Disco Charges!

[OllieJames]

Hello :)

I've seen a couple of threads about how much people charge for discos etc

However, i was wondering...

How do you price your discos? Do you do it by an hourly thing? Every 4 hours?

I'm asking this because i haven't done discos in a while, due to schooling, and i'm starting my discos back up again, so would like to get a rough idea on how to charge for my service. I understand experience does come into this, and i don't have a great deal of experience...

I'm also unsure on how long a 'typical birthday party disco' (as i'm not planning on doing any weddings just yet :P), should be... 3 hours? 4 hours?

Thanks for your help!

Ollie

[DazzyD]

There are loads of different answers you'll get to this one, Ollie.

The way we do things at Lightning is that we have a number of "off-the-shelf" packages each with their own pricing. But we also do a bespoke service whereby we take in to account things like function type, location, number of hours, afternoon setup, if it's upstairs, size of venue (this dictates the system we'll need to use), number of guaranteed requests and add-ons. We tend to find most people opt for the "off-the-shelf" packages but we feel it's important to offer people the greatest range of choice that we can.

[OllieJames]

There are loads of different answers you'll get to this one, Ollie.

The way we do things at Lightning is that we have a number of "off-the-shelf" packages each with their own pricing. But we also do a bespoke service whereby we take in to account things like function type, location, number of hours, afternoon setup, if it's upstairs, size of venue (this dictates the system we'll need to use), number of guaranteed requests and add-ons. We tend to find most people opt for the "off-the-shelf" packages but we feel it's important to offer people the greatest range of choice that we can.

Thanks for the reply :)

I was thinking of offering a couple of 'off the shelf' packages. However due to me not having any way of varying my sound system (2 Mackie SRM 450s, no subs...) the only way i could offer packages is by changing the quantity of lights, and therefore changing how much room i'd need to set-up. So perhaps, package 1 - for smaller venues, package 2 - larger venues & ideal for teen partys etc?

Maybe have a set time for each package and then give the customer the option of paying for more hours?

Thanks!

[Vectis]

We have three base "packages" which can be customised to suit (just need to consider +/- time differential and any hire charges etc.).

Package pricing is based on 3 factors.

1. Running costs. Put simply, all the annual business expenses (including the taxman's share and the all-important depreciation) divided by the number of gigs done annually. Example: 10k costs p/a over 100 gigs = £100 cost per gig.

2. Hourly rates. Myself and roadie for the most part, but don't forget the pre- and post-event planning and other activities.

3. A seasonal skew. Important for me because in the summer months (and December) all the "low-cost" DJs locally are working in the holiday hotels for sub-£100 a night. In the winter months, they're presenting more competition.


The most important one to watch is #2 - DON'T UNDERESTIMATE and don't sell yourself short either. I know several folks going out for effectively less than minimum wage!!!

[OllieJames]

We have three base "packages" which can be customised to suit (just need to consider +/- time differential and any hire charges etc.).

Package pricing is based on 3 factors.

1. Running costs. Put simply, all the annual business expenses (including the taxman's share and the all-important depreciation) divided by the number of gigs done annually. Example: 10k costs p/a over 100 gigs = £100 cost per gig.

2. Hourly rates. Myself and roadie for the most part, but don't forget the pre- and post-event planning and other activities.

3. A seasonal skew. Important for me because in the summer months (and December) all the "low-cost" DJs locally are working in the holiday hotels for sub-£100 a night. In the winter months, they're presenting more competition.


The most important one to watch is #2 - DON'T UNDERESTIMATE and don't sell yourself short either. I know several folks going out for effectively less than minimum wage!!!


Thanks VV!

I'll sort out some packages over this week, and post it, as i'd like to know what you all think!

Keep the replies coming!

Ollie

[discomobiledj]

I charge £200 for a standard 4 hour disco, birthday etc and slightly higher for a wedding due the fact that there is a bit more work to be done.

After the four hours it's £50 per hour.

[djsteve10]

Alot of weddings that i do are 7:30 - 1:00Am or 12:30Am and i charge £250 for a standard disco function as i feel i provide a quality service and that is the fee i deserve.

[Paul James Promotions]

we also do a bespoke service whereby we take in to account things like function type, location, number of hours, afternoon setup, if it's upstairs, size of venue (this dictates the system we'll need to use), number of guaranteed requests and add-ons.

:confused:

[DazzyD]

:confused:

We give the client an option to have a number of requests that are guaranteed to be played on the night. They have to choose the requests in advance and, if we haven't got them, we can source and buy them. When planning the show, I'll experiment to see which songs follow which others best (ie which follow on for bpms, genres, moods, etc). The number of requests they can choose depends on the package they choose. Obviously, the more guaranteed requests the more planning time it takes to put the show together. It also avoids situations where they ask for a favourite song on the night and I haven't got it with me.

[rob1963]

I have two packages, one suitable for about 30-70 people & a larger one with more lighting for 70-150+ people.

The prices are fixed for all discos of up to 5 hours with an evening set up in my home county.

