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Forum: General Discussion

Topic: I need advice. - Page: 1

由于该帖子的部分内容已年深日久，可能包含陈旧过时或描述错误的信息。

Here's the deal. As an inexperienced DJ, I've been charging $75.00 an hour, 4 hour min, $25.00 each additional hour. I believe thats a fair price for what I'm bringing to the table. I've had people tell me thats a good price. I've had people come and see what I do for that price and still want me to play their events. I must be doing something right.
My sister and her class is having a 30 year class re-union this year. She asked me if I would play and I said yes. She asked for a price for me to play for 4 hours, I told her $300.00. I didn't see the need of using a contract with her because she's my sister. Now, suddenly, they want me to play for 7 hours at the same price. When I told her that I charge for extra hours, she told me that they have talking to other DJs and my price isn't the cheapest and I may lose the job. So, do I suck it up and play the 7 hours and make some money, or do I stand my ground and run my business like a business? I'm torn.


CRash
 
发表时间 Sun 21 Mar 10 @ 1:52 pm
Only you can answer "do I suck it up" or not. But, always get a contract. And, there will always be some schmuck out there ready to undercut you for the job.
 
 
CRashster wrote :
Here's the deal. As an inexperienced DJ, I've been charging $75.00 an hour, 4 hour min, $25.00 each additional hour. I believe thats a fair price for what I'm bringing to the table. I've had people tell me thats a good price. I've had people come and see what I do for that price and still want me to play their events. I must be doing something right.
My sister and her class is having a 30 year class re-union this year. She asked me if I would play and I said yes. She asked for a price for me to play for 4 hours, I told her $300.00. I didn't see the need of using a contract with her because she's my sister. Now, suddenly, they want me to play for 7 hours at the same price. When I told her that I charge for extra hours, she told me that they have talking to other DJs and my price isn't the cheapest and I may lose the job. So, do I suck it up and play the 7 hours and make some money, or do I stand my ground and run my business like a business? I'm torn.


CRash


Stick to your guns bro, don't give in. There will be other gigs you will land. And you shoul always have a written contract.
 
I made that same mistake ONCE! I did a party for my wife's work (a bunch of elementary school teachers). I told my wife $300 for 3 hours (total mobile rig with lights) and $50 an hour after that. 3 hours is what they wanted so I figured no problem. Well the party was going great and they wanted 2 more hours and my wife said can you keep playing. I said sure for $50 more an hour. She said she never told them that part. So.... do I pack up and leave a bad name or keep playing for free. I told myself it was my mistake for not doing a contract and chalked it up as a life lesson. Now the good part, When I started my extended time I made an announcement "It seems the party isn't over yet and my time is up - should I keep playing or pack it up". The party all cheered to keep playing. I then said "This is my Christmas gift to you and I am doing this for free, I have placed a tip jar on the front of the table, Let's get this party jumping" . Next to the jar were some business cards. This lesson turned out to be more profitable than a contract. I ended up with nearly $200 in that jar. However, after that all get a contract and most private gigs I still keep a tip jar (ask the client first, most don't mind). On top of the tips I got 2 more gigs out of the deal.

My point is - it's your mistake, now make it work for you!
 
I never charge full rate for good friends/family. It's just smething I've always done. However at most of these gigs I get new bookings.

So you culd look at this as a marketing opportunity, do the very best you can and hoepfully get some more work out of this one.

To assist:

* Make sure you have business cards.

* Put flyers out on the tables.

* Speak to the venue owner.

* Every time I play a new venue I always try and seek out the owner and leave my details. I've got repeat work every time.

Finally,and most importantly, learn from this. If your sister is willing to drop you for an other DJ then you need to seriously think about contracts no matter who you work for. Make sure you ask all the questions and pass on relevant info up front. You may have agreed $300 but did you pre -war her about the $25 per hour.

Also sometimes you have to just walk away. I tend to find those that whinge about price early on have little to no money to spend and when you get to the event it shows.

These are things you will learn over time.

Cheers,

Roy
 
That's happened to me before too. The tip jar thing and the freebie line almost always works in your favor.

I only use a contract for weddings and aprties for ppl that I don't know well. Really close friends and relatives don't usually get a contract from me as I try to work it out w/o one, however, there is always that risk of running into what just happened to you, but then again, the tip jar and freebie speech always works, and is good practice on your MC persuasion skills.


