This is a great response A man called a musician and said, "I need about six guys to play my daughter's wedding reception. What do you charge?" The musician replied, "$2,000." "What? Two grand for a band? That's outrageous!" The musician said, "I'll tell you what: you call the plumber's union and get six plumbers to work from six o'clock until midnight on a Saturday night. Whatever they charge, I'll charge you half!"
Great points! Also, seems every low ball gig I’ve ever done has been demanding and difficult than a normal priced gig. You have to budget the life of your gear!
Been watching your Channel for awhile now and just realized you are from Milwaukee. I too am a DJ in Milwaukee and was wondering what the average rate is here for weddings??? Thinking of raising my prices for the 2022 season.
The videos you did years ago on this subject are priceless. One was Why are DJs always broke? and in the other video you itemized all our expenses. After watching them I reevaluated my entire business. I'm no longer a "broke DJ" and doing well.
Cool topic! Sometimes I will propose to switch their low-baller offer to a weekday. No one should have their Saturdays eaten-up by some low-baller offer.
Also DJ'ing is a perishable skill. Found that out third quarter of 2021. If you are not packing and unpacking, setting up gear, lights, which files sound best. All those motions you take for granted. Nobody complained but I didn't feel good about that night. It's not just the equipment you have to keep up.
Reading the comments below about getting paid (cash is king) brought back a memory. Around the Thanksgiving dinner table my Uncle would tell this story of a young couple getting married in New York City. Their family got one of THE big bands (Dorsey, Goodman, Miller don't remember too many years have passed) to play at the reception in the hotel. End of the night father of the bride pulls out ~$70.00 and hands it to the conductor. The conductor discretely hands it back to the man and says consider it a wedding gift. The $70.00 would not have covered the cab fare for the band to and from the hotel.
Thank you for such a good video. Recently dropped my pants on a Gig which went terrible in my opinion. Client changed event location about an hour prior to event. I had a bad feeling about event from the gitco. I got paid $450 for a 9 hour event. Crazy that I needed the money so I did what I had to do. Never again. If they don't pay me what I ask, then I will pass on the event.
Looking at it from the promoters point of view, they think we will take the low offer rather than have no work that evening. When I used to gig in pubs and clubs, the fee for us as a duo with my wife was always being undercut with the entertainment secretary's excuse 'well it all goes into the same pot, doesn't it?'
Well put.. considering the company can shell out thousands of dollar for the their event and not willing to pay someone that is the entertainment for the WHOLE NIGHT is ridiculous. I always factor in the cost of my time and equipment. Its only right! I always hear people saying. Hey, "thats $300 more in your pocket" but for me, thats not even worth it considering the time and effort i put into my rig to be low ball like that.
Even if you charge 300.00 a lot of people think that's too much nowadays. Clients & Family members think that there doing you a favor by insulting you with low balling price " I say throw it on the Floor. 💸🗑
In a Facebook Group I recently saw a "DJ Wanted" ad... They want someone to play for NYE; start at 7pm with a wrap-up at 1am. The advert then said something to the effect of "payable rate £300". Needless to say, a lot of people posted negative comments. The event is taking place at a Horse Showground; was a black tie/ballgown event for several hundred guests, with a ticket price of over £100 per head... They'll be taking 5 figures in just admission, not to mention drink sales from the bar...yet they can only find £300 to pay the DJ...?
Great video thank you! Since Covid I have a lot of people lowballing me. my breakeven is $650. I’ve been asked to do parties for $300 to $400 and they wouldn’t budge so I had to say no. Of course another DJ who had nothing but gladly took it even though he charges about the same as me to break even. A lot of DJs figure if they’re not working they might go make a few bucks Anyway.
All those points are true. But my question would be, if you bring up these points to a potential client, would they even care? The biggest hurdle I have come across is getting the client to lose the mindset that a DJ is not a real profession.
They may not care that it costs you more money to show up than they are willing to pay. That doesn't change the fact that you will ultimately spend money, not make money, if you take that low budget gig. You may not be able to salvage the event, and that's OK. This simple math theory isn't about persuasion, or filling every available date. It's about you understanding it costs you money to take these jobs & saying "No" to them for your own sake.
