How much do you charge?

[leelive]

I have just been reading the article in Pro Mobile magazine called "DJ rates are going up".

It states that anyone charging less than £450 is too cheap.

I know a lot of guys on this forum do not like talking about how much they charge.... and fair play to them. But for the sake of finding an average could you be persuaded to answer a poll on price? No voter details are shown.

How much do you charge for a local peak-season Saturday gig for upto 200 guests. (based on a 7pm start 1pm finish)

I charge £440 to DJ. Therefore according to the article I am too cheap.

Apologies to the moderators if such a poll has recently been done. I did a search but could not find one.

Lee Live

[Megamix]

I personally don't know many people who pay that for a disco, i wouldn't myself - but I'm sure there are people who do. If I had to guess would have thought the average price for a 'normal' disco is about £250-£350. Plenty cheaper, and plenty dearer.

Can you post a scan of just the paragraph?! - I can then show the people who hire me!!!

[Leicester Ben]

I also read that article and it has inspired me to put up my prices again.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I am more of a fan of letting your diary decide if you should put your prices up.

Course you need to market yourself correctly too.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Not another pricing thread....

Do we really need another one?

[NKR]

Not another pricing thread....

Do we really need another one?

How are we ever going to get into the Guiness Book of Records if we don't keep having them? Huh! :D

[Megamix]

to be fair it’s a 2011 pricing thread :D :D :D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

to be fair it’s a 2011 pricing thread :D :D :D

Ah, that's OK then...:mad: :D

[SC Events]

I also read that...thought it was about 70% rubbish and the other 30% gave me a few things to think about. I can't see many people paying £450+ for a birthday party, however, Weddings I could understand it.

What really got my goat was an article from "Lee-Live" from Scotland. - Is it the same Lee-Live who started this thread??
For those of you who have this months Pro Mobile, it's on pages 11-12.


Do you play MP3s or WAV (24bit PCM Audio files?
MP3s are reduced quality (Compressed files) and are really not suitable for DJ's...especially as most should be using a 24-bit soundcard with their laptops. The quality will be noticeable.

What a load of crud! How many of you ONLY use WAV and not MP3? There has been thread after thread about using MP3 and WAV and there is little to no difference in quality!...I rip my CD's to 320kbps MP3. I stongly disagree with that one.

Also, I use a Denon HD2500 mainly which has a built in soundcard and I also use a laptop, but to say only WAVs are suitable for DJ's then to go on to talk about laptops and soundcards...Why not just go the whole way to do it "Properly"...use WAVs and a piece of equipment designed purposley for DJ's, such as the Denon, or MEP7000 or Cortex.


Can you cater for multicultural and interracial marriages or the requests of my foreign guests?
The world is becoming culturally smaller. A good DJ should know what types of music to play for guests from all corners of the globe or be willing to learn what to play.

I don't 100% agree. There are a hell of a lot of countries on this planet, yes we can do some research before the gig to broaden our knowledge, but I don't see how it could make any of us a bad DJ, if we haven't got a encyclopaedic knowledge for what country has what music!

There was also a question about set-up time and how you should be at the venue at least 30mins before your set-up time and how you should unload your equipment in to a spare room. it then goes on to say
Doing this will keep their set-up time to less than 45 mins.

Hang on a minute! We all have different set-ups and most of us inform our clients how long set-up/take-down costs, so to say "It will take less than 45 mins if their kit is unloaded in to a room" I think is nonesense.

Sorry all, rant over. Some things in that article just wound me up!!

[leelive]

What really got my goat was an article from "Lee-Live" from Scotland. - Is it the same Lee-Live who started this thread??
For those of you who have this months Pro Mobile, it's on pages 11-12.



I am quite annoyed that that got published. I submitted that in Nov 2009. I have chatted about it on here a lot and my views have altered since then. Please ignore it. I am much wiser since I have been a member of this site.

Lee

[SC Events]

Fair enough...Glad you've seen the light side! :D

I was all for calling you an :Censored: :D :D

[Corabar Entertainment]

If I remember correctly, Lee, it was an article (possibly on your site) similar to the one Scott is quoting from which one of our members found which was being debated on here.

