Agencies - Good or bad

[Candybeatdiscos]

Whar peoples experiances - is it worth joining an agency to try and start making money in the big cities now, or am i better off staying away from them - please tell me your experiances

[leighinstoke]

Dunno - might be tempted to try one myself at the moment as my regular venue seems to be attracting 'Rock n Roll' nights that bring in their own 'respected/specialist' DJ - leaving me little work.

What is the score - percentage cut I expect?

I'll also be interested to hear of other's experiences.

Leigh.....

[Ricesnaps]

There are ups and downs with agencies. Some will tell you that there's no point going anywhere else and to get all your work from them and some will tell you not to touch them with a barge pole!

I have (and still do from time to time) worked for an agency and personally I'm a bit in the middle! If you aren't getting a lot of work (for whatever reason) but your good, then it's a good way to kick start your work. It might also help for you to fill gaps in your schedule. However, it is usual for most agencies to expect you not to promote yourself at a gig when you're working for them - so no using your own business cards, no banner with your name and number across the front. You may also find that if you have a website with all your contact details on it, you will not be an agencies first choice for jobs - the one I work with does tell the client the name of the disco they are booking, so put two and two together, a little googling... However, now I am generally getting enough work on my own, so when the agency work comes in it's an added bonus - I still seem to do new year with them as the money tends to be much much better!

As for money, I can only tell you what happens with me, might be different with other agencies. I get told how much I am getting for the gig at the point of offer - so if they have something I get to know how much I will get before I accept. In these cases, the agency get paid direct by the client and then pays me (so you actually don't get to know how much they make!). That is then the only problem, usually takes about a month to get payment though, so think about that! The other way is that I collect cash at the gig and then pay the agent there cut - but again I always know what my payment is before I accept. That's the key really, I'm not expected to say yes when offered a gig!

If you are looking to build up your reputation, but are expecting the agency work to help you do that, then think again. You may get a good reputation with the agency clients, but they will only ever know you from that!

Does that help, if mot ask and I will try to help

[theoloyla]

If you can establish a good relationship with a proper established agency then it can be very beneficial. I have always worked with agents as well as getting my own work. The one I do most work for at the moment is Bee Jay Entertainments. They tend to take their cut as the deposit on the gig and I pick up the balance as my fee. Occasionally they collect the fee and pay me. They always pay immediately on invoice and occasiuonally I collect the full fee and then send them a percentage. Anyway is OK as long as it is kept straight and business like.

[leighinstoke]

Theo and Snaps - thanks for the advice. I'll check Im up-to-date on my PAT, etc, and maybe try one of our local ones - have a few here - and one of the local DJ emporiums also, I believe, do some agency work from time to time for a small percentage.

How does the agency 'vet' people - visit a gig, look at gear?

Leigh....

[DJ Spinko]

A great post by Ricesnaps.
Experience of agencies can be good or bad, i've experienced both here in Norfolk.
The one thing they can do if you work with them is to fill those gaps in the diary.
Also try to establish a real working rapport with the agent. Let the agent have your availability sheet and keep it up to date. Go and meet them to discuss who you are and what you want out of your business relationship. Remember they will have sometimes hundreds of other acts on their books, ther dj's, bands, magicians, toastmasters etc.. Ring them up regularly just to let them know you are still on the scene, it's amazing how many times I ring up and the conversation turns to ' the job that has just come in'.
Don't try and steal the venue that you are asked to work at, even if you have had a great night there and they love you, nothing jars them off more than this as it is a regular source of their income. Most contracts will have some clause in them about this aspect. Also word will go round the other agencies and you'll be dropped like a stone.
I have given something back to my agent with the venue that I regularly work at, they will now use him when I am not available and also for other acts they need. So its a win/win position for both of us.


Cris
DJ Spinko

[A1DL]

As for money, I can only tell you what happens with me, might be different with other agencies. I get told how much I am getting for the gig at the point of offer - so if they have something I get to know how much I will get before I accept. In these cases, the agency get paid direct by the client and then pays me (so you actually don't get to know how much they make!). That is then the only problem, usually takes about a month to get payment though, so think about that! The other way is that I collect cash at the gig and then pay the agent there cut - but again I always know what my payment is before I accept. That's the key really, I'm not expected to say yes when offered a gig!


We have always disliked this practice, which is why A1 Discos Ltd pay our DJs straight after the function. :teeth: If we choose to give a customer 4 or 6 week credit facilities, that's our choice - it's our customer. But we don't believe a DJ should wait for his/her money. All cheques for this Saturday's functions have been processed and are already in the post tray for tomorrow! Which means no waiting or chasing for Christmas money in February, which we hear is not uncommon with some agencies. :omg:




How does the agency 'vet' people - visit a gig, look at gear?

Leigh....

Unfortunately, lots of agencies don't :omg:

However all A1 Discos Ltd DJs are PAT tested in house, this serves several purposes:
(1) we get to meet prospective DJs, informally, often combining the PAT Test visit with lunch
(2) we get to see the equipment and can see the capability for different types of functions of the DJ/equipment
(3) business is much more fun when you know the people who are working for you, and our DJs are our greatest assets and we treat them as such. :beer:

[Corabar Steve]

In some cases the DJs should vet the agency, there are some bad ones out there.

[DJ Spinko]

A1DL - You sound a top agency to work for and a credit to the business with respect coming from both directions.
Good on yer...

Cris
DJ Spinko

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

We have always disliked this practice, which is why A1 Discos Ltd pay our DJs straight after the function. :teeth: If we choose to give a customer 4 or 6 week credit facilities, that's our choice - it's our customer. But we don't believe a DJ should wait for his/her money. All cheques for this Saturday's functions have been processed and are already in the post tray for tomorrow!

Cheques? What are they? :teeth:

I use BACS to pay my guys, and they also get paid Monday morning (or afternoon :) )

[jamesh]

Well if you guys need an extra dj for the books..... :) I'm always looking for extra work... Happy to travel... :thumbs_up

[dj steady]

Had an experience of both, i have a couple that use me on a regular basis. What i tend to do is only take enough work to fill the gaps in my own bookings so they don't capitalise my Disco for their work alone...

working in a syndicate seems to help too,so if they do need an emergency booking covering one of the guys can usually do it.

the only pitfall is how much money are they making off the top of what they pay you...quite often they make as much as you do for the night for simply taking a phone call,which is why i would not work exclusively for an agency and only fill in with them or call them for work when its quiet/after all better to earn something rather than sit at home and earn nowt....