@@briansredd that I completely agree with. I Always use the car comparison. Both Kia and Lexus are cars. They perform the exact same function. But most people realize that there is a difference in price and most even understand why. Yet they fail to make the same distinction between DJs. I learned long ago that if you are a Lexus dealer, it is a waste of time trying to sell to someone who is looking for a Kia.
$300 LOL, A Corporate party should pay way more!! I wouldn’t waste my time for $300. Let’s say you damage some equipment, or get into a fender bender, is tho potential aggravation worth it. Generally speaking low paying clients are the biggest pains in the ass and tend to not tip either.
WOW....this was the best DJ Tip EVER. It's sad that DJ companies (With many DJ's) are low balling event so that a an average DJ can't stay busy. I stand behind Brain 100%....let the other DJ's have the $300 event. Eventrally, clients will get it hopefully. To add to this Brain, I get harassed by cheep event than high price event....just saying.
The flaw in your formula is the money in equipment is already spent for the most part. So the question then becomes how do you recoup that money and pay bills. Sometimes you choose to take a lower than usual paying gig when you have nothing else going on just like Priceline does with empty hotel rooms.
Well, kind of. Here's the problem with that: Let's say that you figure it costs you $400 to do a gig. We'll call it $100 out-of-pocket & $300 in overall equipment costs. You take a gig for $200 & in your mind, after out of pocket, you've made $100, right? That may work in your favor, or it may not. That depends on what your equipment ultimately decides to do. We went thru this with Photo Booth. We used to get a premium for that until EVERYONE got a photo booth & the prices tanked. Fortunately, we more than had paid off our equipment in previous years. A company wanted to hire us for 2 photo booth events, 2 weeks in a row for $400 per event, about 1/2 of what we used to get. Hey, we had left over media & the equipment was paid for, so why not? We did the first gig & an hour before it ended, the printer died. The client expected some kind of refund, so we agreed on $100 back to them, making it a $300 gig... BUT we still had a gig on the books with them the next week & needed a printer. So, had to find one & have expedited shipping to get it to us by the day before the event. That was over $1200 bucks. Then, we needed media because it wasn't the same as our old printer, which had been discontinued, which was another $100. So we ultimately spent $1300 (plus LOTS of time & effort to set up the new printer with our old system) to make $700, minus gas, time, & office expenses. I know a person now has a new printer, but then the camera failed, then the touch screen, and all along, we couldn't even command enough money for photo booth to cover out of pocket & labor, let alone equipment fees. Just be careful & know it's always a gamble going out for less than it costs you to work
Now, if you have done the math & know it costs you $400 to do a job... we'll call it $100 out of pocket & $300 on equipment... and a gig comes along for $400 & you need to pay a credit card bill, then yes, it won't cost you anything to take the job & you will pay that bill. You won't make a profit, though. On the other hand, if you took that same job for $300, you'd lose $100.
I like Brian's insight. While Brian's on this topic I hope he does a follow-up like he kind of hinted at doing. DJ's use to be able to go out and get their own gigs. Then certain venues clients bars clubs etc seem to want you to use booking agencies. How did the booking agencies come about. What use to be good for DJs and they're earning potentials. What's not good today and or some more solutions for all of these.
It's 2021. NO Experienced DJ should be taking a company holiday party for only $300. That was Sub Contractor pay back in 2000...21 YEARS AGO . These National Companies are likely charging the client $795 or MORE, and doing their best to get some DJ they don't even know to do it for 40% or less NET on what the event was booked at. Don't feel sorry for any National DJ outfit. Don't take work from them on the cheap! Also, any sub contractor job should pay the Lions share of what the event was booked at TO THE DJ!
I have been using this formula for a long time. That is the reason that I am out of business due to other DJ's willing to work for crumbs. That is OK with me. I made my money when you had to buy actual records. Keep up the good work.
Unless all of my financial needs are met, I usually feel that if I get a chance to fill an empty date, any money is better than none. Depending on how bad I need the money. I remember when times where hard, playing for $50, and food. I've also donated my time for free before, like 8 hour fundraiser fests. If I can go play a few hours and make money to fill in the cracks, that's a benefit of having my own business.
