DJ hire pays off

If you want a great party you will most definitely need great music. You could be in to all sorts of music, or maybe a certain genre which might be Old Skool dance, R ‘n’ B, cheese or maybe just whatever is on the radio at the time. There are a lot of entertainment agencies out there that can help you out and specialise in DJ hire of any party or event. One of the best ways to entertain the guests is to hire a DJ who can play for anyone and any occasion whether it be a large or small event. 

A DJ will bring fun, good music and energy to the party and you can be sure that anyone who is there will be dancing to the beat. If you have a list of songs that you want to be played your DJ will be happy to take this from you. They should then be able to work out the best time to play the appropriate song and work out what song mixing well in to the next one on your play-list. In-between songs that you have asked for the DJ will be able to fill in the gaps by taking requests and looking and making good judgment as to what sort of music fits in well with the audience. If the party is themed the DJ needs to know about this before the party to get prepared. 

DJ’s are versatile can adapt to more than one occasion, from weddings to Birthdays or dinner balls to charity events and lots more. An Old Skool DJ before would have just needed a couple of speakers, some basic lights and a box full of records, however it is much more full on these days. Nowadays a professional DJ needs to have a good understanding about various lighting setups, internet marketing including social media, sound systems, various controllers, knowledge of computers and much more. The main job for the DJ is to set the right mood to ensure a good delivery. There must be a variety of good music for all to enjoy and of course, to get the dance-floor busy and rocking! Whilst guests are arriving low level music should be played, or maybe easy listening as people know it. Loud and floorfilla type music may annoy people early on if they’re trying to talk. 

You hire a DJ to read the crowd and play the right and best possible music to fit the mood. Very experienced DJ’s are experts in reading the dance-floor and can judge when the music should change and be more up-beat music. A DJ who loves their job and shows true passion will be moving around and really getting involved and engaging with the audience. A good party needs a professional DJ for it to take off and that is a fact.

Must be Inconsistent

Consistently means in the same manner, without variation. While I believe that some of the business practices you use, must be consistent, such as management skills for a multi-op, or showing up for all weddings and events on time, or being consistent in pursuing your goals. However, too much consistency in your performance will make you average and mundane.

I am not advocating rapid and constant change, what I am saying is that a statement in your marketing materials that says “Fifteen Years Experience” can mean two totally different things. I can mean that you have been constantly evolving, learning and changing your business for the better, or it can mean that you have one year of experience, repeated fifteen times. The sad part is that the clients have no idea which description is actually correct for you. If you want to be known as an outstanding DJ/Entertainer and to be able to get paid a living wage for your services, you must be willing to try new things, learn ways to be different and unique and take knowledge you obtain and make it uniquely yours. Failing to change is the death of a participant in an evolving industry. If you fail to change, you will simply fail!

As a wedding DJ/Entertainer, I have learned through the years some things that have made me different than the other DJs in the markets where I have worked. I will share some of those concepts with you. First, your primary goal for your wedding clients is to make sure that their special day is stress free, romantic, fun, classy and memorable.

You must be able to exude respect, sincerity and trust. You must be able to create emotion and elegance throughout the wedding day. You must be interested and prepared to listen without judgment so that you can translate the vision of the clients into a meaningful reality. You must be as enthusiastic about their celebration as they are. You must love your clients and respect and protect them from the pitfalls that can come up during wedding planning and on wedding day. The final thing is to deliver far more than their expectations, doing the extra things that are not really in your job description.

Follow these simple rules and you will be pointed in the right direction.

Pricing for mobile DJ

Have all of your packages and prices predetermined and WRITTEN DOWN. You can have different price levels for different types of parties, but have this predetermined and in advance. Combine popular items into packages rather than selling them ala-carte. Have packages for different combinations of service (say one price point for a Bar/Bat Mitzvah reception with a DJ, and an MC). Make additional options available as “upgrades” (such as party dancers, party motivators, props, lighting, etc.), which you should try to sell according to your feel for what the prospect wants. 

Sell in packages that increase in services and dollars. A good package name is essential. Don’t use stereotypical names (gold, silver, bronze). DO use “party package”, “performance package”, etc. Keep package discounts realistic. Have a wide range of packages. 

Charge MORE for overtime added on at the party. Rationale: they’re having a good time, and they want you. You’re worth it. Charge more for bigger affairs (such as weddings, Bar & Bat Mitzvahs, proms, etc.) than for smaller affairs. If you’re not losing some jobs because of price, then you’re not charging enough. You might want to charge higher prices for weekend/peak times then during the week. Charge more for proms than for a regular dance. Charge a premium for proms from mid May to mid June (especially since this is a time that is also popular for weddings). DON’T charge more for a last minute/emergency booking than you would have charged for that same booking if you got it many months in advance—the customer might pay what you ask, but will probably not give you any repeat business. 

When you are turning away a lot of business because you are already booked, then it is time to raise your prices and get more money. Charging top dollar is also the best way of differentiating yourself from your less experienced or under-priced competition. The way to fight bottom-feeders isn’t to sink down into the mud with them, but to stay on top where you belong. Charging more will automatically elevate you up to the better sites, and away from those low-budget photographers and caterers whose unprofessional antics and shortcomings drive you crazy. August 1996 DJ Times—TCB Column by Karen Roy
 

If you want to market a new (for you) service/feature/option (which you eventually intend to be able to sell as an upgrade), try giving it away for free at a few of your key parties. Make sure you tell those clients that this is something you’re giving them for free because its new, and that it will eventually be an extra-cost add-on (so their friends won’t expect to get it for free). Choose which parties to do this for so as to expose it to referrals that will want to pay for the option. 

Offer “dark time” (early setup but not playing) at half price (never for free).