My residency - what would you do?

[Nakatomi]

As you're probably aware I took over a hotel residency a while ago. I rushed into it seen as my day job was under serious threat & I figured any financial help I could get would be good news.

Now, with loads of discos under the bridge I'm looking to leave having seen next year's crazy schedule (4 or 5 discos a week during pretty much the whole wedding season - try doing that & holding down a day job!). But.. the venue pays a month in arrears - so for July they'll pay me at the end of this month. Not ideal but they've been prompt so far.

There's no contract in place - just verbal agreements all the way. Now I realise that if I announce I'm going to walk I could end up being seriously out of pocket with no comeback. I should really have made sure I was under contract before taking it on (big mistake). Yes I'm a :muppet:

The most professional thing to do would be to draw up a contract, wave it under the venue's nose & say that's how I want things to be or I just walk anyway. One month's termination notice in either direction, and penalties for overlooked bookings & cancellations. Late payment resulting in termination too.

I don't want to leave on a sour note - infact I'd much rather have preferred supplier status than actually work for them - that way I can pick & choose which gigs I want & don't have to arrange cover for holidays etc.

I went into this with my eyes open, but had no inkling that next year's calendar was going to be so manic - I mean how could I? The average for last year, before I started doing gigs there was a max of 3 a week, even at Christmas time.

[Andy P]

First off which hotel is this, ive never asked before but its seems plenty busy.

So firstly I would speak to the gaffa and say that due to the fact things are running well and that the honeymoon period is over can you draw up a contract for the protection of both parties - any reputable venue will jump at the chance as they must be as cautious as yourself over the provision of good entertainment.

Then id put in said contract the ability to leave the room set up with gear or have it stored on site. Then i'd be finding a full time DJ who is looking for some extra work through the week. You keep doing the weekends and let them pick up a walk in rate on any surplus. You still make a few bob from the gear and contract but make it worth their while so you get some loyalty.

The DJ business is booming at the moment - i'm fully booked aug and sept and am giving gigs to other DJs I work with all the time. I did 46 gigs last year (which was my first full year) and this year I did that in 3 months.

[rth_discos]

I'm looking to leave having seen next year's crazy schedule (4 or 5 discos a week during pretty much the whole wedding season - try doing that & holding down a day job!).
Sounds like they're not paying enough. At 4-5 discos a week, it should be paying a comfortable full time income.


But.. the venue pays a month in arrears - so for July they'll pay me at the end of this month. Not ideal but they've been prompt so far.

Pretty standard payment terms. Always worst at the beginning, but once you're 'in the system', it just becomes a monthly payment. And works well after you finish, as you get your final payment a month later.



The most professional thing to do would be to draw up a contract, wave it under the venue's nose & say that's how I want things to be or I just walk anyway. One month's termination notice in either direction, and penalties for overlooked bookings & cancellations. Late payment resulting in termination too.

Contracts sound great - but having a contract is one thing - enforcing it is another. And the moment you have to enforce it is when the relationship breaks down anyway. Don't underestimate the value of a great working relationship that's verbal.

It's time to weigh up the options:

1: Ask for an increase in rate per evening
2: Move away and get your own bookings at a higher rate
3: Stay as you are

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Can't you find someone to network with and share the workload to make things easier?
You could also end up filtering most of the work their way and gradually hand it all over to them if you don't want to do it.
Doing this (once you have found a trustworthy person...which is sometimes difficult) means that you keep the venue happy and also keep your foot in the door.
Having a residency does have its benefits sometimes as it keeps the work coming in when private bookings are thin on the ground.
Work out a deal with someone else and you could be laughing.

[Excalibur]

Can't you find someone to network with and share the workload to make things easier?

Work out a deal with someone else and you could be laughing.

I think he's got it. By Jove, he's got it!

OK, My Fair Lady mode over, I think that's the obvious first course of action. Just watch you don't end up paying him/her on the night, and waiting for yours from the hotel.
I think you should have the hotel only paying one of you, two lines of invoices is a recipe for disaster.
Also, consider how many baskets your eggs are in. If that income stream disappears overnight, can you stay afloat? Been there....................

[DeckstarDeluxe]

4/5 discos a week? Why would you give that up unless they're paying silly money?

