Charging more for weddings [Archive] - Mobile Disco Directory Forum

rob1963

18-05-2007, 04:45 PM

I've never understood why so many discos charge more for weddings than they do for other functions.

The reason given by those who do is always "it's because weddings involve extra work than other functions" but in my own experience, that simply isn't the case.

What extra work?

I know some brides & grooms want to have a meeting with the DJ, but so do clients for many OTHER types of functions. Most of my work is weddings, and only about 10-20% of them want to meet me beforehand. Of the few that DO, half of them come to me anyway. Even with the the ones I visit, I wouldn't dream of charging extra...as I just don't feel I could justify it.

What about equipment? Well...I use exactly the same equipment for weddings as any other functions, and even if we DO need something like an extra radio mic, I don't see how you can charge extra for it, as most forum members have agreed that what we charge isn't about our equipment.

Maybe it's to do with the music & requests. Again, in my case, weddings have no more requests than a birthday party. I even had a wedding a couple of weeks ago with NO requests!

If anything, maybe we should charge LESS for weddings...as they usually run late, which means we often start an hour or so later than expected.

Here are my two questions:

1) What are these "extras" which many of us charge wedding clients extra for & which aren't needed by clients of any OTHER functions?

2) If someone was paying the STANDARD rate for a birthday party & wanted one of these "extras" would you either refuse or charge them more?

I charge all clients the same for any disco of up to 5 hours duration in Surrey with an evening set up, because it makes sense to give ALL clients the same high quality service at the same price. This includes as many meetings as they like, as many telephone conversations as they like, as many requests as they like and (if requested) emailing or posting my full catalogue for them to browse...regardless of the type of function.

I know I'm missing something, but I just need someone to explain how people can justify charging £50-£100 more just because the function happens to be a wedding.

If I was an old cynic, I MIGHT think that DJs know the average wedding budget is £15,000 - £20,000.....in which case the client can afford to pay top dollar for the disco.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Ricesnaps

18-05-2007, 05:01 PM

I would say you are completely missing something.

It has nothing to do with "it's a wedding I can con them out of more money", but everything to do with the work and care that goes into a wedding.

Don't get me wrong, I care about all of my bookings, but there is a huge difference between say the 40th Birthday party I have in July and a wedding. For the 40th, I will call the client a week before to check everything is OK, turn up an hour before kick off, set up, have a bloody great night, pack away and go home.

That simply isn't the case with a wedding. For a start, personally I ALWAYS set up early for a wedding (and I know there has been a lot of deiscussion, but hey, it sells it for me!), which means a double trip to the venue. I always visit new wedding venues (or places I haven't been to before) to discuss the arrangements with the wedding coordinator or manager - which is another trip. Then there's the tux that I wear (yes I am always smart for other functions, but generally the tux is just for weddings). Add to that the potential "care" that a wedding client will expect from you in the run up to the big day - I have just had a call and an email from my june 2nd client yet again wanting to discuss times and music. And yes, I am prepared to set up a little earlier and yes I am prepared to be there 15 mins earlier than we arranged because, YES, this is your one and only big day.

Now if anyone can honestly tell me that a regular Saturday night in a village hall birthday disco requires all that work, I will go away and re-visit my business plan. I don't believe any of the things I do with my wedding clients are "extra'" at all, but part and parcel of the wedding market - and not commonly required in the non-wedding market.

You have to understand that the wedding market is about MY time. So if we want to be absolutely spot on with this, YES, if I was asked to set up in the morning for a standard evening disco that wasn't a wedding, then of course it would cost more - you're paying for my time, not my equipment.

However, based on my current and propsed pricing structure, it's unlikely that your "standard" evening disco would be able to afford me!

rob1963

18-05-2007, 05:42 PM

You have to understand that the wedding market is about MY time. So if we want to be absolutely spot on with this, YES, if I was asked to set up in the morning for a standard evening disco that wasn't a wedding, then of course it would cost more - you're paying for my time, not my equipment.

Ok Ricesnaps...so they are paying for your time.

In that case, what if the wedding client didn't want a meeting beforehand (as most of mine don't), and you knew the venue so didn't have to visit it in advance, and a daytime set up wasn't possible due to a lack of space, and they had seen you in your tux at another gig & said you could just wear a normal suit?

In this situation, they'd be paying the extra charge for a wedding, but getting nothing extra compared to a "normal" function.