GadgetMan gave some really good advice too. pay heed to that. )
 
Personally I'd never ask a family member to sign a contact unless it was a deadbeat cousin on Meth, or a crazy uncle who lives in the basement. Most of the work we all "dislike" is the time involved setting up for a gig to include driving time etc. I've often told perspective clients that I don't charge anything to "DJ" that the amount I charge covers all the equipment required, lights, and of course music. (They think this is a hell of a good deal) Free DJ! LMAO

Class reunions are very good at generating future engagements because most of the people know each other and ASSsuming you do a good job it's easy for them to find you at a later date. If it were me I'd take the job, once there the extra playing time doesn't cost me anything and it might pay off in nice reward$ down the road. (And do the promotional things that Gadget mentioned while there, very good ideas)

R~

PS: You also don't want to give your sister the opportunity to be able to use the term "YOU'RE FIRED!!" because you would never live it down. :^)
 
I agree that you should view this as a promotional opportunity. (everytime out is promo, nature of the business)

It's your sister so a contract should not be neccessary. If you're still breaking into the biz then any decent paying job is a good job, the three additional hours will only equal $75 so look at is as three hours to advertise yourself.

Be sure to let your sister know about the added work on your end; 3 more hours of programming to plan, 3 more hours of you on your feet making the party happen. And then tell her you love her.

And definitely follow Gadget's useful reminder; have printed promo material on hand. At least plenty of business cards.

Good luck.
 
I NEED SOME ADVICE ON WHAT AMP TO BUY FOR MY SPEAKERS THESE ARE THE SPECS 1200 WATT PEAK 4 OHMS 30HZ -20KHZ DUAL 15 AND WHAT AMP BRAND IS GOOD PYOLE PRO PYRAMID OR MARATHON?
 
mcas
Not trying to bust your chops, but this thread is not about amps.
It is best to start a new thread. You will get more information that way.
 
Stick to your price, how dear they book someone else! do they want it for free?

And Mcas,

Please, for god sake.
 
Apparently Charlie has never done any "Pro bono" work and he doesn't have a SISTER. :^)
 
suck it up and do the gig. its better to have your name out there than not. especially if you're good and the state of the economy. then have some business cards to get even more jobs..
if you're a young buck, you're sister is part of the organizers so u know she'll put on good word for you and u could can some nice nice....
 
some obvious and good advice all round here but no one has mentioned trying to come to some sort of compromise between the DJ and organisers, may be worth a try, that way everyone is happy.
 
I well say this shit only havened in Trinidad. The countract does work to a T. Suck it up do your gig and dont make the mistake again. We tend to slip when it comes to families but they are the ones that you must not let slide.
 
These are all great ideas and I appreciate the time. I've proposed a compromise of playing the gig and them paying for 6 hours and I play the 7th for free in exchange for promotion and the tip jar idea. I kinda see that as a win/win. Now, to try and get the deposit.

CRash

BTW, my METH cousin died in a car wreck years ago and my crazy uncle doesn't really know where I live and I'm gonna get the 1% Solution DVDs.
 
well played, CRashster
 
My 2 cents... do the job! Seven hours is a long time to sit in one spot playing for a crowd, I dont see something like that lasting more than 5 hours. You'll probably get work out of it, every job like that leads to another!
 
Airbornegary wrote :
I made that same mistake ONCE! I did a party for my wife's work (a bunch of elementary school teachers). I told my wife $300 for 3 hours (total mobile rig with lights) and $50 an hour after that. 3 hours is what they wanted so I figured no problem. Well the party was going great and they wanted 2 more hours and my wife said can you keep playing. I said sure for $50 more an hour. She said she never told them that part. So.... do I pack up and leave a bad name or keep playing for free. I told myself it was my mistake for not doing a contract and chalked it up as a life lesson. Now the good part, When I started my extended time I made an announcement "It seems the party isn't over yet and my time is up - should I keep playing or pack it up". The party all cheered to keep playing. I then said "This is my Christmas gift to you and I am doing this for free, I have placed a tip jar on the front of the table, Let's get this party jumping" . Next to the jar were some business cards. This lesson turned out to be more profitable than a contract. I ended up with nearly $200 in that jar. However, after that all get a contract and most private gigs I still keep a tip jar (ask the client first, most don't mind). On top of the tips I got 2 more gigs out of the deal.

My point is - it's your mistake, now make it work for you!


And I bet you didn't have to sleep on the couch that night either.......but if you had said no and packed up it would have been a lonely night with you and you woofer and tweeters!
 
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