I've Found A New Uk Wedding Web Site

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

If that's the bigger picture then I'm quite content with my small screen

 

Thank you for your quality input Mr W.

 

The question is then , can the £125 potentially earn £500 per gig? Am a big believer, you get out what you put in.

 

One thing that is very clear from this thread is that there is a massive difference between the north and south on what people will pay for a disco. And note, I said what people will pay, not what you can charge.

 

I`ve been saying that for a while Mick but there are one or two that think thats rubbish and say you`ll get what you are worth..Hence my comments on diverting my mobile.

Edited February 12, 2007 by stevemitchell

[C.S 0]

Steve ! Would be interested to if you have a figure on how many bookings you get from people who were at previous gigs ? The least amount of gigs for the most amount of money must be the idea. You have a far greater amount of wear and tear on both you and your gear doing 4 gigs than doing just the one for the same money !

Edited February 12, 2007 by C.S

[ChrisPointon 0]

I don't think its a North - South thing directly. I'm sure that there are places in both areas which command entirely different fees and I am sure that social statistics such as unemployment levels, average wage etc will play a big part in the difference in prices of any service. The price of a lot of things varies depending on the region that you are based, and these include Fuel, Beer, Food, Healthcare and even Electricity. Surely if it was possibly to always obtain the highest prices in all areas, then these companies would be instrumental in doing so, and the price would be uniformly high across the whole country, and not varied.

 

However there are at least three members who have recently upped sticks and moved to entirely different locations.

 

Same DJ, Same Disco, Same Business philosophy, same rates etc. It will be interesting to read what comes back in relation to the move and restarting in a completely new area, and more whether they kept the same price structure and how they get on. Maybe they would like to give some input so far?.

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

Steve ! Would be interested to if you have a figure on how many bookings you get from people who were at previous gigs ?

 

 

Am not joining in this debate to compare with myself..(infact I don`t know why am in this debate). I do ok my average job is £220-£250. Most of my work comes from recommendations from various hotels/venues. I do get a few outsiders saying they saw me at ??? wedding.

 

I don`t advertise. I only have my website and a free line in YP. I did a wedding fayre the other week which so far I have had 4 enquiries which only 1 I could do. The others I passed on. I spent alot of looty on gear and mail shotted the hotels.

[FDDJ 0]

One thing that is very clear from this thread is that there is a massive difference between the north and south on what people will pay for a disco. And note, I said what people will pay, not what you can charge.

 

I don't agree, you are just talking to the wrong people.

 

There are plenty of people in Surrey where I live and work who want to pay less than £150 for a disco and will find people to do it. I'm not interested in working at that figure so I don't get involved.

 

When you buy a car you have a choice, you might look at a used car, a reasonably priced new car or a Porsche 911.

 

Each vehicle will get you were you want to go but you have a budget and will go with the car that suits your budget best.

 

You can shop in Aldi, Tesco or M&S, they all sell you food but all target different customers and budgets.

 

You can read the Sun, the Daily Mail or the Independent, they will all tell you the news (well sort of...!), but just look at the adverts in them, they are all tailored to suit different tastes and budgets.

 

There are buyers of each type in every County in the UK, you just need to find them and offer them the right service for them to buy from you.

 

Remember! You cannot sell the benefits of a £500 DJ service to someone who does not have £500 to spend no matter how hard you try, so find someone who has the £500 first!

[mick 0]

I don't agree, you are just talking to the wrong people.

 

There are plenty of people in Surrey where I live and work who want to pay less than £150 for a disco and will find people to do it. I'm not interested in working at that figure so I don't get involved.

 

With respect it dosn't quite work like that, there are plenty of good DJ's in my area who all charge less than £200 for an average gig, and I mean they are good and well established. I could easily put my charges up to £350 - 500 and sit at home most of the time. You are not going to get that sort of money in my loction and that is fact.

By the way I am not against us all charging more, and I know that I am worth it, and in a perfect world what you say makes perfect sense, but I have worked for myself in this area since 1975 and I know what people will pay for an evenings entertainment. I am actually more expensive than many other DJ's and live bands round here anyway.

