How to sell VJing to clients

[DeckstarDeluxe]

As been said elsewhere on the site VJing is an idea I'd love to get more involved in but what is holding me back is the costs against the "likely" rate of return.

For the people who sell the VJing how do you do it? As an add on? What sort of events go for this?

[simon1969]

As been said elsewhere on the site VJing is an idea I'd love to get more involved in but what is holding me back is the costs against the "likely" rate of return.

For the people who sell the VJing how do you do it? As an add on? What sort of events go for this?

Hello there i've seen people VJ on karaoke nights before & after people singing.
It's a usp for you for a start and would add to any event really, if you think about it.

[DJ James Lake]

I have been doing it for over 2 years and have no problems selling it

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I have been doing it for over 2 years and have no problems selling it


What sort of screens are you using? Tv's? what size?

Just trying to cost it up. For getting the videos alone it would cost a grand to get all the classics? Then the software etc...

Adds up really quickly.

[djandy]

Hi, after getting interested in the video side of things I started offering a VJ service back in 2006. I bought the Numark DVD01 twin dvd player and a couple of secondhand plasma screens and it took off from there.

The main and ongoing expense is the discs, getting a good collection of popular tracks together on dvd cost a fortune. I went through my dvd folder and worked out each disc costing approx £40 meant I had about £4000 worth of discs:eek:

I found that I had to really sell it to the client as an extra, the main functions being the more upmarket 18th's and 21st , school proms and corporate events. Saying that a have 2 weddings within the next month that both want this as an extra to show wedding photos mixed in with wedding visuals and some music videos. I also rig up a camera pointing on the dance floor.

I have now invested in 2 Pioneer DVJ1000's and a Pioneer SVM1000 mixer and it makes it a lot easier (god I hated that Numark player it was soooo slow). I have a selection of different size plasma and LCD screens and for larger events 4 fastfold screens of different sizes with 4 projectors. Was it worth it ? Definately, I love it, it's something different and feedback is always positive.

[DJ James Lake]

What sort of screens are you using? Tv's? what size?

Just trying to cost it up. For getting the videos alone it would cost a grand to get all the classics? Then the software etc...

Adds up really quickly.

I use generally use 3x 42" Plasma Screens and for larger functions a 6'4' rear projection screen

Running through Virtual DJ.

The videos arent cheap but I do get a premium rate for the video shows.

[Leicester Ben]

Was it worth it ? Definately, I love it, it's something different and feedback is always positive.

But is it profitable?

I have a video DJ and he is really good, massive back catalogue of songs etc but its been on my site as an extra for the last 3 years or so and I have only taken 3 bookings for it from approx 1,500 hits a month on the disco site alone!

He loves it but it isnt profitable for him.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

But is it profitable?

I have a video DJ and he is really good, massive back catalogue of songs etc but its been on my site as an extra for the last 3 years or so and I have only taken 3 bookings for it from approx 1,500 hits a month on the disco site alone!

He loves it but it isnt profitable for him.


See thats the impression I have but I'm open to changing my mind.

[DJ James Lake]

But is it profitable?

I have a video DJ and he is really good, massive back catalogue of songs etc but its been on my site as an extra for the last 3 years or so and I have only taken 3 bookings for it from approx 1,500 hits a month on the disco site alone!

He loves it but it isnt profitable for him.

It certainly is for me, but it is all about education with clients, I tend to upsell it mainly as its not something many clients are aware of or have seen.

[djandy]

I agree with James, ater the initial outlay it now makes a good profit often going out for double or treble the price of my normal setup. A lot of it comes from recommendation but you do have to educate the customer and make them aware you offer this service.

[DJ James Lake]

I agree with James, ater the initial outlay it now makes a good profit often going out for double or treble the price of my normal setup. A lot of it comes from recommendation but you do have to educate the customer and make them aware you offer this service.

Totally agree, in fact have just in the last 5 minutes taken a booking for a 21st where the client was going to book our regular show and has now booked the video setup for twice the price and they are over the moon after all was explained to them.

[welby]

I have to agree with James. It's all about the upsell.

I started with 2 x 17" LCD screens which doubled for karaoke and video. The screens at the time were all I could afford. I'm sure I could now replace these with large plasmas at reasonable cost.

To be honest my most popular option is my fast-fold 6ftx4ft screen - I have both front and rear screens for it and its great as it fits in most venues without being overpowering.

I charge a base rate for the screen and projector and then upsell on the custom graphics and slideshows.

I love it and so do my customers - I took the screen to a local wedding fair and took 5 bookings just on the fact that I had something different to offer.

