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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: DJing for a family friend

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Question guys... I was told that it's not good to DJ for family friends. Is this true? It could actually turn in to a disaster thing or can be "worse" if you screwed up.
 
发表时间 Tue 23 Oct 07 @ 4:59 am
First things first.....friends are friends, business is business. OK, now that thats out of the way. It can ruin a friendship, or it can strengthen it. It all depends on you. Before I do jobs for friends I sit down with them, just like every other customer, and find out what they expect. And I review my expectations with them to avoid any problems. I always do a contract, even if I intend to donate services. Why? In case of an accident. My donation contracts state they will carry me and my equipment on the event insurance. But, if you treat them like every other customer you should be OK.
 
I did a best mates dad birthday party a few weeks ago. Did as TearEmUp said sat down with them and ask them on what sort of lines they wanted the music to go.

It all turned out good.

The only bit i didn't like doing was accepting the money at the end of the night from my mates mum, Although I have Known her for about 20 years it just felt strange, if you know what I mean

Jimmy b

 
Always speak to the client so they know what to expect...and so do you. I did a friend of mine's 21st and on the night itself she told me 'no dance music...my parents don't like it'. Well, as you can imagine, the night wasn't the greatest. And a lesson was learnt...the hard way.

As for the money thing...people always feel weird taking money off their mates. But look at it this way...if everybody in the world was your mate, and you donated all your services for free, you'd never make a penny. I used to believe that not charging a friend was the 'nice' thing to do, but at the end of the day, you're providing a service the same as you do any other day of the week.

Charge them half price if you will. Or, go to the party yourself, stick another dj in there with your gear and just charge your mate the fee for the dj. That way you get to go to the party as well...(",)

Cheers...and keep spinnin'...(",)

P
 
I've DJ'd for friends, family & work colleagues many times.

It's ok to do, make sure you're as professional as you would normally be, the only problem i tend to find, is that when there are lot of people there that know you, you get barraged with requests all night, much more so than normal, certain people that know you will want you to play their favourite music all night., which as we know, just won't work, make sure you use your own judgement and don't be 'bullied'!
 
I agree.

Few weeks ago i did a gig for a couple who got married.... Good friends though (he he)....

Went up for the chit-chat before the wedding and played the whole night all of their favourite songs... (which happen to be about all of the dance/soul of the 70s/80s !!!)

The crowd went crazy - about 100 pers - and the bar owner assisted me the whole evening as light jockey..

What i found out is the professionality... You have to keep it ! Some people know you're a (well known) DJ, and they have expectiations.. If you can handle that sort of attention, you're probably in the right place !

Gr,
Joop.
 
Thanks for the advice guys... I am going to do it, charge them little less then what I would charge a client. Also draw up a contract ... keep it profressional.

I was told it isn't going to be to many people, just immediate family.
 
SpeedDemond29 wrote :
Thanks for the advice guys... I am going to do it, charge them little less then what I would charge a client. Also draw up a contract ... keep it profressional.

I was told it isn't going to be to many people, just immediate family.


don't know what it is about the contract, but what i did was charge them the same amount we (my partner and I) would give to their party.... that equals all .... and you can grab an extra beer too !!! good for your goodwill, and - if you're really good - best damn advertisment for you as the new DJ in that club!

ENJOY!
 
I agree with the requests issue. One of the worst things is when its closing time everyone wants to hear their song near then end. Some will get quite upset if its not played either now or the next song and think they should be bumped up the playlist because they know you (as most people there will know you). Best to keep a list near the end of the night of who requested what song and the main birthday/wedding party guests get the high priority.
 
If your dj'n for a friend I suspect you will know alot of the people at the party. Its a relaxed environment and you should enjoy yourself and not stress too much. Before the night I suggest you try and get a lil take on the type of guests your expecting and also the type of music (even if its not specific). If the night goes sour, your not to blame but within reason. Remember your the dj and you have the experience, musical knowledge and ability to read the crowd.

I never give a price to my friends gigs and always tell them not to worry about it. If they are a real friend they will always try to make up for your services in some kind of manner, even if its not money. If its a friend who just calls for favors... just charge them a lil less lol.
 
i think digimixer and i rids had some good advice .....yeah , i think expect to get barraged with requests ........if you are very organized you won't have a problem ..... here's where your filter folders and virtual folders can really shine ....make you look like you easliy and quickly work some magic that the competition can't .........

i think i rids had a good idea about being flexible ?? on how / what ? to charge , but be very careful with that .......

with friends and/or people of influence try to be smart enough to not think exclusively about the moments dollars and more about the longterm possibilities ......
 
digimixer wrote :
I've DJ'd for friends, family & work colleagues many times.

It's ok to do, make sure you're as professional as you would normally be, the only problem i tend to find, is that when there are lot of people there that know you, you get barraged with requests all night, much more so than normal, certain people that know you will want you to play their favourite music all night., which as we know, just won't work, make sure you use your own judgement and don't be 'bullied'!


I could not agree more...WHEW! They can REALLY get on your nerves after awhile, now, can't they?
 
I often work for "friends",,it usually is a little more pain. I will say, I get leads all the time from people that " didn't know I
did this ", etc. I have also had to deal with pains such as bounced checks ,now that gets touchy.
I have always either done it for free,
or full price (giving extra time if I am having fun and folks are treating me well).

If people pay you 20 bucks /hr .... in their mind "they paid You".......NOT ,You gave them 600 bucks!.......
no one thinks You gave "THEM"anything .If You charge full price ,You can always give some back if it goes clean .If the day is a royal pain,
You can go home knowing You at least got paid. Before You think I am a jerk ,a few weeks ago a friend of mine's wife (a bank manager)
had a "Grand Opening /Customer App Day".I was to help for an hour or so setting up tents/tables/food,etc. anyhow . I CALLED HER and asked
if she needed PA rig and would like some tunes? Naturally she said sure .*S*Well ....I worked 6hrs in the hot sun (100+)and had a pretty
good time ,insisted this was "my gift to her " .....I got over 20 leads and booked 8 of them that day!*L* Very Cool *S*

Toward the end someone whined about not playing a request (I played it ,they were yaking and running around ,but I played it),,,I very
politely Yelled "take it outa my pay ",,,,The people that had been there all day got a big laugh outa it *L*

Hope all goes well with You and Your friends

Best to You
Scott
 


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