You found out we were discussing it and joined up to join in the discussion :D

...Glad you stuck around :approve:

[mattydinx]

Do you play MP3s or WAV (24bit PCM Audio files?
MP3s are reduced quality (Compressed files) and are really not suitable for DJ's...especially as most should be using a 24-bit soundcard with their laptops. The quality will be noticeable.

I haven't seen the article in question (wasn't very impressed with the magazine when it came out so never subscribed)

I suppose I could throw a spanner into the works and suggest the response: Aren't conventional CD's (which most of our music is ripped from) 16-bit LPCM anyway? (Which is also the limitation of the standard audio CD format) - which, if anything, played back on a 24-bit interface will identify the "sub-standard" audio quality (in respect to a lesser bits per sample)

Just a thought...

[mattydinx]

I am quite annoyed that that got published. I submitted that in Nov 2009. I have chatted about it on here a lot and my views have altered since then. Please ignore it. I am much wiser since I have been a member of this site.

Lee

Doh! I go away for 5 minutes and come back to finish my previous post and you redeem yourself.

*huff*

[Corabar Entertainment]

OK... I think we've veered enough off topic here guys!

:ontopic:

[Megamix]

I've read a lot of magazines on a lot of subjects and I've come to the conclusion its more about filling the pages than anything else. Pinch of salt often required.

[mikeee]

I have just been reading the article in Pro Mobile magazine called "DJ rates are going up".

It states that anyone charging less than £450 is too cheap.

I know a lot of guys on this forum do not like talking about how much they charge.... and fair play to them. But for the sake of finding an average could you be persuaded to answer a poll on price? No voter details are shown.

How much do you charge for a local peak-season Saturday gig for upto 200 guests. (based on a 7pm start 1pm finish)

I charge £440 to DJ. Therefore according to the article I am too cheap.

Apologies to the moderators if such a poll has recently been done. I did a search but could not find one.

Lee Live

I would not call 7 to 1 normal, but a "standard" 4 hr show should be between £350 and £450 for up to 200 people.
Jeez, you guys are (allegedly) business people, so why are you not chargeing rates comenserate for your business.
OK I know that there are periods in the year when "hedging your bets" is sensible, but who would work at Christmas for less than £350 anywhere or £650 on NYE. The inland revenue are not going to pat you on the back for "being cheap", if anything, they could instigate an investigation, but hey ho.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I would not call 7 to 1 normal, but a "standard" 4 hr show should be between £350 and £450 for up to 200 people.
Jeez, you guys are (allegedly) business people, so why are you not chargeing rates comenserate for your business.
OK I know that there are periods in the year when "hedging your bets" is sensible, but who would work at Christmas for less than £350 anywhere or £650 on NYE. The inland revenue are not going to pat you on the back for "being cheap", if anything, they could instigate an investigation, but hey ho.

Without making that whole locality=price sentance.... ;)

Ive seen it a few time on here that a "standard" disco is 4 hours...whats that 7pm-11pm...8pm-midnight?....

Im sorry but in 10 years ive only ever had a handful of 4 hour discos, 7pm-11pm, and that because the venue insisted on 11pm finish. Every othe disco ive done has been 7pm-midnight as "standard" and occasionally til 1am....

[mikeee]

Without making that whole locality=price sentance.... ;)

Ive seen it a few time on here that a "standard" disco is 4 hours...whats that 7pm-11pm...8pm-midnight?....

Im sorry but in 10 years ive only ever had a handful of 4 hour discos, 7pm-11pm, and that because the venue insisted on 11pm finish. Every othe disco ive done has been 7pm-midnight as "standard" and occasionally til 1am....

Thats why I put STANDARD in " "
The idea is, you have a fee for 4 hours + £ for additional hours.

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Thats why I put STANDARD in " "
The idea is, you have a fee for 4 hours + £ for additional hours.

But is it "standard" that my point.

I know locally atleast that if i tried to say to my clients that my standard disco was £300...but oh by the way that finishes at 11pm, my "additional hour" rate is £100, i wouldnt get the booking.

Maybe its for another thread, but is 4 hours really the standard when most peoples idea for a party is 7pm-midnight....

[Leicester Ben]

For the record our standard price is for 5 hours. I guess if you DJ in pubs then a standard night might be 7-11 but not for hotels and especially not since the drinking time rules were changed for pubs!!!

