How much to charge!

[beetlebabeetle]

Hey guys,

Just drop in some prices you charge or know of any big company dj hiring charges

Thanks

[FabDJ]

I do it for cake cause I'm a big hearted guy

and feel sorry for the wretched losers I know.

It's also fun to be mc and work the crowd.

I would say about 300-500 if I wanted to make a quid out of it.

[Jaz]

I charge around 50-60 an hour

[ruggs]

I charge round 60 to 70 bucks an hour depending on distance, time playing and gear needed

[Jaz]

About an hour after i posted that comment up there ^ i got asked to do a gig, quoted $70 an hour for this 1, mainly cause the last 1 was so shit, so i want more $ for my effort

[Funky_Steve]

I charge $270 for the first 3 hours then $70 an hour after that.

But I think it's time to do a ring around of the local opposition and see what their rates are.

[JonnyB]

id be doing an hourly rate plus an extra ontop of that if id be using my gear.

[andyman]

I'm still horrible, so $200 and free booze is all I ask for

[JonnyB]

have any of you ever asked for women to be supplied? haha

[andyman]

I should put coke & hookers on my next invoice and see what they say haha.

[Skank]

i did a private gig 3 weeks ago i charged my normal hourly rate plus the equipment and delivery fee from djwarehouse and also a set up and pull down fee, also let it be known ill be using there bar tab lol

[pill]

wow... you guys could up your rates you know! however I do hear it's quite a bit more competitive on the east coast, lots of shit companies like mobydisc who charge nothing 'cause their DJs only get paid $20 per hour.

I know guys who won't take anything less than $1200 for a wedding, $800 for a corporate event, or work for less than $750 for a night. (two events a week, that's 80-100k a year!).

In perth, mobydisc range from about $350 a night (but you get a shit dj with two traffic lights and a karaoke machine at best - better off hiring a jukebox), to your average being between 700 and 900 a night, and premium companies pricing between 1k and 1.5k. but they're the ones that have experience and don't bother advertising because they work purely on referrals.

Our nightclubs go for about $75 per hour - if you could earn that without having to cart all your gear around i'd go for it for sure.

[beetlebabeetle]

Sweet thanks guys. I'm only young and charge $200 for 5 hours and $50 p/h after that. Like I know that is quite cheap compared to you guys, but i feel people are quite iffy for paying a lot (ie-more than $300).

Is it better to have a confident pricing system (ei-$300 take it or leave it) or sort of working around the client budget?

Thanks

[beetlebabeetle]

I charge round 60 to 70 bucks an hour depending on distance, time playing and gear needed

LOL did you steal your pick from sweat it out?

http://www.dreskull.com/blog/images/hottthis.jpg

[ruggs]

yer man off this

http://www.frankichan.com/website/ohsnap.gif

[pill]

I know that is quite cheap compared to you guys, but i feel people are quite iffy for paying a lot (ie-more than $300).

After you've got some gigs under your belt, up the prices and say to the client well if you want an inexperienced, untrained DJ then go with the cheaper company who only pay their djs $20ph. For me i don't think it's even worth the depreciation on my gear and licenses/insurances/music purchases if i was to charge $200, compared to say earning $20 an hour working in retail. Obviously you've got to price competitively enough to get work but don't cut yourself short, the opportunity cost of your time is the most important thing ever!

Is it better to have a confident pricing system (ei-$300 take it or leave it) or sort of working around the client budget?\

Got to be flexible on pricing or else you'll lose some clients, just make sure you earn enough to make it worth your while. I normally have a base price for certain kinds of functions, eg school discos around the $400 mark, and then add or take depending on day of the week, length, etc.

[Funky_Steve]

You should also set a minimum number of hours you will do for any given job. I've been working on 3 hours minimum. If the client has a function that requires you for less time, I still charge the minimum fee. Otherwise it's not worth your time and effort to set up, do the job, pack up and perhaps track down any specific music thay may request.

I do know of some DJ companies who offer a set fee for specific functions (ie weddings) regardless of the number of hours they are required to play. These companies also tend to charge up in the higher range of fees but I don't know just how much work they get.

[Gandy]

im in a similar boat at the moment, ive been asked to do a friends sister in laws 18th, will be in a function room and will be needed from 6-12.

my town is quite the hidden talent pool for musical people and there are some really top notch up and coming dj's who also do parties, so just wondering how i should approach this in terms of pricing?

my stats:

5-6 months experience

play guest sets at local club once or twice a month

have done one house party

what most dj's in this town are:

2-3 years experience

play guest sets at local club once or twice a month

numerours house parties/functions/etc

i dont know what they charge, but i was thinking if i tell her either 250 or 300 for the night and free drinks? thoughts?

[andyman]

i dont know what they charge, but i was thinking if i tell her either 250 or 300 for the night and free drinks? thoughts?

Plus a limo to rock up in, cocaine, hookers and a revolving stage for you to play on.

But in all seriousness, 250 and free booze seems like a good deal.

[Jaz]

yeh sounds like a good price, id rather be moderately sober when i play though, 1 so i can play/hear better , 2 so i can protect my gear better

oh and i need to be able to drive home

[Funky_Steve]

And ask for a MILF mum to help you DJ (and take a photo as evidence). lol

[Jaz]

hahaha smart ass

[Gandy]

cheers thx for advice

[RichoKidd]

Ill do mates parties at $50 an hour and others at $80. Usually about 300-500 a gig

[hoddi]

I'm doing my first gig this weekend at $150. It is a friend's 16th and since its my first i didn't change too much its going from 7:30 - 12 so i recon thats aight