Your best line to combat cheap DJs?

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
  • Like
Reactions: SEDJ and ittigger
Have we set a baseline definition here for what a "bottom feeder" is? This term may all mean different things to different people on this thread.

It is the same for everyone who uses the term: contempt - born out of insecurity and bruised ego.

There are people who spend more money on cat toys than you do on DJ gear. There is no accounting for people's hobby. It is what it is and there's a lot of great hobby level DJs.

The word "legitimate" is a complete waste of your breath because hitting the play button will always be legitimate no matter how or by whom it is accomplished, and irrespective of any skill or panache invoked.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: steve149
I hear bottom-feeders using 3 words, "cheap", "inexpensive" and "budget-friendly". In my book, they're all the same thing as "bottom-feeder".

I don’t use ANY of those words (“bottom-feeder”, “cheap", "inexpensive" or "budget-friendly") to describe myself to prospective clients... It’s unnecessary. I give them a written quote, which includes all the services they’ll receive for the quoted price. They can see for themselves if my price is lower than other quotes they’ve received. If they were to ask why my prices are lower than the others, I’d simply tell them I don’t know the basis for other DJ’s rates (which is the truth), and that my rates are based on MY costs of doing business.

I might refer to myself as a bottom-feeder in this forum.[emoji1] I AM a lower cost DJ than others. I’m not ashamed of it. I’m probably not competing for the same gigs with the high-priced guys in my area, anyway. If I am, too bad![emoji1]
 
I'm strictly in the hobbyist category, and I'm not focused on getting a lot of gigs (I do it because I love the equipment, the music, and having fun). But I gave a good price to a friend-of-a-friend for a wedding on Saturday, and when I showed up, I started thinking about how much they spent on tables, flowers, food, etc., and realized I was only hurting myself (and my ability to buy even cooler equipment).

I had a similar experience last fall. I have a regular gig for my local church teen dances (that my kids go to), and I only charge $200 because they don't have a big budget. But they threw an outdoor dance and somehow found money for a bunch of portapotties (probably at least $1,000). I don't mind helping out, but I've got to be worth more than the toilets!
 
I had a similar experience last fall. I have a regular gig for my local church teen dances (that my kids go to), and I only charge $200 because they don't have a big budget. But they threw an outdoor dance and somehow found money for a bunch of portapotties (probably at least $1,000). I don't mind helping out, but I've got to be worth more than the toilets!

And the unfortunate part of that story - is that you've anchored them to what you're worth. It's unlikely that you get that church to pay you a market rate for that event. They will forever be "poisoned" from having had a $200 DJ.

In my experience, that comparison you're making is part of how rates will ultimately rise. You'll see another DJ do a gig one day... and find out they are making $600 a night. And they're using worse stuff, not engaging with the crowd correctly... and you'll think.... "Oh... well I'm at LEAST as good as that guy. I should be worth what they are... if not more."

There is nothing wrong with being a hobbyist in this space. Most full timers and serious professionals started out as just that. But the more samples you have to compare to... if you're doing good work, the more you'll increase your perception of your own value.
 
My best line, even used with expensive DJs is to "ask for a DJ mix so you can better hear how the music flows and transitions from one song to another. After all, you don't want a human jukebox."

If they cannot value good mixing then they are not my type of client. I almost never DJ for people who just want to hear music played, even if the song selection is on point.

I was at my step-cousins wedding last night, and while the music was not bad, the lack of energy between songs was shocking. I had never seen it this bad. People got weirded out in between songs, and the tempos were all over the place when the next song finally did come through.

Today, more than ever it's just way too easy to rent a pair of QSC speakers and run a Spotify playlist. Hell, there is even a crossfade feature on all types of apps.

Creative programming/song choice, song timing, and top notch club mixing are what sets my price apart from people who charge less. I constantly get told by vendors who regularly see DJs that they love watching my shows b/c of how exciting my mix is which gets people super hyped up.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Albatross
I'm strictly in the hobbyist category, and I'm not focused on getting a lot of gigs (I do it because I love the equipment, the music, and having fun). But I gave a good price to a friend-of-a-friend for a wedding on Saturday, and when I showed up, I started thinking about how much they spent on tables, flowers, food, etc., and realized I was only hurting myself (and my ability to buy even cooler equipment).

I had a similar experience last fall. I have a regular gig for my local church teen dances (that my kids go to), and I only charge $200 because they don't have a big budget. But they threw an outdoor dance and somehow found money for a bunch of portapotties (probably at least $1,000). I don't mind helping out, but I've got to be worth more than the toilets!

That's what Rick is getting at. So many DJs value themselves at less than the value of a Toilet. Their financial minds are in the gutter literally!

At $200, I can earn that much money and potentially more bartending for the night, and I would not need to bring thousands of dollars in equipment, carry insurance, etc. etc. to do that! ...Getting a bar ready/tearing down/cleaning up is less work/easier to do compared to setting up a DJ sound system, lighting, and loading in/loading out as well.
 
Got a lead in this evening. It's on-going, but I suspect the lady is choking on my price, right about now. Here's the thread:

Bride: Hey there, I was referred to you by another booked DJ. Are you available 6Oct2018? Thank you.

Me: Yes, we are available.

Bride: Okay that’s great. How does you pricing work? I was going to do music myself but it’s becoming excessive and too much trouble. It’s an outdoor venue, reception under a tent. Five Sense Farm in Murfreesboro. I would need services from 5-930pm. The ceremony is at 5. Thank you!

Me: Here's our wedding DJ/MC pricing: DJ Weddings It's pretty simple. $850 is standard DJ service. If you need ceremony sound, that adds $150 (separate sound system).

Anybody care to guess what her reply will be (if she replies at all)? I'm expecting to hear that she wants to spend $250.
 