Get a few local jocks on board who will work within budget and put them in on dates where you could be elsewhere earning more work. The issue you'll have is putting all your eggs in one basket is a dangerous game IMO but if you can get decent guys to cover your res while you're out there expanding the business into areas you want to be then you're laughing.

[funkymook]

The wiser amongst us see residencies as ‘nice while they last’.

Whatever you do plan as if it will be cancelled at a moments notice, because they can, regardless of what contract or agreement you have in place.

[rth_discos]

I see a few people mentioning sub-contracting the work out.

Considering it's not viable as a full time income for the OP, despite being 4-5 gigs a week, I have to question that quality of DJ you would get to cover those additional gigs. I would assume that the OP would take a small cut of each of those gigs, as there is still the hassle of arranging them, so the fee would be quite low.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I see a few people mentioning sub-contracting the work out.

Considering it's not viable as a full time income for the OP, despite being 4-5 gigs a week, I have to question that quality of DJ you would get to cover those additional gigs. I would assume that the OP would take a small cut of each of those gigs, as there is still the hassle of arranging them, so the fee would be quite low.

It will never be a full time income unless you try unless of course the day job is something you're happy with?. If so then as mentioned speak with them and just tell them how it is (but do it now not next year).

[Nakatomi]

Maybe I'm too much of a pessimist, but at the rates this place pays I'll be hard pressed to find a stand in of much worth.

I can't see the venue being willing to take a price increase of very much.. Maybe 20% of that I'll see. This is where I see things going South.

The work is regular as hell, great! But with that comes playlists which take from an hour to 3 hours per gig to sort out. Add in the expense of buying one off tracks...

Setup times are about half an hour, as are take downs. Loading & unloading is nice & quick. Leaving stuff setup is only really possible for non wedding gigs except on Saturdays because the room is a carvery restaurant on Sundays.

If they could pay 150% of what they do now I'll change my mind. Being richer is no fun if you have no life outside of work.

So. Without more money, a standin is unlikely. I don't want thus volume of work as a part timer. That isn't what was on the table when I joined

[rth_discos]

Maybe I'm too much of a pessimist, but at the rates this place pays I'll be hard pressed to find a stand in of much worth.

I can't see the venue being willing to take a price increase of very much.. Maybe 20% of that I'll see. This is where I see things going South.

This is where you sell yourself to the venue. You are now worth more than what they are paying. From your gig reports, you can easily command much more outside of the venue. I'm guessing we're talking down around the £100 a night mark that they are currently paying you?

So if you can't get a stand it that's any good, it's up to the venue to decide whether they want to pay more for a good DJ, that will get them good reviews, or lose the DJ, and end up with someone not very good, and risk getting bad reviews. I sadly fear I know what the answer will be, as all they will see are their immediate profit margins.

You now have your own kit, and it seems to be decent kit, so you can easily command a a minimum of £300 per night. You should be able to attract £400-£500+ a night minimum.

Obviously there's not the guarantee of work, and there's the cost of advertising to factor in, but 1 x gig per week = 3 to 4 gigs at your current residency.

You will soon be operating a full capacity, but without generating enough money for it to be a full time income.

Now is the time to market yourself and get your own bookings.

[Nakatomi]

This is where you sell yourself to the venue. You are now worth more than what they are paying. From your gig reports, you can easily command much more outside of the venue. I'm guessing we're talking down around the £100 a night mark that they are currently paying you?

So if you can't get a stand it that's any good, it's up to the venue to decide whether they want to pay more for a good DJ, that will get them good reviews, or lose the DJ, and end up with someone not very good, and risk getting bad reviews. I sadly fear I know what the answer will be, as all they will see are their immediate profit margins.

You now have your own kit, and it seems to be decent kit, so you can easily command a a minimum of £300 per night. You should be able to attract £400-£500+ a night minimum.

Obviously there's not the guarantee of work, and there's the cost of advertising to factor in, but 1 x gig per week = 3 to 4 gigs at your current residency.

You will soon be operating a full capacity, but without generating enough money for it to be a full time income.

Now is the time to market yourself and get your own bookings.