[FDDJ 0]

I respect your position and understand your points, I really do, I am my own worst enemy when it comes to discussing the "North/South" thing, I can't help stating my mind!

 

So...

 

...I have worked for myself in this area since 1975 and I know what people will pay for an evenings entertainment.

 

So you know what your usual clientèle will pay for an evenings entertainment, but you don't know what everyone in your area will pay, that's the difference.

 

I am actually more expensive than many other DJ's and live bands round here anyway.

 

But not all?

 

So someone in your area is earning more money per gig then?

 

The thing is, until I stumbled across the website of another company in Surrey that was charging £395 a gig (that was 5 years ago), I would never have believed anyone in my local area would pay that sort of money for "just a disco" even though it is one of the most affluent counties in the country!

 

This was my perception because I was stuck in this mindset that meant I only concentrated on the types of client I knew. I would rather work every Saturday for £175 because I knew the people who were booking me would pay that and not more.

 

I was sitting there with blinkers on and it took me a while to realise that other types of person also lived in the area and that if I marketed my self in a certain way what I did (i.e. entertain on a Saturday night) would not fundamentally change, just the income I could earn from it.

 

But it is really hard to make that change, I know that from experience. I don't post on subjects like this to wind Northerners up, I really don't, but having spent time up North with friends who live on the outskirts of Liverpool I know for a fact that money is there.

 

You just have to learn to ask for it.

[Eskie 0]

I was sitting there with blinkers on and it took me a while to realise that other types of person also lived in the area and that if I marketed my self in a certain way what I did (i.e. entertain on a Saturday night) would not fundamentally change, just the income I could earn from it.

This is an important point; it's not just about how good you are as a DJ, it's also about how good you are at marketing your services.

 

But it is really hard to make that change, I know that from experience. I don't post on subjects like this to wind Northerners up, I really don't, but having spent time up North with friends who live on the outskirts of Liverpool I know for a fact that money is there.

 

You just have to learn to ask for it.

...but also HOW to ask for it and to make the sort of people who will spend that sort of money be interested in what you have to offer.

As long as you feel that there is no one in your vicinity that will spend more than a certain figure you have in your mind, then that will be true for you.

It is a GIANT step to make and far from easy and takes some balls, but in the long run IF it is done correctly pays big dividends.

[Kingy 0]

Some good points.

 

Some absolute crap!

 

Interesting to see that the majority of the country's DJs in the poll on the other thread are charging a lot less than others.

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

49% between £150 & £250.

Edited February 12, 2007 by stevemitchell

[C.S 0]

No debate Steve or need to compare. i just dont believe its a viable thought to keep prices low so that you get multi bookings leading to more exposure and therefore more bookings ! Its an expensive way of advertising.

[Dukesy 0]

I don't think its a North - South thing directly. I'm sure that there are places in both areas which command entirely different fees and I am sure that social statistics such as unemployment levels, average wage etc will play a big part in the difference in prices of any service. The price of a lot of things varies depending on the region that you are based, and these include Fuel, Beer, Food, Healthcare and even Electricity.

 

However there are at least three members who have recently upped sticks and moved to entirely different locations.

 

Same DJ, Same Disco, Same Business philosophy, same rates etc. It will be interesting to read what comes back in relation to the move and restarting in a completely new area, and more whether they kept the same price structure and how they get on. Maybe they would like to give some input so far?.

Very good point.

 

I've spoken to both Paul (Hi Fidelity) Steve '007' and others and can fully appreciate the 'bigger picture'!

 

Having moved recently.... I can honestly say that I have kept the same price structure for the areas I already cover and have been studying everything in the potential new areas such as rates for venue hire, fellow competitors rates, etc, etc.

Obviously, there is a difference.

I will admit that I have not yet fully 'targeted' the new areas as such yet as I have been honouring the existing areas (gigs) but I will say that there is a noticeable difference in prices compared to where I used to live, for example, the advertising and printing is marginally cheaper around here, YP quotes are lower and even my car insurance is lower!