That's what Rick is getting at. So many DJs value themselves at less than the value of a Toilet. Their financial minds are in the gutter literally!

At $200, I can earn that much money and potentially more bartending for the night, and I would not need to bring thousands of dollars in equipment, carry insurance, etc. etc. to do that! ...Getting a bar ready/tearing down/cleaning up is less work/easier to do compared to setting up a DJ sound system, lighting, and loading in/loading out as well.

I think a lot of guys simply are not comfortable doing higher end events. They're comfortable with the sub-par wage and that's what they gravitate towards. I too, have done the elementary school gigs (wife used to teach). I charged for a couple but then got to realizing that it would do me more harm to have word get out that I was doing $200 gigs. I had a few gigs where I had to stand the principal down and refuse to take any money. I'd rather give away my time than accept wages that would cause trouble on other gigs.
 
Got a lead in this evening. It's on-going, but I suspect the lady is choking on my price, right about now. Here's the thread:

Bride: Hey there, I was referred to you by another booked DJ. Are you available 6Oct2018? Thank you.

Me: Yes, we are available.

Bride: Okay that’s great. How does you pricing work? I was going to do music myself but it’s becoming excessive and too much trouble. It’s an outdoor venue, reception under a tent. Five Sense Farm in Murfreesboro. I would need services from 5-930pm. The ceremony is at 5. Thank you!

Me: Here's our wedding DJ/MC pricing: DJ Weddings It's pretty simple. $850 is standard DJ service. If you need ceremony sound, that adds $150 (separate sound system).

Anybody care to guess what her reply will be (if she replies at all)? I'm expecting to hear that she wants to spend $250.
This Brings me back again to attracting the right clientele and also the network you create and associate with. This person shows that they don’t really value what a good dj brings to the table... otherwise they would have never thought of doing it themselves. This isn’t what you should be attracting. You should attract couples who prioritize music and even if they get the cheapest venue they’re willing to spend on a dj. Whoever this other dj is isn’t someone that you should network with either if this is the client he is attracting. If you never heard of who this dj is that referred you, then that says something about your perceived value, as he probably figured out this person wants cheap and simple and that you offered that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Albatross
This Brings me back again to attracting the right clientele and also the network you create and associate with. This person shows that they don’t really value what a good dj brings to the table... otherwise they would have never thought of doing it themselves. This isn’t what you should be attracting. You should attract couples who prioritize music and even if they get the cheapest venue they’re willing to spend on a dj. Whoever this other dj is isn’t someone that you should network with either if this is the client he is attracting. If you never heard of who this dj is that referred you, then that says something about your perceived value, as he probably figured out this person wants cheap and simple and that you offered that.

This one didn't come thru my website. It must've been a DJ that knew my direct email address. She didn't name who it was, so I have no idea. I doubt very seriously that I'll hear anything back. I just wish I could've been there when she saw my (discounted) price.
 
Got a lead in this evening. It's on-going, but I suspect the lady is choking on my price, right about now. Here's the thread:

Bride: Hey there, I was referred to you by another booked DJ. Are you available 6Oct2018? Thank you.

Me: Yes, we are available.

Bride: Okay that’s great. How does you pricing work? I was going to do music myself but it’s becoming excessive and too much trouble. It’s an outdoor venue, reception under a tent. Five Sense Farm in Murfreesboro. I would need services from 5-930pm. The ceremony is at 5. Thank you!

Me: Here's our wedding DJ/MC pricing: DJ Weddings It's pretty simple. $850 is standard DJ service. If you need ceremony sound, that adds $150 (separate sound system).

Anybody care to guess what her reply will be (if she replies at all)? I'm expecting to hear that she wants to spend $250.

Two thoughts:

1) Why do you assume that she’s a bad lead when she hasn’t indicated anything negative towards you or your service? This seems to be another example of just assuming the worst.

2) If you suspect she’s price sensitive... why not set up a call so you actually have a chance to impress her versus just sending a number?

Clients will spend more with someone they feel good about. The only way for someone to feel good about you is to have a positive interaction with you or your brand.

She’s coming to you as a referral... somebody was kind enough to tell her you are worth her time and money. I would never ever refer again if I thought clients I referred were being dismissed as cheap by the provider I sent them to.

Maybe she has heard enough good things about you to overcome the underwhelming repose to the inquiry. But you could improve this a lot. This is where your close ratio is falling apart.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: DJ Bobcat
Anybody care to guess what her reply will be (if she replies at all)? I'm expecting to hear that she wants to spend $250.

yeah no reply...and shes back to browsing spotify

had a similar situation with a friend of a friend....who had her friend contact me...i even gave her my "friends and family" pricing...and she just floated off into the ether after getting the price sheet.... i still see her in social situations now and the poor thing is always stuttering and making it awkward...lol... i want to just tell her i dont care....pet pet...its all gonna be okaaaay....

cc
 
Two thoughts:

1) Why do you assume that she’s a bad lead when she hasn’t indicated anything negative towards you or your service? This seems to be another example of just assuming the worst.

2) If you suspect she’s price sensitive... why not set up a call so you actually have a chance to impress her versus just sending a number?

Clients will spend more with someone they feel good about. The only way for someone to feel good about you is to have a positive interaction with you or our brand.

She’s coming to you as a referral... somebody was kind enough to tell her you are worth her time and money. I would never ever refer again if I thought clients I referred were being dismissed as cheap by the provider I sent them to.

Maybe she has heard enough good things about you to overcome the underwhelming repose to the inquiry. But you could improve this a lot. This is where your close ratio is falling apart.

im assuming he figured...as did i...that anyone attempting to do it themselves probably isnt ready to leap into the 1000 dollar range... but maybe i too should change my outlook...

cc