I'm not sure I'm worth £300 a night. Maybe with a better PA, just for my own conscience. The money is around the £100 mark. Not under, but not way over either. For their Xmas gigs I'm planning to buy a 2nd rig & get somebody in & pay them a fair deal - not like I got. I wouldn't .. nay couldn't do that for a wedding though.

I've said for a long time I want to be my own boss. I don't want to be anybody else's boss either. Not yet anyway. Marketing has kind of started already - my cards are out & my website is on its way to being finished (I just need a certain tog 'friend' to get back to me with stuff I can use).

The venue manager is on holiday right now - and I guess the comments about contracts are realistic - so if I can't get more money out of them (I seriously think they even see me as just A.N. Other disco in spite of everything) I'll be saying bye bye at a time which'd cause me minimal losses if they withhold pay & let them fill the hole. I do feel a (probably undeserved) sense of loyalty to them not to drop them in it, but I have to remember this is a business.

An average of 1.2 gigs a week over the year is what I want to call full capacity. Any other part-timer will appreciate it's a strain staying fresh enough while you hold down a day job as well if you do any more than that 2 a week.

[Excalibur]

Well if I understand correctly, the fees place you firmly between the devil and the deep blue sea. Not high enough to share with reliable operators, and too regular an income and safety net to walk away from. Tricky. :confused:

It seems to me that a discussion with management re contracts is vital. Don't forget, it's a two way street, and surely them having you contracted to turn up is valuable to them.

It also seems to me that assuming you begin to pick up higher paid work elsewhere, you need an exit strategy. One that doesn't burn too many bridges. Contrast £500-£600 a week for four or five nights work at low rates with £200 - £250 once a fortnight on higher paid work.

You're going to have to decide how much money you need to earn, and the best way to earn that. Good luck.

[DeckstarDeluxe]

I'm not sure I'm worth £300 a night.

That right now, stop it. You're worth more than that.

[Shaun]

I'm not sure I'm worth £300 a night. Maybe with a better PA, just for my own conscience.

Why do you feel that. I've never seen you perform but from here on the forum you come across as extremely credible. I've no doubt that is reflected in your performances.

I have a feeling that it will be difficult to convince the venue that you are worth more (even of you have clearly demonstrated it). Most are just interested in their margins and the bottom line. And

Do you have your own equipment now? If you do, perhaps start quoting a fee you would like to command for external enquiries that are not through the hotel. Test the water, you may just surprise yourself. That way you can get some higher paying events whilst stilling having the safety net of the hotel behind you. Build up your own bookings and hopefully get to a stage where the hotel bookings are 'fillers' for the diary. If you can find someone reliable to cover the hotel shifts for you whilst out on your own gigs then even better!

I remember over 20 years ago I was getting a lot of work for a venue, so much so that I cut back on the amount of mobile gigs I did, then ended up exclusively working for that one venue. Regular money (albeit at a lower rate). All was well till the place closed doors without warning. I was back to square one, having to build from ground up again. From that day on I vowed never to have my eggs all in one basket again.


Best of luck....whatever route you decide. :beer1:

[Excalibur]

I remember over 20 years ago I was getting a lot of work for a venue, so much so that I cut back on the amount of mobile gigs I did, then ended up exclusively working for that one venue. Regular money (albeit at a lower rate). All was well till the place closed doors without warning. I was back to square one, having to build from ground up again. From that day on I vowed never to have my eggs all in one basket again.


Shaun, stop it please. We seem to be agreeing a lot, it's unnerving. :daft:

For those who don't know, it's a running joke. We share a lot of views, we are opposed on a lot. That's life. I have to admit though that his words above are some of the best advice you'll ever see on here.

[Shaun]

Shaun, stop it please. We seem to be agreeing a lot, it's unnerving. :daft:

.

I know. I'm more than a little scared.

[Nakatomi]

That right now, stop it. You're worth more than that.

If people will pay me that I'll happily take their hand off & be their loyal servant.


Well if I understand correctly, the fees place you firmly between the devil and the deep blue sea. Not high enough to share with reliable operators, and too regular an income and safety net to walk away from. Tricky. :confused:

It seems to me that a discussion with management re contracts is vital. Don't forget, it's a two way street, and surely them having you contracted to turn up is valuable to them.