[Charlie Brown]

Who put 'higher'?

Visual DJs?

[ppentertainments]

Who put 'higher'?

Visual DJs?
I have not voted, but to answer the actual question stated I would also have put higher.

[Charlie Brown]

00
I have not voted, but to answer the actual question stated I would also have put higher.

You charge more than £900 for a 'average wedding disco?'

:eek:

[Kernow]

00

You charge more than £900 for a 'average wedding disco?'

:eek:

Where in the original post (#1) did it mention "Wedding" :confused:
And what is an "average" wedding ?, I always emphasise to clients that each one is unique, and theirs is no exception !! ;)

[Get Me A DJ]

I am quite annoyed that that got published.

Welcome to the world of Pro mobile where there opinion is the only one that matters and god help anyone who gets in there way.
I get tired of hearing stuff about this so called magazine.
If I had the time I'd do one to compete with this rag mag.

Sorry for high jacking this thread guys, but this mag really gets on my pip. :mad:

[Pe7e]

I have not voted, but to answer the actual question stated I would also have put higher.

In that case, why are you publishing on your website, an inclusive price of £650 for, a wedding disco including wedding photography on CD, and a slide show during the evening disco? IMO, this is considerably more than a standard disco, for a price considerably less than > £900.

[Andy Goodtimes]

Mikeee, a couple of things out of your post...

Firstly you are in Surrey and it is widely accepted without doubt that demographics make a difference to pricing.

Can't remember your exact words but it went something like who would do jobs round Christmas for less than £350 and £650 on Ny?...Well I would. I have so far personally worked over 30 Christmas parties since 27 November and still have lots to do. I am not going to answer the pole but I will say I get £320 for each of those nights. I am in the N/W and would challenge you or anyone on this forum to come into my area and get more on such a regular basis. I have done the odd one this year for regulars such as Hut Group, Health Shield, Screw Fix...BTW that's not a dating agency...Nav Man wireless, Ford and so on but the regular work has to be priced realistically. The venue could get the job done for prob less than £150 but they know the room would be empty by 1am or there would just be a hand full of punters sitting round looking pizz bored. And, the same clients wouldn't keep coming back year after year. I have worked bloody hard at this venue for 7 years now and we have pinched regular clients off the local competition and really put it on the map, we also use the overspill room on several of the prime nights. Don't be offended, not saying you are talking rubbish but maybe what you are saying is more appropriate for your own specific area. I would certainly be interested to know how many nights you personally did for over £350 in December.

There are guys on here from Scotland, Yorkshire, East Mids and the North and I am sure they will tell a tale like mine. Fair enough there are exceptions...i.e. I know Ben from the East Mids but he is an excellent DJ with good kit and a very switched on business mind and offering a high level of service and detail and don't forget we are talking averages.

I don't like quoting prices and then adding extras such as extra hours, it is also not good business practice, clients don't like it and can easily become confused and even go to a supplier that has a no messing pricing policy. As we are talking ££450+ we must agree we are talking the middle/top end of the market and few of those events are held in pubs or Com Centres where you might expect to do 4 hours, my average Wedding is 7.30pm-1am in 4-5 star hotels or dedicated Wedding venues or marquees which can go even longer.

guess over the festive season everyone has been busy and maybe Pro Mobile have had to scratch round for content. I took it when it was in with the NADJ membership but I wouldn't pay for it.

[ppentertainments]

In that case, why are you publishing on your website, an inclusive price of £650 for, a wedding disco including wedding photography on CD, and a slide show during the evening disco? IMO, this is considerably more than a standard disco, for a price considerably less than > £900.
Not that its any of your business, but yes I do 6 of these packages a year, next one not available till 2013. It benefits me greatly.

However the question on the op asks 'up to' how much, I personally have no upper level to charges. And yes, I have (once) charged over £1000 for a disco only, although admittedly high profile.

[TONYTIGER]

I have no standard price ,i pay my Djs by the hour and charge by the hour.
I had a browse through my old diary,s re times and 75% of them were 4 hours.
We tend to go to go to bed early down here in sleepy Dorset.:)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I would not call 7 to 1 normal, but a "standard" 4 hr show should be between £350 and £450 for up to 200 people.
Jeez, you guys are (allegedly) business people, so why are you not chargeing rates comenserate for your business.
OK I know that there are periods in the year when "hedging your bets" is sensible, but who would work at Christmas for less than £350 anywhere or £650 on NYE. The inland revenue are not going to pat you on the back for "being cheap", if anything, they could instigate an investigation, but hey ho.

