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).

To be A Pro DJ

DJing is art. To be a DJ means that you are on top of the music scene. To be a REALLY good DJ means that you are on top of all the other DJs around you. That is simple logic.

So what makes a good DJ? We believe, first and foremost, playing for the crowd. If the crowd is jumpin' n screamin' to your cuts, then you know that you are rocking the party.

These days, everyone wants to hear the latest and hottest tracks. This responsibility lies upon the DJ. Exclusiveness has certainly brought about the success of some of the top DJs out there today.

In today's club scene however, being able to play the tracks the crowd wants is not simply enough. You need to hype the crowd up by being able to pull 'stunts' on the decks that no other DJ can. We all know of one such way, and that is turntablism. The problem with scratching is though, unless done to perfection, the crowd is not going to respond to it.

Technology is great these days, and due to this, DJing has come a very, very long way. Still, no DJ can do the things a remix can, live on stage. Well perhaps, but not on every single track. It will take planning and a lot of pre-work. Why go through all that when most of the crowd will think that you're playing a remix anyway? The only real thing you should be doing is be able to switch tracks to fit the mood of the crowd, or be able to change the mood of the crowd by selecting the tracks you choose to play.

Playing DJ remixes is the answer to that problem. We have remixes in the DJ industry today, simply because they are effective in what we want to achieve, and that is, dance floor hype.

The only set back is, most of the remixes that you have that are not done by you, the next DJ to jump on the decks will probably have. In fact, it will probably be on the net for the whole dance floor to download anyway. Not very 'exclusive' is it?

So, if you can play what the crowd wants, which is essentially the latest material mixed up with old crowd favorites, and you can deliver it in a such a way that the crowd is dazzled, and nobody else can do what you can do, then Mr. DJ, put the record on, because you are going to be the latest craze in the club scene. 

DJing economy profession

At this point I go into detail to let them know that not only am I paid well, but I don’t have to necessarily worry about the local or national economy.  Sure the economy affects everyone in different ways but dj’s have the safety net of the “good times/bad times” rule. The rule is simple … in good times or bad, people will celebrate birthdays, holidays, anniversaries,  and even get hitched. Bars and clubs are always full of patrons on both ends of this spectrum.  Step into a nightclub and the dim lights combined with sexual tension, can provide a temporary hiatus from reality.  The dj plays a vital role in this see-saw. The music and adult beverages provide a cloak in which to hide temporarily. Notice how many local restaurant bars are now having theme nights and even karaoke?  These specialized nights are geared towards making the venue more money. Why not hire a band? Well, they can be very expensive, they take frequent breaks, and play only a limited amount of tunes.  A smart dj can even market yourself to a band to make extra money! How? Two different ways come to mind. (1) team up with a band and provide the tunes for their clients while the band breaks. (2) Make music mixes that they themselves can play at a event. Mixed dj sets keep the flow going until they return from hitting on every skirt in the room.

So to my dj brothers and sisters,  don’t worry about going down in flames in the current climate. You have more control over the money you make than ever before. The internet via blogs, Twitter and Facebook, is a free window in which you can shout out to the world “I’m open for business!”