I used to feel sorry for some clients who say they can't afford the price and I would do it for half the cost. I only did it a few times, now I will not do low baller gigs. If they can't pay I don't play, that's it in a nutshell. I have a little over 85,000 dollars worth of equipment, I use certain equipment for different types of events. I owe less than 5000.00 now, plus insurance on the business and the equipment plus My vehicle ins is a little more because it's used for business, travel gas, cost of websites, and record pools, DJ software licenses, ads, a separate business phone line. Then people will say "why do you charge so much, you just play music“? Unbelievable!!
It goes beyond what it costs you, at a minimum, to break even at and event. YOU STILL NEED TO MAKE A SALARY. If you go out to a gig and just cover your company expenses, you'll never make any money. That'd be the same as going to work every day for free as long as the company paid for your gas and car payment. How would you pay your mortgage or buy food? While Brian's tips sound good, I like to look at it from a big business standpoint. You work ALL WEEK preparing for events, listening to music, practicing, etc. The in-house business. Your Income is on the weekends. How much per week do you need to make a living on a normal job? $1000 a week? $1500? Then factor that into your pricing. If you get 1 gig a month, then that gig better pay $4000 at $1000/week. If you get 4 gigs, then the gigs would be $1000. Oh, that's $1000 of YOUR PAY, not including the company pay. If the company needs 20% to cover expenses, then charge $1200. The more gigs you do, the lower you can charge. Or if you get a big event that made 3-4x that, you can afford to cut a break on some events.
Agreed. In this video, I was addressing the question of the $300 budget client. You, as a business person, didn't need to see this video. Others, well, baby steps. We all learn different & stuff soaks in different. I personally am not taking it upon myself to scream from the rooftops "Make More Money". I'll leave that to the people selling books on the subject & memberships to collectives. I support those who are in this for art's sake, BUT feel like they should at least understand what it costs them to do a gig before taking on a low ball budget job. After they understand that, they might want to buy books & memberships to collectives. Gotta pick your battles in this community :)
Lol, I just made $350 on a gig that got canceled because they are scared of the new variant. Half down and no refund if canceled, I keep a straight face and say, that’s a awesome deal, I would go for it, you know when they pull the old, someone said they can do it for $300, not me, “If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make cents!” Oh and not to mention the gas prices, now to drive out to these gigs, thank you Joe Biden, I have to charge even more.😎
Great topic, I always use the example of an electrician or plumber, they charge you from the minute they leave the house.. Every second of your time is money which we should be charging for.
As a group, we should not accept low ball offers. We need to stick to our guns and make as much as we can per gig. Do I go to your job and ask you to flip a burger for only a dollar an hour or ask a mechanic to only charge $20 an hour instead of $150 labor an hour. We get what we accept. It’s all of our faults when we create a precedent of taking low paying gigs when u are a pro. Let the new kid with the $150 controller and $300 speakers take the gig so he can get some experience.
Heres another idea, just say a clear and firm No. I dont like to beat around the bush. While some DJs, time, skill and effort might be worth the scraps they offer, some of us have dignity and dont want to be part of the problem of driving the market down. Let's not even talk about inflation......what can you get for $300 today?
This video was all about saying "No". You do it because you feel your skills & efforts are worth more, and I'm sure they are. This video was about saying no EVEN if you don't value your skills & efforts as much as you do. Even a beginner with few skills & experience would have to say no following this logic. We're all trying to get to Disneyland. We're just not all taking the same roads :)
@@briansredd yes sir! You were actually one of my biggest inspirations of getting into the business. Started following you before I even knew I wanted to be a mobile DJ. Your video a while back about charging a percentage of your gear cost also inspired me to bump prices accordingly. Appreciate all you do for the mobile DJ community!
I agree to an extent. But, i will play devil's advocate. I have all weekends booked this month except that one. So, my expenses for the month are more than paid for with these other quality gigs. What if I can talk that client into paying a bit more ($400-$500). And its a nice easy holiday party, not a wedding. Isn't it really extra money that I would not have otherwise made on an unbooked weekend. Or perhaps I cant talk them up above $300 bit I tell them I they will get the absolute bare essentials. No frills at all. Its still extra money for a lot less work than we normally do on a weekend. That is an extra $300-$500 that I can spend on Christmas this year. I absolutely see the points you are making. But, I also see flaws in your logic. You are basing this on 1 gig per month and replacing equipment every 20 gigs. Those numbers are both a little skewed. So anyway, devil's advocate. 😂😂 I would be interested to hear your rebuttal to those thoughts. Have a great week brother!