More than 5 hours, daytime set ups & longer distance gigs are all more, but I'd say about 80-90% of my work falls within my standard criteria.

Having fixed prices also means you can put them on your website, rather than customers clicking on your pricing page & getting "We can't give prices as every function is different"

[OllieJames]

Thanks for your feedback guys!

[Richard Veal]

I wish we would all just charge £100 per hour, then the back biting could stop

[ppentertainments]

I wish we would all just charge £100 per hour, then the back biting could stop

Would be nice !!!

Whenever I get complaints about my wedding disco being too expensive I point out the fact that an average wedding now costs £17,000. I am charging less than 2% of that for normally 5 hours entertainment - has worked a couple of time.

[Penfold42]

I wish we would all just charge £100 per hour

...and you don't!!! :p :D

[Richard Veal]

Well I am getting that way :) Recent wedding bookings are coming in at £700, In fact I am looking for someone to cover a booking with a similar budget.

[rob1963]

Well I am getting that way :) Recent wedding bookings are coming in at £700,

I think your website needs updating then, as it says you only charge £150-£300.

:confused:

[Charlie Brown]

Well I am getting that way :) Recent wedding bookings are coming in at £700,

WOW

Thats alot.....isn't it?

[Tom]

WOW

Thats alot.....isn't it?

Have you seen his rig and what he has to offer??? Also that me may be doing a good job and deserves that amount of money.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Or perhaps it's an all day booking?

[MaRkWrIgHtOcDiScO]

Ok this thread has been a real eye-opener!

Before I started on my own (I've actually only done one private gig so far but I've got more coming up), the guy I worked for was charging people a maximum of £120 for between four and five hours worth of entertainment which included karaoke at each party. Not only that, but he kept half of the money just because it was his rubbish equipment I was using...see why I decided to go on my own?!

I've basically started on the assumption that I'm going to charge £35 an hour and if the people would like karaoke I'll charge them an extra £10 pounds. For kids parties the same would apply and if they would like me to play games with the kids for one hour I will ask for a further £20.

Sound Ok for a beginner? Or am I selling myself short?

[Paul James Promotions]

Well I am getting that way :) Recent wedding bookings are coming in at £700, In fact I am looking for someone to cover a booking with a similar budget.

Give me a call :D :D

[rob1963]

WOW

Thats alot.....isn't it?

Yes...it's a lot for someone who only says they charge £150-£300 on their website!

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Yes...it's a lot for someone who only says they charge £150-£300 on their website!


It says for a standard show up to midnight, eg: 7:30-12 midnight - £150 to £300.

As I have already mentioned. perhaps there are more hours involved or extras, eg: video disco etc

I'm not really sure why you feel the need to bring this up twice?

[rob1963]

It says for a standard show up to midnight, eg: 7:30-12 midnight - £150 to £300.

I know.

It also says that price is based on the FULL package.


As I have already mentioned. perhaps there are more hours involved or extras, eg: video disco etc

Based on his stated overtime rates, the disco would have to run from late MORNING until MIDNIGHT to get to the price mentioned in his post, which I find rather unlikely. As for extras such as a video disco, nothing is mentioned about this on his site.

He didn't talk about ONE booking coming in at £700, but recent weddings, which is plural, and therefore suggests this is the rate he generally tends to get now for these functions.


I'm not really sure why you feel the need to bring this up twice?

Then I'll be good enough to tell you! :)

It's because when I've done TWO posts, there is more chance of him seeing at least one of them, and therefore more chance of him giving a reply, which I'd be very interested to hear.

I'd just love to know what happens when people see the price of £150-£300 on his site, then phone him up to make a booking, only to be told the price is actually £700...but obviously STILL book him, as I feel a lot of people here can learn from his methods.

There again, maybe it's all just :BS: !

[ppentertainments]

Sounds like another case of Dj's pretending they earn a fortune to me. Why not be truthful. As said before prices are governed by many thing, most of which are out of our control.

[theoloyla]

Ok this thread has been a real eye-opener!

Before I started on my own (I've actually only done one private gig so far but I've got more coming up), the guy I worked for was charging people a maximum of £120 for between four and five hours worth of entertainment which included karaoke at each party. Not only that, but he kept half of the money just because it was his rubbish equipment I was using...see why I decided to go on my own?!

I've basically started on the assumption that I'm going to charge £35 an hour and if the people would like karaoke I'll charge them an extra £10 pounds. For kids parties the same would apply and if they would like me to play games with the kids for one hour I will ask for a further £20.

Sound Ok for a beginner? Or am I selling myself short?
Try it and see. It sounds good to me for a beginner. If you find that peuple are biting your hand off - then put up the price. If you arent closing any deals then put it down.
For myself I pretty much charge for the evening. It really doesnt matter whether its 3, 4 or 5 hours - I can only do one gig per night as a rule. That said I may charge extra for early set ups. duration of 6+ hours or time after midnight plus if they require extra sound and light to my smallish show then again there is an extra charge for hiring in gear.