It also seems to me that assuming you begin to pick up higher paid work elsewhere, you need an exit strategy. One that doesn't burn too many bridges. Contrast £500-£600 a week for four or five nights work at low rates with £200 - £250 once a fortnight on higher paid work.

You're going to have to decide how much money you need to earn, and the best way to earn that. Good luck.

I don't need to earn any more than what one booking a fortnight at a decent rate would pay. This is a paid hobby, one I take pride in giving my all to. What I don't want is to be flogging myself to death while holding down being a dad, a husband AND having a day job. That's what's coming next year. To be frank, the last block of 4 weddings in 7 days damn near wiped me out. Wouldn't be so bad if I could just roll up back at home, go to bed & get straight to sleep.. but I'm flying after a great gig :( :)

More money would be great but most of all I need an opt-out. This has never come up with the venue before but maybe they'd be amenable to me saying 'no' once in a while. Lots to talk about with the manager when he's back from his hols I think.

At best, everybody ends up happy. At worst, I end up a little out of pocket with a slight dent in my ego.

[funkymook]

The only way you’ll get a higher fee is by asking for it, and if it’s a hobby what have you got to lose?

[DeckstarDeluxe]

If people will pay me that I'll happily take their hand off & be their loyal servant.


If? They will :)

Try it, have some confidence in your worth (i.e don't draw a deep breath before you disclose a price). I went from £225 to £395 within a year (this was about five years ago as well).

[Excalibur]

The only way you’ll get a higher fee is by asking for it, and if it’s a hobby what have you got to lose?

Ooooh! Now far be it from me to point out any flaws in that theory, but I believe the fact that we're dealing with a hotel here will place a ceiling on the earning potential, that may not be there with private customers. " If you won't work here for £20, two pints of lager and a hot meal, there are plenty waiting who will ". Kind of undermines your bargaining position somewhat. :(

I quoted for a last minute bar booking this weekend, and my very reasonable price was £50 above the stated figure. The email from the manager tasked with filling the void implied strongly that even if my doppelganger Giorgio Moroder had got the gig, he'd have been working for a pittance.

[funkymook]

Ooooh! Now far be it from me to point out any flaws in that theory, but I believe the fact that we're dealing with a hotel here will place a ceiling on the earning potential, that may not be there with private customers. " If you won't work here for £20, two pints of lager and a hot meal, there are plenty waiting who will ". Kind of undermines your bargaining position somewhat. :(

I quoted for a last minute bar booking this weekend, and my very reasonable price was £50 above the stated figure. The email from the manager tasked with filling the void implied strongly that even if my doppelganger Giorgio Moroder had got the gig, he'd have been working for a pittance.

I should clarify - I meant private bookings, not the residency.

[Nakatomi]

Why do you feel that. I've never seen you perform but from here on the forum you come across as extremely credible. I've no doubt that is reflected in your performances.

I have a feeling that it will be difficult to convince the venue that you are worth more (even of you have clearly demonstrated it). Most are just interested in their margins and the bottom line. And

Do you have your own equipment now? If you do, perhaps start quoting a fee you would like to command for external enquiries that are not through the hotel. Test the water, you may just surprise yourself. That way you can get some higher paying events whilst stilling having the safety net of the hotel behind you. Build up your own bookings and hopefully get to a stage where the hotel bookings are 'fillers' for the diary. If you can find someone reliable to cover the hotel shifts for you whilst out on your own gigs then even better!

I remember over 20 years ago I was getting a lot of work for a venue, so much so that I cut back on the amount of mobile gigs I did, then ended up exclusively working for that one venue. Regular money (albeit at a lower rate). All was well till the place closed doors without warning. I was back to square one, having to build from ground up again. From that day on I vowed never to have my eggs all in one basket again.


Best of luck....whatever route you decide. :beer1:

I have all my own gear now. I'm all set for external bookings bar a frontage for my deckstand. It's funny but I'd already plotted out your idea driving to work last week - the tricky bit is finding good, reliable people willing to work for what the venue pays. A small, but vital point. I've almost convinced myself it's damn near impossible, which wouldn't be too far from the truth.

I'll try negotiating.. if that doesn't get any results I'll just call it quits when they owe me the least back pay. I don't like burning bridges but if that's how it has to be..