Well, if you do an event for $300 & your expenses are $400, say $300 gear fee / rental / whatever you want to call it, and $100 out-of-pocket expenses, sure, you can ignore the equipment expenses & the extra day you put on them if you want & after out-of-pocket, you have $200 to enjoy. You can absolutely do it that way, or however you want. It's your business. I'm not telling anyone what to do here. I'm only pointing out the math here.
@@briansredd absolutely. I get both sides. O was jist playing devil's advocate. I have taken those figs just to fill in a weekend. I have also turned them down so I could have.a weekend off. I typically won't go out unless I am covering my expenses and making at least a few bucks to boot. But, if it seems like it will be a fun party and I'm not gonna go in the whole, I might do it just to keep busy.
Some of these companies have limited budgets, but you can always ask for the $300+ contra/ trade. Often they have something they can pet with at no cost to them but of value to you. For example a law firm could review your contract and update it for you. Or a Hotel give you a Room night on a date of your choice. F&B/ restaurants could give you Gift certificates. There are ways to “get paid” without losing. If it’s products you use. Anyhow thanks for the video.
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This is a great response
A man called a musician and said, "I need about six guys to play my daughter's wedding reception. What do you charge?" The musician replied, "$2,000." "What? Two grand for a band? That's outrageous!" The musician said, "I'll tell you what: you call the plumber's union and get six plumbers to work from six o'clock until midnight on a Saturday night. Whatever they charge, I'll charge you half!"
Great points! Also, seems every low ball gig I’ve ever done has been demanding and difficult than a normal priced gig. You have to budget the life of your gear!
Been watching your Channel for awhile now and just realized you are from Milwaukee. I too am a DJ in Milwaukee and was wondering what the average rate is here for weddings??? Thinking of raising my prices for the 2022 season.
The videos you did years ago on this subject are priceless. One was Why are DJs always broke? and in the other video you itemized all our expenses. After watching them I reevaluated my entire business. I'm no longer a "broke DJ" and doing well.
Cool topic! Sometimes I will propose to switch their low-baller offer to a weekday. No one should have their Saturdays eaten-up by some low-baller offer.
Also DJ'ing is a perishable skill. Found that out third quarter of 2021. If you are not packing and unpacking, setting up gear, lights, which files sound best. All those motions you take for granted. Nobody complained but I didn't feel good about that night. It's not just the equipment you have to keep up.
I love it. Actually getting DJs to think like businesses!
Well framed! It's just simple math, love it.
Good video
This is a great video for a starting dj thanks for content
That's awesome and such great advice.
Always Great to Watch your vids!! Keep up the Super Job!!
Reading the comments below about getting paid (cash is king) brought back a memory. Around the Thanksgiving dinner table my Uncle would tell this story of a young couple getting married in New York City. Their family got one of THE big bands (Dorsey, Goodman, Miller don't remember too many years have passed) to play at the reception in the hotel. End of the night father of the bride pulls out ~$70.00 and hands it to the conductor. The conductor discretely hands it back to the man and says consider it a wedding gift. The $70.00 would not have covered the cab fare for the band to and from the hotel.
Real numbers = successful business. Thanks for sharing Brian.
I really need this video today. Thank you.
Thank you for such a good video. Recently dropped my pants on a Gig which went terrible in my opinion. Client changed event location about an hour prior to event. I had a bad feeling about event from the gitco. I got paid $450 for a 9 hour event. Crazy that I needed the money so I did what I had to do. Never again. If they don't pay me what I ask, then I will pass on the event.
Looking at it from the promoters point of view, they think we will take the low offer rather than have no work that evening. When I used to gig in pubs and clubs, the fee for us as a duo with my wife was always being undercut with the entertainment secretary's excuse 'well it all goes into the same pot, doesn't it?'
Well put Brian. Makes good sense.
