Turning Pro from a 'Hobbyist'

[SPJ]

Evening all.

I was wondering for you guys who DJ for a living rather than as a 2nd job so to speak, how many made the transition from a 'regular' job?

Reason I ask is that having the real threat of redundancy hanging over my head have been thinking about turning my what is effectively a paid Hobby into a full time (hopefully) vocation.

At now the slightly older side of 40, the thought of going back into the corporate world again just deflates me. I would much rather do something I naturally enjoy and If I can make a living out of it so much the better.

I treat my DJing as a proper business in any case in the way I deal with clients/venues etc, so one of the few things which I think would be a shock is having to rely on getting the gigs, rather than it being a bit of extra for the holidays/car bill or replacement kit!

How tough have you found it and was it worth the punt?

I'd be genuinely grateful to hear your thoughts and any advice you could give.

Cheers
Steve

[Vectis]

Step one is to write a business plan.

You need a firm grasp of costs (be realistic and include EVERTHING), likely revenue (be even more realistic) and therefore, ultimately, profit margin. Understand your tax position because this can make a big difference.

Let's suppose you need to make the disco plug a £25k gap. And a typical gig nets £250 in revenue. But nett per-gig costs are £100 (there's a poll on here somewhere which shows that this isn't necessarily a big number). That's £150 per gig clear. So 165 gigs per year, more than 3 per week. At £250. Can you drum up and service this level of business?

If you're in the £500 gig space, then that's still (25000/400) > 1 per week to get to goal. But my £25k estimate may be way out.

Only you can do the maths. But when putting it together, BE REALISTIC.


I came out of a £50k+ corporate job in December 2008 and never looked back. But I have several strings to my bow and each has been very well played!!

[Excalibur]

That's £150 per gig clear. So 165 gigs per year, more than 3 per week. At £250. Can you drum up and service this level of business?


No. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Creature]

I have been doing it full time for nearly 6 years and if i am 100% honest, altho its the best job ive ever had and i really love it - it dont pay very well most of the times. You will have to train yourself to put away money when you are out 3-4 times a week for those times when you are sat there waiting for teh phone to ring.

Its probually a bit easier for me as i do a lot of bike rallies, so when im not working the decks i try to visit rallies/parties and often arrange to put cards on tables in marquees/pubs/halls and often people will come up and ask.

This year I have added a stage lighting show and its starting to pay off. Ok I done a few freebies earlier in the year and luckily to me they have turned into full paying bookings confirmed for next year. ( In one case bookings confirmed for 5 years and another for 3 years). Also were i have been working with bands have offered it at a discount rate if already booked with the disco.

Also you will have to train yourself to use your weekdays wisely. after bookings my mornings at least look like this.

Monday - clean and tidy Van. Also give van a service/or check everything over.

Tuesday is banking,accounts and bills day.

Wed - Check all lighting including stands and trusses & wireing.

Thurs - check amps,decks,mixer etc

Plus sorting equipment for any bookings on any given day.

Like you am the wrong side of 40 , but is still the best job ive ever had

[simon1969]

Step one is to write a business plan.

You need a firm grasp of costs (be realistic and include EVERTHING), likely revenue (be even more realistic) and therefore, ultimately, profit margin. Understand your tax position because this can make a big difference.

Let's suppose you need to make the disco plug a £25k gap. And a typical gig nets £250 in revenue. But nett per-gig costs are £100 (there's a poll on here somewhere which shows that this isn't necessarily a big number). That's £150 per gig clear. So 165 gigs per year, more than 3 per week. At £250. Can you drum up and service this level of business?

If you're in the £500 gig space, then that's still (25000/400) > 1 per week to get to goal. But my £25k estimate may be way out.

Only you can do the maths. But when putting it together, BE REALISTIC.


I came out of a £50k+ corporate job in December 2008 and never looked back. But I have several strings to my bow and each has been very well played!!

Good advice i'm still a part timer myself but business plan is a good start !!
It's getting a good client base in Stockport where iam having problems there are loads of £60.00 quid sids around here and lots of dj 's!!
But saying that you may have a great customer base !!
Wherabouts in Stockport are you?

[SPJ]

Good advice i'm still a part timer myself but business plan is a good start !!
It's getting a good client base in Stockport where iam having problems there are loads of £60.00 quid sids around here and lots of dj 's!!
But saying that you may have a great customer base !!
Wherabouts in Stockport are you?

pm on it's way....



Thanks for replies so far guys Useful advice...

[simon1969]

pm on it's way....



Ok great!! Look forward to hearing from you!!

[yourdj]

Step one is to write a business plan.

Whats one of them then :p

Nice to write stuff down i suppose.

A firm grasp of what you want and a positive mental attitude helps. Believe and show pride in what you do and that will reflect on your bookings directly or indirectly.

as long as your worth get the best paid work available most the time. :)

[simon1969]

Whats one of them then :p

Nice to write stuff down i suppose.

A firm grasp of what you want and a positive mental attitude helps. Believe and show pride in what you do and that will reflect on your bookings directly or indirectly.

as long as your worth get the best paid work available most the time. :)

If he has to go to the bank he will need a business plan though, but your advice I agree totally with you!!!

[rob1963]

I think a business plan is a good idea, although I must confess I never did one, and it didn't do me any harm.

The trouble with business plans is that they detail what you expect or need to do. What you do in reality can be something very different.

[yourdj]

If he has to go to the bank he will need a business plan though,

Yes your right.


I think a business plan is a good idea, although I must confess I never did one, and it didn't do me any harm..

I did business in my degree and have never done a plan and done OK?
I suppose its in my head :confused:

Difficult to explain that to a bank manager though :p

[Vectis]

I think a business plan is a good idea, although I must confess I never did one, and it didn't do me any harm.

The trouble with business plans is that they detail what you expect or need to do. What you do in reality can be something very different.

Quite. And that's why you revisit it regularly. Do a detailed enough job at the outset and then when you do need to change things, a few twiddles of the input numbers and the outputs will take care of themselves.

The basis of my business plan is a (fairly large) 1-page spreadsheet which is open and minimised on my main computer about 90% of the time. Every time I get a booking, cancellation, deposit, payment, bill, unexpected repair etc. and a number is twiddled. The forward 3 year forecast is then automatically updated. As long as the December 2013 column stays green I can sleep at night. Every 6 months or so I revisit the actual business plan document and update it to reflect reality.

Using copies of the sheet I can model new scenarios. For example, I was going to retire (DJing!) December 2011 with gigs in 2009 = c.100, 2010 = c.50 and 2011 = c.30 but by playing around with a few numbers I know I can retire this September instead with an acceptable level of risk.

I couldn't take life-changing decisions like this without a proper plan, as I have commitments - family, large mortgage etc.. Others in a less constrained situation may feel able to take more risks.