Or would you give them a discount?

sleah

18-05-2007, 05:43 PM

I've always been somewhere between the two.
I have a standard rate for any job, but I'm more likely to charge less for 'other' gigs that require less pre-gig attention (as mentioned above) or less hours or less gear, but would never normally discount a wedding even if the aforementioned applied.

Ricesnaps

18-05-2007, 05:51 PM

Ok Ricesnaps...so they are paying for your time.

In that case, what if the wedding client didn't want a meeting beforehand (as most of mine don't), and you knew the venue so didn't have to visit it in advance, and a daytime set up wasn't possible due to a lack of space, and they had seen you in your tux at another gig & said you could just wear a normal suit?

In this situation, they'd be paying the extra charge for a wedding, but getting nothing extra compared to a "normal" function.

Or would you give them a discount?
Ah, but what you are missing is that this is waht I provide as my wedding package, if they choose that they don't want part of it, then the price doesn't change, why should it. All we are doing is quoting for there wedding based on a pre-set service list (so to speak).

However, this is somewhat immaterial as I have never had any major parts of my wedding service not required, in fact quite the opposite. However, in answer to your question, there have been the odd occation where an early set up has not been possible and I have lowered the cost accordingly. However it is unlikely that will feature in my new structure.

I think, Rob, the point you are missing is that we are all running a business. Who actually on here give a flying :Censored: if DJ A charges one flat fee and DJ B charges more for a wedding. Surely that is a business decision made by the owner of the company. Personally as a business man, I want to do better quality venues, with better quality clients and I want to earn a decent amount for doing so. In general I have found that the wedding market commands a better fee for my work than other markets. While I don't turn away non-wedding work, my business is geared up for it. I'm certainly not going to continue to apologise and keep explaining why I can charge what I do for weddings.

Bottom line - I acn, my client pay for it and I have a great reputation. I'd call that good business sense!

funkymike

18-05-2007, 06:13 PM

I charge more for weddings, if I can

the reason why.....

most other dj's too as well:D no idea why though:D

rob1963

18-05-2007, 06:14 PM

I charge more for weddings, if I can

the reason why.....

.....most other dj's too as well:D no idea why though:D

:lol:

TonyB

18-05-2007, 06:20 PM

As Ricesnaps said, you do it because you can.

You could bring the price of other functions up to the same as you charge for a wedding, probably get less work but they would be better quality functions.

Personally I enjoy doing parties and a lot are smallish affairs (up to 50 people) in local village halls, community centres, Scout Huts etc and there is no way they would pay the same as a wedding.

Another way to look at is is why do you charge less for non wedding functions (because I can :D ) - what a bargain they get

rob1963

18-05-2007, 06:28 PM

As Ricesnaps said, you do it because you can.

I don't think that's what Ricesnaps was saying.....

.....but it's certainly what I was thinking, being the old cynic I am!

:rolleyes:

Ricesnaps

18-05-2007, 06:39 PM

I don't think that's what Ricesnaps was saying.....

.....but it's certainly what I was thinking, being the old cynic I am!

:rolleyes:

To an extent, that's exactly what I'm saying - I'm running a business, not a charity

axeman

18-05-2007, 06:42 PM

ive just got home from having a meeting with a future groom, it was a 30 mile round trip, and took up 3hrs of my life, then on the wedding day i will turn up a 3.30 pm to set up and have b/ground music playing for the line up at 5pm-5.30pm then ill go on till possibly 1am, & provide a cordless mic for the top table speeches, that's why i charge a little bit more !!

CRAZY K

18-05-2007, 06:52 PM

Ah, but what you are missing is that this is waht I provide as my wedding package, if they choose that they don't want part of it, then the price doesn't change, why should it. All we are doing is quoting for there wedding based on a pre-set service list (so to speak).

However, this is somewhat immaterial as I have never had any major parts of my wedding service not required, in fact quite the opposite. However, in answer to your question, there have been the odd occation where an early set up has not been possible and I have lowered the cost accordingly. However it is unlikely that will feature in my new structure.

I think, Rob, the point you are missing is that we are all running a business. Who actually on here give a flying ***** if DJ A charges one flat fee and DJ B charges more for a wedding. Surely that is a business decision made by the owner of the company. Personally as a business man, I want to do better quality venues, with better quality clients and I want to earn a decent amount for doing so. In general I have found that the wedding market commands a better fee for my work than other markets. While I don't turn away non-wedding work, my business is geared up for it. I'm certainly not going to continue to apologise and keep explaining why I can charge what I do for weddings.

Bottom line - I acn, my client pay for it and I have a great reputation. I'd call that good business sense!