There are some dreamers on this thread.

£900+ for supplying a 5 hour local disco with no extras? Really.....

And Mikeee, I think you need to come on the real world. I have colleagues who have helped you out and worked for you and what you are posting is not exactly what you are charging.

I can't stand hypocrisy.

[StarZSoundS]

Soon as I saw the thread Willy and and Waving came into mind!!!:eek: :eek:



Steve/Angela we REALLY need a VIEWABLE Smilie for this eventuality.Anyone got any ideas.:confused: :confused:


I think some posters on here used to watch Jackanory!!:D :D :D

Also what someone charged for a one off event is not important.I once scored a double hat trick when I played Football....but I had to play a thousand games to get it!!;) ;) ;)

[Kernow]

Soon as I saw the thread Willy and and Waving came into mind!!!:eek: :eek:



Steve/Angela we REALLY need a VIEWABLE Smilie for this eventuality.Anyone got any ideas.:confused: :confused:


I think some posters on here used to watch Jackanory!!:D :D :D

Also what someone charged for a one off event is not important.I once scored a double hat trick when I played Football....but I had to play a thousand games to get it!!;) ;) ;)

6 goals in 90,000 minutes :eek: ......... puts you on a par with Emile Heskey !! :D
(just to keep on topic, he charges a lot more ;))

[Vectis]

I'm currently charging £2,000 for weddings, plus equipment rental (to including rigging etc.).

For that, I'll walk into to any venue in the UK with my laptop and SM58 and perform up to 5 hours.

:)

[Mark Wild]

Up to £400. Normally between £300-£350 for up to 5 hours with no more than 200 guests. :)

[Charlie Brown]

I'm currently charging £2,000 for weddings, plus equipment rental (to including rigging etc.).

For that, I'll walk into to any venue in the UK with my laptop and SM58 and perform up to 5 hours.

:)

:lol:

Very good. :sj:

What are your dressing room requirements? ;)

£350 for a four hour wedding. £27.50 per half hour there after.

I've had to charge £400 for a couple of weddings in the summer to cover travel expenses.

I'll be upping the prices again in September to £395 for a standard four hour wedding.

[Mark Wild]

I'll be upping the prices again in September to £395 for a standard four hour wedding.

What a rip off :eek: You're still YTS

[Charlie Brown]

What a rip off :eek: You're still YTS

Sorry? :confused:

[Mark Wild]

Sorry? :confused:

Youth Training Scheme ;)

[StarZSoundS]

6 goals in 90,000 minutes :eek: ......... puts you on a par with Emile Heskey !! :D
(just to keep on topic, he charges a lot more ;))


There were sores of others my Friend....The Double Hat-Trick was in the same game!!:) :) :)

I think you're pulling my leg.:eek: :eek:

[Mark Wild]

There were sores of others my Friend....The Double Hat-Trick was in the same game!!:) :) :)

I think you're pulling my leg.:eek: :eek:

Weathers not too good here today and I need to go to the post office for some stamps ;)

[Charlie Brown]

Youth Training Scheme ;)

I'm not putting a gun to peoples head. :lol:

It's up to them if they book me or not.

[StarZSoundS]

Weathers not too good here today and I need to go to the post office for some stamps ;)


Youre very Cryptic today.:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[Mark Wild]

Youre very Cryptic today.:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

I know huh ! Seemed very random and off topic didn't it ! ;)

[DJ Tony McQue]

I read that article too Lee, I loved the bit about bring a UPS to gigs. Now that is dedication! Got to say as someone who studied sound engineering and who has been DJing with Virtual DJ since late 2004, I have to agree that there is very little in it between WAV and 320kps mp3. Mastering a track for general release is a different story. Now back on topic..