Doubting your own worth is always a touchy subject & one for the philosophers. I don't subscribe to the 'You'll never get that around here' schtick, but I've never been very good at marketing. Self doubt again? Heh.

Lately I've been trying to put my finger on what's changed since I came back last October. I've filled in loads of gaps in my music knowledge (still not enough - there can never be enough of that, surely) - I do 'proper' introductions now (though still not out of the booth - venue no likey) - and since taking over the residency I wear a suit to every gig. Back before I quit, I had something of an attitude problem. Requests = pests. Argy customers got both barrels every time. I wasn't a happy bunny. Now, I just do my best to fit in whatever is reasonably asked (as any good venue/mobile DJ should IMHO) and try to defuse argy customers by being incessantly charming (well trying to be at least). I make comments about rude customers after work but I won't hold a grudge. Older, mellower... or just wiser?

If our paths cross at BPM this year, feel free to ask about how I actually came to the end of my employ at my last club residency. I made sure to delete it from my blog a while ago.. hem.

[Nakatomi]

Regarding value/earnings.. I've been asked to quote for a couple of private bookings recently - nothing to do with anybody I've met at the hotel.. and I've shot out a figure of £250 right off the bat. For somebody of my experience & knowhow starting a business on their own, that's a reasonable figure I think. Maybe high for a complete newbie, but a complete newbie I ain't.

The first quote was through my sister. She'd helped arrange a friend's engagement party recently - I didn't know anybody who was local enough or available then, so they got Sid's sister in. Even with a playlist chock full of great tunes she died a DEATH & the party went really badly because she didn't have a clue what she was doing (sister's words). Now they're looking for a different DJ to do their wedding but when my price was quoted they recoiled in shock. Silly people I know - I'm not going to lose any sleep over missing out on that one - I mean - they paid somebody who was completely & utterly :Censored::Censored::Censored::Censored: more than half that.. but somehow £250 for somebody really good is over the odds?!

Pretty much the same thing for the friends of my sister inlaw who are turning 40 this year. And they're the ones who cited ME as the reason they always chose to come to the club I worked when they could've gone to a cheaper place around the corner. £250, between 3 of them? Peanuts!

I would happily have paid £250 or more for a half-decent DJ at my own wedding, had I known the resident was going to be so crap.

Oh, and there's my neighbour, who's stated an interest in booking me for his daughter's 60th next year. He seems less keen now he knows what it's going to cost, and he even used to be a DJ himself!

And yet, despite these recent instances I'm still willing to go right in & say "TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY QUID" for starters.

[Imagine]

And yet, despite these recent instances I'm still willing to go right in & say "TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY QUID" for starters.

Ooooh a pricing thread :sofa:

I think several times now about whether I can be bothered to quote for £250 (and I'm not being big headed or waving my gentleman vegetables around....I'm a part timer like you so can afford to pick and choose. I realise that some on here are full time and £250 can make the difference between eating and starving so please don't take that statement the wrong way). I might soon be full time at this, and if that becomes the case then £250 against not going out will be very welcome.

This time last year, I thought that was a damned good fee to get (and believe me....I went out for a lot less as well just to fill the diary after 18 years out of the game). At the start of this year, something clicked and I started to market myself better, talk to clients a lot more confidently (never, ever be ashamed for charging what you consider to be a reasonable fee), and now I'm normally a minimum of £350 for the night......people are still taking my hand off (unless they're from NaD in which case they're mainly spitting coffee at their iPads and going and talking to Sid....hey ho).

Last year, potential clients used to call with the "how much do you cost" line and I'd embarrassingly quote them between £200 and £250 for the night waiting to justify the rejection. I don't do that any more. I've learned to sell myself before giving any hint of the price (after of course, first establishing what said customer needs, even if they don't yet know what it is they need ;) ).

It all comes with practice and confidence. You've been in this game long enough to know what you're doing, and you're gaining that confidence all the time (hence, proper announcements etc.).

Something somebody once said to me which made me realise something important.....look at the type of mobile phone the customer's using. 9 times out of 10, I'll wager it's got a half eaten fruit on the back of it. Why did the customer pick one of those overpriced handsets compared to one of the plethora of cheaper alternatives which do exactly the same thing? Try asking a customer with a price objection that question and see where it leads ;). Possible answers will include quality (you're a quality disco set-up aren't you?), reliability (you turn up to every gig and issue contracts don't you?), the look and feel (you've just spent loads of money on a new set-up haven't you?), ease of use (is your customer service up to scratch? Do you tailor your service to suit their needs?).....see where I'm coming from? It's a case of finding out their objections and countering them.