Just to add my take on this--

Rob dont forget if you are going into a Wedding (like I did two weeks ago on Rices doorstep) where there is no early set up available its a lot more HASSLE for you.

Firstly you are fighting the Catering staff who are trying to clear out their stuff whilst you are battling your way in with all the equipment and waiting for a space to be cleared big enough to set up your kit--this can take a lot of time as I found out. Time thats coming off the magic hour which everyone think is all you need---

You have all these people like the toastmaster and the groom and the guests saying--ooooh how long will it take--pass me the string someone:eek:

Fine so you are set up--now if as you suggest theres a delay in starting well thats tough--you pay for how long im there--im there so thats it--when you start is your problem.

And of course apart from a bit of extra time in flaffing around with first dance selection etc theres the constant reassurances ( as outlined by Rice to keep the clients happy ) this is the most IMPORTANT event in their lives to date probably so although you use the same patter, equipment and lights you have to get it 100 per cent right all the time, otherwise you will be expelled from the DJ business for ever:eek: :eek: :eek:

I set up a Barn Dance/ Disco yesterday for a very happy bride--but found I was definitely doing more work by way of additional emails and phone calls to say--its all fine no problems, everythings going to be great--relax etc--
which I just dont do on other functions.

Remember that famous quotation Time is money--who said that-oh I know Rice:D :D :D

Now at a Birthday party or social ( excluding Xmas party) --most of the time completely different--you arrive--hardly anyone there--set up--no hassle-- people drift in--evening builds up --fine, generally easier I would say.

Dont forget the opinion of some people was that a lot of venues dont have early set up for weddings ( unless they book Rice )

As it happens I charge the same generally for Weddings with Disco included as for other events--however I do charge a bit more if im just doing Barn Dance at a Wedding because I know whats going to happen--hot sticky room full of people (slightly drunk) barging your way through to get set up--even if you arrive early makes no difference!

So I think theres justification for charging a bit more at Weddings-- but NOT LESS!

Must away preparing for a Wedding tomorrow where I can set up whilst the guests are in the room which they dont mind --just as well im travelling 100 miles:eek:

CRAZY K

Have a disco

18-05-2007, 07:45 PM

Next 2 weeks as my example

tomorrow set up 4pm at request of couple background music discs til 8pm
then the reception party really starts till 12am lets face it 1/2 hour tou loaded and unload van x 2 and 1/2 hour journey each way x 3 that equates to
10 hours work

other booking next sat set up time at 12.45pm then as above but til 2am that equates to 12 hrs 15 minutes

Now most birthdays do not have these early set up times normally birthdays are set up an hour before the event

How much do you charge an hour for a disco then see what the actual working fee would be using my figures

Now do you understand whay we charge more

spin mobile disco

18-05-2007, 07:51 PM

I have set packages with extra time bought when required. I dont charge extra just because its a wedding. If it requires more work i will charge not because its a wedding but because my time costs.
If they want my basic they can have it but if they want my basic with say 3 extra hours then I charge for the extra hours.
Works for me but im surethere are some areas people just wouldnt go for that.

benlewis13

18-05-2007, 08:34 PM

i personally think that you charge more for what you can, yes they do probably involve more work, but people are also willing to pay more for them than other events.

Shaun

18-05-2007, 08:54 PM

I definitely spend far more time on preparations and planning for weddings than any other type of party. I also offer more 'extras' that the clients don't know about during the enquiry stages.

Now sure....some clients may prefer me to just spend the same amount of time on it as any other event, and charge them the same price as a regular event, I choose not too. Those little extras plus the added preparation and planning time all add up to providing them with an exceptional wedding reception. All in all, I spend a lot more time on wedding receptions than any other event. I charge accordingly.

It's all too easy for someone to say how can you charge more when you're doing the same as any other event. It's not always the case though. We're in the entertainment and service industry, and the levels of services each of us provide can differ greatly as well. Just because one company puts the same amount of time into every event, it doesn't mean that it's the same for others.

At the end of the day it doesn't really matter if others pricing policy differs from yours. All that counts is that the customer feels like they've received great service and that they feel they've got value for money.

Peace... ;)

rob1963

18-05-2007, 10:37 PM

Shaun

18-05-2007, 10:41 PM

It seems many of you spend a lot more time on wedding functions than I do (which is why I don't charge extra for them), and yet I've never had a justified complaint and am taking more bookings every year than the previous year.

