How Do You Charge?

[JBtheDJ]

What is your cost breakdown when you are dealing with clients? Does size, venue, needs, etc. determine your fee? How do you determine what you will charge?

I own and operate my own DJ service, I have for years. I'm also proud to be able to charge well over $1000 for my services. I've been able to do this because of my relationship with venues, vendors and great word of mouth. I charge a flat fee. 6 hours will cost you this much. I always have lights, second system, I never plan 2 events on one day (don't need to). I only charge extra for out of metro, and over time. No hidden fees (customers really like that) and it makes bookkeeping alot easier.

thoughts?

[dj hobbow]

:dj: hobow :banghead: :spin: :dance: :smash: :cry: :sleep: :)

[Biochemlab]

I think itemized statements are the best way to bill. It allows the dollar figure to add up to a reasonable amount for us DJ's and for the customer to be able to see what all that money goes towards.

Obviously you don't have this problem, but you wouldn't want your customers to think they are paying you $1,000 to push play on a CD player. They need to know that they are: Renting a DJ, Renting a sound system, renting a lighting system, and paying for travel. You may even want to include a small line item for misc. (being stylus's, record wear, etc.)

[dj hobbow]

can ney one help me :dj: hobbow

[dj hobbow]

:sleep: :devil: :badger: :love: :dj: :spin: :dance: :monkey: :) :badger: :smash: :banghead: :cry: :spank:

[dj hobbow]

i am going to ibazi con you help me :dj: hobbow

[YinYangDragon]

Itemized is the way I do it as well. Some people say I should charge by the hour, but that doesn't always work out, especially if the party ends early or they decide not to pay you. I normally charge for whatever I bring and a flat fee renting the DJ (Me and/or Mr. Philly :spin: ) Some parties are small enough so that I don't need lights so costs are deducted.

[JBtheDJ]

I think itemized statements are the best way to bill. It allows the dollar figure to add up to a reasonable amount for us DJ's and for the customer to be able to see what all that money goes towards.

Obviously you don't have this problem, but you wouldn't want your customers to think they are paying you $1,000 to push play on a CD player. They need to know that they are: Renting a DJ, Renting a sound system, renting a lighting system, and paying for travel. You may even want to include a small line item for misc. (being stylus's, record wear, etc.)

My customers pay for second-to -none, top notch service. That's the only itemization I do. Most of the vendors I work are high end, so their referals are usually high end as well. Of course I explain exactly what they are receiving when I meet with them. But our conversations deal more with planning and organization rather than how many cds I have.

[DJSAL]

My prices start at $500 at that includes $50 worth of props ($20 wholesale) and a small lightshow (2 lights). For a week night gig, I will usually cut that back to $300, if its a weekend afternoon party (12-4, 1-5) I will usually do that for $400-$450.

Extras are as follows:

Deluxe lighting: $75 just two fixtures with moving heads linkd together in master/slave mode a Martin gobo, a ADJ minigressor and a ADJ Starball.

Karoke: $100 extra.

Extra man (DJ and MC rather then DJ/MC combo) $250

I try to sell things as a package deal, like if they wanted Kareaoke and the intelligent lightshow, I do both for $150 extra.

[Method2125]

I'm currently charging $450 for up to 4 hours for a wedding dance. That includes my lighting setup and tickets for a garter raffle. I am thinking about possibly setting up a pricing structure of a certain amount for the base sound system, an extra amount for a subwoofer system, and extra for lighting. The only problem with that is that people may decide they don't want lights and then I just make less per night. I'm still debating this approach.

For schools I'm more flexible. The small towns around here don't have a lot of money for school dances, proms, etc. I usually try to cut them a deal. I may not set up all my lights, and I usually specify that I need five guys to load my equipment in and out for me. For the bigger schools that can afford it I charge them more, for the little podunk towns they get charged less. I'd rather do a gig for less than make no money at all because I was too expensive.

This is an interesting thread. I've been debating changing my pricing structure but haven't decided how to do it yet. I'd definitely be interested in hearing from more Mobile DJ's on how they charge.

-Mike

[Sandino]

Hobow-

What help do you need?