I have put my prices up slightly this year. I have had a couple of truly horrible gigs, seriously the kind that make you want to sell your kit and never do a gig again. One of them involved the Bride and Groom spending the whole night in the toilets snorting Coke and then trying to do a runner without paying the final balance. I had to get the money from one of the Bridesmaids which was just horrible. The other involved some pleb at a financial xmas do throwing his iPhone at one of my lighting effects and then looking at me like I had just done something wrong! I am not saying charging more roots out the chuff but it will certainly numb the pain if I ever get one of those gigs again. The main reasons for me putting my rates up slightly higher is that I am getting numerous booking enquiries for dates I have already filled, I have invested a STUPID amount of money in kit over the past few months and mainly because the amount of time and effort I put into each booking (I spent £30 on music for the last wedding i did and I am never likely to play Garth Brooks again). I am confident that my skills as a professional DJ and my experience warrants charging accordingly.

So to answer the question, unless it is a very short gig, in a venue with sound and lighting or a favour I owe to someone - Not less than £400.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I read that article too Lee, I loved the bit about bring a UPS to gigs. Now that is dedication! Got to say as someone who studied sound engineering and who has been DJing with Virtual DJ since late 2004, I have to agree that there is very little in it between WAV and 320kps mp3. Mastering a track for general release is a different story. Now back on topic..

I have put my prices up slightly this year. I have had a couple of truly horrible gigs, seriously the kind that make you want to sell your kit and never do a gig again. One of them involved the Bride and Groom spending the whole night in the toilets snorting Coke and then trying to do a runner without paying the final balance. I had to get the money from one of the Bridesmaids which was just horrible. The other involved some pleb at a financial xmas do throwing his iPhone at one of my lighting effects and then looking at me like I had just done something wrong! I am not saying charging more roots out the chuff but it will certainly numb the pain if I ever get one of those gigs again. The main reasons for me putting my rates up slightly higher is that I am getting numerous booking enquiries for dates I have already filled, I have invested a STUPID amount of money in kit over the past few months and mainly because the amount of time and effort I put into each booking (I spent £30 on music for the last wedding i did and I am never likely to play Garth Brooks again). I am confident that my skills as a professional DJ and my experience warrants charging accordingly.

So to answer the question, unless it is a very short gig, in a venue with sound and lighting or a favour I owe to someone - Not less than £400.


Slightly off topic I know but I recently changed my policy to payment 14 days before the date and nobody has had an issue with it. Of course it also means that your not "worrying" about it either on the night.

[mikeee]

And Mikeee, I think you need to come on the real world. I have colleagues who have helped you out and worked for you and what you are posting is not exactly what you are charging.

I can't stand hypocrisy.


Absolutley, and I will throw my hands in the air and admit that. For whatever reason, for the last three or four years my July and August periods have been dead, so yes I "hedge my bets" with 40th, 50th birthdays, anniversaries etc, normally in village halls rather than hotels, normally 7.30 / 8.00 to 11.00 / 11.30 and I price them accordingly - £250 to £350. In my busy season (Mar to Jun and Sept, Oct) then £350 to £450, and I would say that I'm "mid market" on pricing.

[Charlie Brown]

The main reasons for me putting my rates up slightly higher is that I am getting numerous booking enquiries for dates I have already filled, I have invested a STUPID amount of money in kit over the past few months and mainly because the amount of time and effort I put into each booking (I spent £30 on music for the last wedding i did and I am never likely to play Garth Brooks again). I am confident that my skills as a professional DJ and my experience warrants charging accordingly.


I :agree: wholeheartedly with that.

[StarZSoundS]

Absolutley, and I will throw my hands in the air and admit that. For whatever reason, for the last three or four years my July and August periods have been dead, so yes I "hedge my bets" with 40th, 50th birthdays, anniversaries etc, normally in village halls rather than hotels, normally 7.30 / 8.00 to 11.00 / 11.30 and I price them accordingly - £250 to £350. In my busy season (Mar to Jun and Sept, Oct) then £350 to £450, and I would say that I'm "mid market" on pricing.

The whole thread should come with a Government Health Warning.


Do not base the pricing structure for your Business on what you hear on this thread.;) ;) ;) ;)

If anyones holding out for £900 +.... have another rethink(unless you are the in the 1% that stage Major Events).:) :) :)

If you don't you may spend next year polishing your gear not using it.;) ;) ;) ;)

[leelive]

I recently changed my policy to payment 14 days before the date and nobody has had an issue with it. Of course it also means that your not "worrying" about it either on the night.

