there's a lot of that in the one-stop-shop mentality and multi-ops can fall victim to having a glass ceiling on their level of talent due to their margin.
Then there's a whole lot of freelance talent out there with multiple skills in the event business. It is very common to find a professional dancer who is also a great DJ or musician. There are DJs who are also great lighting designers, programmers, or electricians. Set builders who are also graphic designers, etc. The possibilities are endless. Many disciplines can find application in the event and entertainment area.
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Rick,
I do all my work myself, no subs or workers. I also choose which gigs I take, as I have a max number of gigs I will do each year. I still work full time and when my daughter gets out of college (4 years), I will retire for the second time, my wife for the first time and I will DJ full time as long as I am able. I only book 24-26 gigs (max) per year. I may get stiffed one day, if so it will be by someone I know well within my community and I am sure once the word got out it would be thier reputation that suffered not mine.
Unlike many other DJs around me, I do not go out of my market. If someone calls me from Nashville, I will send them your way. Yes Nashville is only one hour away, but I get plenty of work in my community, I don't need to be in your market.
On the other hand if me or my equipment have a real bad night then I don't deserve to get paid, as I will have made someones special event less than perfect.
Ray J.
I do all my work myself, no subs or workers. I also choose which gigs I take, as I have a max number of gigs I will do each year. I still work full time and when my daughter gets out of college (4 years), I will retire for the second time, my wife for the first time and I will DJ full time as long as I am able. I only book 24-26 gigs (max) per year. I may get stiffed one day, if so it will be by someone I know well within my community and I am sure once the word got out it would be thier reputation that suffered not mine.
Unlike many other DJs around me, I do not go out of my market. If someone calls me from Nashville, I will send them your way. Yes Nashville is only one hour away, but I get plenty of work in my community, I don't need to be in your market.
On the other hand if me or my equipment have a real bad night then I don't deserve to get paid, as I will have made someones special event less than perfect.
Ray J.
Good for you Bob, but I'm guessing you are listening to too many motivational speakers.
I once worked with a dude (manager) at an eyeglass store, he was a part time cop as well. I was young at the time, and just out of the Corps. He taught me a few things that I continue to this day:
Never work too hard -- take your time and do it right.
If you have personable limits, means that you are already limited, So, you stay in your comfort zone.