business start up help needed please guys

[cara]

help and opinions please if you would

ok what i want to offer my customers are two DJ packages one cheap and cheerful and one not so cheap but even more cheerful than the cheap and cheerful one if you catch my drift? ;0)

so i was thinking basic package and gold package, now obviously the gold package would have to include better lighting and stuff but i'm stuck on what to offer the customers for the higher priced package and how i could justify charging more

here is a list of my equipment which will be used for the cheap package, i'd be greatful of your suggestions for what i could add (equipment wise) to the 'cheap' package to justify charging more for the gold package and roughtly what price i'd expect to pay.

1x dell inspiron dual core laptop running traktor dj studio (main)
1x stanton c501 twin cd/mp3 decks & mixer (back up)
1x behringer bcd3000 dj midi controller
1x edirol ua101 external 10 in 10 out usb soundcard
1x 250 gig mp3 hard drive
2x class d 350w tops
2x class d 500w bass bins
2x geni xtc's
2x geni wild blaze's
1x njd chaos
1x njd chaos 2
2x class d 500w bass bins
speaker stands & cables & leads etc.
1x t bar lighting stand
1x estate car

right guys i have a budget of about £2000 but i still have to get

business cards
p.l.i.
website
p.a.t. testing
flyers
DJ stand
better quality lighting & stand

what would be the best way to spend my budget so that i can offer the customer a alternative to the cheaper package

obviously just starting out i don't want to turn much work away so if someone only wants a cheap disco i could pack a couple of cheap lights and off i go, but if someone wants a dj for a wedding then i'd be putting in the extra effort (liasing with the client etc.) so will be charging more

i hope this makes sense guys and you understand what i'm trying to say,

basicaly i've got about 2 grand left what's the best way to spend it (wisely)

thanks as always in advance.

[Unnamed Disco]

Hi There,

I have just undergone the same transformation myself (from part-timer to 'pro'). I will let you know how I spent my money:

PLI - Cheap enough (I think I pay £14 a month)

PAT- Lucky as my dad's a qualified tester :)

Business Cards - I used VistaPrint and got 500 for £30

Website - I got a very good '.com' website (not revealing it yet as it's not finished and looks awful!) from 'My Internet Store' for £35 a year.

In terms of upgrading the gear, I went for the following (in order of, how good an investment I think they are):

Ultimax Stand (Only the single bar). I wanted to believe that the other makes would be as good and that it was 'brand snobbery' that got people buying Ultimax. How wrong could I be! :bang: this stand is awesome. - £180

Mackie SRM450's - Again, I thought this may be another case on buying something based on the make but, again, I was wrong. :bang: Now I don't have to carry 4 huge (unbranded) speakers and 2 heavy amps, worth every penny of £750

KAM mixer and flightcase - Not the greatest mixer in the world but I was only using a cheap 2-channnel Numark one before and now I have a back-up - £70-ish

My lighting isn't exactly cutting-edge but I think most of the guys here will agree that the music and sound-quality will be remembered more than the lightshow, I have:

8 x Dynamos (love 'em!) :p

2 x I-move moving heads (again, cheap and cheerful and I find moving heads get a lot of positive comments)

2 x Datamoons (but I'd recommend falcons if you want a goboflower)

2 x Moodbars (cannot recommend these enough, in my opinion, far better than light screens as a focal point) very cool :cool:

3 colour laser (rarely leaves it's box to be fair)

a couple of other cheap and cheerful effects (a wildblaze, crescendo etc. which occasionally get let out the loft).


Like I said, get the stand and sounds sorted and the lighshow will instantly look better anyway. I have always been a bit of a lighting geek but now know the error of my ways!

Sorry to ramble but thought I'd share my experiences.

[Vectis]

My advice? Don't base your pricing differential solely on your disco kit. Most people don't know or really care about the kit itself. Find a USP (unique selling point) for your packages.

I have three packages. My 'normal' package is called 'Premier' and that's what I start by selling when someone calls up with the immortal question "how much for a disco". This is a fairly typical equipment rig with starcloth frontage, half a dozen decent lighting effects, deckstand. The USPs are video screens running r4 & shadowdancers and the fact that we video record the event and supply clips on our website and DVD. We also have a face-to-face with the client and let them decide exactly how they want the event to run.

To downsell and satisfy those who either can't afford or simply don't want Premier, we have 'Junior'. Sold as a smaller rig (usually it isn't as I can't be bothered swapping out the contents of the van) but I'll usually substitute say moving heads for a few spotboxes for a more retro feel, drop the video screens and not video the event. USP = price and simplicity. All the lights run sound-to-light and we can be set up in half an hour. They get two full-range speakers and not subs. Out goes the starcloth in comes a PVC banner with our name splattered across it and an LED sign.

To upsell we have 'Platinum'. Here we chuck in every lighting effect known to man, DMX them, and a trussing arrangement to hold them, and the USPs are the fact that we're available to them all day to set up whenever required, plus video projection instead of monitors and access to more effects options such as additional starcloths, fireworks, confetti cannons, room lighting etc.. We'll also offer background music during meals, PA for speeches etc. (at extra cost of course ;) )

Then on top of this we have other USPs that apply to all three options, for example the ability to have guests place requests and dedications via our website ahead of the event. And a few more I'm not going to advertise here :p

Hope some of this helps!