Good idea.
I demand payment 10days before via BACS or in cash at start before I begin.
I have a payment 14days upfront policy for non-UK residents.
Lee
`

[leelive]

Thank you to everyone that has Voted so far.
Looks like I could be all 52 DJs for a Saturday night and still get a few quid change out of £20,000. It looks like the average is upto £400.
Lee

[Charlie Brown]

Thank you to everyone that has Voted so far.
Looks like I could be all 52 DJs for a Saturday night and still get a few quid change out of £20,000. It looks like the average is upto £400.
Lee

Is £20,000, roughly your annual income?

I'm clueless but wouldn't mind knowing peoples 'rough' annual salary.

I'll start a thread. ;)

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

T It looks like the average is upto £400.


If people were voting honestly....

[Vectis]

If people were voting honestly....

Honestly! :cool:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Honestly! :cool:

You're not a DJ, so you wouldn't be quoting anyway and spoiling the poll would you?

[Andy Goodtimes]

I believe that being able to charge a higher price is pretty much depending on your ability. Confidence also plays a big part in pricing. Put it this way...if you get a call out of YP or from your site then the chances are the client is going to want to compare prices and lets be honest they will get some cheapo quotes regardless of what part of the country they live. I find that I have been able to raise my prices because of previous satisfied clients. I have regular venues that are happy with me because they get good feed-back from the clients and the bar spends are good when I am working there. One GM told me it was nice when I worked there because in the morning the dining room was always a buzz with good stuff from the night before. This really helps me as the venues sell me and TBH I don't have to bother much.

I also do lots over £1,000 but that's because one of my venues is liked by celebs and most of them have more money than sense.

Charlie B...at 17 you are doing well to charge that much and you must be very tallented.

Mikeee...the hotel I worked for £320 throughout the Christmas season is one of a large chain, I have been there for several years and am involved in planning and themeing for the whole group. I know what the other hotels in the chain are paying and who is doing them too and I can assure you that only one of them is paying their DJ more than I get and that one isn't on the mainland and the DJ sings and plays piano as well. The average is round about £275 but most of them are via agencies so dunno how much the actual DJs would be getting out of that.

I also think I recall a study by Thames Valley that you were involved in about 8 or so years ago that stated that £350 was the UK average for a DJ...yeh right.

Star Z...dunno if you work the Sheffield area but if so bet you will know a chap with enitials DJ who puts DJs in 4 star hotels with some real :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored:e kit for less than £100.

[Megamix]

most of them have more money than sense.
Sometimes, just sometimes, I wish i did as well :D

[StarZSoundS]

right.

Star Z...dunno if you work the Sheffield area but if so bet you will know a chap with enitials DJ who puts DJs in 4 star hotels with some real :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored:e kit for less than £100.

Bit of my patch Andy.....I'm not aware of this Guy!!:confused: :confused:

[Silver Bullet]

I was just wondering how does everyone work out their average charges.

Is it done by a detailed breakdown of annual costings, combined with a specific desired profit margin, or, a standard increase year on year, or, by what the competition charges in your area, or, by what the customer is prepared to pay.

It's one thing saying how much you charge, but maybe a more relevant question would be how do you arrive at that price.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Right, I'll probably put a spanner in the works here.....not purposely of course!

The Poll asks how much do you charge for a standard Disco from 7pm - 1am.
Firstly, I would never use the word 'standard' on my site or in any of my replies to quotes or over the phone etc. (a) Because I don't think what I do is standard and (b) Because how are you going to get over to the customer that you are going that extra mile and supplying a great service if you mention 'standard'.

Ok, I know WE may say standard in conversation but you know what I mean.

Also (here's another one!) and this is probably something that many of you will not agree with...maybe I'm wrong though and people will surprise me and say "You know what, I do the same!"....we'll see.

I always quote on a duration of 4.5hrs. 99.999% of the time it's 7.30pm until Midnight. Anything out of that duration gets a higher quote. Anything lower than that duration and most of the time it will stay the same unless it is something like 2hrs one afternoon (for example).