It's very obvious that the housing prices are different to that of where I used to live, for example, the property where I live now would easily be valued at a considerably higher price if located where I used to live.

Having spoken to the neighbours about earning comparisons, the range can be little or no-difference or a big 'divide' on job incomes.

I note that some Wedding Photographers charge a similar fee around here to their counterparts in 'the south east' so do believe that there is always scope!

 

 

 

 

 

[Eskie 0]

Some good points.

 

Some absolute crap!

 

Interesting to see that the majority of the country's DJs in the poll on the other thread are charging a lot less than others.

I'd have been surprised if the results were anything other than that.

[ChrisPointon 0]

but I will say that there is a noticeable difference in prices compared to where I used to live, for example, the advertising and printing is marginally cheaper around here, YP quotes are lower and even my car insurance is lower!

 

I don't think you can bring car insurance into the equation as it goes on risk and crime rate, and its more of a postcode lottery rather then on average earnings and how affulent the area is. By default car insurance can work the other way, and be more expensive in areas which are poorer and have a higher crime rate compared to the leafy suburbs with a low crime rate.

 

I will admit that I have not yet fully 'targeted' the new areas as such yet as I have been honouring the existing areas (gigs)

 

The problem with travelling distances to better paid gigs, is by the time that you have factored in the cost of fuel, plus your hourly rate for travelling time, wear and tear on the car then on a per hour basis you probably are no better off than taking something at a lower rate locally.

 

For example, lets say you could get £200 locally, but are willing / tempted to travel 200 miles on a Friday Afternoon for a more lucrative £400.

 

Okay on the surface you are better off and doubling your money, but allowing for friday motorway traffic it will probably take you at least 3 hours travelling time there and 2+ hours back - so approx 5 hours worth of time even before you've set up the equipment!. As an example lets also allow 2 hours to set up and pack away and four hours for the actual gig.

 

First the £400 gig, 200 miles away.

 

If we also allow £50 for fuel expenses the total earned becomes £350

 

So a total 'working' time of 12 hours / £350 = £29.17 per hour

 

Now compare the local gig in your home town for £200

 

Total travelling time of less than 30 mins. The same 2 hours to set up and pack away and the same 4 hours for the gig.

 

We'll allow £5 for fuel expenses which takes the total earned to £195

 

So a 'working' time of 6.5 hours / £195 = £30 per hour

 

So in this example you are actually slightly better off taking the lower paid gig, even before factoring in the loss of an entire day and most of the night in travelling time, and the wear and tear and the more frequent servicing of your vehicle due to the higher milages involved.

 

Of course this example is a little off topic, and could be varied in several ways, but it applies to Dan, and other others who are thinking of UK coverage, and gives an example equation of how you should be looking beyond just the booking fee and the time on stage and be breaking down your rates and allowing journey time and other business expenses into the formula.

 

Of course, it would indeed be better to earn £400 locally, in any area, rather than £200 and this is what everyone is trying to achieve. However it begs the question why some DJs do travel 200 miles for a £400 gig IF they can get £400 on their own doorstep because in this scenario you are actually losing money or at best, only earning the same, so surely you should be charging far more?.

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

Nice post Chris....

 

A Yes or No question for you, don`t answer if you don`t want to.

 

Your a Northerner at the top of the DJ game with a wealth of experiance. Can you get £500 for a saturday night wedding?

[ChrisPointon 0]

Your a Northerner at the top of the DJ game with a wealth of experience. Can you get £500 for a saturday night wedding?

 

You flatterer tongue out icon

 

No Steve, there are far more experienced DJ's on here than me, and some have been in the game longer too.

 

I cover the same areas as Paul (Hi-Fi), Mick (Derbyshire) and even occasionally yours. I'm honest and i'm not getting anywhere near £500 a night, indeed my rates are very similar to yours and Micks.

 

That doesn't mean however that if somebody comes up with a winning formula and a marketing idea which would work in these areas that I wouldn't try it, after all what have you got to lose?.

[gunslinger757 0]

You flatterer tongue out icon

 

No Steve, there are far more experienced DJ's on here than me, and some have been in the game longer too.

 

I cover the same areas as Paul (Hi-Fi), Mick (Derbyshire) and even occasionally yours. I'm honest and i'm not getting anywhere near £500 a night, indeed my rates are very similar to yours and Micks.

 

That doesn't mean however that if somebody comes up with a winning formula and a marketing idea which would work in these areas that I wouldn't try it, after all what have you got to lose?.

 

I watched this and similiar debates on here over the last 12 months and IMHO opionion it boils down to the same thing. DJ's don't have the confidence to ask for £500 per night, because themselves don't believe people, and i quote "won't pay that for a disco". Reading that wedding forum, the people on there seem to be low wage earners, have spent all their budget on the dress, cake etc, and are looking to book the entertainment as an afterthought and as cheap as possible. One of them was on about buying her wedding gown from ASDA FFS. Now before everyone jumps down my throat and accuses me of being a snob, i'm not. It's simply people like that won't pay £500 a night, but charles montague smythe whose just paid £10 000 to hire blenhiem hall so sophie and xavier can invite all their horsie mates will.

 

Taking the north south divide thingy, if you were to apply that across the board, it would mean nobody north of brum, buys a mercedes or holidays in the Seychelles or flys business class - its bo:cense:ocks. There are affulent people where ever you go, your job is to convince them your worth £500 a night. As long as you have the attitude you providing only "a disco", you will never command top money. and this may sound harsh, but not every disco company is worth top money

[FDDJ 0]

Chris I hope you don't mind me mentioning what I am about to post, but I feel it is relevant so here goes.

 

I visit a Wedding Forum reguarly and last year I read with interest a thread entitled "How Much Is Your Disco?" which had Brides from across the UK explaining what they were paying.

 

The cheapest as I recall was £125 and the most expensive just shy of £500. There are lots of reasons that the thread stuck in my head but there was one thing I saw I remember thinking to myself "I have to tell him" but I never got round to it. :aa

 

A young B2B was enthusing about the professional disco that had been recommended to her that she had managed to book and how impressed she was with the companies website etc.

 

Her main joy however was reserved for the price that she had agreed with the company (which I won't disclose here), for the evening which was a substantial saving on her budget of £400.

 

The company concerned was the Ultimate Roadshow, she named it in her post. Now this isn't a dig at Chris, far from it and I hope it isn't interpreted as such, it has probably happened to most of us, the point being it is very dangerous to assume that everyone values you and your service in the same way just because the person is from a certain area.

[ChrisPointon 0]

Hopefully I, and others can take inspiration from that!.

 

 

[spinner 0]

That doesn't mean however that if somebody comes up with a winning formula and a marketing idea which would work in these areas that I wouldn't try it, after all what have you got to lose?.

 

 

 

A basic of selling is that to be convincing you must first be convinced. In other words you must believe in the product or service you are selling and its value. If it has a premium price then you will sell to less people because less will be interested in the first place.

 

No matter who and how good you are or how good your product or service, if you are not convinced of its value and saleability then you will not be able to sell it. If it has a premium price it will be almost impossible to sell if enquirers are more interested in price than anything else.

 

I would guess that 70% of my enquiries do not turn into business because they are price driven and its only price that will convince them.

 

The other 30% are the enquiries I want and the ones that book.

[Steve_Mitchell 0]

Her main joy however was reserved for the price that she had agreed with the company (which I won't disclose here), for the evening which was a substantial saving on her budget of £400.

 

 

So the disco in question charged her £600.

 

:bouncy:

 

 

It would be interesting to see how much brides put aside for their evening entertainment.

[Paul Smith 0]

I agree with Gunslinger & Spinner.

 

It would be interesting to see how much brides put aside for their evening entertainment.

My own checks have established that this varies from £150 to several £,000s. Most though don't budget enough, prefering instead to put the money into chocolate fountains, chair covers and all those other things that guests will remember.

 

It's really down to us to educate them.