Well put.. considering the company can shell out thousands of dollar for the their event and not willing to pay someone that is the entertainment for the WHOLE NIGHT is ridiculous. I always factor in the cost of my time and equipment. Its only right! I always hear people saying. Hey, "thats $300 more in your pocket" but for me, thats not even worth it considering the time and effort i put into my rig to be low ball like that.
Good Stuff Brian...Take Care Sir
If we are to accept 1 for $300, you will get 2 out of that gig for $300, and you will never stop djing for $300.
Even if you charge 300.00 a lot of people think that's too much nowadays. Clients & Family members think that there doing you a favor by insulting you with low balling price " I say throw it on the Floor. 💸🗑
In a Facebook Group I recently saw a "DJ Wanted" ad... They want someone to play for NYE; start at 7pm with a wrap-up at 1am. The advert then said something to the effect of "payable rate £300". Needless to say, a lot of people posted negative comments. The event is taking place at a Horse Showground; was a black tie/ballgown event for several hundred guests, with a ticket price of over £100 per head... They'll be taking 5 figures in just admission, not to mention drink sales from the bar...yet they can only find £300 to pay the DJ...?
Great video thank you! Since Covid I have a lot of people lowballing me. my breakeven is $650. I’ve been asked to do parties for $300 to $400 and they wouldn’t budge so I had to say no. Of course another DJ who had nothing but gladly took it even though he charges about the same as me to break even. A lot of DJs figure if they’re not working they might go make a few bucks Anyway.
Right, but they don't
Love the formula! I'll use it.
All those points are true. But my question would be, if you bring up these points to a potential client, would they even care? The biggest hurdle I have come across is getting the client to lose the mindset that a DJ is not a real profession.
They may not care that it costs you more money to show up than they are willing to pay. That doesn't change the fact that you will ultimately spend money, not make money, if you take that low budget gig. You may not be able to salvage the event, and that's OK. This simple math theory isn't about persuasion, or filling every available date. It's about you understanding it costs you money to take these jobs & saying "No" to them for your own sake.
@@briansredd that I completely agree with. I Always use the car comparison. Both Kia and Lexus are cars. They perform the exact same function. But most people realize that there is a difference in price and most even understand why. Yet they fail to make the same distinction between DJs. I learned long ago that if you are a Lexus dealer, it is a waste of time trying to sell to someone who is looking for a Kia.
Yep, agree, simple math.
$300 LOL, A Corporate party should pay way more!! I wouldn’t waste my time for $300. Let’s say you damage some equipment, or get into a fender bender, is tho potential aggravation worth it.
Generally speaking low paying clients are the biggest pains in the ass and tend to not tip either.
WOW....this was the best DJ Tip EVER. It's sad that DJ companies (With many DJ's) are low balling event so that a an average DJ can't stay busy. I stand behind Brain 100%....let the other DJ's have the $300 event. Eventrally, clients will get it hopefully. To add to this Brain, I get harassed by cheep event than high price event....just saying.
The flaw in your formula is the money in equipment is already spent for the most part. So the question then becomes how do you recoup that money and pay bills. Sometimes you choose to take a lower than usual paying gig when you have nothing else going on just like Priceline does with empty hotel rooms.
Well, kind of. Here's the problem with that: Let's say that you figure it costs you $400 to do a gig. We'll call it $100 out-of-pocket & $300 in overall equipment costs. You take a gig for $200 & in your mind, after out of pocket, you've made $100, right? That may work in your favor, or it may not. That depends on what your equipment ultimately decides to do. We went thru this with Photo Booth. We used to get a premium for that until EVERYONE got a photo booth & the prices tanked. Fortunately, we more than had paid off our equipment in previous years. A company wanted to hire us for 2 photo booth events, 2 weeks in a row for $400 per event, about 1/2 of what we used to get. Hey, we had left over media & the equipment was paid for, so why not? We did the first gig & an hour before it ended, the printer died. The client expected some kind of refund, so we agreed on $100 back to them, making it a $300 gig... BUT we still had a gig on the books with them the next week & needed a printer. So, had to find one & have expedited shipping to get it to us by the day before the event. That was over $1200 bucks. Then, we needed media because it wasn't the same as our old printer, which had been discontinued, which was another $100. So we ultimately spent $1300 (plus LOTS of time & effort to set up the new printer with our old system) to make $700, minus gas, time, & office expenses. I know a person now has a new printer, but then the camera failed, then the touch screen, and all along, we couldn't even command enough money for photo booth to cover out of pocket & labor, let alone equipment fees. Just be careful & know it's always a gamble going out for less than it costs you to work
Now, if you have done the math & know it costs you $400 to do a job... we'll call it $100 out of pocket & $300 on equipment... and a gig comes along for $400 & you need to pay a credit card bill, then yes, it won't cost you anything to take the job & you will pay that bill. You won't make a profit, though. On the other hand, if you took that same job for $300, you'd lose $100.