Maybe the clients in my area are just easier to please! :p

Different strokes for different strokes my friend :). As long as the end result is a satisfied customer then there's no right way or wrong way of doing things. Just what's right for you.

rob1963

18-05-2007, 10:46 PM

Different strokes for different strokes my friend :). As long as the end result is a satisfied customer then there's no right way or wrong way of doing things. Just what's right for you.

Cheers, Shaun :)

Steve 'B'

18-05-2007, 11:21 PM

QUOTE=EliteDJ;114230]Different strokes for different strokes my friend :). As long as the end result is a satisfied customer then there's no right way or wrong way of doing things. Just what's right for you.[/QUOTE]

Sorry Elite:

Different strokes for different folks.

I can sort of see what Rob is saying and yes I would agree on the basis of a like for like on conditions of setup. However I would also say that the rest of you are right (most of the time) because weddings are harder work. I tend to give people the option. They can go for a cheaper package, but then they have the opportunity to go for my recommended wedding package if they feel it would benefit them in any way. I personally recommend our Pro range for weddings and I have my reasons for the recommendation. Generally the package consists of a higher grade of gear and some extras.

I think what people are missing Rob is you have two ways to set up your show. Its either A or B. I setup every event accordingly. It can be a 21st cheesy party with cheesy lighting and a light screen or a wedding with smart D.M.X lighting and a star booth.

Let the customer decide what is best, that way they can not say I am charging more because I can. Its because they asked for more.

PropellerHeadCase

18-05-2007, 11:37 PM

One thing that no-one has pointed out is the marketing aspect...

If you are known to charge more for weddings your clients will assume you pay more attention to them as clients and as everyone has said the 'make them feel important' factor is a big part of weddings.

I'm having a bit if a catharsis/epiphany (not as messy as it sounds) in moving from a sub-contracted DJ to a sole operator.

I certainly take more care with the play-list for a wedding, and am always offering advice for Bs&Gs and there's no doubt that weddings take more time over-all, as compared to, say, a 21st.

The only events that take more of my time, on the day, are school balls/proms and corporates with theming and/or audio-video suppliers as, in both cases, you are having to work in with two to three other sets of people who aren't talking to each other.

I did a school ball yesterday and including set-up, pack down and actually playing the gig it was a 11-hour day for me, in part because I was playing in the corporate lounge at Eden Park (yes, the rugby ground) and my stage got "borrowed" by the media for the All Black team announcement which meant that I had to come back and finish my set-up much later.

Shaun

19-05-2007, 12:05 AM

Sorry Elite:

Different strokes for different folks.

That's what I intended to say. Just a case of my fingers engaging before my brain. ;)

Ricesnaps

19-05-2007, 06:08 AM

This thread has produced some interesting replies.

It seems many of you spend a lot more time on wedding functions than I do (which is why I don't charge extra for them), and yet I've never had a justified complaint and am taking more bookings every year than the previous year.

Maybe the clients in my area are just easier to please! :p

Or maybe your missing out on a better fee Rob?

As I tried to say, I run a business, which generally means I want to make money. Who cares if you've never had a complaint, I haven't either and potentially I am making more money than you per gig. In my eyes, that's better business! Maybe you are taking more bookings simply because of your price?

At the end of the day, it is really all down to your own business strategy, but based on a lot of your threads of late you do seem to keep wanting reasurance that you are doing things right or justification for the way you do things. There is absolutlely nothing wrong with charging more for a wedding (or indeed any other gig). This is a business call and down to the individual to choose how they want to work. Get it wrong and you get less work, get it right and that's the pension fund getting fatter.

I think "complaints" are quite another thing. Surely complaining clients would suggest that you are not providing the service you are charging for. More booking and less complaints would probably suggest you are providing an amazing service and are far to cheap!

rob1963

19-05-2007, 11:07 AM

Or maybe your missing out on a better fee Rob?

As I tried to say, I run a business, which generally means I want to make money. Who cares if you've never had a complaint, I haven't either and potentially I am making more money than you per gig. In my eyes, that's better business! Maybe you are taking more bookings simply because of your price?

At the end of the day, it is really all down to your own business strategy, but based on a lot of your threads of late you do seem to keep wanting reasurance that you are doing things right or justification for the way you do things. There is absolutlely nothing wrong with charging more for a wedding (or indeed any other gig). This is a business call and down to the individual to choose how they want to work. Get it wrong and you get less work, get it right and that's the pension fund getting fatter.

I think "complaints" are quite another thing. Surely complaining clients would suggest that you are not providing the service you are charging for. More booking and less complaints would probably suggest you are providing an amazing service and are far to cheap!

