Charging extra in December

[marting]

December is a busy time of year i would hope for all, I have had an enquiry through for December would you / do you charge extra.

[hammy]

I have voted no but obviously xmas and new years eve different

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Nope, the same for private clients and sometimes less if venues are block booking.

[Shaun]

I charge the same, even at that, apart from some regular clients nobody seems prepared to pay the prices I'm charging for Christmas Parties - this year is definitely looking to be my worst December on record. I might shut up shop for half that month and head of into the Sun if it doesn't pick up. Every cloud....

[ppentertainments]

Just another month for me. I have one residency that does party nights, but for me personally it is similar to other months both workwise and moneywise.

[WWDJ]

December is traditionally my worst month, I don't know why. I just charge the same unless it is Xmas Eve, Boxing Day or NYE.

[surround sounds]

December last year was my best month by far,I Was booked for 22 discos so my prices have gone up a little.I already have 9 booked for December which is good..

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I might shut up shop for half that month and head of into the Sun

England? :D

[Shaun]

England? :D

Nah,

It's too bright down there. What with the sun reflecting of those gold gobblestones.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Nope, the same for private clients and sometimes less if venues are block booking.
Snap.

(Bank holidays, Christmas Eve, and New Year's Eve excepted)

[CRAZY K]

Nah,

It's too bright down there. What with the sun reflecting of those gold gobblestones.

So you have visited London then?;)

December was always slow for us then 2 yrs ago it was very good and I thought we had cracked it--then last December it was rubbish again:confused:

To follow up your idea we go to the sunny places Egypt, Mexico etc in either early December or February when business is very slow--just take the Laptop so you can pick up bookings in the sunshine:D :D :D

[DJ Paulie]

I charge more for NYE and last year charged a little extra for 2 corporate gigs, but got free food & drink with them ! (alcoholic ones !) they've also booked for this year as well. Also I got a wedding booking for the client who booked me for her dad's birthday on NYE at the same price & I'm only doing 2hrs !

[Cowlinn]

I charge the same for December with the exception of the 24th, 25th & 26th, which I do not work.

[Charlie Brown]

I have increased my prices slightly. If parents want me for a teen party, I'll bang on £30 because I'd rather have a higher paid gig like a wedding.

However, if a hotel approached me and offered me £60 a night to be the resident DJ for their Christmas parties, I'd snap their hands off - just for the experience. Everybody is in a good mood, easy crowd with plenty of banter on the mic.

An Australian couple booked me last year for the 30th December. I've charged them an extra £100 ontop of my standard wedding rate.

[Javlingames]

However, if a hotel approached me and offered me £60 a night to be the resident DJ for their Christmas parties, I'd snap their hands off .

£60?? Really?

[djdave01]

December is the same rates for me, except 24th & 31st.

never been asked to work 25th

[surround sounds]

£60?? Really?

I was thinking the same £60.. you will be called £60 sid if you do that..

[Charlie Brown]

I don't care.

Leave my gear there, turn up every night.

I'd probably do it for free for a week. Just to give it a whirl - like I said, experience more than anything. I'll be back charging £375+ in January. :sj:

[Shakermaker Promotions]

My prices don't increase in December. The only days that are priced higher are 24th, 26th and NYE and I always work those dates so it's a good earner. I also have plenty of gigs at the hotel residency and they are discounted because there are lots of them....(Darren said more or less the same thing).

I can put a set up in the room and more or less leave it there as I have enough gear to go out and do other gigs when I am booked elsewhere too.

(and I wouldn't even think about £60.00 a night).

[Javlingames]

I don't care.

Leave my gear there, turn up every night.

I'd probably do it for free for a week. Just to give it a whirl - like I said, experience more than anything. I'll be back charging £375+ in January. :sj:

From what ive seen of you, you are worth £350 per night in december easily.

[STEVE HANLEY]

We had a good December last year. Much better than I thought it was going to be and majority of those didn't start coming in until October / November, some even in December. Didn't charge extra though and won't do this year either. NYE of course is different

[DJ Paulie]

Oh and I can't charge extra for the 25th......they're shut here ! :(

[Charlie Brown]

From what ive seen of you, you are worth £350 per night in december easily.

Thank you but I'd still do it for the experience.

I'm probably talking rubbish but y'know. :)

[Danno13]

I'm way busier in the summer season than in December, so if anything I may drop the prices on some quotes to get stuff booked in.

[Daryll]

Same as most people on here , NYE is more , but apart from that , same price.