I feel the same way even promoters low ball you Djing in Bars and Pubs
i have walked away from lots of deals but for a $300 offer simply just pass with no response
For $300.00, I show up with my laptop, ddjsb3, and 1 JBL eon12. That'll get about 3 hours. Additional time $100 an hour.....no lights
I like Brian's insight.
While Brian's on this topic I hope he does a follow-up like he kind of hinted at doing. DJ's use to be able to go out and get their own gigs. Then certain venues clients bars clubs etc seem to want you to use booking agencies. How did the booking agencies come about. What use to be good for DJs and they're earning potentials.
What's not good today and or some more solutions for all of these.
I use Bark. Yeah I pay for leads because I don't want to beg for business from past clients and I work when I want to.
100% on point price packages at $100 all I offer is just music no equipment everything else is add ONS. Sometimes the gig just not for you.
Well said 👍🔥🙌
Couldn’t agree more👍👍👍👍👍
It's 2021. NO Experienced DJ should be taking a company holiday party for only $300. That was Sub Contractor pay back in 2000...21 YEARS AGO . These National Companies are likely charging the client $795 or MORE, and doing their best to get some DJ they don't even know to do it for 40% or less NET on what the event was booked at. Don't feel sorry for any National DJ outfit. Don't take work from them on the cheap! Also, any sub contractor job should pay the Lions share of what the event was booked at TO THE DJ!
I have been using this formula for a long time. That is the reason that I am out of business due to other DJ's willing to work for crumbs. That is OK with me. I made my money when you had to buy actual records. Keep up the good work.
Hi Brian there is a very important info missing , how manny hours they are talking for $300 ? Practice & Enjoy 🤟
Unless all of my financial needs are met, I usually feel that if I get a chance to fill an empty date, any money is better than none. Depending on how bad I need the money. I remember when times where hard, playing for $50, and food. I've also donated my time for free before, like 8 hour fundraiser fests. If I can go play a few hours and make money to fill in the cracks, that's a benefit of having my own business.
I used to feel sorry for some clients who say they can't afford the price and I would do it for half the cost. I only did it a few times, now I will not do low baller gigs. If they can't pay I don't play, that's it in a nutshell. I have a little over 85,000 dollars worth of equipment, I use certain equipment for different types of events. I owe less than 5000.00 now, plus insurance on the business and the equipment plus My vehicle ins is a little more because it's used for business, travel gas, cost of websites, and record pools, DJ software licenses, ads, a separate business phone line. Then people will say "why do you charge so much, you just play music“? Unbelievable!!
It goes beyond what it costs you, at a minimum, to break even at and event. YOU STILL NEED TO MAKE A SALARY. If you go out to a gig and just cover your company expenses, you'll never make any money. That'd be the same as going to work every day for free as long as the company paid for your gas and car payment. How would you pay your mortgage or buy food?
While Brian's tips sound good, I like to look at it from a big business standpoint. You work ALL WEEK preparing for events, listening to music, practicing, etc. The in-house business. Your Income is on the weekends. How much per week do you need to make a living on a normal job? $1000 a week? $1500? Then factor that into your pricing. If you get 1 gig a month, then that gig better pay $4000 at $1000/week. If you get 4 gigs, then the gigs would be $1000. Oh, that's $1000 of YOUR PAY, not including the company pay. If the company needs 20% to cover expenses, then charge $1200.
The more gigs you do, the lower you can charge. Or if you get a big event that made 3-4x that, you can afford to cut a break on some events.