Now....I charge the same whether it's a wedding or a birthday. I put the same amount of work into a wedding as I do someone's surprise 40th birthday. I don't see the word 'wedding' and think that I'll up my price because what I charge is (going on this poll and the comments), pretty good actually. Having spoken to some people on this forum before, it seems I am charging a decent price and at the end of the day, as already said...I am happy and my customers are happy.

There will be some people who'll state that a wedding is more important and there's a lot more to do etc but as I said, I do the same amount of work for all of the functions I do.

The prices increase and get into the higher end bracket when Uplighting gets booked too or Photo Projection etc..

[ppentertainments]

I was just wondering how does everyone work out their average charges.

That's my point. The op has not asked for an average, highest ever charged or anything, he has asked what would you charge UP TO. I can see how anyone can answer anything but the highest option :confused: :confused:

[Ecstatic Events]

Based on the hours I would charge around £350-£400 which is cheap in this area IMO.

[Corabar Entertainment]

That's my point. The op has not asked for an average, highest ever charged or anything, he has asked what would you charge UP TO. I can see how anyone can answer anything but the highest option :confused: :confused:
I read it as the OP meaning as between x and y hundred, as in up to £y00, rather than £y00+

[ppentertainments]

I read it as the OP meaning as between x and y hundred, as in up to £y00, rather than £y00+
Maybe just me, but why would anyone have a y hundred ?? Personally I don't have an upper level.

Hell if I could charge £5000 I would :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[Danno13]

The original posts says its a local venue and gives timings, so it's just one quote needed, not a price range. E.g. If you charge £350 you're in the up to £400 section, if you charge £405 then you're in the up to £500.

[leelive]

That's my point. The op has not asked for an average, highest ever charged or anything, he has asked what would you charge UP TO. I can see how anyone can answer anything but the highest option :confused: :confused:

Sorry, I presumed people had regular pricing structures for peak-season.
Lee

[Corabar Entertainment]

The original posts says its a local venue and gives timings, so it's just one quote needed, not a price range. E.g. If you charge £350 you're in the up to £400 section, if you charge £405 then you're in the up to £500.

:agree:

You've expressed it a little more succinctly than I did though :D

[Excalibur]

Well I don't mind publishing my rates, because they're on record.















£60.

[leelive]

I see another article from Dave Reed in Pro Mobile going on about £450 being the minimum....

I am taken aback by his new claim on p41 (July/August issue)
I'll paraphrase it: "There are a good number charging at least £750. A good DJ should be £1,000 - £2,000. More for a really big show."

This poll showed that the average is upto £400. Only 4% said they were earning more than £900 a night.

I have just put my prices up but these are crazy prices! Does he earn £2,000 per night? I doubt.
Lee

[Charlie Brown]

I'm thinking of reducing my prices just to get more wedding work.

It would be a really hypothetical thing to do because I preach so much on here about other DJ's raising their prices, but bookings are looking dire in comparison to this year.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Dave Reed doesn't DJ.

He has a DJ store and is good at marketing.

[ppentertainments]

I think a lot lies with your definition of 'A DJ'.
Does a DJ just play music for 5 hours or
Co-ordinates the evening, provides 'all-day services' provide uplighting, dance floors, star cloths etc ??

£1000+ I agree is unrealistic to 'turn up and play' but if you provide other services then a £1000 upwards fee is realistic.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I'm thinking of reducing my prices just to get more wedding work.

It would be a really hypothetical thing to do because I preach so much on here about other DJ's raising their prices, but bookings are looking dire in comparison to this year.

Because you haven't had the time to really promote yourself. Been a good year for me but none of it has fallen into my lap.

[soundmaster mobile disco]

Dave Reed doesn't DJ.

He has a DJ store and is good at marketing.



I can second this

i was at one of his seminars at bpm,the same question was asked,and he replied,i do not dj anymore,i am a dj business consultant who also runs a succesfull dj shop rsd music.

[NKR]

I'm thinking of reducing my prices just to get more wedding work.

It would be a really hypothetical thing to do because I preach so much on here about other DJ's raising their prices, but bookings are looking dire in comparison to this year.

I think you mean hypocritical as hypothetical would mean you were only doing it in theory rather than practice.

We have had a really strong year and next year is looking nice and strong too. With us you get a singer and a DJ for £500 and that starts to look good value against a £395 DJ. However, we have managed to drive DJ only prices up to £250 now, which is strong for us.