[LunchieTey]

What I have been doing of late is to have a generic word template ready(don't forget your logo at the top :) ) and just delete what you aren't going to supply for that quote and change $ figures to your taste! It starts off with the usual...(these are rough examples in AUSTRALIAN$)
"Dear Sir/Madam...
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to quote for INSERT GIG TITLE HERE to be held on the INSERT DATE HERE at INSERT VENUE HERE" etc
Then you make statements like...
"The equipment we believe you will require will be(make a nice e x t e n d e d listing of your gear(looks more impressive) with individual costs like $20 for mixer,$20 dual CD $25 per amp etc.List their full name/model number(names that people know are good like Denon/Technics/Pioneer etc-but even no name brands or brands they don't know look good-just omit things which sound crappy like radio shack or something!)
I also add a 'miscellaneous consumables' like gaffer tape etc of $20. Then don't foget transport(I charge over 20km surcharge $50 etc)
Mention things like quality of sound for music AND speeches(even go as far as quoting a round figure of people it will comfortably cater for-like 300 or so-even though the gig is for 250 for exapmle),adequate volume,professional appearance etc.
Itemise everything(except cables etc),even down to $8 microphone and labour costs. Even if you adjust everything so the total is what you'd normally charge (lets just say $500 total),it still makes the customer happy that they have recieved a nice professional quote,and that they can see all of the costs. There is a stigma out there that DJ's make easy money but at least they can see ALL of the things YOU had to buy to make it all work as well as it does! Also use labour breakdowns like 'system assembly' and 'system pack down time'. Have labour charged for something like 'live dj playback up to 4 hours,additional hours at $60/hour'
Always put a thankyou blurb at the bottom...
"Thankyou for your application for this quote. If you have any questions about this quote,please feel free to call me anytime on INSERT NUMBER HERE. We aim to provide the best service available and have submitted this quote with what we believe will provide you with excellent value for money and quality sound. If you wish to make changes we are more than happy to accomodate your needs"
You get the idea!

[STARTIME]

We reallllllyyy need to spell our services correctly in order to look like we know what we are doing............K A R A O K E !!!!!!!




My prices start at $500 at that includes $50 worth of props ($20 wholesale) and a small lightshow (2 lights). For a week night gig, I will usually cut that back to $300, if its a weekend afternoon party (12-4, 1-5) I will usually do that for $400-$450.

Extras are as follows:

Deluxe lighting: $75 just two fixtures with moving heads linkd together in master/slave mode a Martin gobo, a ADJ minigressor and a ADJ Starball.

Karoke: $100 extra.

Extra man (DJ and MC rather then DJ/MC combo) $250

I try to sell things as a package deal, like if they wanted Kareaoke and the intelligent lightshow, I do both for $150 extra. :banghead:

[Sandino]

^
:complain: <- Spelling Nazi

[DJSAL]

Dude, cmon man, this is a discusion forum, not an advertizing space, rest assured that its spelled right on my cards, contracts and such. Welcome to the forum btw.

[Borky]

My prices start at $500 at that includes $50 worth of props ($20 wholesale) and a small lightshow (2 lights). For a week night gig, I will usually cut that back to $300, if its a weekend afternoon party (12-4, 1-5) I will usually do that for $400-$450.

Extras are as follows:

Deluxe lighting: $75 just two fixtures with moving heads linkd together in master/slave mode a Martin gobo, a ADJ minigressor and a ADJ Starball.

Karoke: $100 extra.

Extra man (DJ and MC rather then DJ/MC combo) $250

I try to sell things as a package deal, like if they wanted Kareaoke and the intelligent lightshow, I do both for $150 extra.

What exactly are these "props"? Just curious.

[bAd]

The way I charge is this:

Weddings:
Base rate which is full lights and sound: $500
now, this can go up or down depending on stairs, amount of people, if they want less lights, less audio, you get the idea. I usually tell them that this is the starting price then we negotiate from there until they are happy. I don't ever let them get off the phone until they are happy with the price.

Sweet 16's/High School Dances:
Base rate with full lights and sound: $350
again stairs, and such are deducted/added. Usually I charge less for these cause you don't have to MC or stick to a schedule.

All of my prices are negotable. Honestly, there has only been one client who paid the exact amount. Others lil less/lil more.

I also discount services for referrals from previous clients and if they are return clients (like a school that I do most of the dances for)

[DJSAL]

Maracas, tamboriunes, hawaian lais, all that cheese.

www.makesparties.com

[davidjones@a2zm]

i use those dj lead sites as well as paying google monthly. i charge according to venue (how ritzy is it), number of guest, and duration. i have a preset i must make for every event ($500+) and i add accordingly. that's why i don't post my rates because i'll do 2 receptions at the same local and charge $200-$300 difference.