Agreed. In this video, I was addressing the question of the $300 budget client. You, as a business person, didn't need to see this video. Others, well, baby steps. We all learn different & stuff soaks in different. I personally am not taking it upon myself to scream from the rooftops "Make More Money". I'll leave that to the people selling books on the subject & memberships to collectives. I support those who are in this for art's sake, BUT feel like they should at least understand what it costs them to do a gig before taking on a low ball budget job. After they understand that, they might want to buy books & memberships to collectives. Gotta pick your battles in this community :)
Lol, I just made $350 on a gig that got canceled because they are scared of the new variant. Half down and no refund if canceled, I keep a straight face and say, that’s a awesome deal, I would go for it, you know when they pull the old, someone said they can do it for $300, not me, “If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make cents!”
Oh and not to mention the gas prices, now to drive out to these gigs, thank you Joe Biden, I have to charge even more.😎
experience aside if you're showing up (with your own gear) for $300, you're 🦆ing up the game
Great topic, I always use the example of an electrician or plumber, they charge you from the minute they leave the house.. Every second of your time is money which we should be charging for.
As a group, we should not accept low ball offers. We need to stick to our guns and make as much as we can per gig. Do I go to your job and ask you to flip a burger for only a dollar an hour or ask a mechanic to only charge $20 an hour instead of $150 labor an hour. We get what we accept. It’s all of our faults when we create a precedent of taking low paying gigs when u are a pro. Let the new kid with the $150 controller and $300 speakers take the gig so he can get some experience.
Heres another idea, just say a clear and firm No. I dont like to beat around the bush. While some DJs, time, skill and effort might be worth the scraps they offer, some of us have dignity and dont want to be part of the problem of driving the market down. Let's not even talk about inflation......what can you get for $300 today?
This video was all about saying "No". You do it because you feel your skills & efforts are worth more, and I'm sure they are. This video was about saying no EVEN if you don't value your skills & efforts as much as you do. Even a beginner with few skills & experience would have to say no following this logic. We're all trying to get to Disneyland. We're just not all taking the same roads :)
@@briansredd yes sir! You were actually one of my biggest inspirations of getting into the business. Started following you before I even knew I wanted to be a mobile DJ. Your video a while back about charging a percentage of your gear cost also inspired me to bump prices accordingly. Appreciate all you do for the mobile DJ community!
Not all dollars are diamonds.
I can't even get $300 gigs.
I agree to an extent. But, i will play devil's advocate. I have all weekends booked this month except that one. So, my expenses for the month are more than paid for with these other quality gigs. What if I can talk that client into paying a bit more ($400-$500). And its a nice easy holiday party, not a wedding. Isn't it really extra money that I would not have otherwise made on an unbooked weekend. Or perhaps I cant talk them up above $300 bit I tell them I they will get the absolute bare essentials. No frills at all. Its still extra money for a lot less work than we normally do on a weekend. That is an extra $300-$500 that I can spend on Christmas this year. I absolutely see the points you are making. But, I also see flaws in your logic. You are basing this on 1 gig per month and replacing equipment every 20 gigs. Those numbers are both a little skewed. So anyway, devil's advocate. 😂😂 I would be interested to hear your rebuttal to those thoughts. Have a great week brother!
Well, if you do an event for $300 & your expenses are $400, say $300 gear fee / rental / whatever you want to call it, and $100 out-of-pocket expenses, sure, you can ignore the equipment expenses & the extra day you put on them if you want & after out-of-pocket, you have $200 to enjoy. You can absolutely do it that way, or however you want. It's your business. I'm not telling anyone what to do here. I'm only pointing out the math here.
@@briansredd absolutely. I get both sides. O was jist playing devil's advocate. I have taken those figs just to fill in a weekend. I have also turned them down so I could have.a weekend off. I typically won't go out unless I am covering my expenses and making at least a few bucks to boot. But, if it seems like it will be a fun party and I'm not gonna go in the whole, I might do it just to keep busy.
LMAO!!!
Some of these companies have limited budgets, but you can always ask for the $300+ contra/ trade. Often they have something they can pet with at no cost to them but of value to you. For example a law firm could review your contract and update it for you. Or a Hotel give you a Room night on a date of your choice. F&B/ restaurants could give you Gift certificates. There are ways to “get paid” without losing. If it’s products you use. Anyhow thanks for the video.
i would never take a coupon as pay cash is king