DJ VooDoo
Hello, I have been doing mobile gigs for about 16 years and I have been noticing a trend in my area where people don't want to pay a Dj his worth any more. I consider myself to be affordable. For a 6 hour wedding I normally charge $400 to $500 (lights included) but people are so cheap that they are stating that it is too high. I tell them I have top of the line equipment, vast music selction (over 35,000 songs) and experience but that doesn't seem to be enough. I have heard where people are paying $1500 for a wedding.
Anyone out there experiencing the same and if so what are you doing to combat this? I know the market is flooded with DJs given how technology makes it easy. I always tell people that you get what you pay for.
Regards, Dj VooDoo
Anyone out there experiencing the same and if so what are you doing to combat this? I know the market is flooded with DJs given how technology makes it easy. I always tell people that you get what you pay for.
Regards, Dj VooDoo
Posted Tue 10 May 11 @ 12:43 pm
KruseControl
I'll start by saying that I don't have anywhere near as much experience DJing as you do. That being said, I hope my advice is still helpful and of some use.
Like any service that people pay for, it's all about the marketing. High saturation of competitors (DJs, in your case) isn't something you can "combat". You have to embrace it. Instead of "yeah, there's alot of other djs out there. But I have the most music, best lights, and have been doing it the longest", you want to focus on what makes you different.
Use a digital presence to build your own brand equity. Twitter, facebook, soundcloud, and YouTube are all free tools at your disposal. Perhaps use a flip cam to record everyone dancing at a wedding reception your playing.
There are a hundred different ways you could use the Internet to market yourself. The point is that you do. Give your target market (or specific customer) something to look at and listen to. A business card with your own website, or relevant links to your material.
Let me know if you need more clarification, or more specific tips. Hope this helped!
Like any service that people pay for, it's all about the marketing. High saturation of competitors (DJs, in your case) isn't something you can "combat". You have to embrace it. Instead of "yeah, there's alot of other djs out there. But I have the most music, best lights, and have been doing it the longest", you want to focus on what makes you different.
Use a digital presence to build your own brand equity. Twitter, facebook, soundcloud, and YouTube are all free tools at your disposal. Perhaps use a flip cam to record everyone dancing at a wedding reception your playing.
There are a hundred different ways you could use the Internet to market yourself. The point is that you do. Give your target market (or specific customer) something to look at and listen to. A business card with your own website, or relevant links to your material.
Let me know if you need more clarification, or more specific tips. Hope this helped!
Posted Tue 10 May 11 @ 2:10 pm
DHoude
All great ideas. I actually approched an upscale bar manager this weekend and that is exactly what they asked me "what makes you different".
I have only been doning this for a little over a year now. So I said I mix music videos, and that was it. Now they are interested and want a demo.
I have experience, but nothing to "pitch". Have great refferences with clubs and they didn't care. I have the the NS7 and QSC gear and he didn't even ask. They just want new features to have the next best thing that nobody can offer to get more clients in the door. Because of VDJ and video capabilities, I have aced may last shows, gaining new ones and rappidly setting myself appart from the crowd in this area.
Facebook is great. You can see all my shows and where I play and when. So I get followers and can bring people in all because they know I can deliver a hell of a party. That will bring them business and make it worth their while. They can hear my demo on soundcloud and know what they get. My work speaks for itself and I am nobody. But I market myself and it is paying off.
People don't care about quality or experience anymore. They will pay for stand out features, if you can demonstrate how awsome they really are. Show them and they will find a way to pay. Other wise, unless they know you, your word is no better than any other stranger on the street.
I am still getting weddings at from $600 to $800 for 4hrs. Sure I get complaints, but after they know what I can do, I have reminded them how much money it costs to bring all this to their event. I have an estimated $23,000 in my system and that is CHEAP. I know DJs with $60K+. Good gear costs money. Any less than that into their gear, who knows what they are going tro bring.
I have only been doning this for a little over a year now. So I said I mix music videos, and that was it. Now they are interested and want a demo.
I have experience, but nothing to "pitch". Have great refferences with clubs and they didn't care. I have the the NS7 and QSC gear and he didn't even ask. They just want new features to have the next best thing that nobody can offer to get more clients in the door. Because of VDJ and video capabilities, I have aced may last shows, gaining new ones and rappidly setting myself appart from the crowd in this area.
Facebook is great. You can see all my shows and where I play and when. So I get followers and can bring people in all because they know I can deliver a hell of a party. That will bring them business and make it worth their while. They can hear my demo on soundcloud and know what they get. My work speaks for itself and I am nobody. But I market myself and it is paying off.
People don't care about quality or experience anymore. They will pay for stand out features, if you can demonstrate how awsome they really are. Show them and they will find a way to pay. Other wise, unless they know you, your word is no better than any other stranger on the street.
I am still getting weddings at from $600 to $800 for 4hrs. Sure I get complaints, but after they know what I can do, I have reminded them how much money it costs to bring all this to their event. I have an estimated $23,000 in my system and that is CHEAP. I know DJs with $60K+. Good gear costs money. Any less than that into their gear, who knows what they are going tro bring.
Posted Tue 10 May 11 @ 2:38 pm
wildcountryclub
welcome to the recession.
mobile dj's here are selling gear or packing it away. people on craigslist are trolling for bottom-feeder dj's - "first week un-paid, but if we like you, we'll call you back." - or worse.
mobile dj's here are selling gear or packing it away. people on craigslist are trolling for bottom-feeder dj's - "first week un-paid, but if we like you, we'll call you back." - or worse.
Posted Tue 10 May 11 @ 2:46 pm
coach k
Man you're Cheap!!!!! 6 hours for $400-$500???? WOW!!! I charge a minimum $500 for 4 hours alone!
Yet one thing you want to do is "GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT" Be sure to have some kind of video with you in action and it helps to get real video testimonies. Sure people are cheap these days, but you must always remember your worth!
Also here is my new plan of attack http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/146619/General_Discussion/Why_does_the_DJ_cost_so_much_.html
I give them an estimate, take a look at the mobile DJ section, works very well!
Yet one thing you want to do is "GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT" Be sure to have some kind of video with you in action and it helps to get real video testimonies. Sure people are cheap these days, but you must always remember your worth!
Also here is my new plan of attack http://www.virtualdj.com/forums/146619/General_Discussion/Why_does_the_DJ_cost_so_much_.html
I give them an estimate, take a look at the mobile DJ section, works very well!
Posted Tue 10 May 11 @ 2:57 pm
coach k
wildcountryclub wrote :
welcome to the recession.
mobile dj's here are selling gear or packing it away. people on craigslist are trolling for bottom-feeder dj's - "first week un-paid, but if we like you, we'll call you back." - or worse.
mobile dj's here are selling gear or packing it away. people on craigslist are trolling for bottom-feeder dj's - "first week un-paid, but if we like you, we'll call you back." - or worse.
Damn you hit that one on the button, lol!
Posted Tue 10 May 11 @ 2:58 pm
DJ Andrey Seagull
Here is an interesting article on this topic:
http://promobiledj.com/2011/05/how-to-increase-your-profits/
It may not work for everybody but I think it's worth reading.
http://promobiledj.com/2011/05/how-to-increase-your-profits/
It may not work for everybody but I think it's worth reading.
Posted Tue 10 May 11 @ 11:55 pm