Hiya Ricesnaps,

You're right...I AM missing out on a better fee. I could easily start charging more for weddings or increase my prices accross the board, but I choose not to. The reasons for this are firstly that I also run quiz nights in the week, so the discos only account for about a third of my income, secondly because my personal situation means I can live on a lot less money than most people, and thirdly because the higher your prices are, the harder they are to justify.

Allowing for the fact that most people book my larger disco & some want a daytime set up or longer hours, my average price for ALL bookings is £300. The bottom line is that I'm happy with this...whether I COULD charge more or not. After all, when I had my daytime job I had to work 7 hours a day for a WEEK to earn the same money!

You are right that I want reassurance that the way I am doing things is right. That's the main reason I joined this forum. I don't just think "I do everything right & there's no way I could improve" I want to hear how other members run their business & I want their advice & suggestions on how I can improve the way I operate, make things easier for myself and provide a better service to clients.

A good example of this was when I recently asked for opinions of my website. I then made a number of improvements incorporating about 80% of members suggestions. As I result, I am getting loads more response to the site.

On the subject of complaints, you say that complaining clients would suggest you are not providing the service you are charging for, but there's another way of looking at it...they could be complaining that you are charging too MUCH for the service you DO provide!

:)

Ricesnaps

19-05-2007, 04:09 PM

Hiya Ricesnaps,

You're right...I AM missing out on a better fee. I could easily start charging more for weddings or increase my prices accross the board, but I choose not to. The reasons for this are firstly that I also run quiz nights in the week, so the discos only account for about a third of my income, secondly because my personal situation means I can live on a lot less money than most people, and thirdly because the higher your prices are, the harder they are to justify.
:)
But why would you choose to live on a lot less than you could. That seriously doesn't make any sense at all Rob! I think the problem here (which I also have, so you're not alone), is worrying that we can't justify the price, when actually it's probably harder to justify why we don't charge what we are worth! It's a huge stumbling block I know, one I also have, but I am going to dip my toe in the "what am I really worth" pond and see how it goes.

On the subject of complaints, you say that complaining clients would suggest you are not providing the service you are charging for, but there's another way of looking at it...they could be complaining that you are charging too MUCH for the service you DO provide!
Errrrm, isn't that exactly what I said! You are putting far too much into this "am I charging too much for what I offer". When actually I think it's more important to ask if you are charging enough for what you offer. You did say you don't get any complaints. Why? because they think you offer good value for money. Charge more for the same great service and I am sure you wouldn't get any complaints, but happy customers who have actually paid what you are worth. No complaints I am sure means too cheap!

ross@rds

19-05-2007, 04:24 PM

and thirdly because the higher your prices are, the harder they are to justify.

Not really mate Your price is higher because you think your worth it and the service you give is worth more than the client my think it is. Yes when you think about it over the phone the client my think £300+ for what playing records but they have to take into account pre-gig work i.e paperwork , meetings , travel , hours of work etc etc.

Cj_The_Dj

19-05-2007, 06:44 PM

Sapphire Disco

19-05-2007, 06:56 PM

i think it is out of order to charge more for wedding, as wedding cost a lot as it is for the happy couple. It dont cost me no more to do the job.i would only charge differnt if the gig was like untill 2am in the morning or so. or if i neederd to hir a masive P.A System.

Cj you have a lot to learn, consider this most happy couples earn a lot more than the DJ , brides often spend two to three thousand pounds on a wedding dress, seven hundred on a cake !!!! .
Rich parents often pay for most of it.
Now the disco etc one of the most important parts of the whole thing is £400.00 too much ?

benlewis13

19-05-2007, 07:16 PM

i have to agree, think, most weddings would not be nearly the same without a DJ or band. Bands charge a hell of a lot, i think DJs should too.

rob1963

19-05-2007, 08:40 PM

But why would you choose to live on a lot less than you could. That seriously doesn't make any sense at all Rob!

No complaints I am sure means too cheap!

Ricesnaps,

The reason I choose to live on a lot less than I could is because I already earn more than quadruple the amount I need to live on, and there's nothing I want, and I'm happy to go out & do a gig for £300...the amount I used to earn in a whole WEEK from my day job. For me it's not about squeezing every penny I can out of the client, it's not about charging what i think I'm worth, it's about charging what I'm happy with for a night's work.

Also, I strongly disagree that no complaints means too cheap. I think no complaints means I'm providing a great service at an acceptable price.

i have to agree, think, most weddings would not be nearly the same without a DJ or band. Bands charge a hell of a lot, i think DJs should too.

