This is a business for most of us, and profitability is the whole reason I do this, or continute to do this.
A hobby DJ can spend $10k on gear and do 5 gigs a year for $1000 and not care. I'm not that guy- I have to make a buck, and that means choosing gear for VALUE.
yes, a $2000 laptop is nice, but if a $400 one does the job then I'm going with 400.
Bose is ncie, but $2k when I can do just as nice an event for 1/2 that price with yamaha..no brainer.
Just like a new $50,000 van is way nicer than my 18 year old $3500 one, but it's paid for and nice and reliable.
And the client DOES NOT CARE. And damned few if any notice.
NOBODY has EVER asked:
What speakers do you use?
What lapttop?
What software?
Where do you get your music?
What vehicle do you use?
What controller do you use, or do you USE a controller?
What brand of wire?
Who made your suit?
ANYTHING about lighting other than "do you provide dance lighting" - no questions on bransd, quantity, style, dmx or not, truss or stands or if I sit it on the floor (which i've seen djs do more than I care to count)
I have been asked about 'do you have silence between your songs" by 2 different brides.
can you play clean versions of songs?
Did you get to eat?
Twice now, please don't consumer alcohol (for a reunion, they tell me last time the dj got stinkin drunk)
YOU may think 'gear' matters, but as long it's not distorting and it's reliable NOBODY CARES.
YOu call a tow truck...do you care what it is?
You got your tires balanced, what machine did they use?
What equipment does your dentist use?
THe local lawn care folks, what brand of mowers and weedeaters do tehy use? Brand of truck and trailer?
Favorite restaurant uses what brand and style of fryers or cooktop?
YOU DO NOT CARE any more than our customers care about what we use.
So why spend $5k if 3k will do the job?
Personally I want that $2k difference in MY pocket rather than someone else's pocket.
- No one asks these things, not because they don't care... but bc ultimately it is the end result that matters. Can your $400 laptop do serato video... probably not (trust me I tried). But if you have a client that wants them, you'll need it.
- No one will care where you get your music, but they'll care what music you bring, and where you get your music may impact your awareness of certain music.
- They may not care about your controller, but will you be able to provide them the quality of mixing they expect. A higher quality mixer makes those transitions, loops, overlays, samples, quickmixes, much easier.
- No one cares about wires, but if your speakers are crackling, staticky, and overall not producing a pure sound... it'll get noticed.
- No one will ask you what your suit is... but they'll appreciate it when you show up dressed sharply, as you're a representation of the couple.
- No one cares about the lighting you use, but they will care if you ruin their photos with lasers, have strobing lights during dinner, and an overall lighting atmosphere thats not fitting in with the moment. If there is lighting they expect it to be appropriate for the moment, and enhance the visual atmosphere. When paying for lighting they don't care how it's done, but that it's done properly.
Can you get away with providing proper results with cheaper options... yes. But typically, the better quality options allow us to produce more desired results.
You're biased in your beliefs based on your own personal experiences. If you're not getting these discussions it's often because you don't represent this level of quality. If I know I'm looking for a lambo or something of equal quality... why would I check honda. If I'd check my competitors it would be ferrari, aston martin, or mclaren. We determine the clientele we receive based on the product we put out for others to see. If I saw two photogs, one in a fitted suit... one with baggy pants, a polo, and black sneakers... who would APPEAR as the better and more successful photographer. If I saw trussing and a nice facade compared to an exposed system or bare bones setup... who would APPEAR as the more expensive dj. If I saw a DJ actively mixing and adding creativity to the music being played, vs one who plays out the entire song... fades instead of beatmaches... who would be perceived to be a more skilled dj. If I therefore was looking to spend money... who would I call from the above options.
I can't begin tell you how many times I've been complimented on my appearance. I can't tell you how many times people say my lighting is absolutely beautiful and perfect for their atmosphere. I can't tell you how many times my dj setup has been said it's the most modern/classiest/luxurious set up people have seen. I can't tell you how much my mixing is appreciated and how I literally have guests staring at me instead of their date watching me mix or recording me and in awe that I "actually mix".
While one can say they saved $6k in their pocket one time by going with basic lighting that cost $2k ... I can say I spent $8-$9k in lighting, but as a result I'm making on avg an extra $700 per event for around 50 events a year (that's a whopping $37,500 in LIGHTING ADD-ONS)... can the guy that invested $2k get that? Highly unlikely. I have close to $100k in equipment... but my numbers tell me I'm quite profitable. I could spend less... but I'd have to work 2-3x the number of gigs to make the same level of income. I'd rather invest 2-3x in equipment than my competitors, and work less and make more. It's an investment. The more you invest... the higher the potential return. Just like in anything else, you have to invest wisely.
Of course it's not just physical appearance... it can be branding, websites, social media and more. Could I do a $500 website... sure... but I doubt it would be as nice as my $2000 one. Can I post random photos of events... sure but it wouldn't be as nice as the professionals I hire to capture my events. Can I post 8 min cell phone videos of my events with no care for what it shows... or can I post attention grabbing 1-2 min videos that keep a viewer engaged and wanting more.
I was the $800 dj I was the $1200 dj, I was the $1750 dj, I was the $2000 dj, and am now a $2500 dj... I would never be able to get $2500 for what I was doing when I was $800. Investment matters. In equipment. In marketing. In Personal Appearance. In Online Appearance.... and most importantly... in your skillset.