Daryll

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Decembers always a bit crap from me (usually saturdays, the odd friday and NYE). I just cant break the Xmas parties market. The hotels/venues that I work very closely too dont do xmas party nights (typically) and the venues that do pay £75 (ish) for their DJs/discos. They way they look at it, they are giving that DJ £525 per week for about 4 weeks solid......

Anyway to answer the OP...my fee stays the same...bar NYE.

[Excalibur]

I charge the same, even at that, apart from some regular clients nobody seems prepared to pay the prices I'm charging for Christmas Parties - this year is definitely looking to be my worst December on record. I might shut up shop for half that month and head of into the Sun if it doesn't pick up. Every cloud....

As always,way ahead of you there mate. :p ;) :D

Last December was the worst December I have ever had since starting the disco. One School booking, one Golf Club which cancelled for weather , and that was it up to the 24th. :( :( At which point, it all took off. :eek: Regular booking for Xmas and New Year's Eve, weddings in between, Karaoke, you name it, it came in.

[Shaun]

I also tend to avoid block 'party night' bookings which doesn't help my case. I've been there done that in the past and not enjoyed it. Since then I've stuck to private individual parties. I suppose 'I'm cutting my nose off to spite my face', but I don't want to get tied down to a regular venue. A bad experience from years gone by has changed my stance on those kind of gigs.

[Javlingames]

Thank you but I'd still do it for the experience.

I'm probably talking rubbish but y'know. :)

Its just the same as a normal disco except people get a little more drunk and abusive than normal :)

[DeckstarDeluxe]

no why would you charge more in December?

[Cowlinn]

no why would you charge more in December?

Because you can ;) (theoretically)

[soundtracker]

I agree with Darren & Angela on this one!


Because you can ;) (theoretically)

Hmmm! wise words on a forum viewable by the general public, and possible future clients!

[DJ Paulie]

The reason I charged a little more last Xmas was because of the extra ravelling time needed because of the snow.

[soundtracker]

The reason I charged a little more last Xmas was because of the extra ravelling time needed because of the snow.

Yes that ravelling in the snow can be expensive!!:p

[Cowlinn]

I agree with Darren & Angela on this one!



Hmmm! wise words on a forum viewable by the general public, and possible future clients!

I disagree. Lot's of companies do it. Are iPhone 4's worth £500? of course not, why do Apple charge it? Because they can, It's all about supply and demand. Apple's Demand > Supply

At christmas the demand for Dj's is higher, the supply is lower. Thus prices go up.

Why do you think holidays and flights are more expensive during school holidays?



Can I just add...


I charge the same for December with the exception of the 24th, 25th & 26th, which I do not work.

[DJ Paulie]

Yes that ravelling in the snow can be expensive!!:p

Blooming iPhone ! But Shirley you mean REVELLING ?!!

[funkymook]

no why would you charge more in December?


Because you can ;) (theoretically)



Hmmm! wise words on a forum viewable by the general public, and possible future clients!


I disagree. Lot's of companies do it. Are iPhone 4's worth £500? of course not, why do Apple charge it? Because they can, It's all about supply and demand. Apple's Demand > Supply
At christmas the demand for Dj's is higher, the supply is lower. Thus prices go up.
Why do you think holidays and flights are more expensive during school holidays?


I have to agree with Matt (though a bit more explanation in his original post would've made his point easier to see).

Supply and demand is a valid model of pricing in a competitive market so shouldn't be dismissed without thought.

In fact it's pretty much the basis of a consumer society, we all know commodity prices fluctuate depending on the market.

Travel has peak and off peak fares etc. etc.

So it's a legitimate practice that should be considered if you are running a business - whether you conclude it's right for you or not is your decision but one that should be reached by reasoning rather than a knee jerk reaction.

[funkymook]

Blooming iPhone ! But Shirley you mean REVELLING ?!!

And stop calling me Shirley!

[DJ Paulie]

And stop calling me Shirley!

Can I be Frank ? :coat:

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I agree with Matt in principal, but in the real world, it doesn't always work like that.

[soundtracker]

I agree with Matt in principal, but in the real world, it doesn't always work like that.

Exactly, and the real world is where we conduct our business, not in an economics class! Long term strategy dictates that you look after your clients in the good times and they will reciprocate in the leaner times.

[Javlingames]

look after your clients in the good times and they will reciprocate in the leaner times.

Not sure i totally agree with this. Not for all clients anyway.

[soundtracker]

Not sure i totally agree with this. Not for all clients anyway.

I'm talking venues mainly, although my referral rates on private bookings are improving too.

[yourdj]

Nope, actually less if its a residency in one venue that I can leave the kit in.

Saves allot of hastle!! Not too mention time.