Ben,

The main reason bands charge a lot is because there are usually about 5 of them, plus a sound guy...that's 6 people who need paying, whereas with a disco there's just ONE - the DJ!

Ricesnaps

19-05-2007, 08:53 PM

Ricesnaps,

The reason I choose to live on a lot less than I could is because I already earn more than quadruple the amount I need to live on, and there's nothing I want, and I'm happy to go out & do a gig for £300...the amount I used to earn in a whole WEEK from my day job. For me it's not about squeezing every penny I can out of the client, it's not about charging what i think I'm worth, it's about charging what I'm happy with for a night's work.

Also, I strongly disagree that no complaints means too cheap. I think no complaints means I'm providing a great service at an acceptable price.

Easy then, be happy with what you have, don't foster any ambition to develope what you do and don't constantly ask people how they justify what they do. Your happy with what you have and a lot of us are keen to be happier with what we've got. Your call really, but the reason I charge more for weddings is simply because I am a business, not a charity.

Imagine Alan Sugar had your attitude - Hey guys, I'm quite comfortable, I have everything I need, so tell you what, Don't worry about getting me the best deal you can on those "things" I asked you to get, whatever you think will be fine. Not at all. The people who get somewhere are the ones who go out and get it!

Just for the record, I would imagine that after you take of your expenses and running costs from your £300, you are probably much closer to what you WERE earning. As for me, I still have a day job, a mortgage and two 9 week old kittens to pay for. I'd love to DJ full time, but to do that I would guess I would need a £500 gig every week to even come close to the day job. So for me, I will get everything I am worth out of the business

rob1963

19-05-2007, 09:18 PM

Easy then, be happy with what you have, don't foster any ambition to develop what you do and don't constantly ask people how they justify what they do. Your happy with what you have and a lot of us are keen to be happier with what we've got. Your call really, but the reason I charge more for weddings is simply because I am a business, not a charity.

Imagine Alan Sugar had your attitude - Hey guys, I'm quite comfortable, I have everything I need, so tell you what, Don't worry about getting me the best deal you can on those "things" I asked you to get, whatever you think will be fine. Not at all. The people who get somewhere are the ones who go out and get it!

Ricesnaps,

You're missing my point.

I didn't say I don't foster any ambition to develop what I do, and I AM interested to hear about what others do...because I'm always looking to improve my business. The one thing I DON'T want to do is to increase my charges - for the reasons stated previously.

On the subject of the Alan Sugar thing, you say the people who get somewhere are the ones who go out & get it...but I've already DONE that! I've got to the place where I want to be - by paying off my mortgage & clearing my debts, so I don't owe a penny to anyone & am content.

I've never been given anything, won anything or inherited anything. Everything I have is mine & has been achieved through hard work.

That's why it's less important for me to get every penny I can from disco clients that it may be for others.

Have a disco

20-05-2007, 01:06 AM

[quote I think what people are missing Rob is you have two ways to set up your show. Its either A or B. I setup every event accordingly. It can be a 21st cheesy party with cheesy lighting and a light screen or a wedding with smart D.M.X lighting and a star booth.[/quote]

Oi nothing cheesy about lightboxes neither if kept in good condition Thanks LOL

Ricesnaps

20-05-2007, 05:57 AM

Ricesnaps,

You're missing my point.

I didn't say I don't foster any ambition to develop what I do, and I AM interested to hear about what others do...because I'm always looking to improve my business. The one thing I DON'T want to do is to increase my charges - for the reasons stated previously.

I'm very glad your happy, but why did you ask the question if you have no desire to earn more from your business. It does seem a little odd to me that you keep asking how you can improve and why other charge more and what extra's make your fee more and so on if you really have no interest in making more money.

Maybe I could be bold enough to suggest that actually you would love to command a higher fee but are extremely nervous about doing so. I know I am extremely nervous about pushing into the next price bracket myself and I have a lot less to loose. There's no need to hide from that Rob.

On the subject of the Alan Sugar thing, you say the people who get somewhere are the ones who go out & get it...but I've already DONE that! I've got to the place where I want to be - by paying off my mortgage & clearing my debts, so I don't owe a penny to anyone & am content.
And I'm sure Sir Alan has got to a place he wants to be, but that certainly hasn't made him contented with what he's got, just more determined to go and get more - good for him I say!

I've never been given anything, won anything or inherited anything. Everything I have is mine & has been achieved through hard work.

