New DJ needs help, please?

[LVeD]

Hi, i am just about to embark on the most exciting adventure of my life, andi was wonderin if anyone could help me with a few things.
Firstly, costs. how much should i charge for your average wedding party or birthday party? how do i break down/add up the cost?
and secondly, Insurance, can anyone recommend any good companies?
Thanks in advance.:)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=11711

[DJMaxG]

The "Newbies" section is where new members tend to introduce them self

:welcome2:


(Link is above)

[Charlie Brown]

Yeah....say hi etc then everyone will be more than happy to help.

We are friendly guys. It may also help if you use the search function. :)

Cheers :beer1:

[A1DL]

Hi Craig

Welcome to the forum. I wish you well in your quest to fulfil your four interests, which I assume constitute this "most exciting adventure" you refer to in the OP. If you work hard and are very determined and even more patient, you may realise two of them in this industry.

[LVeD]

Hi Craig

Welcome to the forum. I wish you well in your quest to fulfil your four interests, which I assume constitute this "most exciting adventure" you refer to in the OP. If you work hard and are very determined and even more patient, you may realise two of them in this industry.

Im hoping you mean fame and glamour.
:p

[Ajaysdisco]

Welcome!

It’s difficult to say cost because this depends on your experience, kit, area, etc.

Insurance, I presume you mean PLI if so have a look at DJ Guard or you could join NADJ they do a good deal on insurance.

DJ Guard (http://www.djguard.co.uk/)

NADJ (http://www.nadj.org.uk/nadj-benefits)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

How do :)

Insurance: I use DJ Guard (as listed above) because they provide PLI and Equipment cover for a decent price (IMO)

Cost: Its one of those "How longs a piece of string" questions and theres no right or wrong answer. Without wanting to turn it into a "You cant charge that around here" threads, its partly dependant on your area, but more dependant on what you value your level of service at.

My advice is to ring around and see what competitors/colleagues are offering at a SIMILAR level to yourself and go from there. i know alot of of djs that started off cheaper and increased their price as they built their reputation.

There has alos been a thread in the past where people have listed all the things that eat into your profit. Ill see if i can find it (or someone in the know may be able to point it out befor me ;) )

[Vectis]

RATE = C+W+P

Where:

C=COSTS, ie what it costs you (overheads, tax & NI, depreciation)
W=WAGES, ie hours invested for you and any helpers * hourly rate you want to pay
P=PROFIT, ie amount of profit you want to make from the job

W and P are easy; it's C that new businesses struggle with because they don't yet have a handle on their true overheads. Don't underestimate!

As a new business you might want to limit W and P to gain a foothold, but don't take your eye off C!

As a finger-in-the-air a few of us regulars on a recent thread concluded that £100 per gig is a typical value for C.

Simples ;)


If you've not already done so, you need to inform HMRC within 3 months of starting trading that you have done so, and if you're just starting out it may be possible to apply for a NI exemption for the first 12 months. Speak to a tax adviser.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

Heres a list from the top of my head you need to work out and feel free to post a new thread or use the search function.

PLI (Insurance)
PAT (Dont have to have this but its worth doing)
Website
Equipment (Budget) which includes the cost of getting your music collection together
Transport

I would also suggest if you have no previous experience in djing then you "roadie" for a few guys. We are a good bunch on here and you can pick up some fab tips.

[rob1963]

Heres a list from the top of my head you need to work out and feel free to post a new thread or use the search function.

PLI (Insurance)
PAT (Dont have to have this but its worth doing)
Website
Equipment (Budget) which includes the cost of getting your music collection together
Transport

I would also suggest if you have no previous experience in djing then you "roadie" for a few guys. We are a good bunch on here and you can pick up some fab tips.

I'd agree with those, but I'd a couple more.

Firstly, advertising. This is my biggest single cost after transport.

Secondly, stationery. I pay about £150 for 500 decent letterheads, and then you need to think about compliment slips & envelopes.

:)

[flatliners]

Heres a list from the top of my head you need to work out and feel free to post a new thread or use the search function.

PLI (Insurance)
PAT (Dont have to have this but its worth doing)
Website
Equipment (Budget) which includes the cost of getting your music collection together
Transport

I would also suggest if you have no previous experience in djing then you "roadie" for a few guys. We are a good bunch on here and you can pick up some fab tips.

i agree dont jump straight in roadie for someone mind you saying that i jumped straight in

[DJ Jules]

On the insurance subject, I'd recommend NADJ - I only found out about them after I took out insurance with another supplier, but from memory you can get membership to the group with insurance for about the same as I paid for my PLI (about £80 or so?)

In terms of costs round here, ring around and see what people charge. There's a very very wide range of prices being charged, but it does depend on the level of kit you've got, the kind of service you're willing to provide and your reputation. I've heard everything from £100 for a 5hr party through to £300 for 4hrs, weddings seem to start at about £250 and go up from there. Kids parties (if you're in to that kind of thing) are typically priced between £100 and £150. I started off cheap (but not £100 cheap) until I built up my experience and my kit, and now I'm charging somewhere in the middle of those figures (depending on the function, location, etc). At first I was scared to price high, but over time I've been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who seem quite happy to pay whatever I quote :D (with the exception of one lady who wanted me at 24hrs notice for a 5hr 18th birthday in a local pub and had a budget of £80.00 - I politely declined).



PAT (Dont have to have this but its worth doing)

Actually, under the Health and Safety at Work regulations, that's a legal requirement (whereas PLI isn't!)


I would also suggest if you have no previous experience in djing then you "roadie" for a few guys. We are a good bunch on here and you can pick up some fab tips.

You're welcome to Roadie for me - I could do with a hand!

Julian