Prices

[paul 0]

How much should you charge for a disco now adays?

 

I am just starting up after a 3 year gap, more due to the fact that people are asking me to then any need, but i did a disco at a relativley small venue on new years eve( a golf club) and charged £300 7.30 untill 2.00. The guy snatched my hand off, so i dont know if i was too cheap or what?

 

for a wedding say 7 - 1 how much is avverage?

 

I am in the Stamford and Peterborough area

 

thanks http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/blink.gif

[ChrisPointon 0]

Hi Paul, welcome to Mobile D.J Chat http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/smile.gif . Firstly prices for Disco's vary just like everything else, Property, Taxi fares, even the good old pint http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif . A lot depends on your actual area, although from talking to other D.J's there does seem to be the old "North / South" Divide. Mainly the price that D.J's charge appears to be more expensive in the South, than say in Scotland or the North East.

 

Don't quote me on this http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/tongue.gif - But I do have colleagues in the Essex Area who charge £250 a night, then again I know of D.J's in the Lake District who charge only £80 a night. I believe that you could also expect to pay around £300+ a night for an Established D.J in London - Maybe even more.

 

Other factors to take into account are your local area. Are you close to a large town or City Centre?, since demand (and prices) in a larger populated area for D.J's on a Friday or Saturday is likely to be higher in an Urban area than in a rural area. Then again if you are the only D.J for 30 Miles then you could possibly charge £££'s for those young farmers Gigs!.

 

Of course, whatever you decide to charge also depends on your ability as a D.J, the type of show that you are offering and whether you also offer Karaoke or not?. Other things to factor in, are the type of function that you have to do, how long it will take you to travel there, How long it will take you to set up and pack away (i.e do you have to lug your gear up 3 flights of stairs!!). The length of the function, and if you are in the middle of a city centre - your car / van parking fees http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/wink.gif

 

A good way to find out what is being charged locally is to enquire as a potential customer to one of your established competitors!!! (This is done in any business so don't feel too guilty! http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/blink.gif ). Call a few of them asking for a price on a wedding, 21st etc for say 8pm - 12. take all of the prices and find the average price.

 

I advise all people starting up from scratch to charge slightly below that charged by your lowest priced competitor. But don't undersell yourself either since your customer will be suspicious if you are £50 below everybody else!!!. Fix a fair price for your area, and offer a fair and reliable service and your bookings should roll in.

 

It is always a good idea to offer potential "Regular" customers - such as your local Pub, Hotel, Function room etc a good discount on frequent work or block bookings - as much as 25% lower than your standard price if the work is weekly or if they are loyal and pass business to your roadshow only. Pub work - i.e 7 - 11 is always the more competitive area of D.J'ing and you may have to go in with a very low quote to compete. Although an advantage of this work is that it's open to the public (getting more bookings from punters for Weddings etc) and often booked during the week - which still frees up your Friday / Saturdays for your more lucrative Function room bookings!. Decide if taking Pub work locally is worth it - but don't run it at a loss!.

 

If you choose agency work then the agent usually sets the price then pays you - less his 10 - 25% commission. If you do choose agency work then ask around first for a reputable one!. Many are set up as fly by night operations which get the D.J to do all of the work then disappear with all of the fee http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/mad.gif . I stopped taking this work because of too many cowboys, but decide for yourself and ALWAYS make sure you get a written contract even if it's only for one booking!!.

 

Some good tips on finding regular contract work are by approaching:- Football / Cricket Clubs, Council Run Town / Village Halls, Leisure Centres, Hotels with function suites, Conference Centres, Universities, Organisations (Drama Groups, Young Farmers, Student Union, Working Mens clubs etc). Remember to offer these a discount on regular bookings since many hotels etc will charge a fee for the hire of the room plus a fee for the disco and if you offer a discount to them then they are likely to maximise THEIR profit just for booking YOU.

 

So the easiest way to find out prices is to contact a few local competitors (Yellow pages is useful http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/cool.gif ) .

 

If you need any more advice then please post your questions. Good Luck with your venture.

 

BTW: £300 would be around average for my area on New Years Eve (Cheshire Area). A lot would also depend on how late the booking is made http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif , I often get calls on 30th December for People who have left booking a D.J too late or have been let down by other D.J's and are in a panic, you could be justified in charging over the odds for this service, but it is personal choice!. maybe other D.J's could post their policy and charges for New Years Eve?.

 

Chris

[Guest Guest_Paul]

I took a last minute booking for NYE. I charged £250 for 4 hours. Its slightly less than most of the other mobile dj's in my area (South West) were charging, but then I was doing an hour or so less than them, and the venue was tiny, so I was happy and so were they. Consequently, it has led to a few more bookings with them.

 

In terms of general Fri/Sat disco's, I think my average price is £80 for 3 and half hours. This is again cheaper than most around here. And I think this lets me down in many ways because when people phone around for prices, they wonder why I am cheaper than everyone else.

 

Those pubs/social clubs who have heard me always give me more bookings, because they know I give the punters a good night, and my kit is without a doubt the best on offer in this area, and I don't charge stupid prices. A competitor charges nearly double what I charge, and I am always hearing that people aren't impressed, and the kit is fairly dated. But I guess when people phone up for a price, they assume it must be a good show coz its more expensive than most others. I think I am going to put my prices up this year though because to be honest - I dont think people will be bothered. Its like they are expecting to pay £40 an hour now around here. So who am I to say no to it http://www.chrispointon.f2s.com/Forum/html/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Guest Tony B]

Hi All, I must be one of the 'Essex' guys that Chris was on about! LOL New years eve was £500 7 - 1 am but again this was for a multi national company who can afford it, if i was quoting a private individual probably £350 ish would be accurate, but never forget its 'your' evening you are giving up with friends and family. Personally now i always but always ask if my 'family' and roadies other half can be present even if it means paying for tickets for them. I stress family as wife and daughters not auntie fanny and all and sundry! A normal Saturday night now is £250 and I am by no means the most expensive! (Having said that i'm typing half asleep having got in at 5 this morning from the Park Lane Hotel Piccadily where I charged them £400 from 9 - 2 and wondering why the bloke bit my hand off!! Oh well £500 next time! Regards to all hope this helps with your quest re prices.

Tony B

The Spindoctor

[True Sound 0]

hi , i charge about £150 for 4 hours and then more per hour after that and im based in the bedfordshire area .. see my website for details ..

 

Thanks