That's why it's less important for me to get every penny I can from disco clients that it may be for others
Snap and SNAP - something which probably goes for a lot of us, but I would suggest just makes many of us more determined.

Think for a minute of what you could do if you actually pushed for all you are worth...

You keep on suggesting you want to improve what you do. So what transport do you use at the moment? I'll use myself as an example. I'm driving an S reg Merc Vito - lovely van and does just what it says on the tin, but in two years time I AM going to be driving a new or no more than 3 year old Vivaro. How do you case and transport your gear? Me, home made flight cases and plastic boxes. In 5 years time I aim to have everything professionally flight cased and on wheels. Do you use CD's or a Laptop? Me, CD's, but aim to move to the Denon digital control unit within 3 years.... and so on. But how do you or I get there? earning the fee to do it. The better I get and the more professional I get, the better the work, the better the fee and so on

CRAZY K

20-05-2007, 09:37 AM

I'm very glad your happy, but why did you ask the question if you have no desire to earn more from your business. It does seem a little odd to me that you keep asking how you can improve and why other charge more and what extra's make your fee more and so on if you really have no interest in making more money.

Maybe I could be bold enough to suggest that actually you would love to command a higher fee but are extremely nervous about doing so. I know I am extremely nervous about pushing into the next price bracket myself and I have a lot less to loose. There's no need to hide from that Rob.

And I'm sure Sir Alan has got to a place he wants to be, but that certainly hasn't made him contented with what he's got, just more determined to go and get more - good for him I say!

Snap and SNAP - something which probably goes for a lot of us, but I would suggest just makes many of us more determined.

Think for a minute of what you could do if you actually pushed for all you are worth...

You keep on suggesting you want to improve what you do. So what transport do you use at the moment? I'll use myself as an example. I'm driving an S reg Merc Vito - lovely van and does just what it says on the tin, but in two years time I AM going to be driving a new or no more than 3 year old Vivaro. How do you case and transport your gear? Me, home made flight cases and plastic boxes. In 5 years time I aim to have everything professionally flight cased and on wheels. Do you use CD's or a Laptop? Me, CD's, but aim to move to the Denon digital control unit within 3 years.... and so on. But how do you or I get there? earning the fee to do it. The better I get and the more professional I get, the better the work, the better the fee and so on

Morning guys--well Rob im nursing a headache and aching limbs after last nights " Wedding" so perhaps this story might persuade you that if you deliver a good evening at a Wedding its arguably worth the client paying more--and you charging more.

No I didnt get attacked--but I found that the nice "Town Hall" I was playing in had no proper access at the front and the back access was a narrow alley going to a flight of metal stairs--two flights--yeah I should have asked I guess-

So after struggling up the back stairs etc did the gig including my Barn Dance set which was well received--after the food break we got on to Disco and the groom said--yeah--get em up --if necessary go down there and drag em on the floor:eek:

He sounded serious:D

I do that for a barn dance--not for a Disco:D

Anyway fine and a had a good second half playing all the usual suspects with help from a small playlist.

My point again to you is--this request from the groom proves that its probably the most important event of their life to date and they want it to be a big success- EVEN IF THEY KNOW THEIR FRIENDS DONT LIKE JOINING IN-- you dont generally get the same pressure to deliver if its a Football Club Disco etc--you can always have another one:D

I wont mention the 3 hours it took to get home because they shut the ......
M25 the other side of Dartford:eek:

So yes if you know the venue is easy to get in and out of--and the bride and groom arent really bothered if you deliver a good show to get their friends dancing--dont worry.

Otherwise--I think Rice has some interesting ideas, other than waiting 3 years to get a USB reader--do it now Matt---its magic!

Even the Barn Dance Callers have them now:)

My Wedding pricing is like Rice--different factors taken into account compared to other events,

regards

CRAZY K

wensleydale

20-05-2007, 09:42 AM

I think there are several interesting points here, but I personally cannot see how anyone can quote a one price fits all for weddings, or to a certain extent, any other event.

I focus on weddings more than other events because they are more fun, but at the same time they often require more planning, but the main thing is that they often have more variables than normal events- extra set up, multiroom, further to travel etc etc- therefore I never have put a price on the site, I just talk the customer through what they want and then price accordingly.

Rob- if you got a booking for an event 2 hours drive from you where they wanted you set up at 12pm would you still charge the prices mentioned on the site?

benlewis13

20-05-2007, 10:51 AM

yet, you gain nearly the same effect with a band and DJ, different in ways, but same overall effect.

rob1963

20-05-2007, 11:02 AM

Ricesnaps,

The quote button seems to have stopped working on my computer, but I'd like to pick up on this:

"I'm very glad your happy, but why did you ask the question if you have no desire to earn more from your business. It does seem a little odd to me that you keep asking how you can improve and why other charge more and what extra's make your fee more and so on if you really have no interest in making more money".