Or another way to look at it....I've already booked up New Year's Eve for a local leisure centre at a price I'm more than happy with. I told them that my normal price is £650 for NYE (that's what I got last year with overtime), but as they're literally 5 minutes from home and the kit store's between them and my bed, I discounted it by a little bit, still expecting them to hold up their hands in shock (it's still early for NYE bookings so wasn't too bothered if I got this one or not). Their reaction....if I get £650 normally, I must be good so can we book you please!

There will ALWAYS be customers that only want to pay the cheapest possible price (as Peter's already mentioned earlier in this thread). How many of us are prepared to pay over the odds for car/van/kit insurance? Or petrol/diesel? You just have to appreciate that they're possibly not your customer and there will be people out there more than willing to service their price band. Yes, some of them as you've already mentioned are Sids and do an awful job (I've witnessed them first hand!). The customer will hopefully learn from that experience for the next time. Having said that, I know bargain basement DJ's that are brilliant at what they do. I also know top charging DJ's that are absolutely hopeless.


I'm already putting my prices up again for next year. I believe the service and professionalism I provide is worthy of the fee (and probably more - especially since I'm now starting to go more and more for weddings and all that entails at times). I bend over backwards for all of my clients, and that I think is a big selling point for me and it shows in the feedback I get.

Phew - I went on a bit there ;)
What I'm trying to say is, don't be afraid to charge a reasonable fee for what you do. The more DJ's that charge a "proper" price, the easier it becomes for all of us.

By the way......I only paid £200 for my wedding disco - back in 1999, so there's a bit of a comparison for you ;)

[Nakatomi]

Yeah it's kind of descended into a pricing thread.. gah.

Anyhoo, I'm not (I think) shy of doing the selling thing - and bear in mind I've not actually spoken to the prospective customers I've given quotes to. I've offered to go & see the couple who are getting married to talk to them.. I might yet hear back from that but I'm not holding my breath.

I'm not losing any sleep over not getting those bookings. What's going to be interesting is what happens when people who asked for my business card at my hotel gigs call me up. They've been there & seen the whole thing. Is it worth that? I think it's a good place to start.

I'll also add here that whatever my going rate for a private gig would be, YES I'd knock off a good percentage for solid, regular residency work - but still not in the kind of volume this place is giving out.

EDIT: also add that I've not actually got much experience at doing the selling thing. That'll come. I'm certainly not shy of trying to eke out what customers actually want - now I've got access to them before most of my upcoming gigs (woohoo!)

[Andy P]

The only way you’ll get a higher fee is by asking for it, and if it’s a hobby what have you got to lose?

Im not exactly sure its his hobby, and part time second income is necessary to some in this day and age so he stands the chance to lose it.

[Andy P]

The hotel in which Justin works is very typical of many hotels in the region - they pay a low rate because there are a multitude of others willing to do the work at this price. I've had two similar residencies with similar prices and they dont court loyalty. Justin is lucky that his is offering very regular work.

If he leaves there will be someone else along 5 mins later to snap it up so he has to ask if its making him comfortable.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I have to agree with what has been said already and in particular where someone (can't remember who...sorry) said that on the forum you come across well. If that is transferred to how you work then you're easily worth more than what you are being paid. I certainly didn't expect a figure like that!
As many know already, I don't get into pricing. I don't publish prices and I don't discuss pricing that often.

When it comes to residencies I guess I am pretty lucky judging by some of the figures that I have read on here past and present.
The thing with residencies is that THEY know they have you where they want you most of the time. They can offer you loads of bookings throughout the year, especially at Christmas and they know you know that too. Past experience with one particular residency (where I also had a contract too) tells me that they are always looking to save money so can replace you "just like that".