The only downside is the current price of promo material at £40 a dvd! You need to keep up to date with the UK Chart/Urban and anything you want to specialise in such as back catalogue 80's 90's etc.

So the costs can soon mount per month - unless anyone knows where you can get legal promos from at a reasonable cost.

Good luck!

[simon1969]

I love it and so do my customers - I took the screen to a local wedding fair and took 5 bookings just on the fact that I had something different to offer.

The only downside is the current price of promo material at £40 a dvd! You need to keep up to date with the UK Chart/Urban and anything you want to specialise in such as back catalogue 80's 90's etc.

So the costs can soon mount per month - unless anyone knows where you can get legal promos from at a reasonable cost.

Good luck!
VDJ seems a good way to go intial outlay is pricey though but I wouldn't think it would take too long to relinquish the money back.
Yes exactly cost of the discs is pricey but if you go to a local NADJ meet up reckon you might get some cheap ones.
At NADJ meet up saw two different ways of VDJ ing which was really helpful no pro dub needed either!!!

[Larry B Entertainment]

I have now invested in 2 Pioneer DVJ1000's and a Pioneer SVM1000 mixer and it makes it a lot easier (god I hated that Numark player it was soooo slow). I have a selection of different size plasma and LCD screens and for larger events 4 fastfold screens of different sizes with 4 projectors. Was it worth it ? Definately, I love it, it's something different and feedback is always positive.


I was in a club not so long ago where they had the same mixer and cdj setup as you. I was blown away with what the guy could do with that mixer. I looked it up online next day...........£5400 !!!! Just for a mixer.

[simon1969]

I was in a club not so long ago where they had the same mixer and cdj setup as you. I was blown away with what the guy could do with that mixer. I looked it up online next day...........£5400 !!!! Just for a mixer.

Yeah Larry but you don't have to spend that much at first just need a projector and a few discs and your digital use your laptop or p.c and sell video as an add on and go from there!!

[Charlie Brown]

I can't see how it's profitable unless your doing it on a big scale like Max.

I certainly won't be doing it in a hurry.

[Eskie]

I've got a feeling I was on this forum a few times years ago but can't remember my login details so have registered again; was redirected here after doing a Google search on video screens and found this thread. Anyway a quick hi to the many people I know on this forum :)



To be honest my most popular option is my fast-fold 6ftx4ft screen - I have both front and rear screens for it and its great as it fits in most venues without being overpowering.

Hi Mark, interested in what you say here as I'm just about to change my video setup. I currently use a 22" screen hanging from a goalpost but am trying to decide between a fast-fold screen or larger plasma/LCD.
How much space do you need behind the fast fold screen for rear projection?



I charge a base rate for the screen and projector and then upsell on the custom graphics and slideshows.
Very curious on what you mean by custom graphics?

[scotty]

I have been tempted to offer video but the equipment and disc costs are too big, if you wrote a business case for my business it wouldn't stand up set-up costs are far too much for a decent ROI in my opinion.

[Glenski]

I have also considered this for a while now, having done Karaoke for such a long time - so i am half way there with the equipment, would just need to invest in the video discs etc ... saying that i was approached via one of my cd promo companies who are looking to offer video promos :)

One of my questions though is:

What other licenses would or do you require to Video DJ ? Is it down to the venue or would i as an individual need another license for the video content ?

I currently hold a ProDub for my music, but i have heard about a VPL license... can anyone shed some light on this ?

Thank you

Glenn

[Takeiteasy]

''VPL is very similar to PPL and license the public use of music videos controlled by their record company members''

[djsns]

I invested in a complete VJ setup 3 years ago. I also bought a lot of musicvideos which is ureasonably expensive by the way... :o

At the time I did this most out of curiosity and thought that this would make a huge difference in my mobile shows.

Very few clients was interested paying more for this extra setup and I ended up throwing it in for free in gigs where it was suitable and I had the time to set up screeens...

After using my VJ setup for about 2 years I came to this prelimenary conclution:

- The effect of VJ is mostly in the beginning of the evening when people are not dancing. Music is whats driving the dancefloor at prime time and VJing has a secondary effect - more like a fancy lighting setup (which I also use by the way ;) )

- It can be distracting - like watcing TV instead of talking with your peers...

- It's to expensive and its hard to get clients to pay according to the fact that you are likely to more than double your investments and running costs compared to running a normal DJ business.

But this might be different in UK where it seems like you have a more matured mobile DJ market with stronger competition and a larger total market. Then I guess VJ can be a distinct differentiator if you are heading for the upmarket gigs... :cool:


DJ Safe N' Sound
(Mobile DJ in Norway)