I DO want to make more money, and I DO make more money every year than the previous year - but by getting more bookings, NOT by charging more per booking. That's why I keep asking how I can improve, but I've NEVER asked others why they charge more.

I joined this site to share ideas with others in the business, to offer my advice, and to get the advice of others on how I can improve my business, which will ultimately lead to more bookings.

So far, it's been working extremely well! :)

Ricesnaps

20-05-2007, 11:07 AM

I DO want to make more money, and I DO make more money every year than the previous year - but by getting more bookings, NOT by charging more per booking. That's why I keep asking how I can improve, but I've NEVER asked others why they charge more.

I joined this site to share ideas with others in the business, to offer my advice, and to get the advice of others on how I can improve my business, which will ultimately lead to more bookings.

So far, it's been working extremely well! :)
In which case I'm confused, why start a thread asking why some people charge more for weddings if you don't want to know and it's not something u want to explore yourself?

I know I'm missing something, but I just need someone to explain how people can justify charging £50-£100 more just because the function happens to be a wedding.

If I can just draw you back to your original post where you clearly are asking why we charge more. You will forgive me for being a little confused.

By the way, by actually charging what you are worth and what the client will pay you will end up with one of two results: less work and the same income (like that idea) OR same or more work and lots more money (actually that sounds quite cool too!)

rob1963

20-05-2007, 11:08 AM

Wensleydale,

I'd like to answer this question:

QUOTE: "Rob- if you got a booking for an event 2 hours drive from you where they wanted you set up at 12pm would you still charge the prices mentioned on the site?"

No, I wouldn't still charge the price mentioned on the site.

Firstly, if the event was 2 hours drive, it wouldn't be in Surrey, and my site states that prices quoted are for functions in Surrey. Therefore, there would be an extra charge in this case.

I hope this clarifies the situation.

:)

Secondly, if it was a daytime set up, there would be another additional charge as stated on my site, as my standard prices are for functions with an EVENING set up.

rob1963

20-05-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote from Ricesnaps:

"In which case I'm confused, why start a thread asking why some people charge more for weddings if you don't want to know and it's not something u want to explore yourself?"

Because in MY experience most weddings involve no more work than many OTHER bookings, which is why I would never charge more for them.

I was interested to see why many others DO charge extra for them, and it appears that its because they DO involve a lot more work for others.

Just because I ask a question, it doesnt always mean that I'm thinking of exploring that particular avenue myself, it's often that I dont understand why people do certain things...and simply would like it explained to me.

:)

Shaun

20-05-2007, 11:19 AM

I DO want to make more money, and I DO make more money every year than the previous year - but by getting more bookings, NOT by charging more per booking.

I'm exactly the opposite. I want to make more money every year with less bookings. Not by ripping off the clientelle, but by putting extra effort into each individual.

rob1963

20-05-2007, 11:24 AM

Ricesnaps

20-05-2007, 11:33 AM

Thats fine, Shaun, but I'd rather make more money from doing MORE bookings - because I absolutely LOVE what I do - even after 24 years!....

...and in my experience, when somebody loves doing something, they want to do it as often as possible!

:)
:confused: :confused: :confused:

So why ask the question in the first place when you actually didn't want to know the answer or do anything with it?

As I did say earlier, if you really are as good as you say you are, you could charge more AND get the work - which means LOTS of money!

By the way, were you not out last night?

rob1963

20-05-2007, 11:41 AM

Quote from Ricesnaps:

"So why ask the question in the first place when you actually didn't want to know the answer or do anything with it?

As I did say earlier, if you really are as good as you say you are, you could charge more AND get the work - which means LOTS of money!

By the way, were you not out last night?"

Ricesnaps,

I asked the question because I DID want to know the answer! and because it was something I didn't understand, but wanted to!

I'm not sure about the "as good as I say I am" thing. I've never said I'm a brilliant DJ, but I think I'm efficient, professional & provide a good service at an excellent price.

No, I wasn't out last night. I usually have one gig each weekend in the wedding season. I didn't have one last night, but I had 2 last weekend to make up for it. Swings & roundabouts!

PS - I see you did a post at 9.53pm last night. I therefore take it that maybe YOU weren't out last night either!

:rolleyes: