Average Charge For 2008

[Danno13 0]

I don't think its regional at all. There are high paying clients in every area (or at least within a reasonable travelling distance), you just have to target them.

 

The fact that I read and hear of other DJs saying they can't get the price I charge in my area, yet I manage it, confirms this!

 

 

Edited February 28, 2008 by Danno13

[C.S 0]

Former member of the forum Eskie more or less does mostly high paying gigs in the £500 upwards bracket and he is doing gigs all over britain which basicaly means he has probably done one in your area!. So the point being the market is very definately there but you are not hitting it !

[Reverandfunk 0]

Danno come to Stourbridge and try and get a £300 gig lol

[deejaymitch 0]

Danno, there certainly will be high-paying gigs in every region (although the number will vary due to regional differences), but there aren't enough high-paying gigs for every DJ (or even just every good DJ) to get enough to keep them going. Which is why many have to take bookings from other sections of the market, at a lower rate.

[UKHero 0]

Danno, there certainly will be high-paying gigs in every region (although the number will vary due to regional differences), but there aren't enough high-paying gigs for every DJ (or even just every good DJ) to get enough to keep them going. Which is why many have to take bookings from other sections of the market, at a lower rate.

 

 

Spot On :Thumbup:

[Reverandfunk 0]

I agree, for every ten that are high paying theres probably 50 that arent

[Danno13 0]

Danno come to Stourbridge and try and get a £300 gig lol

 

I don't know Stourbridge that well, but surely you travel further than just one town... Birmingham is a big place with alsorts of people with alsorts of budgets!

 

You mentioned Kidderminster before, I have three weddings there this year at £245, £265 and £290.

 

 

Danno, there certainly will be high-paying gigs in every region (although the number will vary due to regional differences), but there aren't enough high-paying gigs for every DJ (or even just every good DJ) to get enough to keep them going. Which is why many have to take bookings from other sections of the market, at a lower rate.

 

I accept that, but it is possible to find enough higher paying work to keep busy, I seem to manage it and I've also given out just shy of £4k worth to other DJs this (financial) year too!

 

And I take bookings in other markets during the off peak months too.. I've got 2 18th birthdays next month for £200, and did a 40th for £175 the other week.

 

But May-September there are plenty of weddings with budgets big enough to afford £265 - £400 for a DJ.

Edited February 28, 2008 by Danno13

[Reverandfunk 0]

Danno weddings aside you try and get more than 200 for a gig lol

 

I can cover Brum, Wolverhampton, Lichfield, Walsall, Worcs a massive area.

 

I hope the other members on this forum based my way will back me up and say that around Brum and the Black Country you are nailed down bigtime on price.

[skydj 0]

LONDON AREA

 

I Opted for the 251 - 300 on average looking at last years figures

 

But Tonight I had a night off and went to an Asian Engagement, the father of the B&G to be told me he paid 300 for 6 hours......

 

The setup looked good, music was good......

 

am I over charging!!!!!!

 

NO....

 

I charge what I feel I am worth with experience interaction etc etc, so if they will pay what I quote (and they do) no i'm not too cheap (sorry hate that word)

 

 

[Danno13 0]

Danno weddings aside you try and get more than 200 for a gig lol

 

I can cover Brum, Wolverhampton, Lichfield, Walsall, Worcs a massive area.

 

I hope the other members on this forum based my way will back me up and say that around Brum and the Black Country you are nailed down bigtime on price.

 

OK, thats fine, you carry on thinking that, I'm obviously not going to change your mind.

 

P.S. Just converted another £300+ gig this morning, she said my quote was very reasonable and had actually expected to pay more...

[UKHero 0]

Danno weddings aside you try and get more than 200 for a gig lol

 

I can cover Brum, Wolverhampton, Lichfield, Walsall, Worcs a massive area.

 

I hope the other members on this forum based my way will back me up and say that around Brum and the Black Country you are nailed down bigtime on price.

 

Also West Midlands I gree with the Rev...

 

 

 

I don't know Stourbridge that well, but surely you travel further than just one town... Birmingham is a big place with alsorts of people with alsorts of budgets!

 

You mentioned Kidderminster before, I have three weddings there this year at £245, £265 and £290.

I accept that, but it is possible to find enough higher paying work to keep busy, I seem to manage it and I've also given out just shy of £4k worth to other DJs this (financial) year too!

 

And I take bookings in other markets during the off peak months too.. I've got 2 18th birthdays next month for £200, and did a 40th for £175 the other week.

 

But May-September there are plenty of weddings with budgets big enough to afford £265 - £400 for a DJ.

 

I get the odd booking for £500 + thats the corporate stuff but its not every week its half a dozen a year.

 

So do I say I charge £500 ??? I do other gigs for £150 Do I say I charge £150 my usual fee is £220 so do I say I cahrge £220...

 

 

Also I never understand this "what I'm worth" quote that is bandied around on this forum quite often.. I think I'm worth £2000 minimum a gig. Will I get that no because market forces dictate what i'm worth, excepted with in a certain band width...

 

I have on the advice of people from this site raised my price and got less work, should I stick to that and sit at home or go with the local market. I invest in my kit in advertising and am successful at selling in the region of £150 to £220 and £150 does not always land me the gig...

 

Yes I have people call me and when quoted say thats a good price but they are one in ten...

 

So guys do I stick to my guns and say £220 even if I only work 12 times a year or do I reduce my price and work more say 40 times a year...

 

 

[Danno13 0]

You mention investing in kit and advertising.. well what I've done recently is start to think more about investing in myself. I attribute alot of my higher paying work to my website, which I think does a good job of selling me, however, when the phone rings I'm not what you'd call a great salesman and at the end of the day people buy you as a person, not how much gear you have etc.

 

So i've just spent about £30 on a couple of books to try and learn some more sales skills and improve that side of things. I read the articles in pro mobile, I go along to NADJ meetings and learn from some of the higher earners, and how they acheive these rates.

 

Sometimes you have to change your approach, marketing etc. as well as just putting your prices up. Its different for each person though, I know people who pitch themselves more as a pro hire/ av company and this helps to bring in higher paid DJ work, I also know people who offer video etc. and people see this as a reason to pay more.

 

To deny that there's a large enough market for £300+ work in the second biggest city in the UK is just ludicrous!

 

And I also vary my price as well, but last year my average was £239 (95 gigs) and so far for bookings this year, its £269 (38 booked so far).

Edited March 1, 2008 by Danno13

[Dukesy 0]

So guys do I stick to my guns and say £220 even if I only work 12 times a year or do I reduce my price and work more say 40 times a year...

 

Sure, it would be easy to say it's all about one's Unique Selling Point but it's also easier to say that it's easier to come down in price than it is to go up! smile icon

 

Being fair, DJs make mistakes and gain experience to become that little bit better than their last gig, perfecting elements of their presentation and service and maybe adding a bolt-on additional feature which maybe different to what everyone else is doing....but when it comes down to 'selling' the package, the DJ, as good as they are as an entertainer can be really awful at selling their service!

 

I'm no expert but I've found being confident with your price helps! I'm still learning how to sell because generally speaking, it's part of the great ongoing learning curve, eh? LOL!

 

Sure, you will get enquiries based purely upon "How much mate?", but if you are generating lots of enquiries then by example, out of 40 enquiries a week, you only generate 4 bookings at your price, is that a bad thing for what you need to 'survive' - potentially 208 bookings a year can't be bad and at £220 a gig, would of course be nearly £46,000 a year! So generating lots and lots of enquiries is part of the key to a winning formula, eh?!

 

Looking at your question, say you pitched your price at £240 for a 5 hour function, you could accept a £60 reservation fee and the balance to pay is only £180! What a bargain! And only £20 more than what you are currently charging. There are lots of ways to 'close' your sale - whatever you are happy to charge a customer. And by increasing your fee only £20 - £25 a year, by 2013, you will be charging £340 - £365 a gig! LOL! :Thumbup:

 

But if this approach is not your bag, then of course, working more often will get you exposure and you will be generating income but of course you have to weigh up things like the overall wear and tear.

 

 

[Mr P 0]

As mentioned before - in anideal world this sounds all well and good but people in the West Midlands will not pay this for a party in a Social Club. A couple of years ago i did some Agency work at the Barrons Court Hotel - near Brownhills. I was quoted by the Agent £100 pay, got talking to the Bride and Groom later and they told me that the Hotel had charged them £200 for the DJ, so it was either the Agent or the Hotel who were pocketing the other £100.

 

My point being parties now at hotels people will pay those sorts of prices but quote that for you're normal gig and they don't want to know around here. I find myself banging my head at times, my one venue, they charge £400 to hire the function room but i have recently put the price upto £125 and people are accepting this, but i can guarantee if Joe public rings me up and i quote above that i will never get the booking.

 

Sorry i have got that off my chest but i personally do not know what else to do.

[Danno13 0]

Why target the social clubs?

 

Accept that they won't pay your fee and target a different market.

 

I've had 70 enquiries so far this year, and only converted 21 into bookings.. but I don't care if that seems low to some, because I'd sooner be doing less gigs for more money than banging my head against a brick wall trying to compete at the lower end of the market where customers are only interested in the price.

 

Dare to be different, explore ways to reach the higher paying gigs, open your mind and accept that there are people who will pay a decent rate for a disco.

 

You've already mentioned of people paying £200 for a DJ but part of your fee being lost to agents and hotels.. well find out how to reach that end customer direct, rather than through agents/hotels.

 

I just don't see how the constant persistant remarks that DJs can't acheive XXX in XXX region (and I hear this everywhere, not just in the West Midlands) helps with anything?

Edited March 4, 2008 by Danno13

[UKHero 0]

The thing that gets me is, you have now heard from 3 independant DJs all working in the west midlands area who know the area and know the people. But you still wont accept that, that is the way it is around here....

 

Yes there are odd gigs where you can gain more but for every high paying gig there are 100s of DJs trying to get it..... I do OK with my bookings and although we would all like to earn more feel I charge a little more than the average DJ for this area... I know I loose work from it but I think im in the middle ground and work most sats in a year.....

 

When a market is saturated with something its hard to raise your price..... Even supermarkets as raised above are restricted on how many stores can be in one area DJ are not....

 

I work hard promoting myself and advertising my disco... But people here are price driven, thats just how it is.... Had a guy call me yesterday wedding for a saturday in june "Hello mate want a disco How much"

 

Went through what we do what we provide why we are better than your average joe DJ just got mmmm here and there... Then quoted him £220 "cheers mate" came the reply.. So I said is that with in your budget or have you had any other quotes.... "No just gotta talk it over with my girlfriend, Can I ring you back later?". I of cause said yes. I knew he would not ring back, and did not even give me the chance to find out what sort of price he was looking for....

 

As I say above you have heard how it is from 3 independant DJs from this area, so we aint bull S :cense:ting you....

[Danno13 0]

As I say above you have heard how it is from 3 independant DJs from this area, so we aint bull S :cense:ting you....

 

Well 3 DJs on a forum isn't really representative of the whole region and I cover the West Midlands too, you seem to have forgotten about that.]

 

Anyway, I don't think theres much point carrying on this discussion as I don't think I'm ever going to convince you.

[Mr P 0]

I do not need convincing - i know that people will pay more. But the thing is with Hotels around here they tend to use agents, i know this for sure as one of them advertises on the pages on this very site. But it is trying to cut out these middle men that is the hard part of it. I do get some people who book venues and as soon as they are told the price of the Entertainment they tend to say i will get my own DJ - where in the past they have called me and i have quoted say £150 they say yes please, by the way that is cheap the hotel wanted this much.

 

So i am not trying to make excuses as i understand that some people will pay these prices but then there are people who will not, another example the one club i work at, will only pay £250 for a group so what chance do i stand of getting anymore than £125 out of them.

 

Thanks

 

Chris

[Dukesy 0]

I do not need convincing - i know that people will pay more. But the thing is with Hotels around here they tend to use agents, i know this for sure as one of them advertises on the pages on this very site. But it is trying to cut out these middle men that is the hard part of it. I do get some people who book venues and as soon as they are told the price of the Entertainment they tend to say i will get my own DJ - where in the past they have called me and i have quoted say £150 they say yes please, by the way that is cheap the hotel wanted this much.

 

So i am not trying to make excuses as i understand that some people will pay these prices but then there are people who will not, another example the one club i work at, will only pay £250 for a group so what chance do i stand of getting anymore than £125 out of them.

 

Thanks

 

Chris

 

Well, being fair, if you are only doing the odd gig here and there at the club, it won't seem much at all.

But if the work is regular then I would be satisfied. Clubs usually guarantee the work they provide and set the rate or 'budget' what they are going to pay out for entertainment.

For example, up to £125 for a Disco on a Saturday night, £250 for a group. Anything else that the entertainment could 'earn' may be from a football card sold on night to an additional low charge on the door since rules have been 'relaxed'.

Being fair again, the clubs are having a little rough time since the July 1st smoking ban. Clubs where the religious Bingo is played have members nursing drinks all night which is not good for the takings! The clubs rely on good entertainment to keep the patrons on the premises - so you must be good!

 

Anyway, £125 isn't that bad really for regular club work. I bet you there are DJs waiting and willing to do 10 gigs for £60 a night, and happy to collect their money at the end of the stint!

 

If you are local to the venue, I would imagine it will be very, very difficult to increase the money but not impossible year-on-year.

 

If the entertainment secretary is worth their salt, they will guarantee work for the year and re-book for next year (if you are still good!).

 

If one of your bookings is cancelled then you may get a booking back plus another one on top for the trouble. If you are resident DJ, you may pick up emergency calls to provide cover when booked entertainment is unable to attend. You may even pick up gigs from the members who, bear in mind, will not want to pay much more than what you earn now but that's the nature of club work sometimes! Swings and roundabouts.

 

If a hotel is providing the entertainment via an agent, then the standard reflected will come back on the hotel if it is poor....or actually good.

 

What's the feedback about the entertainment doing the rounds?

 

 

 

[UKHero 0]

Well 3 DJs on a forum isn't really representative of the whole region and I cover the West Midlands too, you seem to have forgotten about that.]

 

Anyway, I don't think theres much point carrying on this discussion as I don't think I'm ever going to convince you.

 

Yes it is representative... Because we represent the West Midlands on this forum as we live there... So dont see your point ??

 

No I have not forgotten you cover the West Midlands and infact that proves my point you dont even live in the West Midlands and your looking for high paying gigs in this area, so another DJ chasing the lucrative work in this area, and leaving the crud for the locals. Not that there is anything wrong with that as its a free market and I travel the whole of the UK if needs be also....

 

And I dont think im ever going to convince you... But then I dont want to convince you of anything...

 

Nik

 

[Danno13 0]

Yes it is representative... Because we represent the West Midlands on this forum as we live there... So dont see your point ??

 

How many thousands of DJs are there covering the West Midlands? Only 4 have posted here and your saying that is a fair representation... have you ever considered going into politics? tongue out icon

 

And your just guessing about the market.. how do you know how many people are willing to pay good money for DJs? How do you know there aren't lots of DJs already charging £500+ in the area (and I'm sure there are plenty!), never mind £250-300.

 

And I dont think im ever going to convince you... But then I dont want to convince you of anything...

 

Thats fine, I don't want to be convinced that people will only pay XXX amount for a DJ, if i beleived that I'd give up tommorow because it wouldn't be a worthwhile business and I wouldn't see a future in it.

 

I already know the market can stand higher pricing, its done so 95 times this financial year and I'm still increasing fees and pushing the bar up.

 

Beleive it or not, I'm just trying to help others do the same, as one of the biggest encouragements for me has been my involvment in NADJ and branch meetings, and knowing there are people charging much higher rates and working regularly and benefiting from their advice and methods of acheiving said rates.

Edited March 4, 2008 by Danno13

[UKHero 0]

How many thousands of DJs are there covering the West Midlands? Only 4 have posted here and your saying that is a fair representation... have you ever considered going into politics? tongue out icon

 

And your just guessing about the market.. how do you know how many people are willing to pay good money for DJs? How do you know there aren't lots of DJs already charging £500+ in the area (and I'm sure there are plenty!), never mind £250-300.

Thats fine, I don't want to be convinced that people will only pay XXX amount for a DJ, if i beleived that I'd give up tommorow because it wouldn't be a worthwhile business and I wouldn't see a future in it.

 

I already know the market can stand higher pricing, its done so 95 times this financial year and I'm still increasing fees and pushing the bar up.

 

Beleive it or not, I'm just trying to help others do the same, as one of the biggest encouragements for me has been my involvment in NADJ and branch meetings, and knowing there are people charging much higher rates and working regularly and benefiting from their advice and methods of acheiving said rates.

 

 

If you say so

[Dukesy 0]

How many thousands of DJs are there covering the West Midlands?

 

Well, considering that anyone can call themselves a DJ these days, my guess would be many thousands too!

 

Interestingly, looking at Yell, the numbers advertising online covering the West Midlnds is in the hundreds - under 500 according to various keyword searches.

 

Sticking with Yell for a moment (west midlands) there are under 365 services when the key word wedding disco is used, under 295 services for the keywords mobile disco and only 125 when used for the Birmingham area.

For karaoke, there was only 28 listed as covering the west midlands.

 

Google general search:

I found for the search term Wedding Dsco West Midlands 24,200 references, not 24,200 discos!!!

And for Birmingham, 39,600 references!

Mobile Disco West midlands found 77,500 references and Mobile Disco Birmingham returned 157,000 references!!

 

OK, not a true representation of how many DJs are covering the area but thought I'd share anyway.

Edited March 5, 2008 by Dukesy

[deejaymitch 0]

Some people on here reckon every DJ should only target the higher end of the market. Have they really thought through the consequences?

 

(i) There won't be enough work to go round everyone and so everyone will lose out.

 

(ii) The lower end of the market, many DJs bread and butter, will be ignored and may discover the dirty little secret that they can have a good night without paying for any entertainment. Then we're all screwed!!!

 

And I would also add that I get many more referrals from my cheaper gigs. As this is my full-time job, I'll stick to what gets me a regular income.

[Charlie Wilson 0]

I think the stack em high sell em cheap mentality is fading as there fround upon by the public for been bodgers, I often here comment on local ediots in my area.