zacarackaroo
I'm might be playing a white party on Thursday night and looking for some advice. This will be my first gig, aside from a few parties and djing a pool party for a local apartment complex. Everything has started off well and I got the chance to meet a bar owner who was talking about this white party and I asked who they had to DJ, I'm getting to know a lot of them around town. She said they have a regular DJ and I gave her one of my business cards. I'm confident that I can do this, I set aside 3 hours a day for research i.e. reading on the craft of DJing, DJ Tech news, and music/dj blogs; and two+ (sometimes I get carried away) of actual practice. So I have my first gig set, (aside from a contract that I'm going to have written up tomorrow) but I need to know, how much am I worth for 3-4 hours? I want to stay away from undercutting the current DJ and want to be taken professionally as well. Advice is free so I'm looking for that, not just on payment though, any advice would be great and considered.
-Zac A Rack A Roo
-Zac A Rack A Roo
Posted Tue 17 May 11 @ 10:19 pm
Kroww
I'm in Australia so we have different rates and currency, but for me it depends on the gig and how much I want to play it.
For me it can range between $75 per hour, through to doing a set for free at cool parties.
This is probably bad form, but my professional behaviour reflects the amount I'm getting paid, (e.g. how much I party) - serious money gets a serious DJ...
So if you charge a reasonable rate you can have a reasonable amount of fun. :)~
If you want an idea of professional rates in your area I'd suggest you ring up some local places and ask how much a DJ is to hire per hour. Then adjust yourself accordingly.
Remember that professional rates usually expect professional performances.
For me it can range between $75 per hour, through to doing a set for free at cool parties.
This is probably bad form, but my professional behaviour reflects the amount I'm getting paid, (e.g. how much I party) - serious money gets a serious DJ...
So if you charge a reasonable rate you can have a reasonable amount of fun. :)~
If you want an idea of professional rates in your area I'd suggest you ring up some local places and ask how much a DJ is to hire per hour. Then adjust yourself accordingly.
Remember that professional rates usually expect professional performances.
Posted Tue 17 May 11 @ 10:35 pm
coach k
+1 Kroww
Remember you're new, so do as Kroww says about calling or you can even google the local DJ's in your area to get a general idea of average going rate in your area. What you want to do is make it competitive without undercutting any DJ's by somewhere in between the middle of the lowest and the highest rate you find.
Also, as you get more gigs, you'll have an understanding that doing an estimate of these parties/ events will be able to help you bring in bigger paydays. So ask questions like, How many people, how big the venue, how long, even ask about the area of the event if you're not familiar with it. Little questions like that can take you from $75 an hour to $100 an hour, just example for you.
Remember you're new, so do as Kroww says about calling or you can even google the local DJ's in your area to get a general idea of average going rate in your area. What you want to do is make it competitive without undercutting any DJ's by somewhere in between the middle of the lowest and the highest rate you find.
Also, as you get more gigs, you'll have an understanding that doing an estimate of these parties/ events will be able to help you bring in bigger paydays. So ask questions like, How many people, how big the venue, how long, even ask about the area of the event if you're not familiar with it. Little questions like that can take you from $75 an hour to $100 an hour, just example for you.
Posted Wed 18 May 11 @ 6:41 am
djcity
zacarackaroo wrote :
I asked who they had to DJ, I'm getting to know a lot of them around town.
-Zac A Rack A Roo
-Zac A Rack A Roo
Call some of the WORKING DJ's that you know and get their advise. They are the most familiar with the area and what the going rates are for that type of show in that type of venue.
you may be surprised how fellow DJ's will help you get your foot in the door but be forewarned...THESE SAME DJ'S CAN LOCK YOU OUT IF YOU UNDERCUT THEM TO GET GIGS.
Be fair, be honest, know your worth, know your status.
There IS a pecking order in this business. Pay your dues, get your skills up, advance!
Posted Wed 18 May 11 @ 3:09 pm
zacarackaroo
I'm trying to gain the respect of DJ's around my town as well as get started. I'm far from professional but I am better than a lot of the cats here so I've decided to ask for 80/hr. The owner said that they could do 75/hr, open bar tab, and provide me with transportation home i.e. a cab. I'm pretty happy about it, we signed the contract today covering any damages to equipment and the amount of 75 an hour. Thanks for the advice and wish me luck, tomorrow I'm going to kill it. I called around but most DJ's in this town are wedding dj's rather than club or party. My goal is to move in to the mobile DJ business but a gig is a gig and I need to learn how to move an audience.
Side note: Coach K, thank you. You've consistently given me great advice in the forum so I do want to tell you it means a lot to myself and any other DJ's trying to get into the game.
Side note: Coach K, thank you. You've consistently given me great advice in the forum so I do want to tell you it means a lot to myself and any other DJ's trying to get into the game.
Posted Wed 18 May 11 @ 9:14 pm
djcity
zacarackaroo wrote :
I'm trying to gain the respect of DJ's around my town as well as get started. I'm far from professional but I am better than a lot of the cats here so I've decided to ask for 80/hr. The owner said that they could do 75/hr, open bar tab, and provide me with transportation home i.e. a cab. I'm pretty happy about it, we signed the contract today covering any damages to equipment and the amount of 75 an hour. Thanks for the advice and wish me luck, tomorrow I'm going to kill it. I called around but most DJ's in this town are wedding dj's rather than club or party. My goal is to move in to the mobile DJ business but a gig is a gig and I need to learn how to move an audience.
Side note: Coach K, thank you. You've consistently given me great advice in the forum so I do want to tell you it means a lot to myself and any other DJ's trying to get into the game.
Side note: Coach K, thank you. You've consistently given me great advice in the forum so I do want to tell you it means a lot to myself and any other DJ's trying to get into the game.
$75/hr.
Good deal. Congrats...
Posted Wed 18 May 11 @ 9:18 pm
Kroww
Yeah gratz - hope it went well bud.
Posted Thu 19 May 11 @ 1:35 am
hippydog
djcity wrote :
you may be surprised how fellow DJ's will help you get your foot in the door but be forewarned...THESE SAME DJ'S CAN LOCK YOU OUT IF YOU UNDERCUT THEM TO GET GIGS.
Be fair, be honest, know your worth, know your status.
There IS a pecking order in this business. Pay your dues, get your skills up, advance!
Be fair, be honest, know your worth, know your status.
There IS a pecking order in this business. Pay your dues, get your skills up, advance!
great post..
any DJ looking to get into the biz should write that on a card and keep it with them..
Posted Thu 19 May 11 @ 2:33 pm
coach k
zacarackaroo wrote :
I'm trying to gain the respect of DJ's around my town as well as get started. I'm far from professional but I am better than a lot of the cats here so I've decided to ask for 80/hr. The owner said that they could do 75/hr, open bar tab, and provide me with transportation home i.e. a cab. I'm pretty happy about it, we signed the contract today covering any damages to equipment and the amount of 75 an hour. Thanks for the advice and wish me luck, tomorrow I'm going to kill it. I called around but most DJ's in this town are wedding dj's rather than club or party. My goal is to move in to the mobile DJ business but a gig is a gig and I need to learn how to move an audience.
Side note: Coach K, thank you. You've consistently given me great advice in the forum so I do want to tell you it means a lot to myself and any other DJ's trying to get into the game.
Side note: Coach K, thank you. You've consistently given me great advice in the forum so I do want to tell you it means a lot to myself and any other DJ's trying to get into the game.
No problem fam, always willing to help, especially young up and comers! Congrats on your deal!
Posted Sun 22 May 11 @ 7:53 pm
djnutz
Posted Mon 23 May 11 @ 7:56 am