One of my residencies now, the guy I deal with is straight down the line. He is not bothered about anyone else because he is more than happy with the service that is provided by myself and anyone that works on my behalf. He is also a firm believer in fairness and can't understand why the venue will take a cut for not doing anything in reality. This happens a lot in the hotel industry so if the DJ is getting paid (for example - £250.00) then the hotel is pricing the Disco up at £350.00. The customer is paying £100.00 over the odds just because the hotel are hosts. In my case a lot of the time the hotel will let the customer deal with me directly so I save them some money. They'll send them my way.

Like I said, I am probably lucky. It could be difficult asking for more money in your case (when you know you're worth it and it is likely they know too) because they can just get someone else in easily. I guess you need to work out if (for example) 20 bookings throughout the year at £*** is worth doing whether you do them all or you have someone working on your behalf. I get around 30 bookings per year (that includes Christmas) at my residency and I have a figure in my head that I would drop to that would still make it worth my while supplying them. They won't say anything about the pricing, I'm more than confident of that BUT if they did then I have a plan ready. If they suggested a stupidly low price (in my opinion anyway) then I'd happily walk away because I know I'd be worth more than that.

[funkymook]

Im not exactly sure its his hobby, and part time second income is necessary to some in this day and age so he stands the chance to lose it.

I probably should’ve quoted this when I made that comment.



I don't need to earn any more than what one booking a fortnight at a decent rate would pay. This is a paid hobby,.


But you’re right, for many it’s a much needed secondary source of income, but if it’s not then it gives you a bit of room to try different marketing and pricing experiments with no real financial impact, which is a great position to be in if you’re looking at developing it into a business.

[Nakatomi]

In under 12 months I've done more than 30 gigs for this place. Last month I did ten. This month it's eleven. September is another 11. October, I think there are six. That's a number I'm more happy with.

I should be doing less if I want some kind of quality of life. It isn't just the time at gigs either. About half of the weddings I need to spend at least an hour for each one sorting music. A lot of it is esoteric stuff & it tends to turn out like the night would've been much less without it. I don't just plonk music in a folder. I listen to it all so I can see where it'd fit.

I've learned the importance of talking to the customer before the event too, but on this pay grade there's no way I'm meeting with them in person before the gig. The hourly rate is low enough as it is.

I'm going on holiday next May. Just for a week. Who's going to cover that?

[Andy P]

You'll overtake me on total gigs in no time at that rate.

[Nakatomi]

You'll overtake me on total gigs in no time at that rate.

I don't want to overtake anybody. 3 a month at a reasonable fee, on dates I pick would be more right for me. I don't want to be the guy who drops down dead from being the world's busiest part-time DJ.

[Benny Smyth]

Sit down with the venue.

You are a one man operation who has commitments away from the venue too. You are willing to scout for and vet other DJ's for you to pass on the work to who will work to the same standards that you do, but that would entail the venue digging deeper. Whether they offset that by charging their clients more is up to them - peanuts and monkeys, and all that.

It may end in a decision you don't want, but it's better to try now than later when you're really struggling and could end up in a position where you cannot take do a gig.

[Excalibur]

Sit down with the venue.

You are a one man operation who has commitments away from the venue too. You are willing to scout for and vet other DJ's for you to pass on the work to who will work to the same standards that you do, but that would entail the venue digging deeper. Whether they offset that by charging their clients more is up to them - peanuts and monkeys, and all that.

It may end in a decision you don't want, but it's better to try now than later when you're really struggling and could end up in a position where you cannot take do a gig.

:approve::like:

[Nakatomi]

So I kind of have a plan now.

I've been reading up on how to open a discussion about prices & I'll see where I end up when the manager is back.

I'm led to believe the bar take has increased since I took it on proper but coincidences like that have peppered my career to date. What a compliment - I'm driving em to drink! :lol: not necessarily a good point to argue my case on though.

Is 3 months enough of a track record? Time will tell. I may end up on NAD sooner than I anticipated.

Thanks for all your input folks

[theoloyla]

Cant add much to this except to wish you good luck. It never hurts to discuss pay and workload with your customer. At the end o the day I am sure they want you to do a good job fo them and a rise is good and also they may well realize that overworking you may be detrimental. Others immediately jumped on the entrepreneurial band wagon of you employing someone to cover the gigs you don't want to do but also why not think about a partnership with another disco you can trust who would do any gigs you didn't want to cover and also fill in for holidays etc. Not all other discos are assasins.